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.USTISATi
ALDEBMAN LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
/
HISTORY
OF THE
CITY OF BUFFALO
AND
ERIE COUNTY,
WITH ILLUSTRATiaNS AND BIDQRAFHICAL SKETCHES OF
SOME DF ITS PROMINENT MEN JINT] PIONEERS.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOLIL
XDITILD BY
H. PERRY SMITH.
SYRACUSE, N. T.:
D. MASON & CO., PUBUSHER8,
1684.
F
The reproduction of this book has been
made possible through the sponsorship
of the Western New York Genealogical
Society, Inc., Hamburg, N.Y.
A Reproduction by
Unigraphic, Inc.
1401 North Fares Avenue
EvansviDe, Indiana 47711
nineteen hundred and seventy-six
Qo[NlTE[NlTS.
Pagc
CHAPTER l.^Buffalo Before the War of i8i2— The Firet Setiler— The Site of the City —
Wm. Johnston — Martin Middaugh's Arrival —A French Nobleman's Description of Buffalo
in 1795 —The Firet Inn-Keeper— James Brisbane's Notes on Buffalo in 1798— The First
Mechanic— Mrs. Ransom's Heroism — The Firet Birth in Buffalo— Joseph Ellicott and
the Survey— A Prospective City— Wm. Peacock Describes Buffalo in 1799 — Application
for School Lot — The name " Buffalo** vs, ** New Amsterdam "— Dr. Cyrenius Chapin —
The Firet Preacher — The Firet Murder — Survey of the Village — Street Names — The
Firet Blacksmith — His Quarrel with *' Young King"— A Politician's Arrival— Outer and
Inner Lot Maps — Lots Sold in 1804 — Prices of Lots — The Firet Carriage in Erie
Counly — An Indian Thief and his Punishment — Arrival of William Hodge — Louis
Stephen Le Couteulx de Caumont — The Firet Post Route— Rev. Timothy Dwight's
Description of Buffalo— The Contractor's Store — Judge Samuel Tupper — Other Early
Settlere— Buffalo in 181 1 — Early Merchante — A Reform Society— The Firet News-
paper—Extracts from Early Numbere— The Approaching Conflict— Black Rock Before
the War of 181 2 — Boundaries of the Proposed Villages of Upper and Lower Black
Rock — The Old Ferry and its Lessees— The **Rock" and its Uses— The Firm of
Porter, Barton & Co.— Prices of Salt in Early Yeare— The Firet Rivalry between Black
Rock and Buffalo 13
CHAPTER U.— Buffalo and Black Rock in ike War-- Destruction of the Two Villages — Their
Fortifications — Cannonading of Black Rock — William Doreheimer's Recount of the
Burning of the Villages — Incidents — Mre. Bidwell's Flight — A Lale Breakfast —
Peace Movements — The Riot at Pomcroy's Hotel— "Hank" Johnson's Heroism —
The St. John Family — A Heroic Woman — Massacre of Mre. Lovcjoy — Preservation
of Valuables — Alfred Hodge's Escape — Samuel Wilkeson's New Acquaintance —
Flight of William Hodge's Family — Job Hoysington's*Last Shot — Mr. Keep's Death
— The Killed and Captured — General Flight — Treachery Under a Flag of Truce 56
CHAPTER in.— Tke Second Buffalo as a Village— Peace— General Rejoicings over the Event
— Dcparturt of the Army from Buffalo — The Second Newspaper — Prominent Arrivals
— Rebuilding of the Village — Revival of Business — Opening of the Courts — Brick-
yard Established — A Period of ** Hard Times " — The Canal Project — Incorporation of
the Village — New Ordinances Passed — Last Relic of Slavery — Population in 1820 —
The Harbor Project— How the Work was Done — The Terminus of the Canal —
Rivalry between Black Rock and Buffalo— Final Settlement of the Question in Favor
of Buffalo— Millard Fillmore— Completion of the Canal— The Village in 1825 — The
Buffalo Hydraulic Company — Jubilee Water Works — A Disastrous Fire — A Young
City — List of Puichasere of Lots of the Holland Company 75
History of Buffalo.
Pagb.
CHAPTER W, "-Buffalo as a City^ First ElectioQ of City Officers — The Cholera Epidemic
of 1832 — Incidents of the Scourge — The Board of Health and " The Old Sexton »' —
First Meeting of the Board of Aldermen — The Panic of i835-'36 — The City in 1836
— The Patriot War — Death of Dr. Chapin — Reorganization of the School System —
Establishment of a Recorder's Court and the Superior Court— The Great Flood of
J 844 — The »* University of Buffalo" — The Cholera Epidemic of 1849 — Enlargement
of the City in 1853— The Financial Crisis of 1857— The War of the Rebellion — Com-
parison of the City of 1862 with that of 1836 — The Park System — City Improvemente. 113
CHAPTER V.^The Germans ^/i^M/ai^— Characteristics of the German Element — Propor-
tion of German Population in Buffalo — Whence they Emigrated — The Old Lutherans —
Mecklcnburgcrs and Alsatians — The First German Settler in Buffalo — "Water John *'—
Jacob Siebold's Arrival — The Firet Brewer, Rudolph Baer— An Early Teacher of lan-
guages—The First Potter in Buffalo— The Oldest German Resident of the City — The
German Element in 1828 — Arrivals of Settlers in 1831 — The German Press — The
German Young Men's AsM>ciation — Its Objects — First Members — Music Hall and its
Projectors — German Musical Societies — Secret Societies — The German Bank of Buf-
falo— German American Bank — Buffalo German Insurance Company — The German
Churches 150
CHAPTER VI. — Commerce and Navigation — Commercial Importance of Buffalo — First
American Vessel on Lake Erie — Other Early Vessels — Porter, Barton & Co.'s Fleet in
1806 — Augustus Porter's Reminiscences -* Pioneer Commanders and their Vessels —
Buffalo as a Port of Entry— Entries at the Port August 15, 181 5 — Porter. Barton &
Co.'s Warehouse at Black Rock — Early Transportation Firms — Lake Marine of 18 16 —
Enrollment of Vessels in the District of Buffalo Creek in 1817, 1818 and 1819 — Town-
send & Coit — Shipping Owned in Buffalo in 1818 — The First Steamer — Her Passage
Up the River — The Second Steamer — Captain Levi Allen's Reminiscences — Captain
Sam Ward's Trip to New York — Captain Daniel Dobbins — Captain Fred. S. Miller
and Other Early Commanders — Development of Lake Commerce Incident Upon the
Construction of the Canal — First Shipments of Wheat — Captain A. Walker's Memories
of the Early Commercial Men of Buffalo — Shipbuilding — The First Propeller on the
Lake — The Tug Fleet — Transportation Companies — The Lumber Interest — The
Coal Trade of Buffalo — The Live Stock Interest — Canal Commerce 180
CHAPTER VII.— The Elevator Interests -- T\ie First Steam Grain Elevator in the World —
A High Honor for Buffalo — Old Methods of Ix>ading and Unloading Grain — Joseph
Dart's Experiment — Its Pronounced Success — The First Vessel Unloaded by Steam —
Contrast between Old and New Methods of Handling Grain — Increase of Grain Receipts
Incident upon the Establishment of Elevators — Rapid Building of Elevators — Conse-
quent Competition in Elevator Charges — Organization of the Western Elevating Com-
pany — Its Permanence and Success — Record of the Building, Burning and Rebuilding
of Buffalo Elevators 214
Contents.
Pagb.
CHAPTER Wlh^Financial Interests ^Thit First Bank in Buffalo— The Bank of Niagara
and Its Officers— Its Early Reverses — A S^econd Bank Projected — The United States
Bank and Its Directors — Opening of Subscription Books for the Bank of Buffalo —
An Injunction Upon the Project — Its Removal — The First Board of Directors — A
Speculative Mania in 1835-^36-^ Marvelous Transactions in Land— The Final Crash and
its Disastrous Effects — The Banks Involved — Injunctions Against the Banks — A Panic
Meeting— The Era of ** Hard Times " — Ben jamin Rathbun's Career— The Panics of
1857 and 1873-74 — History of the Banks of Buffalo — Saving Aid Associations 222
CHAPTER IX^-^Manufaeturing and fVJkolesale Interests — AdYtaiiMges of Buffalo as a
Manufacturing Center — Development of Manufacturing interests — The "Association
for the Encouragement of Manufacturing in the City of Buffalo" — The Iron Indus-
try— Furniture Manufacturing — The Leather Industry — The Brewing Interest —
Malting in Buffalo — The Milling Interest — Manufacture of Boots and Shoes — Miscel-
laneous Manufactures — The Wholesale Trade of Buffalo — Growth of Trade in the
City 237
CHAPTER X.—Insunmee Cam/anies of ^M/7a^ — Magnitude of the Insurance Business —
The First Company in Buffalo — Its Officers and Changes — Some of its First Policies —
The '' Mutual Insurance Company of Buffalo '* — The Second Local Company — The
"Western Insurance Company of Buffalo*' — Companies Organized in Buffalo and now
in Existence — The Gemutn Insurance Company— Its Unquali6ed Success — Its Magnifi-
cent Building — The ** Union Fire Insurance Company of Buffalo*' — The ** Erie County
Mutual Insurance Company " — The " Buffalo Insurance Company ** — General Insur-
ance Interests of the City 269
CHAPTER yil.--The Churches ^1\it. First Preacher in Buffalo — Early Missionaiy Work
— The First Buffalo Church Society — The First Church Building — Organiza-
tion of the First Presbyterian Society — Names of the Members — History of the
Church — Other Presbyterian Churches — Their Pastors and Officers — Episcopal
Churches of Buffalo — History of St. Paul's — Other Societies of thu) Denomination —
The First Baptist Church and Its Successors — Separate Church Societies — Catholic
Churches — The Israelites and their Religious Societies 275
CHAPTER Wl.—EdMcational Institutions of Buffalo ^Tht Early Schools— Meagre Facilities
for Obtaining Education before the War of 181 2 — The Literary and Scientific Academy —
The First Public School Building — A Quaint Subscription Paper— History of the Old
School House — The First Teachers— A School Tax Roll of 1818 — Districts Nos. i and
2 — The "High School Association"— Reorganization of the City Schools— The Work
of Oliver G. Steele, as Superintendent — Ward Committees on School Improvement —
Success of the Plans Adopted — List of School SuperintendenU — Description of
Schools at the Piesent Time — The Normal School — Private and Parochial Educational
Institutions 309
History of Buffalo.
Pagb.
CHAPTER Xllh^ yfftmtahjm in BufaU—lntivLtnct of the Press— The First Newspaper
in Ba£falo — Its Legitimate Successor, the CouriiT'-^ The Largest Show Printing House
in the World — The Commercial Advertiser — Details of its Growth — The Express —
Successive Owners, Editors and Managers— The First Successful Sunday Newspaper in
Bu£falo — The Sunday Netos — Establishment of the Daiiy News — The Daify Tele-
graph— The Sunday Times — .EsUblishment of the Daily Times — The Sunday Truth
— Religious, Medic%l and Temperance Journals — Literary Papers — The Mortuary
Record of Buffalo Newspapers 326
CHAPTER Xl\.— Secret Societies in Erie County — Tree Masonry— Beginning of the Order
Among the Early Settlers — The First Lodge — History of the Western Star Lodge — Its
Fiist Officers — Records of Succeeding Lodges — List of District Deputy Grand Mas-
ters— History of Chapters, Councils, Commandertes, etc. — Ceremonies in which
Masonic Organizations have Taken Part — Odd Fellows' Lodges — Other Secret Societies
of Buffalo 35E
CHAPTER Xy.— The Medical Pt of ession of Erie County— The Medical Profession in Early
Days — Eminent Names at the Beginning of the Century — Imperfect Medical Educa-
tion— Attempt to Rescue the Science from Obscurity — Legislative Action — Medical
Societies — The Profession in Erie County — The First County Society — Dr. Cyrenius
Cbapin — An Opposition Society — Dr. Ebenezer Johnson — Sketch of Dr. J. W . Trow-
bridge—The Buffalo Medical Association — Dr. J. E. Marshall — Other Biographical
Sketches 414
CHAPTER XVL — The Bench and Bat of Erie County — Organization of Niagara County —
Formation of Erie County— The First Court in Buffalo — The First Judges — The
Attorneys of Buffalo Before 1812 — Prominent Lawyers of the Next Decade — Riding
the Circuit — Compensation of Early Lawyers — The Courts of Common Pleas and Gen-
eral Sessions of the Peace — Their Character — The Recorder's Court of Buffalo — Sketch
of Judge Ebenezer Walden — Biographic Notes of Other Deceased Attorneys and Jus-
tices— Present Courts and Judges of Erie County — The Present Bar of the County 452
CHAPTER XVII.— r^^- Parh System of Buffalo — Bene^Xi of Public Parks— Their Influ-
ence on Communities — A City without a Healthful, Free Resort — First Movement
Looking to the Establishment of a Great Park in Buffalo — The Men who Instigated
it — Action by the Mayor and Council — Engagement of Frederick Law Olmstead —
Extracts from His Report — Adoption of His Plans — Beginning of the Work — First
Commissioners' Issue of Bonds — Progress of Work from Year to Year — Present Extent
of the Park — Description of its Different Sections 487
CHAPTER XMin.'-Buffalo Cemeteries-^ The First Burial PUce in Buffalo — Its First Occu-
pant -^ Captain William Johnston's Burial — The Old Franklin Square Burying Ground —
Who Established it — Its First Tenant — Other Prominent Interments — Description of
Other City Burying Grounds— The Black Rock Burying Ground— The Matthews and
\yilcox Burial Ground — Church Cemeteries — Soldiers' Burial Places — Forest Lawn —
Its Beginning, Dedication, etc. — Its Enlargement and Improvement — Value of the
Cemetery Property — Dedication Ceremonies 502
Contents.
Pagk.
CHAPTER XIX,— a fy I?f^rim£nis and /fistitutioms— Tht Buffalo Fire Department ~ First
Oiganixation — The First Fire Company — Construction of Cisterns — List of All Com-
panies and Dates of Organization — The First Chief Engineer — His Successors to the
Present Time — Demotaliiation of the Department — First Board of Fire Commission-
ers — Fire Alarm Telegraph Introduced — Establishment of a Paid Department — Dis-
astrous Fires — The Fireman's Benevolent Association — Buffalo Police Force — First
Chief of Police — Snccessive Chiefs and Superintendents — Present Force and Pre-
cincts — The Health Department — The First Cholera Epidemic — The First Board of
Health and their Labors — List of Health Physicians — Health Department as at Present
Constituted — The City Water Works— The First Water Company — Organization of
the City Water Works Company — Incorporators — Different Plans — Details of Con-
struction— Magnitude of the Works — Change in Officials — The Postal Service in
Buffalo and Black Rock — List of Postmasters — Early Mail Routes — Gas and Electric
Light Companies — Street Car Lines 513
C/M PTER XX. — Literary a$ul Riligiams A ssaeiaHons— -The First Literary Association in
Buffalo — The ** Buffalo Lyceum "-^Organization of the '* Young Men's Association " —
Its First Officers — A Hard Struggle and Final Triumph — Tabular History — Present
Management of the Association — The Buffalo Historical Society — Organization and
Objects — Constitution — Incorporation — List of Presidents of the Society — The Gros-
venor Library — A Beneficent Bequest — A Valuable Library — The Young Men's Chris-
tian Association — The Parent "Union*' — Change of Name — Financial Struggles —
The New Building — List of Presidents and Present Officers — The Young Men's Catholic
Association — A Valuable Library— The Mechanics' Institute — Law Library — The
Catholic Institute and its Library — Other AssocinHons 530
CHAPTER XW,— Public AmustmenU, Clubiy Etc,^ in Buffalo — TYi^ First Public Amuse-
ments in 'Buffalo— A Pioneer Caravan — The Egyptian Mummy Show — The First
Theatre in Buffalo— Old Time Performances — The First Circus — The Old Eagle
Street Theatre — The First Gas Used in Buffalo — The Opening Night in the Eagie
Street Theatre — An Old Announcement — Burning of the Theatre — A Complimentary
Benefit — The New " Metropolitan Theatre " — Rebuilding of the Eagle Street Theatre —
Its Transformation into St James* Hall — The Academy of Music and its Management —
The Buffalo Opera House, now the Adelphi — Wahlc's Opera House — The Clubs of
Buffalo — The Buffalo Club and its Incorporators — The City Club of Buffalo — The
Ix>tus, Press, Polo and Other Clubs 542
CHAPTER XXll,— Hospitals, Asylums, Ci*flnV»>/, ^/f.— The Buffalo General Hospifal — The
First Hospital Meeting; — Successive Presidents of the Institution — The Training School
for Nurses — Hospital of the Sisters of Charity — The Good Samaritan Eye and Ear
Infirmary — The Homeopathic Hospital — Buffalo Eye and Ear Infirmary — Buffalo
Surgical Infirmary — The City's Dispensaries — The Charitable Institutions and Asylums
of the City 549
History of Buffalo.
illJsti^atio|^s.
Abell. William H., portrait, (pwt i,) facinfc. ^. ... si6
Ad«ns,.James, portrait, (put 2,) imdng, i
Austin, Stephen G., portrait, (put i,) facing..... ~ 460
Bailey, Daniel E., portrait, (part 2,) facing 96
Bennett, David S., portrait, (part 2,) facing 2
Bennett, Philander, portrait, (part i,) facing , 458
Bilge, Martin H., portrait, (part i,*) facing 258
BrajTton, S. N., M. D., portrait, (part 2,) facing 6
BxQfh, Alexander, portrait, (part 2,) facing. « 8
Bryant, William C, portrait, (part x,) facing 482
Buffalo City, map of in 1847, (part i,) 105
Buffalo Harbor, view of in 1825. (part x,) 100
Buffalo Harbor, view o€ in 1826. (part i,) I91
Buffalo Village, map of in 1825, (part i,), xoi
Buffalo Village, view of from the light-house in 1826, (part i,) .• X94
Buffalo Village, map of the outer lots, (part i,) 30
Buffalo Village, map of the inner lots, (part i,) 31
Burwell, Bryant, portrait, (part i,} facing. 424
Cluk, John Whipple, portrait, (part 2,) facing. ^.... io
Cluk, Thomas, portrait, (part 2,) facing 13
Coit, George, portrait, (part i,) facing. , 80
Cutler, Abner, portrait, (part i,) facing 242
Daboll, (Hrrett C, portrait, (part i,) facing „ 450
Dick, Robert, portrait, (part 2,) facing. 18
Fargo, Jerome P., portrait, (part 2,) facing 33
Firmenich, Joseph, portrait, (part i,) facing. 354
GtLics; George B., portrait, (part 2,) facing..^ .>.. 34
Gtty, Charles C. F., M. D., portrait, (part 1,) facing 550
Glenny, W. H., portrait, (part i,) facing 266
Greene, William H., portrait, (part i,) facing. 474
Greene, J. C, M. D., portrait, (part i,) facing 442
Guthrie, S. S., portrait, (part 2,) facing 102
Hammond, William W., portrait, part i,) facing ^„.. 484
Harboi; improvements, map of proposed in 1836. (part i,) g-j
Harrison, James C, portrait, (part i.) facing, .^ ^28
Holmes, Britain, portrait, (part i,) between 356, 357
Contents.
Pagb.
Plolmes, Edward, portrait, (part zj between 2$6, 257
Howard, Ethan H., portrait, (part 2,) facii^ ..^,«.,..^ « .., 32
Howard, George, portrait, (^)art i,).facin£..«..» •••••.••^» ••■ 512
Howard, K. L., portrait, (part r,) facing....^ - 138
Jewett, Elam R., portrait, (part i,) fadsg. ...^^ 528
Jewett, Sherman S., portrait, (part a,) facing. ^ 40
Kip, Henry, portrait, (part 2,) facing...^ 44
Lake Erie and the Bay in 1816, Tiew. of from Buffalo, (part i,) 83
Lang, Geriiard, portrait. ^»rt 2,) facing «... ^ .• ..4... 76
Lynde, U. C^ M. D., portrait, (part I,) facing , 444
Lyth, John, portrait, (part 2,^ facing.. » 46
McCnnc, C. W., portrait, ^ait i,) facing.... .»... 334
McMichaeL l^J)., M. D., portrait, ^»rt 1,) iicing 548
Manning, John B., portrait, (part 2.) facing... 50
Manhall, O. H., portrait, (part i,)facing «^...., 534
tfanhall, John E., portrait, (part z,) facing *........ , 420
Hasten, Joseph G., portrait, (part i,) facing..... < ..^ 118
Mesmer, Midiael, portrait, (part a,) facing 56
Mixer, S. F., M. D., portrait, (part I,) facing. 436
Moore, A. C, portrait, (part 2,) facing ^... 58
Moolton, John F., portrait, (part z,) facing 200
New Amsterdam, map of the Tillage of, in Z804, (part z,) 27
Norton, Charles D., portrait, fpart z,) facing 476
Noye, John T., portrait, (part 2,) facing 60
Palmer, George, portrait, (part 2,) facing 62
Potter, W. W., M. D., portrait, (part 2,) facing 66
Pease, Sheldon, portrait, (part 2,) tacing 74
Phelps, Orson, portrait, (part 2,}. facing 64
Pratt, G. F., M. D., portrait, (part z,) facing ^ 426
Pratt, Ssmnd F., portrait, (part z,) facing ^* 34
Putnam, James O , portrait, (part 2,) facing 53
Ramsdell, Orrin P^ portrait, (part z,) facing .„, 364
Richmond, J. M., portrait, (part z,) facing 230
Rockwell, Augustus, portrait, (part 2,) facing , gg
Rogen> Henry W., portrait, (part z,) facing , 4^^
Rogers, Shennan S„ portrait, (part z,) facing , j2g
Rumiin, Henry, portrait, (part 2,) facing g,
Rumsey, Aaron, portrait, (jmit z,) between 244, 24$
Rumsey,. Bronson C, portrait, (part z,) between , 244^ 245
Scheu, Solomon, portrait, (part z,) facing ^ ^j2
Schoellkopf, J. F^ portrait, (part 2,) facing g^
Skinner, John B., portrait, (part 2), facing g^
Smith, Moses, portrait, (part z,) facing , , 32a
Smith, William Henry, portrait, (part 2,) facing ^
Sterenson, Edward L., portrait, (part z,) facing ^ 284
lo History of Buffalo.
Pasb.
Stewart, Robert G., portnit, (part ajfadng 92
Thompson, Sheldon, portrait, (part i,)f^n&— •« • i8d
Tifft, George W., portrait, (part i,) facing 26S
Tillinghast, James, portrait, (part 2,)fadng 94
Townsend, Charles, portrait, (part z,) facing - 46
Tucker, J. K., portrait, (part i,) facing 500
Urban, George, portrait, (part i,) facing 154
Utley, Horace, portrait, (part 2,) facing 108
Warren, Joseph, portrait, (part I,) facing 332
Watson, Stephen V. R., portrait, (part i,) facing 530
Wells, Chandler Joseph, portrait, (part 2,) facing 112
White, Russell J., M. D., portrait, (part 2,) facing ^ 116
Williams, Gibson T., portrait, (part i,) facing. 234
Wright, Alfred P., portrait, (part i,) facing 232
Wyckoff, C. C, M. D., portrait, (part i,) facing 440
Young, Charles E., portrait, (part I,) facing 392
Ziegele, Albert, Sr., portrait, (part i,) facing 158
BIOGI^Aph|lC/\L St^EJCI-|ES.
Pagb.
Abell, William Hawks, 25
Adams, James, i
Austin, Stephen Goodwin, * i
Bailey, Daniel E., 26
Bennett, David S 2
Bennett, Philander, 5
Birge, Martin H., 6
Brayton, Samuel Nelson 6
Brush, Alexander, 8
Burwell, Bryant, 10
Clartc, John Whipple, .. 10
Clark, Thomas, 12
Coit, George, 14
C^utler, ^bner, 16
Daboll, Garrett C, 18
Dick, Robert, 19
Contents,
II
Paob.
Fttgo, Jerome Freeman, 33
Faigo, William GeoT]ge , 54
Gay, Charles Curtis Feon, M; D., ai
Gates, George B., ^..^. 23
Gknnj, William H., a6
Greene, Joseph C, ^.^ 97
Greene, William Henry, • ay
Gathrie, Solomon Sturges, - , 102
Hammond, William W., 30
Harrison, James Cooke, 75
Holmes, Edwardand Britain, 31
Howard, Ethan H*. 32
Howard, George,.. • •••• ••• •... ^a
Howard, Rnfus L,, i 34
Jewett, Elam R., 36
Jewett, Sherman S., 40
Kip, Henry, , ^
Lang, Gerhard, _ jj
Lynde, Uri C. 45
Creswell, John A., ^
Held. Frederick, ^ .j
Bntlcr. Edward Hubert, ^^
Lyth, John, ^^
McCune, Charles Willard, ^
Mack, Norman E., ^ -^
Manning, John Baker, ,. ^^ ^^
Marshall, Dr. John Ellis, -^
Marshall, Orsamus Holmes, ^ -»
Matthews, James N., ^ -^
Mesmer, Michael, , ^ -^
Mixer, Sylvester Frederick -g
Moore, Augustus C, -
MonltOQ. John F.,
Norton, Charles Davis, ^ ^
Noye, JcAnT., ^ ^^
Palmer, George, ^^
Pease, Sheldon ^^
Phdps, Orson ^
Potter, William Warren, ^
Pratt, Gotham Flint...... ^
Pratt, Pascal P., 1....!,.,.! 87
Pratt, Samuel F., ^
pQtnam, James O ^
Rarasdell, Orrin P., ^
Retnecke, Ottomar, ^^^ g
12 History of Buffalo.
Paob.
Richmond, Jewett McWin, 72
Rogers, Henry W., 77
Rogers, Sherman 8., 79
Rohr, Mathias, ^ 80
Rumnll, Henry, 81
Rockwell, Augiasttts, r 88
Scheu, Solomon, » 84
Schoellkopf, Jacob F 85
Skinner, John B., 85
Smith, Moses, 89
Smith, William H ». , 90
Stevenson, Edward L., • 90
Stewart Robert G., 9a
Thompson, Sheldon, 97
TiflFt, George W., 104
Tillinghast, James, ^ 94
Townsend, Charles, , 108
Urban, George 109
Utley, Horace, 109
Warren. James D. * no
Warren, Joseph, no
Watson, Stephen Van Rensselaer,, 118
Wells, Chandler J 112
White, Rossell Jesse, H5
Williams, Gibson T i 116
Wright. Alfred P 117
WyckoflF, Cornelias C, M. D 1. i«
Young, Charles Edward, ,*,.. ^ i20
Zesch, Frank H., b 119
Ziegele, Albert, 8r., » 1x9
[-jisjORy OF pjrr/^LO^
CHAPTER I.
BUFFALO BEFORE THE TSTAR OF 1B12.
The First Settler — The Site of the City — Wm. Johnston — Martin MiddaugVs Arrival — A French
Nobleman's Description of Buffalo in 1795— The First Inn-Keeper — James Brisbane's Notes
OD Buffalo in 1798— The First Mechanic — Mrs. Ransom's Heroism — The First Birth in
Buffalo — Joseph Ellicott and the Siirrey — A Prospective City — Wm. Peacock Describes
Buffalo in 1799— Application ^^^ School Lot— The Name "Buffalo," vs. ** New Amsterdam,"—
Dr. Cyrenius Chapin — The First Preacher — The First Murder— Survey of the Village—
Street Names— The First Blacksmith — His Quarrel with "Young King" — A Politician's
Arrival — Outer and Inner Lot Maps — Lots Sold in 1804— Prices of Lots — The First Car-
nage in Erie County — An Indian Thief and his Punishment— Arrival of Wm. Hodge — Louis
Stephen Le Couteulx de Caumont — The First Post Route — Rev. Timothy Dwight's Descrip-
tion of Buffalo— The Contractors Store — Judge Samuel Tupper— Other Early Settlers —
Buffalo in 18 11 — Early Merchants — A Reform Society — The First Newspaper— Extracts
from Early Numbers— The Approaching Conflict — Riack Rock Before the War of 1812 —
Boundaries of the Proposed Villages of Upper and Lower Black Rock — The Old Ferry and its
I-€ssees — The ''Rock" and its Uses — The Firm of Porter, Barton & Co.— Prices of Salt in
Early Years — The First Rivalry between Black Rock and Buffalo.
A HUNDRED years ago, the site of the city of Buffalo was a wilder-
ness wherein a representative of the race that now constitutes her
population had not set his foot in permanent settlement. Where
now extend miles of broad and beautiful thoroughfares, lined with the
imposing edifices that characterize the most prominent cities of America,
the Indian then followed the war path or the hunt through the thick forest
and over the open plain, aud here made his primitive home. Seventy
years ago the site of the present proud city was a burned and black-
ened waste far more desolate of aspect than it was before the hand of
civilization had left its impress there. The growth of Buffalo in that
comparatively short period of time to its present proud position in the
great sisterhood of American cities, speaks eloquently of the almost
14 History of Buffalo.
unrivaled energy and strong practical vigor of her people and fulfills
the ardent prophecies of her founders and early settlers. The reader
of the first volume of this work is now familiar with the first known
Indian settlement made on the banks of Buffalo Creek in the winter of
i779-'8o; with the important proceedings of the Buffalo Creek Council
of July 5, 1788, with other events of that period, and with the transfer
in i792-*93 of a large tract of land embracing the site of the present
city of Buffalo, by Robert Morris, the financier of Revolutionary days,
to representatives of what is known as "the Holland Land Company."
At this point the history of the city of Buffalo as distinct from that
of the county and towns given in the preceding volume, may properly
begin.
The derivation of the title to the lands on which Buffalo stands has
been explained by excellent authority as follows : —
" The territory now constituting the city, formed a part of the reeion
granted to the Council of Plymouth by Charles the First in 1620, and by
Charles the Second to the Duke of York in 1664. It was claimed by both
New York and Massachusetts under these conflicting charters until in
December, 1786, by what may be termed an amicable partition, the title
or rather the preemption of the exclusive right to purchase the lands
of the Indians was vested in Massachusetts, with the exception of a
strip one mile wide, extending northerly from Lake Erie along the
Niagara River, the preemption of which was vested in New York. The
Indiati title was gradually extinguished by treaties in 1797, 1838 and
1842. In 1 791, Massachusetts conveyed its interest to Robert Morris,
who, in 1792, conveyed it in trust for certain gentlemen residing in
Holland, who being aliens, were unable to hold the legal title. This
disability was removed by an act of the Legislature passed in 1798, and
the lands were conveyed to the members of what has since been known
as the Holland Land Company. Thus the present title to the territory
in Buffalo embraced in the mile strip is derived from the State of New
York, and to the remainder, from individuals composing the Holland
Land Company."
The city of Buffalo is situated in longitude 2^ 6' 37" west from
Washington, 446 miles from New York city and 296 miles from Albany.
Of its climate Mr. S. Ball wrote in 1825 : —
"The climate is more pleasant than any situation in an equally
northern latitude in our country and equally healthy. The summers and
autumns are peculiarly fine ; the lake afforas a gentle breeze during those
seasons, mucn resembling a sea breeze, but of more elasticity and sweet-
ness. The winters are less uniform than in most other parts of the country ;
the snow rarely falls to a greater depth than six inches ; the cold is not
so severe as in other places in the same latitude situated remote from
the lake, yet in winter, when the waters are covered with ice the winds
are often cold and piercing."
The first building known to have been erected by civilized man on
the site bf the present city of Buffalo, was a small log house, which was
built by Cornelius Winney, (or Winne) as early as 1789. One authority
The First Settler. 15
gives the date of his arrival as 1783 or 1784.* The building stood near
the foot of a small hill which descended southward from the preseYit site
of the Mansion House, and not far from the comer of Washington and
Quay streets. Winney was a Dutchman from the Hudson River
country, and came into the wilderness to establish a post for trading
with the Indians. If this unlettered pioneer cared aught for the sur-
roundings of his primitive home, from any other than a business point
of view, he must have been favorably impressed. Although from his
house southward and towards the lake, Winney beheld only a tract of
low, swampy, uninviting lands, to the northward the prospect was much
more attractive. From the crown of the little ascent near his dwelling,
there stretched away northward, high, rolling lands that sloped grace-
fully westward to Lake Erie and rose into lofty bluffs along Niagara
river, falling away more gradually to the level country that reached for
jtniles to the eastward, mostly forest-covered and unmarred by the hand
of man. If Cornelius Winney possessed the keen business foresight
that is indicated by his pushing thus far into the Wilderness to tn^c
with the Indians, he may have realized the peculiar adaptability and
superior advantages of the locality for a great city ; or, if a proper appre-
ciation of the beauties of Nature's handiwork animated his soul, (which
i& less probable) he may have felt a thrill of admiration for the varied
favorable aspects of the scene.
Early in the winter of i78o-'8i, Captain Powell (afterwards Colonel)
and Lieutenant Johnston, well known to all the early settlers as Captain
William Johnston, came first to the Indian settlement on Buffalo Creek.
They were British officers and half-brothers. Captain Powell afterwards
secured an interest in Winney's store ; he died at an advanced age a
few miles from Fort Erie. Winney is said to have left the locality soon
after 1796. Mr. Ketchum expressed the opinion in his work, ** Buffalo
and the Senecas," that Winney left in 1798, **as Mr. Eggleston, one of
the surveyors of Mr. Ellicott, writes to him at Schlosser, from Buffalo
Creek, that he (Ellicott) had better bring some boards to make a map-
ping table, as there were none to be had in their new location, Mr.
Winney having carried off those that were in the partition." This is
probably correct.
Unlettered denizen of the wilderness that he was, Winney's position
as the first and for a time the only white settler on Buffalo Creek, gave
him sufficient prominence to render him of value to the government
officials, who occasionally sought information from him. The following
*Wi]luuii Ketchnm in his "Baffalo and the Senecas,*' gives Winney's arriyal as in 1783 pr 1784.
T^is IS improbable, as Winney was said to be a Hudson River man, who' was on the American side
in the Revolutionary war, yet came here from Oanada. He oould hardly have gone to Canada and
•come back here after peace was declared, at so early a date as that given. There are, moreover, 119
statements in existence regarding Winney nntil about 1791, though there were several visitors here
between that date and 1784.
i6 History of Buffalo.
letter to .General Chapin, then Superintendent of Indian Affairs, is
quoted as a specimen of Winney's correspondence : —
" Buffalo Creek, 23d Aug., 1792.
" I inform Gen. Chapin that about seventy-nine of the Canadian
Indians is gone to Detroit. They seem to be for warr, and a number of
Indians to go up. I further inform you that the Indians of this place are
to ^o up in the first King's vessel that comes down. Prince Edward * is
arrived at Fort Niagara. Should I hear anything worth while to write,
I shall let you know. C. WiNnev."
William Johnston married a wife from the Senecas soon after his
arrival, and afterwards wielded a powerful influence over the destiny of
Buffalo. In the year 1/94, he built a small block house near Winney's
store, and there took up his permanent abode. This house stood, accord-
ing to Mr. Ketchum, " north of Exchange street and east of Washington
street" Johnston had early acquired a strong influence over the Indians^
who gave him two square miles of land, which embraced within its
limits the site of the present city of Buffalo. Johnston afterwards agreed
with the agent of the Holland Land Company, to use his influence with
the Indians to get this tract included in the Company's purchase, and to
surrender his own claim to it, in consideration of the Company's convey-
ing to him by deed six hundred and forty acres lying about six miles from
the mouth of the cceek and including a certain mill-site and adjacent tim-
ber lands, with forty-five and one-half acres embracing the improvements
then owned by Johnston. Four acres of this latter named tract were on
the " Point." This agreement was afterwards consummated. The
smaller tract which thus passed into Johnston's hands, was bounded on
the north by Seneca street, west by Washington street, south by Little
Buffalo creek, and east by a line that would include the requisite num-
ber of acres. The four-acre tract was bounded east by Main street,
southwesterly by Buffalo creek, and northwesterly by Little Buffalo
creek.
" William Johnston may be considered the first land owner in Buffalo.
He had been employed in the British service in what was termed the
Indian Department, from the first breaking out of the Revolutionary
war. Upon the surrender of Fort Niagara to the Americans in 1796,
and consequent extinguishment of British rule over the Indians, instead
of withdrawing with the rest of th^ British officers, he chose to remain
with the Indians, with whom he had become identified by the strongest
of ties known to our nature. He was, in fact, the leading man at Buffalo
Creek at the time of the survey and settlement of Buffalo. He was
respected by the early white inhabitants, as well as by the Indians, and
died in 1807, at the aee of about sixty-five years. His son John, or
" Jack," as he was famifiarly called, survived him and inherited his prop-
erty here, and incumbered it by a mortgage to Joseph Parrish, as agent
ana trustee for the Cayuga Indians. John Johnston married Ruth
Barker, daughter of Judge Zenas Barker, in 1808 or 1809; he lived but
♦ This ••Prince Edward " was, doubtless, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, father of Queen Victoria.
Visit of a French Nobleman. ly
a short time after and died, leaving no children, willing his property to
his wife, who afterwards married Elisha Fpster. John Johnston had
much pains taken with his education, pursuing his studies for a time at
Yale College. He was a young man of fine acquirements and address,
and after his return from school was employed by Captain Pratt, in his
store, and at the time of his marriage with Miss Barker, was considered
one of the most accomplished young men in the place." *
About the year in question (1794), or a little later, Johnston gave
consent to Martin Middaugh, who, like Winney, was a Hudson River
Dutchman, to build a log house near Johnston's block hous6. Middaugh
had come over from Canada with his son-in-law, Ezekiel Lane,t ^^^ ^^
a cooper — ^the first mechanic in Buffalo. At a later date, Middaugh left
his first location and " squatted " on the south side of Buffalo creek,
where he died without children, in 1825. Ezekiel Lane died in Buffalo
in 1865, leaving children. A claim was made by Lane or his descendants,
to the land upon which Middaugh ^ lived. The courts decided adversely
to their claims.
In 1795, a French nobleman, Duke De la Rochefoucauld Liaincourt,
paid a visit to the little settlement, and said of it : —
" At the post on Lake Erie, there was a small collection of houses." §
There was at that time some kind of a public house kept where
travelers were entertained ; but its larder must have rivaled the famous
one of Mother Hubbard, for the French visitor writes of it : —
" There was literally nothing in the house, neither furniture, rum,
candles nor milk."
The public house in those days without rum was in a destitute con-
dition indeed.
Following is the distinguished Frenchman's further description of
Buffalo as he then found it : —
" We at length arrived at the post on Lake Erie, which is a small
collection of four or five houses, built about a quarter of a mile from the
lake. We met some Indians on the road, and two or three companies of
whites. This encounter gave us great pleasure. In this vast wilderness
a fire still burning, the vestiges of a camp, the remains of some utensil
that has served a traveler, excite sensations truly agreeable, and which
arise only in these immense solitudes.
" We arrived late at the inn, and after a very indifferent supper, we
were obliged to lie upon the floor in our clothes. There was literally
nothing in the house ; neither furniture, rum, candles nor milk. After
murh trouble the milk was procured from the neighbors, who were not as
♦ Kctchum's " Buffalo and the Scnccas."
t In a paper now in the archives of the Young Men's Association, Judge Augustus Porter states
that he passed through Buffalo in 1795, and that there then were living there '* a man by the name
of Johnstone, the British interpreter ; also, a Dutchman and his family, named >f iddaugh, and an
Indian trader, named Winne."
X Middaugh and Lane^s double house was sold to Judge Barker, in 1807 or 1808.
§ Mr. Ketchum says, in referring to the year 1796, *' It is quite certain there was no other
house (than Johnston's, Middaugh's and Winne's) here till sometime after this."
1 8 History of Buffalo.
accommodating in the way of rum and candles. At lengrth, some arriv-
ing from the other side of the river (Fort Erie), we seasoned our supper
with an appetite that seldom fails, and, after passing a very comfoiiable
evening, slept as soundly as we had done in tne woods.
" Everything at Lake Erie, — by which this collection of houses is
called — is aearer than at any other place we visited, for the simple
reason that there is no direct communication with any other point.
Some were sick with fever in almost every house."
The public house or tavern relerred to is supposed to have been
kept by a man named Skinner, as he is mentioned as a landlord there at
a little later date. Mr. Ketchum, however infers that John Palmer who,
"according to Liaincourt, built his house here before 1795," was the
landlord with whom the French visitor found such meagre accommoda-
tions. Ketchum says, " Palmer was undoubtedly the first inn-keeper in
Buffalo." This point cannot, probably, be any more definitely settled.*
Sometime in the year 1796, probably towards the close, the little
settlement on Buffalo Creek received an addition to its population by the
arrival of Asa Ransom, a silversmith, who came from Geneva, with a
dehcate young wife and an infant daughter named Portia. Ransom
erected a log house near the liberty pole, comer of Main street and the
Terrace, and there began 'the manufacture of silver trinkets for the
Indians. Ransom and his family are credited with being the first to
bring into Buffalo the simplest refinements of civilized life.
At this date (1796) a negro who was known as " Black Joe," or
Joseph Hodge, lived in a cabin a little west of Winney's. He had an
Indian wife who bore him children. He understood the Seneca language
and was often employed as an interpreter. He was supposed to be a
runaway slave, and died at an advanced age, on the Cattaraugus
Reservation.
It was not very long after the arrival of Mr. Ransom at the little
settlement that an incident occurred which is worthy of narration. Mn
Ransom and the other few men in the settlement had gone over to
Canada to mill, with the exception of Winney and " Black Joe." During
their absence several Indians came and demanded rum of Mrs. Ransom.
They were told that she had none, which they disputed. Upon her
persisting in her statement, one of the Indians suddenly seized her little
girl, then two years old, and raised his tomahawk threatening the child's
life. Although frightened almost beyond expression, Mrs. Ransom's
presence of mind enabled her to immediately promise the Indians the
rum as best she could by signs and the few words she knew, and then
asked them to allow her to go up stairs after the liquor. They assented,
* Palmer remained in Buffalo until 1802, about which time he removed to near Fort Erie,
where he died. His first wife was a daughter of Lewis Maybee, brother of Sylvanus Maybee, who
is mentioned elsewhere as one of the early settlers. Lewis Maybee lived a few miles below Black
Rock, on the Canada side. While Palmer was living in Bufifalo, his first wife died and he after-
wards married her sister.
The First Birth in Buffalo. 19
but insisted on retaining the little girl as a hostage. Mrs. Ransom then
took her niece, a brave girl of twelve years, and together they went up
stairs. Once there she quickly tied together a pair of sheets from the
bed and with them lowered the girl from the window to the ground,
directing her to hasten to Mr. Winney, hoping that his influence with
the savages would be sufficient to turn them from their purpose.
Then the mother waited in a wild fever of anxiety, fearing every
moment that she would hear the screams of her only child below.
Finally her fears were increased by the Indians who began pounding on
the door with their tomahawks ; but before they had beaten it down,
Winney arrived and induced them to leave the house. The little heroine
of this event afterwards became Mrs. Christopher M. Harvey.
In 1797, the "Lake Erie" settlement was further increased by the
advent of a little daughter in the Ransom family. She was the first
white child born in Buffalo, or in Erie county. She afterwards became
Mrs. Frederick B. Merrill, who was long a respected citizen and attorney
of Buffalo, and was one of the early clerks of Niagara county.
James Brisbane, one of the pioneers of Batavia, first saw Buffalo in
October, 1798. He afterwards wrote of it as follows: —
" There was then the log-house of Middaugh and Lane— a double log-
house — about two squares from Main street, a little north of the present
line of Exchange street. Captain Johnston's half log and half framed
house stood a little east of the main building of the present Mansion House,
near Washington street. There was a two-story hewed log-house, owned
by Captain Johnston, about where Exchange street now is, from six to
eight rods west of Main street, where a tavern was kept by John Palmer.
This was the first tavern in Buffalo. Palmer afterwards moved over to
Canada, and kept a tavern there. Asa Ransom lived in a log-house west
of the Western Hotel. Winne had a log house on the bank of Little
Buffalo, south of the Mansion House. A Mr. Mayb«e, who afterwards
went to Cattaraugus, kept a little Indian store in a log building on the
west side of Main street, about twenty rods north of Exchange street.
There was also a log house occupied by a man by the name of Robbins.
The flats were open grounds; a portion of them had been cultivated.
Such was Buffalo — ^and all of Buffalo — in 1798."
Asa Ransom left the little settlement in 1799, and went to live at what
is now Clarence Hollow, where he became a prominent citizen, being four
times sheriff of Niagara county. He died in 1837, aged 70 years. Mrs.
Catharine Stevens and Mrs. Mary R. Turney, daughters of Asa Ransom,
are now living in Buffalo. In the year 1797, or 1798, Sylvanus May bee
came to the embryo city, and established himself as an Indian trader,
probably in a log building on the west side of Main street, about twenty
rods north of Exchange street. In 1804, he bought inner lot 35.* May-
bee came from Canada, and originally from the Mohawk valley. In 1807,
♦ Thetcnns ** inner" and "outer" lots were applied in the original survey of the village, to
designate their location with respect to the village boundaries. These terms, and the numbers given
he ots, w ill be used hereafter in this work, and will be understood by reference to the maps herein.
20 History of Buffalo.
he, being then a Major of Militia, challenged his superior officer, Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Ransom, to fight a duel. For this he was cashiered, and
not long afterwards removed to Cattaraugus Creek, and his lot passed
into the hands of James McMahan.
During the years 1797 and 1798, Joseph EUicott, with a small army of
assistants, was engaged in surveying the Holland Land Company's tract,
as detailed in the preceding volume. He was a brother of Andrew A.
Ellicott, the first Surveyor-General of the United States. When Joseph
Ellicott reached the locality where now stands the proud city of BuflFalo,
it is clear that he saw with almost prophetic vision, the future importance
of the spot, and realized its numerous advantages as the site for a great
commercial city. To the day of his death, he never relinquished the
faith that was undoubtedly bom within him at that time ; he certainly
had little cause to do so. During the surveying campaign of 1798, EUi-
cott made his headquarters at Buffalo Creek. The surveys were pushed
forward through the year 1799, and the belief that there would sometime
be a great city on his favorite location, grew stronger and stronger in
EUicott's mind.
William Robbins established himself as a blacksmith in Buffalo,
probably, as early as 1798. He appears as the purchaser of a lot in
" New Amsterdam,*' in 1804. ^^ ^^^ ^ shop on the west side of Main
street, in 1806.
In a letter from the late William Peacock to Mr. William Ketchum,
he refers to his horseback ride through Buffalo in 1794, asfoUows : —
" In passing along the Indian path (now Main street) to the Terrace,
the land was covered with a very thick underbrush, small timber and
some large old oak trees * * * There was a little cleared spot on
the Terrace bank on which is now erected the Western Hotel.* That
little spot was covered with a green sward on which the Indians on a
fine day would lie and look off from the high Terrace upon Lake Erie ;
and I must say that to me it was one of the most beautiful views I ever
1)ut my eyes upon. Coming out of the woods it burst on my vision — the
arge ana beautiful sheet of pure water, Lake Erie. * * * It made
an impression on me that will always remain, with most devout and
religious remembrance."
In 1801, Joseph R. Palmer, a younger brother of John Palmer, the
inn-keeper, resided with the latter. At this time he wrote the following,
letter, which is self-explanatory : —
Buffalo, nth Aug., i8oi,
" Sir — The inhabitants of this place wonld take it as a particular
favor if you would grant them the liberty of raising a school house on
a lot in any part of the town, as the New York Missionary Society have
been so good as to furnish them with a school master clear of any
expense, except boarding and finding him a school house — if you will be
* The Western Hotel stood on what was once rather low ground ; there was once qaite a consid-
erable and abrupt slope, from about the center of the Terrace, down to the line of the front of the
hotel. What used to appear as quite a hill, has been leveled, as far to the northwest as Eagle Street.
Derivation of the Name Buffalo. 21
so good as to grant them this favor, which they will take as a particular
mark of esteem. By request of the inhabitants.
Jos. R. PALME*,
Jos. Ellicott, Esq,
" N. B.— Your answer t6 this would be very acceptable, as they have
the timber ready to hew out" *
That this very reasonable request was promptly granted is shown by
the following entry which appears m Ellicott's diary under date erf
August 14, 1801 : —
"Went to Buffalo, alias New Amsterdam, to lay off a lot for a
school house, the inhabitants offering to erect one at tfaieir own expense."
The school house was built on Peasi street near No. 104, but it was
not finished till J809.
When Joseph Palmer wrote the above quoted letter to ElHcott, he
dated it ^* Buffalo," instead of New Amsterdam, the name that Ellicott's
principab gave the settlement, and be did so in spite of the fact that he
was soliciting a favor. This indicates quite clearly that the settlers even
aseariy as that, preferred the name, ''Buffalo,'* and that " Buffalo "^ it
was to be. This brings . us to tke vexed question of the origin ol the
name — a que^on that has commanded the attention and investigation
of some of the ablest minds in the county, and yet is unsettled. As far
as the city itself is concerned, the matter may be dismissed by the simple
statement that it received its name from the adjacent creek : but who
named the stream and why it was called after the monarch of the
prairies, seem, unfortunately, to be questions that must go back into the
past without satisfactory or conclusive answers. The principal argu-
ments of the ablest writers on the subject, in favor of the different
theories that have been advanced, have already received proper attention
in the preceding volume, and hence need not be further referred to. It
will suffice to state that from about the beginning of the century the
little village in the wilderness gradually became more and n!iore widely
known as Buffalo, and in a few years "New Amsterdam," and "Lake
Erie," as applied to the village, were heard no more.i;
Down to about the date under consideration (1801), the principal
and almost the only source of supplies for the settlers on Buffalo creek,
^ Joficph Richard Palmer, it is said, U«ght school for the garrison chikbea at Fort Erie, before
he located at Buffalo. Hedied in Buffalo in ^813.
f While this woik was going tnrough the press, the editor rcoeiTcd a letter signed *' An Old
Settler,'* the substance of which is, that Buffalo received its name from the Creek, which stream
was named ** Tusawa," or Buffalo, from the fact that droves of that animal once came to the month
of the Creek to drink. '* Old Settler," says, " I had a cousin who traveled on honeback through
Buffalo and other places, following the lakes, when there was nothing but a foot-path and no in-
habitants but the Indians. I have heard him tell of seeing the Buffalo herds and just where their
haxd-beaten path lay; but that I have lost track of." This is given merely as another contribution
vpOD the vexed question, and may or may not be of value.
22 History of Buffalo.
was Fort Erie. The western shore of the river from Liake Erie to Lake
Ontario was largely cleared, settled and cultivated, while on this side
the forest was almost unbroken. In going to Fort Erie for supplies the
settlers at Buffalo usually passed directly from the mouth of Buffalo
Creek across to the Fort.
From the eastward an Indian trail came in to Buffalo creek nearly
on the present line of Main street A branch diverged not farabovethe
present junction of North street, passed near the site of the Catholic
church, on York street, and over or very near the site of the re8ervair»
and thence down to the river. In the spring of 1798, the main trail was
improved and made a tolerable wagon road, under direction of Joseph
EUicott. Then, or a little later, a road was cut out so as to be passable
for trains near the line of the branch trail just mentioned, and a dugway
was made near where the street railroad buildings are located, on
Niagara street. This was known as the Guide-Board road, from the
guide-board on Main street, pointing the way to the ferry. In gmngfrom
the ferry to the Buffalo settlement, the travel was at that time mostly
under the bluff of the lake shore, and then along the hard, sandy beach
of the lake, to the Terrace. Alter Niagara street was surveyed and cut
out, it was for a long time almost impassable, or account of the swampy
character of the ground ; its course was also crossed by numerous small
brooks having steep banks ; it was afterwards improved by making it a
corduroy road. Another trail, diverging from the main road at what
was then called Four-Mile creek, (the Scajaquada,) followed nearly the
line of Bouck avenue, to the river.
Dr. Cyrenius Chapin, a man who was destined to wield a great deal of
influence upon the early history of Buffalo, came from Oneida county,
in 1801, on a prospecting tour. He was evidently well pleased with
what he saw, for after his return home, he wrote Mr. Bllicott that be and
a few erf his friends purposed to purchase a whole township at the mouth
of Buffialo creek. He added : —
''Forty respectable citizens that are men of good property, have
signed articles of agreement to take a township* it it can be purchased^
and will pay the ten per cent when we receive the article.**
Joseph ElKcott entertained brighter anticipations for that locality ; the
land was not yet surveyed, and Dr. Chapin's proposition was rejected.
It is supposed that Zerah Phelps and John Crow, were parties to this
proposed agreement. Crow came to Buffalo, from Oneida county, in
1 801, or 1802. He occupied a house on inner lot number i, near the
corner of Washington and Crow, (now Exchange streets.) The original
house was of logs, to which Crow built a frame addition. He was an
inn-keeper, and remained in Buffalo until 1806; he died in 1830, in
Pennsylvania. Zerah Phelps left Buffalo not long after 1804, removing
to near Batavia.
The First Preacher. 23
The jounial of Mr. Ellicott indicates that Henry Chapin was living
in Buffalo, as early as 1801. The journal says, under date of January 5,
of that year : —
" * * In the evening, rode out with Mr. H. Chapin. He overscft,
and I unfortunately fell with my side on a sharp stump, and much bruised
and injured my ribs."
This journal also notes what was doubtless the first church service
in Buffalo. He says : —
"* * This day, (January nth,) Rev. Elkanah Holmes, an ana-
baptist preacher and missionary among the Indians, preached for the
inhabitants of New Amsterdam. His sermons were well adapted to the
situation and the capacity of the people he preached to. Appears to be
a good man — worthy of the charge entrusted to him."
Another missionary, named Palmer, is also mentioned by Mr. Ellicott^
in his journal. Palmer was sent out to the Indians about this time, by
the Dutch Reformed church ; but Mr. Holmes is undoubtedly entitled
to the distinction of being the first preacher in Buffalo. He labored
among the Indians until 18 12. He was a Calvinistic Baptist. A son of
Mr. Holmes married a daughter of Dr. Chapin.
It was in January, t8oi, that Joseph Ellicott entered upon the duties
of local agent for the Holland Land Company, in which capacity he
visited Buffalo. He removed to Ransomville (Clarence Hollow,) on
the 2ist of the same month. As an indication that the tide of emigration
was already setting strongly westward, Mr. Ellicott recorded in his
journal, on February 26th : —
"Last night lodged at this house (Ransom's), upwards of forty
people — men, women and children — moving principally to New Con-
necticut and Presque Isle," (Erie.)
In July, 1801, an event occurred in Buffalo, which for a time created
intense excitement. John Palmer was sitting on a bench in front of his
inn, with William Ward and another man ; it was in the evening. Sud-
denly a young Seneca warrior, called by the whites *' Stiff-armed George,"
rushed up and made a desperate effort to stab Palmer, without any
known provocation. The inn-keeper avoided the blow, upon which the
enraged Indian turned upon Ward, and stabbed him in the neck. An
alarm was raised, the whites hurried to the spot, and the Indian was
finally secured, but not until he had fatally stabbed a man named John
Hewitt. The culprit, as near as can be learned, was sent away at once
to Fort Niagara, and placed in charge of Major Moses Porter, then in
command there. The next day, a body of Indian warriors numbering
fifty or sixty, appeared in the village, armed and painted, and threatened
that if the culprit was executed, they would massacre all the whites. A
pow-wow was then held over some blood that had flowed from a wound
inflicted on " Stiff-armed George," and the bowlings and flourishings of
weapons by the warriors, frightened the people beyond expression ; many
24 History of Buffalo.
left the settlement for safety. Benjamin Barton, Jr., was then Sheriff of
the county. He soon arrived at the village, and proposed to take the
assassin and remove him to the jail at Canandaigua. This course was
fiercely opposed by the Indians, who argued that when the crime was
committed, their brother was drunk, and, therefore, was excusable ; the
whites insisted that the culprit was sober, when he did the deed, and that
it made little difference whether he was or not.
Finally, Sheriff Barton, accompanied by some of the Chiefs, went to
Fort Niagara, and held a consultation with Major Porter. It was finally
agreed that " Stiff-armed George " should be allowed to go at large, the
Chiefs pledging themselves that he should be forthcoming on the day set
for the trial, which pledge was fulfilled. The trial was held at the Can-
andaigua Court of Oyer and Terminer, in the following February. Red
Jacket addressed the jury with his accustomed power and eloquence,
citing the numerous murders of Indians by the whites, which had been
followed by no punishment, as grounds for acquitting the prisoner; but
the Indian was convicted. He was, however, afterwards pardoned by
the governor,* on condition of his leaving the State — undoubtedly an
act of wisdom at that time. The above are the most reliable details to
be obtained of an event that might easily have resulted in a bloody
massacre. The killing of John Hewitt, was the first recorded murder in
Buffalo. So strong was the influence of this event upon the minds of the
whites, that a petition was immediately prepared and forwarded, asking
for "a small garrison of troops at the village of Buffalo Creek, alias
New Amsterdam."
Down to May, 1802, Ellicott's anxiety as to the future growth
and importance of the village and city which he had pictured in his
mind upon his favorite site, must have increased somewhat, for in that
month he wrote Paul Busti, the general agent of the Holland Company,
as follows: —
" While speaking on the subject of taking things in their proper time,
I cannot refram from mentioning that the Company delaying in opening
their lands for sale in New Amsterdam, and the lands adjoining thereto,
I fear the nick of time will pass by, at least for making a town of New
Amsterdam."
This expression was undoubtedly called out in part by Mr. Ellicott's
forebodings of the rivalry of Black Rock, to which he referred in the
same letter as " equally or more advantageous for a town than Buffalo."
That was only eighty-one years ago — little more than a man's allotted
lifetime — ^and an ordinance was then in force, offering a bounty of five
dollars each for wolf scalps, " whelps half price," and half a dollar each
for foxes and wildcats.
*The origiiud pardon granted in this case by Governor Clinton, is now in the rooms of the Bu£falo
Historical Society.
Survey of Buffalo in 1803-04. 25
Joseph Wells settled at Buffalo creek, in 1802, coming over from Can-
ada. He had passed by Buffalo creek in 1800, on his way to Canada with
his brother. His son, Aldrich Wells, was bom in August, 1802, and was
the first white male child bom in Buffalo. Joseph Wells occupied a fifty-
acre tract of land on the east side of Main street, just south of High
street : there the venerable William Wells was bora, who is now the
oldest native resident of Buffalo. Joseph Wells afterwards removed to
Niagara street, where the First Congregational church now stands. He
was engaged in brick-making, about 1819, where the Bennett elevator is
now located. He raised and commanded a company of light infantry,
which took part in the war of 1812. Chandler J. Wells, Esq., is another
son of Joseph Wells.*
In 1803, the village wa^ partially surveyed by William Peacock,t
under the general direction of Ellicott, and was finished by Ellicott in
person, in 1804. The streets were laid out substantially as they exist to-
day, as far as they were then defined. In referring to this labor by Mr.
Ellicott, the Rev. George W. Hosmer, D. D., said in his very interesting
paper read before the Buffalo Historical Society, January 13, 1864: —
" We should like another picture of him ^Ellicott), standing by his
compass in what is now Main street, in front of tne churches ; so confident
is he that commerce must come and pour out her horn of plenty, that he
has resolved to lay out a city ; so delighted is he with the grandeur of
the situation, that he thinks he will make his home here ; he selects for
himself a noble manor, one hundred acres of land, between Eagle and
Swan streets, and from Main nearly to Jefferson street — almost enough
for a principality in Germany — ^and determines to build upon the western
front, looking towards the lake. So here, upon what is to be the site of
his house, he stands by his compass, indicating the lines which now are
our streets. * * * jyji., Ellicott, in laying out our "city, had
large ideas, and worked upon a magnificent scale.! He did not bring a
map of New York, or Boston, or Albany, and lay it down here ; he
wrought upon the inspiration of a magnificent hope, and we are greatly
indebted to him for the op)en, handsome face of our city."
In an early letter to Theophilus Cazenove, the first general agent of
the Holland Company, Mr. Ellicott thus describes the spot he had
selected for the future city : —
" The building spot is situated about sixty perches from the lake, on a
beautiful elevated bank, about twenty-five feet perpendicular height
above the surface of the water in the lake, from the foot of which, with
but little labor, may be made the most beautiful meadows, extending to
the lake and up Buffalo creek to the Indian line. From the top of the
*See biogisphic sketch of C. J. Wells, in sabseqaent pages.
t William Peacock married a niece of Joseph Ellicott He was a man of prominence, and was
conspicnoos in connection with Mr. Ellicott and others, in the explorations and surreys for the Erie
canal. Mr. Pcacock*s later life was spent in Majville, Chantanqua connty, N. V.
tFrom the fact that Joseph Ellicott assisted his brother Andrew in the survey of the city of
Washington, it is supposed that he adopted the similar plan of radiating streets in Bu£Ealo, from the
one used in the former dty.
26 History of Buffalo.
bank there are few more beautiful prospects. Here the eye wanders
over the inland sea to the southwest, until the sight is lost in the horizon.
On the northwest are seen the progressing settlements in Upper Canada,
and southwesterly, with the pruning of some trees out of tne way, may
be seen the Company's land for the distance of forty miles, gradually
ascending, variegaterf with valleys and gentle rising^ hills, until the sight
passes their summit, at the sources of the waters of the Mississippi."*
The accompanying map of the village, as first surveyed, shows its
boundaries and extent quite clearly.
In naming the streets of Buffalo, Ellicott, or his superiors, honored
the names of the Hollanders who formed the company owning the lands,
and those of well-known Indian tribes. A reference to the map of 1804,
will show that Main street as far up as Church, was called Willink ave-
nue, while above Church street it was called Van Staphorst avenue.
Niagara street was Schimmelpennick avenue ; Erie street was Vallen-
hoven avenue ; Court street was Cazenove avenue ; Church street was
Stadnitski avenue ; Genesee street was Busti avenue. Busti and Caze-
nove were further honored by having the name of the former attached
to the Terrace above Erie street, while below that street the latter's
name was applied. In the use of Indian names, Ellicott street was called
Oneida street ; Washington street was Onond^a ; Pearl street was
Cayuga ; Franklin street was Tuscarora, and Niagara street was Missi-
sauga. Delaware, Huron, Mokawk, Eagle, Swan and Seneca were given
their present names, and Exchange street was called Crow, in honor of
John Crow. North and South Division streets were not laid out on the
original map, for reasons that will presently appear. The changes in
street names, as noted, were made in the year i825-'26.
When Ellicott laid out the streets of the village and reserved intact
the hundred acre ''outer lot 104," he undoubtedly intended to build
thereon a home for his declining years. As may be seen on the map of
1804, he included in the boundaries of his lot a-semi-circular piece of
ground on its front, around which he curved what is now Main street.
This curve was directly in front of " the churches," and from it a grand
and unobstructed view was obtained down Main street north and south,
Niagara street. Church street and Erie street. If this curve in Main
street was not a wise provision from a commercial point of view, it cer-
tainly improved what would have made one of the most eligible and
sagaciously planned sites in the country for a palatial residence. It is said
that Mr. Ellicott had expressed his intention of bequeathing his grounds
and their improvements to the city at his death, for a permanent museum
and park. But he was destined to never build on his favorite site,
although he went so far as to gather more or less materials for that pur-
pose, some of which afterwards went into the construction of the first
* Mr. Ellicott is reported to have said after he went to Batavia to live — " God has made Buffalo,
and I mns^ try and make Batayia."
Map of iht-
Tlllage of Ifew AmsteFdam
Made far the HtMand Land, Company
V
JOSEPH aUCOrr, surveyor.
1804
28 History of Buffalo.
jail— a less noble purpose than that for which they were intended. In
the year 1809, the Highway Commissioners decided to straighten Main
street, thus cutting off the semi-circular front of Mr. Ellicott's lot. This
action Mr. EUicott held to be illegal, but he did not actively oppose it ;
it has been claimed with some degree of authority, that the interference
with his plans through this change in the street, led Mr. EUicott to aban-
don his intention of making Buffalo his home, and to remain in Batavia.
Joseph EUicott was born in Buck's county, Pa., on the first day of
November, 1760. His early education was acquired in common schools,
but was afterwards broadened and deepened by extensive reading and
well-directed observation. In early life, while assisting his father on the
farm and in the mills of the latter, he began the study of surveying,
which he soon mastered ; he was then often called by his older brother
to assist him in that profession. Joseph EUicott surveyed the disputed
line between South Carolina and Georgia, during which task he was
attacked by fever and for a time his life was despaired of. After being
the chief surveyor of the Holland Purchase, he was for years the trusted
local agent of the Holland Land Company, a position of great responsi-
bility.* About the year 1824, his health became much impaired, his
.mind was seriously affected, and he finally settled into hopeless hypochon-
dria. By advice of his physicians, he entered the Bloomingdale asylum
at New York, but his malady increased, and on the 19th of August, 1826,
Joseph EUicott, the* founder f of the city of Buffalo, ended his life by his
own hand. He was never married.
In the year 1803, we find recorded the arrival in Buffalo of David
Reese, blacksmith. He came in the employ of the government for the
benefit of the Indians. He was the first blacksmith in Buffalo. In 1806,
Mr. Reese bought outer lot 176, on Seneca street, and built a frame shop
on the corner of Washington and Seneca streets. This little shop was
one of the two wooden buildings left standing after the burning of Buffalo
in 181 3. Mr. Reese's J dwelling was erected on the opposite corner of
* He was also an active promoter of the Erie, canal, and was one of the first commissioaers
appointed by the Legislature.
f Mr. Ellicott's right to the title is disputed by some excellent authorities, who insist that, while
he eridently saw idl uie possibilities of tne locality as a site for a large commercial dty, and sur-
veyed it, yet the Company for which he was agent never contributed in any way, either to the found-
ing or the after-growtn of Buffalo ; but it is certain that he personally selected the site of the dty,
urged the Company to secure it, induced the Indians to leave it out of the reservation, and designed
the plan of the future city.
t David Reese had an unfortunate quarrel with a Seneca chief named '* Young Kin£,*' in 1815.
A dispute arose between Reese and an Indian over work that the blacksmith was to do mr the latter,
and Reese knocked the Indian down. At this juncture Young King rode up and took part in the
Suarrel, condemning Reese for what he had done. In response to this, Keese threatened to serve
le chief in the same manner. Young King then dismountea and struck the blacksmith with a dub,
upon which Reese siezed a scythe and with it nearly severed one of the Indian's arms ; it was ampu-
tated the next day. Soon after John Jemison, a half-breed son of the celebrated ''White Woman,"
a man of fierce passions, came on from the Genesee at the head of a party of Indians for the purpose
of killing Reese. The blacksmith was, however, either secreted by his friends or hid himself away,
and the master was finally settled by referring it to Jud^ Porter, Joshua Gillett and Jonas Williams,
both parties signing an agreement to abide by the decision of these arbitrators. Reese probably paid
the Indian a sum of money in settlement of the affair.
Doctor Chapin— Erastus Granger. 29
Seneca street, on a part of Johnston's lot. He carried on the business in
the old shop until about 1823.
Dr. Cyrenius Chapin, to whom we have before referred, returned to
Buffalo from the East, and m^ide it his permanent residence in 1803. No
house being then obtainable, Dr. Chapin went with his family to Fort
Erie, where they remained nearly two years. In the meantime he pur-
chased inner lot 40, on Swan street, where he built, and in 1805, installed
his family. Dr. Chapin was a remarkable man, as the reader of the pre-
ceding volume has learned, and his wonderful activity and energy, though
sometimes erratic, perhaps, were for years instrumental in advancing the
best interests of the place. Mr. William C. Bryant read a very interest-
ing paper before the Buffalo Historical Society in April, 1877, upon
Orlando Allen, in which he thus pleasantly refers to Dr. Chapin : —
** Doctor Chapin was, in truth, the most considerable person in the
village at this era. His gallant achievements and sacrifices in the second
struggle for independence, when he had exchanged his perilous drugs for
the still deadlier implements of war« are fresh in every memory ; and
his brusQue but honest Ivays, practical benevolence and sturdy- character,
won for nim a place in the hearts of the pioneers of this region. * *
His professional services were sought throughout a vast region, lapping
f^ over into the heart of Canada, and extending as far south as Erie.
When it is remembered that these visits were accomplished on horseback,
and that there were no macadam or plank roads in those days, the ardu-
ous nature of the Doctor's professional duties will be easier compre*
hended.''
At the time of the British assault on Buffalo, and its destruction by
fire. Dr. Chapin was taken prisoner and confined in Canada more than a
year. He died in February, 1838, and was followed to the grave by a
large concourse of his former friends and fellow citizens. Mrs. Thaddeus
M. Weed is a daughter of Dr. Chapin. She was bom in 1803, and still
resides in the city.*
Erastus Granger was another important accession to Buffalo, in
1803. Mr. Ketchum says, in his history of Buffalo and the Senecas: —
" Previous to the election of Mr. Jefferson, the Grangers, then young
men, had been engaged in the examination, and perhai)s survey of Vir-
E'nia lands. ♦ « « During their sojoum in Virginia, they
^came ac(^uainted with Mr. Jefferson, and on his becoming a candidate
for the presidency, the Grangers warmly espoused his cause, and after
his election, he offered to do anything in his pow^r for them. ♦ ♦
Mr. Erastus Granger was sent to Buffalo, to exert his political influence
in favor of the party which had elevated Mr. Jefferson to power.
* * Mr. Granger had been quite recently married, and his wife
had died before he came to Buffalo. He located himself at John Crow's
tavern, as a boarder, it being the only place where he could obtain even
*" The precedence oTer the male sex of Mrs. Merrill, Mrs. Weed, and Mrs. Bart, in respect of
birth and residence in oar city, was prophetic of the leading position of the women of Buffalo, in all
good ways and works. Oar dimate has always been favorable to thelongerity, as well as the beanty
of oar women."— j5. C Spragu^s StmuOnUmnal Addnu,
8
IBUFFALO VILLAGE
OUTER LOTS.
Wl
«i
J 00
«3
e:^
08
61
SX^
-60
32 History of Buffalo.
the scanty accommodations afforded him. He was appointed Super-
intendent of Indian affairs, was the first postmaster, and, on the organiza-
tion of the district of Buffalo Creek, he was appointed Collector of Cus-
toms for that district. * * Mr. Granger became the leader of
the Democratic party in Western New York."
The first purchase of land by Mr. Granger, is recorded as inner lot
31, corner of Pearl street and the Terrace, in July, 1805. He? afterwards
took up a large tract of land now partly embraced in Forest Lawn Cem-
etery and the park. Mr. Granger was first married March 21, 181 3, and
married a second wife in the person of a daughter of Nathaniel Sanborn,
of Canandaigua, an estimable and accomplished woman. Mr. Granger
was afterwards honored with the office of Judge, and he filled the differ-
ent positions of trust in which he was placed, with distinguished ability.
He resided until his death at " Flint Hill," (Main street,) a little west of
the stone house erected by his son, Warren Granger, now a citizen of
Buffalo. Judge Granger died December 26, 1826.
As we have said, the survey of the village was completed in 1804, and
the lots placed in market for the first ; this action gave an impetus to the
growth of the settlement. The following lots were sold during that year,
being the first regular conveyances of land in the village plot : Nathan
W. Sever, outer lots 55 and 56,sixty-three and one-half acres, $115; Zerah
Phelps, June i, inner lot i, for $112; Sylvanus Maybee, August 6, inner
lot 35, $135; Samuel McConnell, outer lot 84, May 19, $191.50. The
preceding maps show the location of these lots.
Following is a list of owners of land located in Buffalo, in 1804, as
given in Turner's History of the Holland Purchase : " William Robbins,
Henry Chapin, Sylvanus Maybee, Asa Ransom, Thomas Stewart, Samuel
Pratt, William Johnston, John Crow, Joseph Landon, Erastus Granger,
Jonas Williams, Erastus Keane, Vincent Grant, Louis Le Couteulx."
These purchasers had not all yet become residents, several of them hav-
ing improved their property under pre-emption arrangements.
The reader will be interested in learning some of the prices that
were paid for lots in Buffalo, in early days. In 1804 lot i, the site of the
Mansion House, brought $140. In 1805, Thomas Sidwell paid $35 and
$45 respectively for lots 75 and 76, on Pearl street. In 1806, David
Mather paid for lot 38, on Main Street, $120.25 in advance. Soon after
the close of the war of 1812, Smith H. Salisbury paid for lot 183, on
Main street, $480.80, and agreed to erect a house twenty feet square. In
1817, Frederick B. Merrill paid for lots 87 and 88, $580, and agreed to
erect a house twenty by twenty-four. In 181 8, there were no sales, and
but one in 1 819, of outer lot 1 15, at $20 per acre, and for parts of inner
lots 87 and 88, (thirty-five feet,) $175. In 1821, Roswell Chapin paid for
inner lot 133, $250. Gilman Folsom bought lot 198, for $150, agreeing to
have a frame house built within one year. In the year 1822, under the
Arrival of Samuel Pratt. 33
more liberal policy of the new local agent, Mr. Otto, and the prospect of
the canal soon being built, sales largely increased, and the entire remain-
der of the original plat of New Amsterdam was sold. It is explained in
Turner's History of the Holland Purchase, that Mr. Ellicott*s policy of
insisting of settlers building on their lots, was more to secure actual set-
tlements, than to increase the value of lots sold.
Outer lot 93 was deeded to William Johnston, October 27, 1804.
Ketchum's ** Buffalo and the Senecas," states it as probable that an
arrangement was made with Johnston whereby he relinquished his
claim to a part of the land on the flat bottom between the Big and Little
BufiFalo creeks, west of Main street (see maps,) as only " outer lot 85 was
conveyed to him in 1804, but inner lots 3, 30 and 32 were conveyed to
him at the same time ; whereas outer lot 86, the remaining portion of the
land in the triangle, was conveyed to Isaac Davis, June 29, 1814."
Samuel Pratt, a man of commanding influence, became a resident of
Buffalo in 1804. He had made a trip through this region in 1802, on a
fur-buying expedition, when he became convinced of the future greatness
of Buffalo. Mr. Pratt located himself upon inner lot No. i, on one
corner of which the Mansion House now stands.* On the Holland
Company's map this lot appears as inner lot 2, but on later maps it is
designated as number i. He afterwards purchased several other lots.
Mr. Pratt and his family made the long journey from his former home
in New England in an old fashioned coach which he had had built for the
purpose. This removal into the wilderness brought down upon him the
ridicule of all his eastern friends ; but " Captain " Pratt was not of the
material that is turned from a settled purpose by ridicule.
One day in September of that year (1804,) the dwellers in Buffalo
were astonished at beholding a coach, followed by one or two open
wagons, loaded with furniture, coming jolting and swaying down
Willink avenue (Main street) dodging the stumps and other obstacles as
best they might. This coach was the first carriage that was ever seen in
Erie county, and it contained, with the other wagons, the family and
outfit of Mr. Pratt. No other event, perhaps, that had yet occurred in
the little village caused more surprise of an agreeable character than
the arrival of this unpretentious retinue. The vehicles stopped in front
of John Crow's tavern, where the inmates were met by Erastus Granger,
who greeted them warmly and generously placed at their disposal his
^ As an indication of the interest displayed by Mr. Pratt in the a()vancement of his adopted
home, we quote the following letter, written but a few months after his arrival at Buffalo : —
New Amsterdam, December 2, 1804.
Sir : — Mr. Spice r has requested me to write to you, to inform you that he wishes to purchase
Lot No. 15, in the back street. This Mr. Spicer is a carpenter by trade. He has been in my
empW and has behaved himself like a very sober man. His work is much wanted here, and I
should be very glad to have him accommodated. Your advance money will be paid when you give
him a ** refusar' of the lot.
With sentiments of esteem, I remain your friend, SAMUEL PRATT.
Joseph Ellicott, Esq.
34 History of Buffalo.
own room in the tavern. While Mr. Pratt was expressing his warmest
thanks for Mr. Granger's generosity, Mrs. Pratt inspected the apartment
which was for a time to be her home. It may be conceived that her
heart failed when she saw a room perhaps twelve feet square, the walls
of rough logs and the floor of split logs, with a bed.stead made of poles
in one corner. It is little wonder that one of the Pratt children, as it is
related, could not refrain from laughter over the enthusiastic expressions
of gratitude made by her father for Mr. Granger's kindness in giving up
this primitive parlor, and the no less earnest declarations of the latter
that he felt honored in thus giving up his room.
Soon after Mr. Pratt's arrival he built a frame house, the first one of
considerable size in the place, and a store in which he began trading with
the settlers and Indians. He also built a large bam on the comer of
Seneca and EUicott streets. The frame, it is said, was made of green
timber and consequently stood through the fire of i8i 3, the rest of the
structure being destroyed, and was afterwards covered and used as a
stable for the Franklin House. Mr. Pratt had a large family of children,
the youngest of whom, Mrs. Orlando Allen, still lives in Buffalo. One
of his sons, Hon. Hiram Pratt, was twice elected Mayor of Buffalo, and
was extensively engaged in commercial enterprises. . Captain Pratt is
remembered as a man of great energy and business activity, and one who
displayed commendable public spirit in whatever related to the improve-
ment of the village. His store was for years the principal rendezvous of
the Indians and where they did a large share of their trading. Capt.
Pratt enjoyed the Indian title of " Negurriyu," or*' honest dealer;" or, as
Mr. Letchworth's history of the Pratt family gives the name, " Hodani-
doah," or " merciful man."*
An incident is related of Captain Pratt's intercourse with the Indians
that reflects still less credit upon the latter and came very near resulting
in a serious trouble. It occurred while Captain Pratt was building his
house ; Mrs. Pratt had put some meat boiling out of doors, when an Indian
named or known as " Peter Gimlet," probably overcome by the appe-
tizing smell, suddenly snatched the largest piece of meat from the pot
and started for the reservation. Little Esther Pratt saw the theft, ran to
the store and told her father that " Peter Gimlet " had stolen their meat.
Captain Pratt sent his son Asa after the thief, and he was soon brought
back. When Peter's blanket was opened and the meat discovered, the
Captain took his horsewhip and laid it vigorously about the Indian's legs.
* Some of the Indians in those days exhibited capacity for sharp business practice that would
seem more adapted to these later times. All furs were then bought by weight and the Indians some-
times brought in beaver skins with the claws filled with lead. In order to not make his discovery of
this species of fraud in a public way, which would have mortally offended the delinquent, Capt.
Pratt would cut off the loaded claws with a hatchet, with a remark that he would allow for them in
the weight. If the Indian demurred to this, Mr. Pratt would offer to weigh the daws separately ;
as this would certainly result in exposure, the tricky customer would have to submit to Capt. Pratt's
method of weighing the furs.
.S^Sr ^^^
Captain Pratt and the Indians. 35
Peter endured the punishment for a moment and then bounded away
toward his home, yelling with pain.
Not long after, a large number of Indians began to arrive in front of
Captain Pratt's store, where they seated themselves on the ground in their
customary attitude. Then followed squaws, then chiefs and more Indians
of all . stations who squatted down in front of the store in a circle. By
two o'clock in the afternoon two or three hundred Indians had arrived.
At this juncture Captain Pratt was sent for and the proceedings began.
" Farmer's Brother," the noted Chief, addressed Captain Pratt and nar-
rated the story as told by " Peter Gimlet," to the effect that he had been
ignominiously whipped without cause, and closed by demanding redress.
Captain Pratt then gave a statement of the case as it had actually occurred
and called his little daughter to corroborate him.
After an impressive consultation by the Chiefs, Farmer's Brother
arose with all his native dignity and delivered the judgment, which was
in substance that Peter Gimlet (giving him his Indian name) had stolen
Negurriyu's meat and Negurriyu had inflicted only deserved punish-
ment, and if he desired, Negurriyu might whip him again. The offender
was also banished from the reservation and was not seen there for two
or three years. Captain Pratt then rolled out a barrel of salt from which
the Indians helped themselves until it was all gone. This proceeding
undoubtedly had its effect on the jury !
On another occasion Esther Pratt* had carried her infant sister into
the store where she seated her on the counter. A. Seneca squaw sud-
denly entered the store, caught up the child and fled away towards the
forest. She was soon caught and the child rescued. The squaw gave
as her motive for the act, that she had lately lost her own child and
wanted another to take its place.
A still more startling incident occurred in the Pratt family at another
time. The family were at the dinner table, when one of the boys,
Benjamin, rushed into the house, closely pursued by an Indian warrior
who was generally known as " The Devil's Ramrod ;" the Indian was
brandishing his knife and threatening to kill the boy. After the Indian
had been with some difficulty appeased, it was learned that the boy had
been annoying him until he had become enraged. The Indian Anally
thrust his knife savagely into the door-post and strode away exclaiming,
" Me no kill Hodanidoah's boy."
In Buffalo business circles the name of Pratt has always been con-
spicuous, and descendants of Captain Pratt are now prominently con-
nected with the manufactures and trade of the city. Captain Pratt died
August 31, i8i2.t
* EsUier Pratt, the yoang participant in these incidents, became the wife of Mr. Augustus C
Fox, and lived most of her life in Buffalo. She died in Springfield, HI., in 1882.
^ See biographical sketches of P. P. Pratt and Samuel F. Pratt, in subsequent pages.
36 History of Buffalo.
William Hodge came to Buffalo in 1804, having the year previous
taken up the farm lot that embraced within its boundaries the premises
now occupied by his son, the venerable William Hodge, on Hodge
avenue ; the latter was six months old when his father came to Buffalo.
William Hodge came from Otsego county and early engaged in the
planting of a nursery, which business has been perpetuated by his $on,
down to the present time. In 181 1, Mr. Hodge built a large brick hotel
on what is now the corner of Main and Utica streets. This was the first
brick building in the county and became widely known as " The Brick
Tavern on the Hill." It was the last building destroyed when the village
was burned two years later. After Buffalo was burned, Mr. Hodge was
one of the first to return' to the desolate ruins, and he did not wait a
single day before beginning the reconstruction of his home. There was
something of a strife between Mr. Hodge and Ralph M. Pomeroy as to
who should succeed in getting a building up first ; Mr. Pomeroy was a
day or two ahead of his neighbor in the undertaking.
Louis Stephen Le Couteulx de Caumont, a French gentleman oi
excellent family, arrived in Buffalo in 1804 and became one of her most
prominent citizens. He built a frame house on Crow (Exchange) street,
opposite Crow's tavern, on the site of what was afterwards known as the
" Le Couteulx Block ;" in a part of this building he established the first
drug store in the county. He was soon after appointed local agent for
the sale of Buffalo lands, by the Holland Land Company. He is repre-
sented as having been a "gentle, genial spirit — a gentleman of the old
school — ^and a Frenchman in his manners and address." He was the
founder of the St, Louis Catholic church, the lot for which was donated
by him. Mr. Le Couteulx died October 16, 1839, at the age of eighty-
four, regretted by all who were capable of appreciating his good qualities.
As a private citizen no one was more worthy of the general esteem and
consideration in which he was held. * * In the discharge of
his public duties he was distinguished for his integrity, his zeal and
his affability.
Zerah Phelps has been mentioned as the purchaser of inner lot No.
I, (just east of the Mansion House,) in June, 1804. As an evidence that
the Holland Land Company appreciated the fact that the immediate im-
provement of the lots sold by them was the surest road to other sales, it is
said that Mr. Phelps was compelled to agree that he would " build a house
twenty-four feet square and clear off half an acre of land." Similar agree-
ments are said to have been entered into by other purchasers. As has
been shown, however, the prices of lots were not exhorbitant.
The year 1804 ^vas made further notable by the establishment of a
post route from Buffalo. A law was passed in the spring establishing a
route from Canandaigua to Fort Niagara, by way of Buffalo creek. This
route was put in operation the following September, with Erastus Gran-
Visit of Rev. Timothy Dwight. 37
gcr as postmaster. " Once a week a solitary horseman came from Can-
andaigua with a pair of saddlebags containing a few letters and a few
diminutive newspapers scarcely larger than the letters, and once a week
he returned to Fort Niagara with a still smaller literary freight.'** The
first mail carrier was Ezra Metcalf.
The Rev. Timothy Dwight, a former president of Yale College,
visited Buffalo in 1804, and remarked thus of its general appearance
at that time: —
" Buffalo Creek, otherwise New Amsterdam, is built on the north-
east border of a considerable mill stream which bears the same name.
* * The southwestern bank is here a peninsula, covered with
a handsome grove. Through it several vistas might be cut with
advantage, as they would open fine views of the lake — a beautiful object.
* * The village is built half a mile from the mouth of the creek,
and consists of about twenty indifferent houses. * * The streets are
straight and cross each other at right-angles, but are only forty feet wide.
What could have induced this wretched limitation, in a mere wilderness,
I am unable to conceive. The spot is unhealthy, though of sufficient
elevation and, so far as I have been informed, free from the vicinity of
stagnant waters. * * The inhabitants are a casual collection of
adventurers, and have the usual character of such adventurers thus col-
lected, when remote from regular society, retaining but little sense of
government or religion. * * We saw about as many Indians in
the village as white people. The prospect presented at Buffalo is most
attractive. Directly opposite, at the distance of two miles, but in full
view, stands Fort trie, a block-house, accompanied by a suit of barracks
and a hamlet. This collection of houses is built on a beautiful shore,
wears less the appearance of a recent settlement, and exhibits a much
greater degree of improvement than anything which we saw west of
Genesee river. Beyond this hamlet, a handsome point stretches to the
southwest and furnishes an imperfect shelter for the vessels employed in
the commerce of the lake. Seven of these vessels (five schooners, a sloop
and a pettiaugre) lay in the harbor at this time, and presented to us an
image of business and activity, which, distant as we were from the ocean,
was scarcely less impressive than that presented by the harbor of New
York, when crowded with almost as many hundreds. Behind this point
another much more remote stretches out in the same direction, exhibiting
a form of finished elegance, and seeming an exactly suitable limit for the
sheet of water which fills the fine scope between these arms. Still further
southward the lake opens in boundless view and presents in a perfect man-
ner the blending of unlimited waters with the sky. Over these points,
assembled as if to feast our eyes at the commencement of the even-
ing after our arrival, was one of the most beautiful collections of clouds
ever seen by the votary of nature. They were of elegant form and of
hues intense and refulgent. The richest crimson fading into the tinges
of pink and the rose, adorned them on the one side, and gold burnished
into the brightest brilliancy on the other. * * Towards the
southwest and the northeast, two long ranges of leaden colored clouds,
with fleeces of mist hanging beneath them, reached round two-thirds of
the horizon. * * The sky above of that pure, bright aspect
* Johnson's History of Erie County.
38 History of Buffalo.
which succeeds a storm, when it becomes clear with a soft serenity, was
varied from a glowins^ yellow, a brilliant straw color and a willow green
into a light and finally into a dark azure, the beautiful blue of autumn.
Beneath all this glory, the lake, a boundless field of polished glass, glit-
tered alternately with the variegated splendor of the clouds and hues of
the sky, softenmg the brilliancy of DOth with inimitable delicacy, and
leaving on the mind the impression of enchantment rather than Reality.
* ^ A lively imagination would easily have fancied that a paradise
might be found beyond this charming expanse."
If the Rev. Mr. Dwight erred in his estimate of the width of the
streets laid out by Joseph EUicott, he certainly viewed the scene with
the eye and appreciation of an artist, and many residents of Buffalo
in these many years later will sympathize with his ardent description
of its natural beauties. Mr. William Hall, then of Cleveland, O., who
visited Buffalo in 1804, wrote of the place, in 1863, in a more practical
vein, as follows: —
** At Buffalo there were perhaps twenty houses, of which only three
or four were frame, one of wnich was occupied by a Mr. Pratt, who kept
a small store. He had his aged parents with him, whom I saw. Some
streets were partially laid out, but the whole were full of stumps, and
no fences. We rode up the creek some mile or two and crossed to
see a Mr. Leech, who was from Connecticut * * Leaving
Buffalo, we went to Black Rock through woods — a small pathway
trodden mostly by Indians, with some appearance of wagons having
passed that way. *
The first baker in Buffalo, was John Despar, a Frenchman, who
established his business on Johnston's lot, a little north of Reese's dwell-
ing house, on Washington street, between Seneca and Exchange streets.
In 1807, Despar purchased outer lot 31. He continued his business until
after the war of 181 2. In 1820, he removed to a lot on what is now High
street, where he soon after died.f
As far as may be judged by recorded events, the year 1805 opened
auspiciously for the village of Buffalo. The town of Erie, which included
the village, had been erected by the legislature the preceding year, and the
first town-meeting was held that .year at Crow's tavern, but the record was
burned in 181 3, with nearly all other similar ones. A little memorandum
book, inscribed, " Erie Town Book," now in possession of the Buffalo
Historical Society, shows that Joshua Gillett was granted a license to sell
liquor in the village, and one was also granted to " The Contractors, by
S. Tupper." Others were probably granted, as we may presume that
landlord Crow had one. The price of the licenses was five dollars each.
"The Contractors Store," which was opened in 1804, or spring of
1805, became quite a noted establishment. It was conducted by the men
* This was probably on or near the line of Niagara street.
t It is said that Despar sold his land to William Smith, who first supplied milk to the yillage.
Smith was to pay Despar $200 annually as long as the latter and his wife lived ; they were both dead
before the second payment became due.
Vincent Grant— Judge Zenas Barker. 39
who had contracts for supplying the military posts of the west. Samuel
Tupper, whose name is mentioned above as taking out the license, first
had charge of this store. He came to Buffalo probably as early as 1804,
and botight inner lot 7, in 1805, and took up outer lot 17, in 1808, where
he built a house on the corner of Tupper and Main streets. He was
appointed an Associate Judge of the Common Pleas in the fall of 1805,
and was the first person in Erie county who had a right to that title.
Judge Tupper died in December, 1817, without children. An adopted
daughter of his atterwards married Manly Colton, and they occupied the
old homestead for many years.
Vincent Grant, as we have already recorded, bought a lot in Buffalo
in 1804, but he probably did not settle upon it until 1805. He was atone
time in charge of the contractors store. He purchased inner lot No. 8,
in 1808, on which he built a store. After the war he put up a cheap
building on the southeast corner of Main and Seneca streets, where he
traded until 1820, or later. He died not long after that date.
Judge Zenas Barker settled in Buffalo, as early as 1804 or 1805, and
began keeping tavern on the Terrace very soon after, near where John
Palmer had been located in the same business. At the fall term (1805,)
of the Court of Common Pleas, Mr. Barker and John Crow were licensed
to run ferries across Buffalo creek, the former at the mouth of the stream,
and the latter at what was known as Pratt's ferry. Mr. Barker's dwell-
ing was on the comer of the Terrace and Main street. Judge Barker
married Margaret Sydnor, May 10, 1814, reared a large family of children,
(among whom was Jacob A. Barker, who became one of the leading
business men of Buffalo,) was county clerk for some years, and was
prominently connected with the commerce of the lakes. He died June
2, 1859. A grand-daughter of Judge Barker became the wife of the late
O. G. Steele.
In the year 1806, Joseph Landon bought John Crow's tavern, riefitted
and made a more commodious hotel of it, thus founding the Mansion
House. Landon's tavern acquired a high reputation for its general
hospitality and good cheer. In July, 1807, Mr. Landon purchased outer
lot 81. He married first Mrs. Marvin, the mother of Ebenezer Walden,
mentioned hereafter ; afterwards he married Mrs. West, widow of Dr.
West, who was for a long time stationed at Fort Niagara. Mr. Landon
finally removed to Lockport.
In September, 1806, Ebenezer Walden brought the following letter
of introduction to Erastus Granger : —
" Batavia, Sept. 23, 1806.
" Dear 5/r— Permit me to recommend to your particular attention the
bearer of this — ^ayoune gentleman with whom I have long been acquainted
— a correct scholar, liberally educated, an attorney in the Supreme
Court, and a gentleman who will be quite an accession to your society
4 .
40 History of Buffalo.
at Buffalo Creek. He is a stranger in your country ; any attentions
paid to him will be a favor done to your friend and humble servant,
D. B. BuowN.
" Erastus Granger, Esq., Buffalo."
The bearer of this letter was the first lawyer in Erie county. Mr.
Walden immediately entered upon the practice of his profession in the
little village, in a small office on Willink avenue, (Main street), between
Seneca and Crow (Exchange) streets. In 1810, Mr. Walden purchased
inner lots 12 and 13 and afterwards other lots. He married in the
year 181 2, and was appointed "First Judge" of the Common Pleas in
1823 ; he was mayor of the city one term (1838) and died in 1857.*
David Mather established the third blacksmith shop in the village
in 1806. Mr. Mather gives the following description of Buffalo as it
appeared to him in that year : —
"I settled in Buffalo in 1806. There were then sixteen dwelling
houses, principally frame ones ; eight of them were scattered along on
Main street, three of them were on the Terrace, three of them on Seneca
street, and two of them on Cayuga street. There were two stores — one
the * Contractors * on the corner of Main and Seneca streets, kept by
Vincent Grant, on the east side of Main street The other was the
store of Samuel Pratt, adjoining Crow's tavern. Mr. LeCouteulx kept a
dru^ store in part of his house on (the north side of) Crow street.
David Reese's Indian blacksmith shop was on Seneca street, and William
Robbins had a blacksmith shop on Main street. John Crow kept a
tavern where the Mansion House now stands, and Judge Barker kept
one on the site of the market. I remember very well the arrival of the
first mail that ever reached Buffalo. It was brought on horseback
by Ezra Metcalf. He came to my blacksmith shop to get his horse
shod. He told me he could carry the contents of his (mail) bag in his
two hands."
Elijah Leech, took up his residence in Buffalo in 1806. He was
employed for a time in the store of Captain. Pratt, whose daughter he
married. Afterwards he joined his brother-in-law, Samuel Pratt, Jr., in
mercantile business. He purchased inner lot 46 in 1807, and after-
wards outer lots 47, 48, 49 and 50. He built a house on the south side
of Buffalo creek and lived there many years. Mr. Leech held several
town and county offices and was one of the founders of the Washington
street Baptist Church. He finally removed to Clarence Hollow and
died there.
Among those who settled in 1806 within the present city limits (then
far outside of the village boundaries,) we find the names of Major Noble,
* Judge Walden was greatly respected and honored through a long and active life. Perhaps it
is not too much to say that no man stood higher in the public estimation, during the whole period
of his residence in the city of Buffalo. * * * He has left a recoil that should satisfy
the ambition of any man— that of a gentleman of learning and intelligence, a man of p^ect honor
and integrity, a true friend fulfilling all the relations of life with fidelity, ever exerting a oooserva^
tive influence in favor of law, religion and morality. — KeUKmtCs Buffalo and the Situcas.
Buffalo Made the County Seat. 41
James Stewart, Gideon Moshier, Loren and Velorous Hodge and Henry
Ketchum. Doubtless there were others.
Amos Callender arrived at Buffalo in 1807 or '08, and afterwards
became prominent in church and school affairs, laboring earnestly for
the improvement of the morals of the new settlement. He kept books
for different merchants for a time and taught school winters, some of the
time in his own chambers. He subsequently became deputy postmaster
and was appointed surrogate of the county in 18 13. He died in 1859.*
The selection of " Buffalo, or New Amsterdam," as the county seat,
in March, 1808, provided the Holland Land Company would erect a suit-
able court-house and jail and give a half-acre of land on which the build-
ings should stand, g^ve an impetus to immigration. The Company
agreed to the proposition embodied in the act, and began the erection of
a frame court-house on Washington street, directly in front of what is
now known as the old court-house, which has been occupied by the
Young Men's Christian Association. The building was finished in i8io.t
A stone jail was built a little south of the court-house, on inner lots 184,
185. This structure withstood the effects of the flames when the village
was burned, and after the war was repaired and used again as the county
jail. It was originally surrounded on three sides by a stockade of logs
set on end and sharpened at the top. This jail was demolished about
1834. The character of the work on these two buildings may be inferred
from the fact that it was only a year from the time when they were
accepted by the authorities, when the Board of Supervisors voted to
raise $500 by tax, for the purpose of repairing them.J
The year 1808 was a favorable one to the growth of Buffalo, and
more lots were sold than in any previous year. Following is a list of the
sales with the names of their purchasers : —
Jabez Goodell, outer lots 136 and 145; Elisha Ensign, inner lot 60
and farm lot 19 ; Joseph Wells, inner lot 62 ; Asa Fox, inner lot 61.; Gil-
man Folsom, inner lot 72; David Mather, outer lot 123 ; William Hull
* Deacon Callender was thrice married and had sU daughters. « • • j^ ^g^^^y ^^
tmly said that Deacon Callender led an active andnsefal life. Few men have the opportunity of
doing so much good by active labor, by precept and by example. His memory will be cherished
with esteem and gratitude. « « « -^KeUkunCs Buffalo and the Semcas,
f An act to divide the county of Genesee into several counties and for other purposes, passed
March il, 1808 :—
Skction III. And be it further enacted, That the court-house and jail, in and for the said
coanty of Niagara, be erected in the village of Buffalo or New Amsterdam, in the said county : pro-
vided the Holland Land Company, their agent or agents shall, within three years from the passage
of this act, and at their sole expense, erect in the said village a sufficient and suitable building or
buildings for a court-house and ^ol for the said countv, and shall legally convey not less than half an
acre of land whereon the same wall be erected, together with the said building or buildings, for the
use of said county.
\ Mrs. Charlotte S. Stevens, now of Williamsville, says that her father, Oziel Smith, came to
Buffalo in 1807. He was a carpenter, and worked on the first court-house and jaiL He bought the
lots on which the Tifft House now stands, but removed to Williamsville just before Buffalo was
burned ; he died in 1836.
42 History of Buffalo.
and others, inner lot 8 ; Rowland Cotton, farm lot 75. Of these settlers,
nearly or quite all located in or near Buffalo, and participated more or
less in its growth. Gilman Folsom was the first regular butcher in the
village. Jabez Goodell became a large purchaser of Buffalo real estate,
and kept a tavern at a very early date on the comer ol Main and Goodell
streets. He was conspicuous in the First Presbyterian church society
at an early period in its h*istory, and when he died, left the larger portion
of his valuable estate to different societies connected with that denomi-
nation. He died September 27, 185 1, aged seventy-five years.
Henry Ketchum and his brother Zebulon were early settlers in Buf-
falo ; the former purchased outer lot 17 and farm lot 70, in the year 1807,
and built his dwelling on the corner of Main and Chippewa streets. When
this was swept away in 181 3, he fled with his family and never returned
here to reside. Zebulon Ketchum spent his life in Buffalo, and de-
scendants of his now reside here. Both of these men were brothers of
Jesse Ketchum, once very prominent in educational matters. He came
to Buffalo in 1837-38 and remained until his death.
Dr. Ebenezer Johnson arrived in Buffalo in the latter half of 1809,
bearing the following letter of introduction: —
"Cherry Valley, 31st August, 1809.
" Erastus Granger, Esq.,
" Dear Sir : — The bearer of this letter (Doctor Johnson^ is in pur-
suit of a place in order to settle himself in his professional ousiness. I
have directed him to call on you as the most suitable person to advise
him of the propriety or impropriety of his settling in Buffalo. Doctor
Johnson hiath been a student with Judge White before and ever since
my partnership with the Judge, and it is but doing my duty to Dr.
Johnson to state that he is a young man of unblemished morals, well
read in his profession, and justly entitled to the patronage of the public.
" I remain, with respect and esteem,
" Your much obliged friend,
" Hezekiah L. Granger."
Although Dr. Johnson practiced his profession until after the war,
in which he acted as surgeon, he afterwards became one of the foremost
business men of the village. He was associated in business for several
years with Judge Samuel Wilkeson, and subsequently became a banker
and broker. Dr. Johnson was the first Mayor of Buffalo after its charter
was received, and held the office two terms. In the financial revulsion
of 1835-36 Dr. Johnson suffered heavily, almost his entire' fortune being
swept away, and he found himself compelled to seek a field of labor in
another State, where he engaged in working some iron mines which had
come into his possession. He died a few years after leaving Buffalo.
Dr. Johnson built for himself a stone mansion on Delaware street, which
is now used as a residence connected with the Female academy. Mrs.
Rev. Dr. Lord is a daughter of Dr. Johnson.
Early Merchants. 43
The name of Lovejoy is a historic one in connection with the early
days of Buffalo. Joshua Lovejoy came to Buffalo as eariy, probably^
as 1807 or 1808, from Avon, where he had kept a hotel. His wife was
brutally murdered at the burning of Buffalo; the details of this deed will
appear hereafter. Mr. Lovejoy died in New York in 1824, aged 53 years.
In the year 1807 Mr. Le Couteulx obtained permission from Mr.
EUicott to cut away the timber on " the point " directly opposite the
foot of Main street, on a tract as wide as the street, through which a view
could be obtained of the lake from Mr. Le Couteulx' house on the comer
of Main and Exchange streets. Previous to that time no view of the lake
was presented from the village, except towards Fort Erie and Point
Abino, through the opening in the forest at the mouth of Buffalo Creek.
Benjamin Cftryl came to Buffalo in 1808. He lived at Willianosville
when Buffalo was burned, but later in life returned to Buffalo and re-
mained until his death. One of his daughters married Gen. Lucius
Storrs ; another married Royal Colton, and afterwards Dr. Warner ; an-
other married J. H. Coleman, and still another married R. W. Haskins ;
all of whom at one time resided in Buffalo.
Isaac Davis was one of the early merchants of Buffalo. His store
and dwelling were located on the west side of Main, just below Seneca
street. Mr. Davis suffered heavy pecuniary loss in the stringent times
succeeding the war and died by his own hand in 181 8, at Canandaigua.
Juba Storrs, who was one of the most prominent early merchants, came
to Buffalo from Mansfield in 1808, with the intention of engaging in the
practice of law, for which he had studied. The following extracts from
letters written by Mr. Storrs to his father, not long after arriving at Buf-
falo, are interesting, as descriptive of the place at that period : —
Buffalo Creek. July 15, 1808.
" My Dear Parent — You will perceive from the date ot this that I
am farther from home than I contemplated when I left Mansfield. It is
a good day's ride from Ontario, where I thought of makinjg^ a stand ; but
the information which I received at Geneva and Canandaigua induced
me to pursue my route to this place. You will find it on the map by
the name of New Amsterdam. It is a considerable village, at the mouth
of Buffalo creek, where it empties into Lake Erie, and is a port of entry
for Lake Ontario, (Erie) the St. Lawrence river and all the western lakes,
and will eventually be the Utica and more than the Utica of this western
country."
In a later letter Mr. Storrs wrote : —
" My partner (who was Benjamin Caryl) nor myself have been able
to obtain Irom EUicott a well situated village lot. Caryl contracted for
a lot, with a house sufficient for a store, for five hundred dollars — then
the best we could eet, for which I suppose we could get six hundred,
if we did not think the rise would be something handsome within a
short time."
It was as early as 1809 or '10 that Mr. Storrs was associated with
Benjamin Caryl and Samuel Pratt, Jr., in mercantile business. The
44 History of Buffalo.
firm erected a brick store on the northeast comer of Washington and
Exchange streets, in 1810. This was, without doubt, the first brick
structure built in Buffalo. While engaged in business, Mr. Pratt was
appointed sheriff and Mr. Storrs, County Clerk. Mr. Pratt afterwarqs
retired from the firm and Lucius Storrs, brother of Juba, took his place.
In 181 2 the firm lease/1 mill property at the Eleven Mile Creek (now
Williamsville.) After Buffalo was burned the mercantile branch of their
business was removed to Canandaigua.
What is now Niagara street was cut through the forest in 1809, but
no road was made or traveled there until after the war. Travel then
followed the " Gulf " road (Delaware) and Bouck street, and the Guide-
Board road and beach. Henry Lovejoy wrote of the site and surround-
ings of Buffalo in those days, as follows: —
" Save a few houses on Main street, four or five on the lower end of
Washington street, and seven or ei^ht on the lower end of Pearl street, one
unbroken and primeval forest cast its shadows over and around the whole
extent, relieved only by a little ray of light where the entrance to Buffalo
creek revealed to the eye a glimpse of the broad expanse of Erie's waters.
* * The lake shore above and below the mouth of the creek was one
continuous arbor of trees covered with the native grape vine and so
thickly were they matted together that it was no diflBcult task to pass
from one to another on their tangled surface. This natural arbor con-
tinued down the beach some distance below the mouth of the creek,
when one came to what were called the Sand Hills ; they rose abruptly
from the back part of the beach, some of them to a hic;ht of forty or fifty
feet, and were covered on the back with full-sized forest trees to the
summit ; in front they were nearly barren. Between the Sand Hills and
the Terrace was a dense forest, except a . narrow strip called the Cran-
berry marsh. The Sand Hills continued down to near Fort Porter.
The records of the Holland Land Company show the following
purchases of lots in Buffalo in 18 10: Wm. Best, Asahel Adkins, Asa
Coltrin, Eli Hart, John MuUett, Gamaliel St John and Nathan Toles.
Asa Coltrin was a physician and for a time associated with Dr. Cyrenius
Chapin in business. John Mullett was a tailor and a partner of James
Sweeney. Their place of business was on inner lot number 10, on Main
street. The firm that afterwards did a merchant tailoring business there
for years was Sweeney & Efner.
Gamaliel St. John bore a name that must forever be conspicuous
in the early history of Buffalo. He purchased inner lot S3 on the 24th
of January, 18 10. On that lot he built the house that escaped the con-
flagration on the 30th of December, 1813, through the heroic courage
of Mrs. St. John. Gamaliel St. John was drowned early in June, 1813,
while crossing the ferry in a scow; the boat drifted in the strong
current against the hawser of a vessel and capsized. The following
brief account of the accident was printed in the Buffalo Gazette of June
8, 1813:—
Events During i8io, 45
" On Sunday last a boat upset by running afoul of the United States
vessel, CaUdoniay anchored in the Niagara river at Black Rock. There
were nine men in the boat ; one got on board the Caledoniay three saved
themselves by swimming, and the remaining five were drowned, viz. :
Gamaliel St John, (inn-keeper ot this village,) Elijah St. John, (son of the
above,) Adam Rhoade^, of Swift's United States Volunteers, and two
regular soldiers."
Mrs. St. John was a woman of unusual strength of character, energy
and fearlessness, and the account of her successful efforts to save her
dwelling from the torch of the enemy, is as deeply interesting as the
most thrilling incident of fiction, and stands out as an act of womanly
heroism that has become historic ; particulars of this event appear in
subsequent pages. One of the daughters of Mrs. St. John married Judge
Samuel Wilkeson, and another (Aurelia), married Asaph S. Bemis, Octo-
ber 3, 181 2. Mr. Bemis died December 13, 1823. His widow who
escaped with her husband and younger sisters just before the burning of
Buffalo, still lives in the city, having attained the great age of ninety
years, on the 25th of January, 1883.
Ralph M. Pomeroy about this time (18 10), erected his afterwards
celebrated hotel on the northeast corner of Main and Seneca streets,
where Brown's Buildings now stand. He purchased the lot (inner lot 7)
of Samuel Tupper, and opened the hotel in 181 1.
Raphael Cook came to Buffalo as early as 1810, rented a building and
established a public house on Main street opposite Pomeroy *s. " Cook's
Tavern " became a celebrated hostelry. Mr Cook returned to Buffalo
after the war and opened a tavern on the site of the Tifft House, in a
building known long after as the " Old Phoenix Hotel." He died April
15, 1 82 1, aged sixty-five years.
Dr. Daniel Chapin appears to have reached Buffalo at about this
period. He afterwards became an energetic rival of Dr. Cy renins Chapin ;
their controversies form an interesting topic in the early history of the
medical profession.
Eli Hart purchased inner lot 41, corner of Main and Erie streets
and built a store on it where he, in connection with his brother-in-law,
and later with a Mr. Cunningham, carried on the mercantile buisness for
many years.
Oliver Forward, who was a brother-in-law of Erastus Granger, came
to Buffalo probably in 1809, from Ohio. In 181 1 fee occupied a small one-
story wood dwelling on Pearl street in rear of what is now number 102 ;
in an addition made to the building he acted as deputy postmaster and
collector of customs for Judge Granger. In 18 14, after the destruction
of his first residence, Mr. Forward built a double two story brick build-
ing (on the site of his former home) which was then considered the finest
residence in the village. In the northern half of it the postoffice and col-
lector s office were established. Mr. Forward succeeded Judge Granger
46 History of Buffalo.
as collector, and was afterwards appointed an Associate^ Judge of the
Court of Common Pleas. Judge Forward was in all respects one of
the foremost men of his time and was instrumental in forwarding all im-
portant projects looking to the advancement of the village. He died in
April, 1832. He has been described as of medium stature, but portly ; of
grave and dignified presence; one whose imposing appearance would
have been marked in any assembly of men.
On the 10th of February, 18 10, a law was passed creating the town
of Buffalo, which embraced within its boundaries the present city. That
was the first instance of the legal application of the name " Buffalo " to a
tract of territory with definite boundaries. Buffalo was formed from
Clarence, and then included Tonawanda, Grand Island, Amherst,
Cheektowaga and a part of West Seneca. Amherst, including Cheek-
towaga, was taken off in 181 8, and Tonawanda in 1836. Buffalo City
remained a part of the town until 1840.
Dr. Josiah Trowbridge, a pioneer physician, the events of whose
long life in Buffalo stamped him as an eminent man, came to the village
in 181 1, when he was twenty-six years old. During the succeeding fifty
years he occupied a distinguished position, both as a physician and as a
citizen. He was mayor of the city in 1837 and filled other positions
of trust. Dr. Trowbridge died September 22, 1862. Further reference
to his life will be found in a subsequent chapter devoted to the medical
profession.
There were two arrivals in Buffalo in the year 181 1 that were
destined to exert a broad influence upon the near future of the place,
especially in a business and commercial sense. These were Charles
Townsend (afterwards Judge Townsend) and George Coit, both of whom
came from Norwich, Conn., where they had been fellow clerks in a drug
store. They came to Buffalo possessed of considerable means, and soon
estiablished themselves in the drug business on Main street, which they
continued until 18 18, when they sold to Dr. John E. Marshall, father of
Hon. O. H. Marshall. They then engaged in the storage and forwarding
business, at the foot of Commercial street, where they erected large
buildings for that purpose.* The firm subsequently joined with Sheldon
Thompson & Co., who removed to Buffalo from Black Rock atter the
completion of the Erie canal, and an immense business was built up by
the consolidated firms, under the name of the Troy and Erie Line, with
connections east and west. The firm dissolved in 1844. Mr. Coit lived
many years on the corner of Pearl and Swan streets. In the early
development of lake and canal commerce, the construction of the harbor
and other matters of importance to the growing village, the firm of
Townsend & Coit were instrumental. In a paper prepared in the later
* See biogrmphic sketches of Mr. Townsend, Mr. Ooit and O. H. Marshall, in snbaequent
pages.
^J2/?U/7Z^^L^^^?ZC^.
Description of Buffalo in i8ii. 47
years of his life, Judge Townsepd gave the following vivid description
of Buffalo early ia 1811 : —
'<In 181 1, Buffalo contained less than one hundred dwellings, and a
population of some four or five hundred. The only public buildings
were the old stone jail on Washington street, and an unfinished wooden
court house. A small wooden building put up for a school house, served
also for a town hall, a church for all religious denominations and, indeed,
for all public purposes. Three taverns were kept, one by Mr. Landon,
occupying a part of the site of the Mansion House, another of more
moderate pretensions, at the comer of Main and Seneca streets, and a
third near the comer of Main and Court streets. The only merchants
were Juba Storrs & Co., Grosvenor & Heacock, Eli Hart and Isaac
Davis, the first being located on the corner of Washington and Exchange
streets, and the others on Main between South Division and Exchange
streets. A mail from Albany brought once or twice a week, in a wooden-
spring lumber wagon, was openea by Oliver Forward, a justice of the
peace. Judge Granger held the office of postmaster ana also that of
collector of the port; the latter an office rather of honor than of business
profit. The commerce of the lakes was small. I think there were only four
or five small vessels on our side, and two or three merchantmen, besides
two British armed vessels on the other. There was no harbor here. The
mouth of Buffalo creek was usually so much obstructed by a sand bar,
that small vessels could but rarely enter, and even canoes were some-
times shut out, and footmen walked dry-shod across the mouth. Vessels
were loaded and unloaded at a wharf near Bird Island, at Black Rock.**
Abel M. Grosvenor purchased the article for inner lot 38, which had
been taken up by David Mather, in 1806. Mr. Grosvenor came to
Buffalo in 181 1 ; with him wa$ Mr. Reuben B. Heacock, and they opened
a store on Main street, nearly opposite Mr. Grosvenor's purchase, under
the firm name of Grosvenor & Heacock. Each of these men married
the sister of the other. Mr. Grosvenor went East about the last of 1812
and died soon after. Mr. Heacock continued in business in Buffalo for
many years and was a man of infTuence and high character ; he was
once elected to the Legislature. He was ^foremost in organizing the
Hydraulic Company that afterwards utilized the waters of Buffalo
creek foi* milling purposes, and stood in the front rank of the active
business men of Buffalo for nearly a quarter of a century. He died in
iSS3* Well known descendants of Mr. Heacock now reside in Buffalo.
Joseph Stocking and Joseph Bull estabUshed the first hat manufac-
tory and fur business in Buffalo, in 181 1. They bought inner lot 1 1, cor-
ner of Main and Seneca streets, and built a manufactory in the rear on
Washington street ; this factory was but just finished when the war
broke out. After their factory was burned, they removed that part of
their business to Canandaigua, supplying their store from there.
Heman B. Potter arrived in Buffalo at this time from Columbia
county, and began a distinguished legal career that continued for nearly
half a century. He was afterwards well-known as General Potter, and
died October 7, 1854.
48 History of Buffalo.
The active life-work of many of the men whose names have been given,
and others who, with their immediate descendants, were prominently
instrumental in the early settlement and growth of Buffalo, both before
and after the war of 1812, will be often referred to in future chapters
upon the different interests and institutions of the place and in biographic
sketches.
It was at about this period (181 1) that Deacon Callender, in connec-
tion with General Elijah Holt, organized a society for the suppression of
vice and immorality, of which the latter was president and the former
was secretary. The society published the following resolutions in the
Gazette : —
Resolution of the Moral Society of Buffalo.
" Resolved, That after the 23d of November, inst., the laws of the
State prohibiting violations of the Sabbath, shall be strictly enforced
against all persons who, on that day, shall drive into the village loadecl
teams, or who shall unload goods, wares and merchandise, or who shall
vend goods or keep open stores or shops for the purpose of trading or
laboring, or who shall engage in hunting, fishing, etc., etc. ; also agamst
all parties of pleasure, ricnng or walking to Black Rock or elsewhere.
^'Resolved, That the above resolution be published two weeks in the
Gazette, published in this village, that strangers as well as villagers may
be informed of the same, and govern themselves accordingly.
" By order of the Society,
"A. Callender, Secretary."
Those resolutions proposed what was undoubtedly the most radical
reform movement ever inaugurated in Buffalo ! It may be entertaining
to meditate upon what the good Deacon and his co-laborers meant to
cover by those two comprehensive " etceteras." It is related of Deacon
Callender that when he once saw one of his neighbors carting hay to his
bam publicly on the Sabbath, he went to the offender and remonstrated
with him ; when the Sabbath-breaker insisted upon going on with the
work, the Deacon told him he would certainly see that the law was
enforced against him. If this incident is a fact, it is not unlikely that
the Society really effected an improvement in the morals of the village.
Although a church society was formed in Buffalo in the latter part
of the year 1809, by the union of the few Congregationalists and Presby-
terians there, under direction of the Rev. Thaddeus Osgood, little appears
to have been accomplished in that direction. Down to the time of the
war, religious services in the village were irregular, depending chiefly
upon the missionaries in the vicinity. It was, possibly, for this reason
that Buffalo acquired a reputation for immorality that was, to say the
least, unenviable, although it may have been exaggerated. The early
files of the Gazette show frequent complaints from correspondents upon
this topic ; these complaints were mainly directed against Sabbath-break-
ing, " tippling," and kindred breaches of good morals. On the other hand.
Early Morality of Buffalo. 49
the Gazette published a letter in January, 181 2, written by a clergyman to
" a gentleman in this village/* in which he said : —
** From what I had heard I supposed that the people in general were
so fi^veu to dissipation and vice that the preachers of Christianity would
find few or no ears to hear ; but most agreeably disappointed wan I to
find my audiences not only respectable in point of numbers, but solemn,
decent, devout and which seemed gladly to hear the word."
This paragraph indicates that the village had been misrepresented ;
but, unfortunately, the " clergyman '* did not feel justified in leaving the
subject at that point, for he added his regret that there was so '' little at-
tention paid by the magistrates in regulating the Sabbath. While the
Sabbath is thus neglected, no clergyman of decent character would
tarry there but a short time.'*
Sometime before Nov. 12, 181 1, the Washington Benevolent Society
was organized, as in the Gazette of that date we find a call for a meet-
ing of the society, signed by Heman B. Potter. Leading citizens were
for years conspicuous in the proceedings of this organization.
A traveller named John Melish visited Buffalo on the 27th of
October, 181 1, and afterwards wrote the following description of what
he saw : —
'' Buffalo is handsomely situated at the east end of Lake Erie, where
it commands a beautiful view of the Lake, of Upper Canada, and Fort
Erie, and a fi'reat distance to the southward, wnich is terminated by
an elevated lofty country. The site of the town extends quite to the
lake shore, but is principally built on an eminence of about thirty feet, at
a little distance ; and to tne south along the creek are handsome rich
bottom lots, which are at present a little marshy, but will, when drained,
be most valuable appendages to this beautiful place. Buffalo was laid out
for a town about five years ago, and is regularly disposed in streets and lots.
The lots are from sixty to one hundred feet deep, and sell from twenty-
five to fifty dollars ; and there are out lots of five and ten acres, worth at
E resent from ten to twenty-five dollars per acre. The population was by
LSt census three hundred and sixty-five ; it is now computed at five hun-
dred, and is rapidly increasing. The buildings are mostly of wood,
painted white ; but there is a number of good bnck houses, and some few
of stone. There are four taverns, eight stores, two schools, and a weekly
newspaper has been recently established. The town is as yet too new
for the introduction of any manufactures, except those of a domestic kind.
The greater part of the people are farmers and mechanics. The settlers
are mostly from New England, but the town being on the great thor-
ourhfare to the western country, there is a general mixture. A consid-
enu>le trade is constantly kept up by the innux and reflux of strangers,
and such articles as are necessary for their accommodation are dear.
House rent is from two 'to twenty dollars per week ; wood is one dollar
Kr cord ; flour is seven dollars per barrel ; pork six dollars per cwt ;
ef four dollars ; porter six dollars per dozen. Fish are very plenty and
cheap. Boarding is three dollars per week. The situation is quite
healthy, and the seasons are much more mild and open than might be
expectra in this northern latitude. Buffalo creek flows into the lake by
so History of Buffalo,
a slow current. It is navigable about four miles, and it is proposed to
run a pier into the lake at its outlet, and form a harbor, which would be
a most important advantage to this part of the country. Already there
is a turnpike road to New York, having the accommodation of a stage
three times a week. Upon the whole I think this is likely to become a
great settlement."
The writer of the history of Buffalo from the arrival of the first settler
down to the latter part of the year i8i i, finds himself thwarted at almost
every step in his task, by the absence of almost all records other than
such as have been made since that date from the memories of old
residents ; this, as the reader has perceived, necessarily renders the work
thus far little more than a personal record of the early settlers, the dates
of their arrivals, the lots purchased and similar notes.
When the village was burned in 1812-13, all records of a public
nature (if there were any) and many private papers were destroyed.
Fortunately, a file of the Buffalo Gazette^ from the second number, has
been preserved. This was the first newspaper published in the county.
The first number was issued October 3, 181 1, by two brothers. Smith H.
and Hezekiah A. Salisbury, the former being the editor. Thanks to the
foresight of those two men and the no less wise care of those who came
after them, we now have access to an almost complete file of the Gazette^
now in the possession of the Buffalo Young Men's Association. Access
to it and to the files of succeeding journals will mark a change in the
results of the historian's labor.
The prominent features of the village of Buffalo at the period under
consideration, the state of its business, new arrivals, and especially the
character of early journalism in the county, will be better understood, if
we refer briefly to the columns of the early numbers of that rough little
yellow-hued sheet.
One or two very brief local items of news, at the most, seemed to
satisfy the ambition of the editors of the Gazette in those days, and many
numbers were issued without a single line referring to local events.
This was the general custom among the journals of that day, the editors
apparently thinking that local events would become well-known to
readers through other mediums than the press.
Mechanical business appears to have been in a flourishing condition
in Buffalo in those days, if we may judge by the frequent ad vertisements
for mechanical help. Tallmadge & MuUett called for two or three jour-
ne3rmen tailors ; John Tower for a journeyman shoemaker ; Daniel Lewis
for a " Taylor's " apprentice and a journeyman ; Stocking & Bull for three
or four journeymen hatters; and Leech & Keep for two or three journey-
men blacksmiths, at their shop at Cold Spring, " two miles from the village
of Buffalo." The Salisburys kept a bookstore in connection with their
printing business, it being the first in the county. Their catalogue of
about a hundred and fifty books, contained the names of only eleven novels.
Extracts from the " Gazettb," 5 1
In the Gazette of March 11, 181 2, appeared the folio winf2f ominous
statement: —
'' By a law of Uoper Canada, lately passed, the militia of the province
are to turn out and drill six days in every month. What does it mean?"
In the same issue the question of approaching war was thus dis-
cussed, which was at least a very safe conclusion : —
"We are frequently interrogated^ 'Shall we have war?' to which
we would say, that for the^e few years past our country has sustained a
most bloodless war of words ; now it is a furious combat on paper ; but
whether we are to have war or peace, or remain as we are, time will
unfold."
March 10, 1812, the Western Star Lodge of Free Masons, undoubt-
edly the first lodge of that order in the village, or county, gave notice
that they would install the officers of the lodge.
On the 26th of March, the mechanics of the village organized the
Mechanical Society, the first association of that nature in the place.
Joseph Bull was elected president ; Henry M. Campbell and John Mul-
lett, vice-presidents'; and Robert Keene. Asa Stanard, David Reese,
Daniel Lewis and Samuel Edsall, as a standing committee.
The last named gentleman advertised his tannery and shoe shop
in the Giusette as located " on the Black Rock road, near the village
of Buffalo." It really stood on what is now the comer of Niagara and
Mohawk streets!
The Gazette complained in those days of the insecure condition of
the jail, saying, *' The g^eat majority of felons committed to jail have
deserted, and but few are brought to justice."
In his advertisement of earthenware at Cold Spring, Lyman Parsons
showed considerable leniency towards his debtors by requesting all
those " indebted to him and whose promises have become due, to make
payment or fresh promises ! " No one could object to compliance with
this modest request.
The usual comprehensiveness of the country store prevailed in those
of Buffalo at that time. Nathaniel Sill & Co. sold fish and cider at
Black Rock. Peter H. Colt, of the same place, dispensed "whisky,
gin, buffalo robes and feathers," while Townsend & Coit, of Buffalo,
advertised " linseed oil and new goods,"
As a possible indication of the rare honesty of the publishers of the
Gazette^ it is noted that they advertise for the owner of " a green cotton
umbrella left at their office."
In the issue of Noveipber 26, 181 1, a meeting of the inhabitants of
Buffalo was called to take into consideration the propriety of making an
early application to the Legislature, soliciting assistance to " effectually
amend and improve the Public Road from this village to the village of
Batavia." In the same issue, Joseph Webb advertises his brewery at
Black Rock — probably the first of the kind in the vicinity.
6
52 History of Buffalo.
Townsend & Coit advertised in the Gazette of December lo, 1811,
new goods, groceries, medicines, etc., '^ at the brick store opposite the
court house," and M. Daley, located in the drug business "one door
south of the printing office."
On the 17th of December, 181 1, T. McEuen announced that he had
" taken the stand one door north of Mr. Cook's inn," as a shoe maker
and dealer in leather.
A meeting was held on the 3d of December, 181 1, to take steps
towards raising money by a lottery, for the improvement of roads. The
call was signed by Archibald S. Clark, Abel M. Grosvenor, Joseph Lan-
don, Frederick Miller, Timothy S. Hopkins and Asa Harris.
Early numbers of the Gazette show that in some instances the people
still clung to the name of ''New Amsterdam." The "Ecclesiastical
Society " was announced to meet "at the school house in the village of
New Amsterdam," and Grosvenor & Heacock advertised new goods at
their store in New Amsterdam.
Down to the latter part of 181 1, the name of Buffalo had been almost
universally spelled with a final " e ;" but from that time the superfluous
letter was gradually dropped. The efforts of the editor of the Gazette
undoubtedly hastened this reform, for he not only refused to make use of
the objectionable final letter himself, but unsparingly ridiculed its use by
others. In the Gazette of Dec. 29, 18 11, was printed a satirical report of
an alleged lawsuif in the " Court of the People's Bench of Buffalo-e " in
which " Ety Mol O Gist " was plaintiff and General Opinion defendant.
Following is an extract from the proceedings of the court : —
" This was an action brought before the court for purloining the
fifth letter of the alphabet and clapping it on the end of the name, Buffalo.
The plaintiff contended that he had both reason and right on his side and
that he could not only prove from high authority tnat the defendant
was guilty not only of a gross derehction in thus adding the silent,
superfluous 'e' to the high sounding Buff-aJo, but that he had in his
filchings, taken one of the official functionaries, one of the most important
members of the alphabet, one in fact introduced into all circles, parties,
societies and even into electioneering caucuses, and. placed him where
his usefulness would be entirely abridged; where he must raise his
final head in silence; where he would be known only in name. The
plaintiff now proceeded after some pertinent* remarks to the court, in
which he pointed out the enormity of the offense of General Opinion,
to call his witnesses. Several dictionaries were brought forth and exam-
ined, who testified from Dr. Johnson down to Noah Webster. General
Use, who was subpoenaed by both parties, was qualified. He said he did
not hesitate to state to the court that he had been in the constant practice
of dating his notes, receipts and memoranda with ' Buffalo-e,' but that since
the establishment of a public paper he should accommodate his conscience
to cut it short and dock off the final ' e.' "
Between the methods of journalism prevailing in Buffalo at the time
when the early numbers of the Gazette were issued, and those of to-day,
The Growth of Black Rock. 53
the change is more marked than in almost any other business or protes-
sion. Columns were devoted to foreign intelligence, much of it of minor
interest in this country, to the neglect of important domestic and local
news. Othel-wise the Gazette was ably conducted and for many years
was an influential newspaper.
As Black Rock, although at a later date a rival of Buffalo^ has since
been absorbed by it, some reference to its g^wth and position before
the War of 18 12 will be necessary. The fact has already been stated
that the State fonderly owned what was known as the *^ mile strip " of
land lying along the Niagara river from Lake Erie, commencing near the
present foot of Genesee street, to Lake Ontario. This tract was sur-
veyed in 1803-04, being cut into farm lots of about one hundred and
sixty acres each. On the south side of Scajaquada creek, four lots were
laid out and adjoining on them a lot of one hundred acres, called the
^' Ferry lot" The triangle formed by a line running from a point where
the south line of the ferry lot struck the mile line, to the river, was to
be reserved for military purposes, should it become necessary. The
remainder of the mile strip extending on a curve to the village of Buffalo,
was to be surveyed into a village plat and called Black Rock ; this was
afterwards generally known as Upper Black Rock. The four farm lots
above mentioned were purchased by Porter, Barton & Co., in connection
with a few others and surveyed in 181 1« into a village plat and to distin-
guish it from the State village, it was called Lower Black Rock.*
The old ferry at the Black Rock had, it appears, been in use nearly
or quite as far back as the Revolutionary war. In his interesting paper
read before the Historical Society in 1863, Mr. Charles D. Norton says
of the ferry: —
** Here [on the Black Rock side] one Con. O'Neil was the ferryman
at a verv early day, living by the ' black rock ' in a hut which was at
once his terry-house and bis home. In the year 1800, there was a toler-
able road over the site of the present Fort street, leading to the river
margin over a flat or plateau of land about two hundred ^et in width.
Upon the northern extremity of this plateau there was a black rock, in
*Hormtio Jonet and Jasper Parrish, botli of whom were Indian captives in early life, were ap-
pointed Indian interpreters after their release, which followed the- treaty of peace between the
United States and the Six Nations. During their captivity and the subsequent period of their service
as interpreters, these two men gained the friendship of the Indians to sudi an extent that in 1798,
at a council of the Six Nations, held at Genesee river, it was decreed that a present should be made
them. This present comprised two square miles of land which was described in a speech made on
that occasion by Farmer's Brother, as follows :^
'*Two square miles of land lyin^ on the outlet of Lake Erie, be^nning at the mouth of a credc
known as Snyguqnoydes creek, running one mile from the Niagara nver up said creek, thence north-
•eriy, as the river runs, two miles, thence westerly one mile to the river, thence up the river, as the
river runs, two miles to the place of beginning, so as to contain two square miles."
ThiiK speech was intended as a communication to the Legislature of the State, asking its co-
opeiBtton in making the gift, whidi request was granted and the t itle confirmed. The village of Black
Rode is situated upon a portion of the Jones and Parrish tract. Horatio Jones died in 1836, aged
«eventy-five yean ; Parrish died in the same year, aged sixty-nine.
54 History of Buffalo.
shape an irregular trianfi^Ie, projecting into the river ; having a breadth
of about one hundred Teet at the north end, and extending southward
and along the river for a distance of three hundred feet, gradually inclin-
ing to the southeast until it was lost in the sand. The rock was four or
five feet hieh, and at its southern extremity it was square, so that an eddy
was formed there, into which the ferry-boat could be brought, and where
it would be beyond the influence of the current. From the rock, teams
could be driven into the boat over a connecting lip or bridge. The
natural harbor thus formed, was almost perfect and could not have been
made by the appliances of art a more complete dQck or landing-place
for a boat"
A hamlet eventually grew up at and near this point before the war of
1812. It was this locality that Joseph EUicott referred to in a letter
written" to Paul Busti in 1802, when he said: —
" There is a situation * * equal to or better than that of New
Amsterdam for a town : so that if the State offers the land for sale this
summer, before New Amsterdam gets into operation, much of time will
be lost to the future prosperity of the place.'
Major Frederick Miller* took possession of the Ferry at Black Rock
in the year 1806, and retained it until about 18 12. The ferry was discon-
tinued at one time during the war of 18 12, after the boat had been fired
upon by British soldiers, as elsewhere narrated, and the boats were sunk
at the mouth of Scajaquada creek, whence they were taken by the British
and carried over to Canada. They were afterwards retakep and. used by
the Americans, and after peace was declared were turned over to Mr.
Lester Brace,.t who had managed the ferry before the war. At the dec-
laration of peace Mr. Brace opened the tavern at Black Rock and re-
sumed operation of the ferry, continuing there until 1821. In that year
Asa Stanard took the ferry, which he managed until the construction
of the Erie canal rendered its removal to another point necessary. Asa
* Mr. Frederick Miller ctme to reside at Btedc Kock «t a very earij period. His name appears
as the first licensed ferryman at Blade Rock feny, when the State fiist began to exercise jnrisdiction
orer it, in i8o5-'o6. He kept the feny and a Uvern at the feny hmding vntil iSio^ when he re.
moved to Bnilalo. He remained howeirer but a year, when he removed to Cold Sprfaig» where he
kept a tarem. Daring the war, he removed to WiUiamsviUe where he remafaied until Ms death,
which occurred in Jannaiy, 1836. Mr. Miller served daring the war of 1819, in the capacity of Ma*
jor of artillery ; hence his title of *' Major " by which he was afterwards known. The Major was an
onedacated man, but an energetic and oseful officer and mach esteemed by the officers of the army.
He left a large family of children ; Mrs. Gen. H. B. Potter was a daughter, 'the late Capt. William
T. Millerand Capt Fred S. Miller were his sons.— AV/lr^flMftV HistotyofBuffaUandtkeSemcas.
f I have said before that Mr. Lester Brace visited the ferry in 1807. It would be unnecessary
to say more of him than that be was a son of Orange Brace, one of the hardy and resolute men who
oune to western New York from New England in zyga Mr. Lester Brace left Bennington in what
is now Wyoming county, with an oz team and wagon, accompanied by some neighbors, to visit the
frontier on business ; and crossing the Indian reservation, his party were overtaken in the woods by
a severe snow storm which drove them under their wagon for dielter and compelled them to remain
there all night. Pursuing their joamey, they, reached Landon's tavern, now the Mansion House;
and turning into Commercial street, they traveled by way of the creek and lake beach down to Major
Miller's tovem at the old ferry.— CItfj. D. NorUm\s paptr read before ike Hulorieal Boeidy in 1863.
Rivalry Between Buffalo and Black Rock. 55
Stanard was one of the first boat and shipbuilders at Black Rock, hav-
ing a yard there before 18 12. The ferry was removed to the foot of
Ferry street, and in 1826 Donald Fraser* and Lester Brace became its
lessees. They placed a horse boat on the ferry, Mr. Brace making the
journey to Albany to ascertain what were the merits of the novel inven-
tion which the Legislature had required them to adopt ; he brought the
machinery for the boat. It was nothing more than a wheel upon a nearly
horizontal plane, which propelled the boat by means of cogs playing into
the main shaft In 1840 James Haggart leased the ferry and began the
use of a steamboat.
" When Mr. Brace first visited the Rock in 1807,** says Mr. Norton,
" there were no buildings in the vicinity, except the Porter, Barton. & Co.,
warehouse * * at the foot of Breckenridge street ; a house which
Nathaniel Sill had built on Auburn street, and a log hut on the site of
Albany street."
This firm of Porter, Barton & Co., was a powerful one for those
times. The head of the firm was Peter B. Porter, then of Canandaigua,
afterwards the distinguished commander whose services during the war
of 1812, have been narrated in the preceding volume. In 1810, when he
was thirty-seven years old, Mr. Porter removed to Black Rock. He had
been an attorney at Canandaigua and is.described as " unmarried, a hand-
some, portly gentlemen of the old school, of smooth address, fluent of
speech and dignified demeanor." The other members of the firm were
Augustus Porter, the older brother of Peter B., Benjamin Barton, Jr.,
and Joseph Annin. In the year 1807, ^^^^ A^^™ began the first regular
transportation business over the portage around the falls, and up the
river to Black Rock. From there their vessels took the freight out
upon the great lakes. The firm was connected with Jonathan Walton &
Co., of Schenectady, who forwarded freight from the East by way of the
Mohawk, Oneida Lake, Oswego and Lake Ontario. Other important
business connections east and west were also formed by Porter, Barton &
Co., giving them eventually a large traffic. One of the principal com-
modities handled in those days, by this firm, was salt from Syracuse,
which then commanded enormous prices. An old resident informs us
that his father once drew a load of thirty or forty bushels of potatoes
nearly twenty miles with an ox team, consuming two days in the round
trip, only to exchange the entire load lor a barrel of salt !
For a year or two previous to 181 1, considerable rivalry existed
between Black Rock and Bu£Falo, the forerunner of other protracted
* Major Fraser was a gallant soldier and was aid to General Porter at the siege of Fort Erie daring
the war of i8ia, when his gallantry and soldierly conduct received the most flattering notice in the
despatches of the General to the Commander-in-chief. Major Fraser was afterward on the staff of
Generd Brown ; sabaeqnently he served at Fort Niagara ; and at a later period he acted as secretary
to Genera] Porter, while he was engaged as the United States Commissioner iq surveying and estab-
lishing the northern boundary between the United States and Canada nnder the treaty of Ghent.
56 History of Buffalo.
periods of antagonism as to which was entitled to the pOrt of entry.
Erastus Granger, as early as 1809, entered a vigorous protest to the gov*
ernment, against locating the port at Black Rock. In that year an odd
compromise was made by establishing the port for the district of Buffalo
Creek, at Black Rock from April ist to December ist of each year. As
that period covered almost the entire commercial season, the effect of
the order will be readily conceived.
On the 22d of September, 1812, S. Franklin advertised the tavern
he then occupied, at Black Rock, to let. It stood nearly opposite the
dwelling house of General Porter. Orange Dean announced (he open-
ing of a tavern by him, in the building formerly occupied by Nathaniel
Sill ; he also kept a stock of groceries. Allen Leonard was then a shoe-
maker there.
Before the breaking out of the war, Porter, Barton & Co. built a
large pier just below Bird Island, where all of their vessels loaded and
unloaded freight; after the war their docks below the rapids were used.
When their vessels weite ready for lake voyages and there was not
enough wind to sail them up the stream, teams of oxen and horses were
utilized to tow them up. This method of navigation became known as
the " horn breeze."
At the breaking out of the war considerable additions had been made
to the little hamlet of Black Rock ; among them were E. D. Efner, who
died in 1873, Sylvester Mathews and others.
CHAPTER II.
BUFFALD ANS BLACK ROCK IN THE WAR.
Destruction of the Two Villages — Their Fortifications — Cannonading of Black Rock — William
DonJieimer's Account of the Burning of the Villages— Incidents — Mrs. Bidwell's Flight —
A Late Breakf ast — Peace Movements— The Riot at Pomeroy's Hotel— "Hank" John-
son's Heroism — The St John Family — A Heroic Woman — Massacre of Mrs. Lovejoy —
Preservation of Valuables — Alfred Hodge's Escape — Samuel Wilkeson*s New Acquaintance
— Flight of William Hodge's Family — Job Hoysington's Last Shot — Mr. Keep's Death—
The Killed and Captured — General Flight— Treachery under a Flag of Truce.
THE history of Bu£Falo and Black Rock during the years 1812- 13, in
addition to the minor notes already given, is mainly a record of the
war and its stirring events in the vicinity. A full, general history
of the campaigns of that conflict, the reader has already found in the
first volume of this work. It will, therefore, be sufficient for our present
purpose to state that at the close of the campaign of 181 3, on the 30th
The Defenses of Buffalo. 57
day of December and the ibt day of January, 1814, the village of Buffalo
and the smaller settlement at Black Rock were set on fire by the British
soldiers and their Indian allies, and swept from the face of the earth,
leaving only the smoking ruins to indicate that they had ever been the
dwelling p&ce of civilized men and women. David Reese's blacksmith
shop, the dwelling of Mrs. Gamaliel St. John just north of the hotel her
husband had erected on Main street, and the stone jail, were the only
buildings that escaped the torches of the enemy.
The fortifications that had been prepared for the defense- of the
villages during or before the war were, as far as now known, a "sailor's
battery" of three long 32-pounders, located near the mouth of Scaja-
quada creek; a battery of three g^ns on Niagara street, near the
former residence of William A. Bird ; Fort Tompkins that stood on the
site of the Niagara street railroad stables ; a mortar battery with one
i8-inch mortar, near the site of the water works : a breastwork on the
Terrace, and a 24-pounder on the northerly comer of the Fort Porter
grounds.
While the village of Buffalo had not, at the time of its destruction,
advanced far toward the fulfillment of the enthusiastic predictions of its
founders, still it had through the undaunted energy, untiring industry,
and earnest faith of its citizens, become a busy and promising village, as
described in the foregoing pages.
On the morning o^ the 9th of October, 181 2, Black Rock suffered a
heavy cannonading by the British batteries on the Canadian side, during
which some three hundred shots were fired. Mrs. Benjamin Bid well
has furnished some interesting reminiscences to the Historical Society
in which she states that this cannonade drove them from their residence
early in the morning. As she and her husband were hurrying to her
sister's where there was a cellar in which they might secure a refuge, a
cannon ball passed so near them that a little girl she was leading was
knocked down by the rush of the wind created by the ball. They then
fled to the woods where they found several families. Mrs. Bid well
obtained some food, built a fire in the woods and was engaged in cooking
breakfast by an improvised fire, when another cannon ball struck directly
in the fire and scattered the breakfast in all directions. In a determination
to finally get out of range, the family then made their way through the
woods to Cold Spring, where Mrs. Bidwell cooked another breakfast
which was eaten at four o'clock in the afternoon 1
It was the first shot in this cannonade that killed Major William
Howe Cuyler, of Palmyra, as he was galloping with orders along the
river road, before five o'clock in the morning.
Black Rock was again cannonaded on the 13th of October, 181 3,
and a good deal of damage was done to t&e buildings. Two shots
passed through Orange Dean's house, in noting which the Buffalo
58 History of Buffalo.
Gazette added the distressing detail that one of them "bilged a barrel of
old Pittsburgh whiskey in the cellar, belonging to Peter H. Colt." A
24-pound shot also struck General Porter's house while the family were
at dinner, and a bomb "struck the east barracks and destroyed them."
A peace meeting was held on the 15th of October, 1812, in " Pome-
roy's Long Room, to take measures having for their object [^the termina-
tion of the war and the restoration of peace." This meeting was adjourned
to the 24th, and that was, probably, the last of the peace movement
A correspondent wrote for the Gazette on the 25th of December,
18 12, to the e£Fect that he "was desired yesterday evening, to request
you to insert in your paper an invitation to the good people of Niagara
county to meet on Friday next at the house of R. Cook, at 10 o'clock, to
consult on measures of public safety and, if possible, concert some means
to avert the impending dangers which are so visibly threatening our
once peaceable and happy homes." As far as we have learned, this meet-
ing did not take place.
But these incidents were unimportant when compared with what
soon followed. The burning of Buffalo and Black Rock and the incidents
immediately connected with it, was one of the most tragic events in the
history of the war of 181 2. The following extract from a paper on
"Buffalo during the war of 18 12,'' read by William Dorsheimer, before
the Buffalo Historical Society, March 13, 1863, gives a vivid general
picture of the destruction of the two villages and cccurrences immed-
iately preceding : —
" On the nineteenth of December, 1 813, an English force, under Col-
onel Murray, surprised and captured Fort Niagara. The villages from
Fort Niagara to the Falls were soon after burned. The disposable Ameri-
can forces were hastily concentrated at Buffalo, under command of Briga-
dier-General Amos Hall. The whole force was two thousand and eleven
men ; but the troops were raw, undisciplined, poorly armed, and without
a sufficient supply of ammuntion.
"On the evening of the twenty-ninth, the British Left, consisting of
eight hundred regulars and militia and two hundred Indians, landed
below Conjaquadies creek, and took possession of the sailors' battery.
General Hall ordered the troops at the Rock to dislodge them. The first
fire threw our militia into disorder, and the attack failed. Major Adams
and Colonel Chapin were then ordered forward to carry the battery ; but,
after a short skirmish, their men fled, and were not again embodied. The
Ontario command under Colonel Blakeslie were then sent up. But, before
the attack had begun, the day broke and revealed the English center
crossmg to our shore, in the rear of General Porter's house ; and about
the same time their right landed in small force, near Fort Tompkins.
The mvaders were commanded by Lieutenant-General Drummond, but
were under the immediate direction of Major-General Riall.
" This disposition of the foe compelled General Hall to change his
plan. The order to Colonel Blakeshe was countermanded, and he was
directed to attack the English center at the water's edge. The enemy's
left wmg was soon discovered moving from Conjaquadies creek upon
The Capture of Buffalo. 59
our right ; the Indians under Colonel Granger, and the Canadian volun-
teers under Colonel Mallory, were advanced to meet them, and Colonel
McMahon's regiment was held in reserve. Lieutenant Seely opened the
engagement with his 6.pounder, and a 20-pounder and two twelves at the
battery were soon brought into service. At the same time the batteries
on the other side ot the river threw a heavy fire of shell, round and hot
shot: Colonel Blakeslie held his force in line, and as the enemy landed,
poured upon them a most destructive fire. On our ri^ht, however, but
a feeble resistance was pflFered. All the corps hacT been gradually
reduced by desertion, which began with the first shot, in the night.
Perceivine the danger to his right, General Hall ordered up the reserve
under Colonel McMahon, to hold the eneniy in check. But this corps
disgracefull)^ scattered before it came under nre. The whole right wing
of the American force was now driven from the field, and the steadfast
militia of Colonel Blakeslie were exposed to a cross-fire. For half an
hour, outflanked and outnumbered, the gallant little re^ment maintained
the unequal contest; but at last, to avoid capture, it was ordered to
retire. By this time the greater part of the Americans were flying in
all directions, most of them going tnrough the forest to reach the Buffalo
and Batavia road. A small number of the bolder spirits, among whom
were Colonel Chapin, retired slowly along Niagara street, towards
Buffalo. Among these was Lieutenant John Seely, a carpenter and
joiner, who lived on the comer of Auburn and Niagara streets, and was
lieutenant of a company of artilleir &t Black Rock. He had fought
his piece on the brow of the hill, on what is now Breckinridge
street, until he had but seven men and one horse left. Mounting the
horse, which was harnessed to the giin, he brought it away with him,
firing upon the enemy whenever occasion offered, plear where Mohawk
street joins Niagara, was then a slough. Here Seely turned upon his
foe. The gun was thrown off from its carriage by the discharge, but
was quickly replaced, and taken to the vill^e.
" Meanwhile a sailor named Johnson, £. D. Efner and a few others,
went to a vessel, one of Perry's fleet, which lay beached on this side of the
creek, near its mouth, and took off an iron 9-pounder, mounted upon a
ship's truck, which they placed in Main street, opposite Church, and
trained down Niagara street. Besides Johnson and Efner, the following
persons assisted in serving this gun : Robert Kane, a mason by trade ;
Captain Hull, father of Mrs. O. G. Steele, and Absalom Hull, his brother.
At the third round, one of the truck wheels broke ; but they were load-
ing it again, when Colonel Chapin, who thought resistance hopeless, and
wished to give the people time for escape, rushed forward with a hand-
kerchief, or as it is said, with a piece of his shirt, upon the end of his
sword, and shouted, ' Don't fire that gun.'
" ' I will fire it,' said Kane. * I'll cleave to the earth the first man who
touches it/
" ' I've shown a flag of truce ;' replied Chapin, and started forward
towards the enemy, vfho were by this time in the woods, upon what is
now called Franklin Square. A parley took place, which resulted in Col-
onel Chapin surrendering the town, stipulating for the protection of
Erivate property ; a stipulation by which General Riall refused to be
ound, when he learned that Chapin was not in command, and was, there-
fore, without authority to treat with him.
6o History of Buffalo.
" It was now ten o'clock. The day was brifht, but cold. A heavy
snow had fallen early in December, which stiu lingered in the woods,
but the roads were bare. Most of the able-bodied men were with the
troops. Through the long, dreary December night, the lonely women
had heard the rattle of musketry, and at daybreak they gathered in
f roups, listening with throbbing hearts to the cannonading at the Rock,
resently, tidings of defeat flew through the town ; and soon upon every
road, leading towards the Indian settlement, were little processions of
terrified villagers, fleeing from the savage foe, into the * embrace of the
wintry forest Who shall tell what they suffered — ^those houseless fiigi-
tives, ignorant of the fate of father, husband, brother; by dav> skulking
through the forest, and at night, creeping under the friendly roof <?
some Indian hut !
" The British Indians had left the main column before it reached the
village ; and, swarming through the woods, came into Main street, near
Tupper. A house, which stora on the northwest comer of Tupper and
Delaware streets, was the first burned. A man, named Dill, lived there.
Judge Tupoer's house, on Main street, near the comer of Tupper, was
the next. Opposite, above the residence of Mr. Andrew Rich, lived
Samuel Helms ; he was slain while attempting to escape, and his house
burned. Goine down the street, the tordi was applied to every building
they found. Airs. Lovejoy was in her house, on the present site of the
Phoenix. The night before, her husband had mounted his horse, and
taking his trasty rifle, had gone to the Rock, to make such defence of
his home as became a brave man. ' Henry,* * said the bold-hearted
woman to her little son, * you have fought agamst the British ; you must
run. They will take you prisoner. I am a woman; they will not harm
me.' The lad flew into the woods. His light footfalls had not faded
from the mother's ear when a score of Indians, wild with whisky and the
rage of battle, msh into the dwelling and commence to sack it. Confi-
dent in the great defence of her sacred sex, the careful housewife attempts
to save her hard-earned treasures. Poor woman, thy sex is not sacred
here ! A tomahawk crushes into her brain, and she falls dead upon the
floor of her desecrated home. On the other side of the road stands the
house of sturdy Mrs. St. John, able to defend her castle against a legion
of enemies, whether savage or civilized. What magic she used, or by
dint of what prowess, we know not, but the storm o! fire passes scathless
over her roof. Two-thirds of the village is now in flames. The Bne^lish,
with their cruel allies, weary with the long march and continued light-
ing, retire to the Rock.
'* In the night there is a fall of snow, and by daylight some oi the
fugitives return, preferring their savage foe to the inhospitable forest.
Mrs. St. John receives some of them, and gives them a cup of tea. A
few have gathered at Dr. Chapin*s house, which is still standing, when
the alarm is suddenly sounded, and once more the merciless invaders
burst upon the remnant of the devoted village. The work of destrac-
tion is soon completed, and many of the returned villagers are captured.
But four houses remain — that ot Mrs. St John ; the jail ; the frame of a
bam, which stood where stands Mr. Callender's house, and Rees' black-
smith shop. ♦ ♦ »
** The American General reported his loss — and, I suppose, his state-
* Henry Lofejoy was tlien about twelve years old, and carried a musket, and took part to the
best of his ability in the defence of Black Rock on the nth of July, of that year.
Riotous Attack of Federal Volunteers. 6i
ment is confined to the army — at thirtj killed, forty wounded, and sixty-
nine taken prisoners. Among the slam were Major William C. Dudley,
Adjutant Totman and Lieutenant-Colonel Boughton, who, I think, is the
Sergeant Boughton who, the year before, escorted General Hall into the
village, at the head of a detachment of the East Bloomfield Horse.
"The new year dawned upon homes desolated by fire, and upon
scattered families; but the uninflammable Buffalonians soon gave signs
of life in the neighboring villages. The Gazette is printed in Williams-
ville, where it remains until April 4th, 181 5. Seth Grosvenor and Eli Hart
open their stores, and Walden and Potter their law oflBces, in Williams-
ville. The embers of Pomeroy's house are not yet cold when he an-
nounces that his Eagle hotel is to rise, t'hcenix-like, from its ashes. On
April 5th, the Gazette announces that * Buffalo village, which once
aaomed the shores of Erie, and was prostrated by the enemy, is now
rising again.^ "
It was near the close of the campaign of 18 12, that a riotous assault
was made on Pomeroy's hotel, causing intense excitement and consider-
able bloodshed. Among the troops assembled in Buffalo and vicinity in
the last month of 1S12, were six companies called " Feders«l Volunteers,'"
including two or three companies of " Irish Greens," from Albany and
New York, and one company of •' Baltimore Blues," from that city.
Throughout the war there appears to have been considerable feeling
between the soldiers and the citizens. The soldiers, especially those
from other localities, claimed that they were ill-treated by those whom they
came to defend, while the citizens asserted that the soldiers were
unreasonable in their demands. Some difficulty of this nature had
arisen between a portion of the soldiers and Mr. Ralph M. Pomeroy,
who kept the hotel at the comer of Main and Seneca streets.
Pomeroy was an athletic and somewhat rough-spoken man. At the
time in question Pomeroy and the Captain of an Albany company
became involved in a dispute, which is said to have originated in a
demand by the officer or some of his men for liquor and food. The
Captain drew his sword and drove the hotel keeper down stairs in his
own house. Thereupon Pomeroy expressed the rash wish that the
British would kill the whole infernal crowd of them. The few soldiers
that were present then started for camp, and ere long an armed mob of
?• ^Itimore Blues" and "Irish Greens " came down Main street. The
hotel guests, including several army officers, were at dinner. The first
notice they received of the approach of the mob, was when an axe came
hurtling through a window, landing directly on the dinner table. The
riotous soldiers then rushed into the hotel, drove the inmates out and
began the destruction of everything in the house. Liquors were poured
down their throats, provisions devoured, windows broken out arid tables
and chairs smashed. Colonel McClure, the commander of the men
composing the mob, was present, but was powerless to control them.
He mounted his horse and rode directly through the house, ordering
62 History of Buffalo*
them to disperse, but all to no purpose. He then ordered out two other
companies under his command, and marched them in front of the hotel;
but they would make no effort to quell the riot.
Pomeroy ran and concealed himself in his bam. His wife's sister-
in-law, who was in the house sick in bed, had to be carried upon it to a
neighbor's house.
As the rioters progressed in their work of destruction, they became
more and more furious. The bedding was carried into the second story
of the house and set on fire ; the destruction of the house was only averted
by the courage of ** Hank " Johnson,* a white man who lived with the
Cattaraugus Indians. He ascended a ladder and, although it was snatched
from under him by the mob, managed to climb from it into a window and
throw the burning articles into the street. At this juncture, some of the
rioters saw Mr. Abel M. Grosvenor, who was a large man and somewhat
resembled Pomeroy, passing on the street ; the cry was raised, ** Kill the
d— d tory," and they chased him down the street until he fell ; just as they
were about to kill him, some of them made the discovery that it was not
Pomeroy. The mob then proposed the destruction of the "Federal
printing office," as they designated the GoBttte office, and an era of whole-
sale destruction seemed about to begin.
But a power was interposed that the furious mob was compelled to
recognize. Colonel Moses Porter, a veteran of thirty-six years service,
whose command was encamped on Flint Hill, heard of what was occur-
ring in the village. He promptly ordered out a detachment of artillery
with a six-pound gun, and hurried them down Main street. The com-
mand was halted just above the hotel and the gun brought to bear on
the building. The Colonel then sent a lieutenant and a squad of men
with drawn swords to clear the house. This was accomplished but not
without some resistance on the part of the mob, resulting in several of
them being killed and wounded. Some of them jumped from the win-
dows, and others were cut while hanging to the window sills, by the
swords of the artilleryists. The conquered mob than started for their
encampment swearing vengeance cfti Porter and his men. The veteran
officer stationed his cannon at the junction of Main and Niagara street
and for some time awaited their coming ; but wiser counseb prevailed
and order was restored. That no punishment whatever was inflicted
upon these rioters, shows the prevailing lack of discipline at that time ;
^ It was Hank Johoton of whom tbe foOowiag ttoiy is told by Lewb F. Alka, to wImmi It was
related by Genenl Ptoittr. Alter one of the fiontler battles, woid vaaclMd Geoend Porter thai the
Indians, who were M fai the fight bjr Johnson, were scalping tho dead British soldien. Johnson
was bronght before the General» who said to him :•»
<"l*his wni not do, Johnson. It b not i%ht to scalp these dead soldien ; it is haid on tho
poor fellows, and yon rnnst stop it; itbtoohnrd.*^
Johnson's reply ended the interriow. Snid he, ** Well, GenenO^ it may be hard, bnt I want
yon to remember that these are d— d hard times !"
Tragic Incidents. 63
that the GMHtt contained not a word directly relating to the monstrous
outrage also shows that the proprietors considered themselves in either
a delicate or a dangerous position, or both.
Pomeroy left Buffalo and went to the Seneca village where he
remained several days, and th^n closed his hotel for the winter, "in con-
sequence of transactions too well known to need mentioning," as it was
announced in his advertisement. Mr. Grosvenor, who came so near
being sacrificed by the mob, went east soon after the event, and died
within a few weeks.
A tragic incident occurred at the Black Rock ferry on the Canada
side, early m the war. A number of persons from Buffalo went to the ferry
at Black Rock, for the purpose of crossing to Canada. In the compsmywere
Dr. Jbsiah Trowbridge and Mr. Pomeroy. Mr. Brace, the ferryman, was
averse to crossing on the cold December day, but Dn Trowbridge's
business on the other side was urgent Although it was deemed some-
what hazardous to visit the other side, Mr. Brace saw a white flag flying
there, and he finally consented to allow his brother-in-law, Arden Merrill,
to ferry the party over. As the boat approached the Canada shore, two
or three sleighs filled with men were seen approaching from below. No
sooner had the passengers landed than they were seized as prisoners,
with the exception of Dr. Trowbridge and Mr. Pomeroy, who fled to
the woods. The boat started to return, when the British fired into it, kill-
ing Mr. Merrill ; his body was afterwards discovered under a flag of truce,
stripped of boots and watch. One of the passengers was never heard of
again ; one was taken prisoner and afterwards released at Halifax. Dr.
Trowbridge and his companion made their way to Baxter's, six miles
above the ferry, and there confiscated a boat against the remonstrances
of the owner, who was not disposed to assist them in escaping, and arrived
safely at Buffalo Creek. If there is any justification for this piece of
work, it is difiicult to discover it ; it is a merciless enemy that does not
respect a flag of truce.
The 30th day of December, 18 13, was one of dire disaster and dis-
may to the inhabitants of the village. The campaign that preceded the
firing of the place, has been fully described, with the flight of the inhab-
itants on that bleak winter day. Among the incidents directly connected
¥rith the burning of the village, that which resulted in the preservation
of the dwelling of Mrs. St. John and the massacre of Mrs. Lovejoy is,
perhaps, most conspicuous. Nearly opposite the site of the Tifft House
stood the new hotel that Mr. St. John had erected before his unfortunate
death, which has already been mentioned. Mrs. St. John had leased this
building, but it was not yet occupied. She had moved into a small house
just north of it, near the corner of Main and Mohawk streets, which also
belonged to her husband's estate. Just opposite was the residence of
Asaph S. Bemis, a son-in-law of Mrs. St. John. Near Mr. Bemis* dwell-
64 History of Buffalo.
ing was the house of Joshua Lovejoy ; he was then away from home.
Mrs. St. John, believing the enemy would not reach the village, had
made no preparations for departure. Mr, Bemis, who was just recover-
ing from sickness, had hitched up his team for the purpose of removing
his wife from possible danger. Mrs. St. John requested him to take her
six younger children with him, while she with her two older daughters
remained to pack up her household goods. Mr. Bemis did so, with the
understanding that he should take the children out a mile or two and
then return for the three women and the goods. Before this arrange-
ment could be carried out, however, the enemy were in the village. The
Indians came down Main street considerably in advance of the troops,
which were drawn up near the corner of Morgan, Mohawk and Niagara
streets, where Samuel Edsall's tannery then stood. Some of the British
officers went ahead and stove in the heads of liquor casks, that the
Indians might not become too drunk for their work, or too fiendish in
their deeds. John Lay* and Elj Hart then kept a store on Main street^
between Swan and Erie ; one of them went into his cellar before the
Indians reached it, and smashed in several hogsheads of spirits, to pre-
vent the savages from drinking it. It is apparent, however, that the
Indians were licensed to follow their own inclinations in the destruction
of the village.
Half a score of Indians now came running toward Mrs. St. John's
house. Although she waved a table cloth as a flag of truce, they burst
into the house and began plundering the trunks that had been packed.
Four squaws in the party immediately secured a looking-glass and, yrith
the instinct usually credited to the sex, stood grinning delightedly at the
reflection of their unprepossessing faces. One of the ladies discovered
that one Indian took no part in the plundering, and that he could talk a
little English. She asked what would be done with them. " We not
hurt you," he replied. " You be prisoner to the squaws. Perhaps they
take you to the Colonel."
This answer presented a brighter prospect than the ladies had
expected, and they immediately acquiesced in it. The Indian spoke to
the squaws and they started off with their prisoners, down Mohawk to
the comer of Niagara street, where the troops were still stationed.
There the prisoners were taken before a British officer, supposed to have
been Colonel Elliott, then in command of the Indians. Mrs. St. John
informed him of her situation as a widow who had recently lost her
husband and eldest son by a sad calamity, with a large family of children
depending upon her, and besought his protection.
* Mr. Lay was taken prisoner that night and taken to Montreal. The last of the following
March he was exchanged with others at Greenbush, opposite Albany. Mr. Lay was long a prominent
business man of Bn£falo, and traveled quite extensively in Europe after he retired from active life.
One of his sons is the inventor of the well-known Lay torpedo boat
Tragic Incidents. 65
" Well, what can I do for you ?" asked the oflBccr ; ''shall I take you
to Canada?"
Mrs. St. John decidedly objected to this, but implored the oflBcer to
save her house and not allow it to be burned and plundered. After a
little hesitation he assented and ordered two soldiers of the Royal Scots
to accompany the ladies home and see that their house was not burned.
They did so and remained on guard until the troops left in the aiternoon.
Soon after the ladies returned to their home, they saw Mrs. Lovejoy
across the street engaged in an altercation with an Indian over a shawl
which he was trying to pull from her hands. One of the St. John girls
ran out and called to Mrs. Lovejoy to let the Indian have the shawl and
come over to their house where she would have the protection of the
guard ; she did not comply.
The flames soon began to burst from the houses in the main portion
of the village in the vicinity of Main and Seneca streets, the torch being
applied by a lieutenant and a squad of men.
A little later the St. John ladies were attracted to their windows by
another disturbance across the street. Some Indians w^re again making
an effort to enter Mrs. Lovejoy 's dwelling, while she stood in the door-
way barring their entrance. Suddenly a savage raised his knife, stabbed
the woman to the heart and she fell upon the threshold. Her body was
dragged into the yard, where it lay until after the departure of the
troops in the afternoon, when Ebenezer Walden and the St. John girls
carried it into the house and placed it on the bed. When the destruction
of the village was completed on the ist of January, the body of Mrs.
Lovejoy was burned in her house.
It was on the '' Guide-Board '' road (which ran near the present line
of North street) that Alfred Hodge was fleeing from the savages ; he
found himself unable to outstrip his pursuers and jumped over the fence
where he was for a moment hid from view by a turn in the road, near
the crossing of Delaware street. Hodge laid down behind a log and
laid his rifle across it, prepared to sell his life as dearly as possible, if he
was discovered. When the Indians came up, two of them stopped in
the road but a short distance from him and looked about in every
direction for their intended victim ; but they failed to discover him.
The Indians stood in range at one time and Hodge thought he could
disable both at one shot, but they changed their position before he could
get his aim. These two and other Indians who were in the vicinity,
fired several shots at the crowd of fugitives that filed up Main street
early in the day, wounding one or more and causing the throng to
redouble their efforts to escape.
Dr. Chapin left for the field in the morning and told his two little
girls, one eleven and the other nine years of age, to go to his farm in
Hamburg, ten miles distant. Their only protector was to be Hiram
66 History of Buffalo.
Pratt, son of Samuel Pratt, who was but thirteen years old, then living
in Dr. Chapin's family. The three children set out in the snow. When
they arrived at the Pratt homestead, Mary Pratt was induced to accom.
pany them. At Smoke's creek the little party was overtaken by the
Pratt family in a wagon; and Mary was taken on boafd; but Hiram
Pratt and the two Chapin girls insisted on completing their long and
trying journey on foot, and finally reached their destination in safety.*
Before leaving the village, Captain Hull, the silversmith, packed his
small stock of valuables in a pillow case. While waiting for some means
of transporting his effects to a place of safety, a man came along on
horseback. At Mr. Hull's request he consented to take charge of the
valuables ; accordingly, the pillow^-case was fastened to the horn of the
saddle. The stranger took such excellent care of the goods that their
owner never saw them again.
The family of Samuel Pratt were equally unfortunate with their
silverware, though in a different way. It had been packed up, but when
they drove away in their wagon it was forgotten. After going a short
distance, a little girl whom Mrs. Pratt was bringing up, proposed going
back for the silver. This was forbidden by Mrs. Pratt; nevertheless,
the girl climbed out of the rear end of the wagon unobserved, ran back,
secured the silver, and was never again seen by the family.
It was during the fighting at Black Rock that Samuel Wilkeson,
who was then in the ranks of Colonel McMahon's Chautauqua county
regiment, was loading and firing as fast as possible, after the field was
nearly deserted by his comrades. While thus busily engaged, his atten-
tion was attracted to a " small quiet man " near by, who was apparently
endeavoring to load and fire faster than Wilkeson could. The small,
quiet man soon looked around and exclaimed, '' Why, we are all alone!"
Wilkeson looked about him and made the same discovery ; all but a
very few of their comrades were in full retreat The man whose
acquaintance Mr. Wilkeson thus made for the first, was Ebenezer Walden ;
they were both subsequently Presiding Judges of Erie county.
While retreating up Main street, Job Hoysington, whose name has
passed into history, said to his retreating comrades that he would have
* Notwithstanding the depressing gloom of these dark days of trouble, Cupid was busy as ever
with his arrows, and on one occasion the altar of Hymen was reared in the hospitable shelter of the
old Pratt mansion. It was while the pillage of Buffalo was going on, and in a most anceremonioiis
manner, that Mr. Augnstus C. Fox left a British ofHoer m the cellar of Juba Storrs & Co.'s store.
Emerging from the building, the young man mounted a horse and, with other belated fugitives, took
rapid flight from the village. Overtaking a party encumbered with an extra conveyance, he bought
it, with the necessary harness, on the spot It was a " pung/' a simple species of vehicle, extem-
porized by fastening a crockery crate on a pair of sled mnneis. Speeding on in this primitive char-
iot, he overtook the Pratt family and volunteered to relieve them of two individuals who formed
part of their load. One of these was Miss Esther Pratt, then a charming young Miss. Young. Fox
saved his life in the retreat, but lost his heart, and the consequence was a wedding, which peaceful
event took place the same day that peace was announced between the waning nations. — LeUkwortiCs
History of the Pratt Family.
Incidents of the Flight from Buffalo. 67
one more shot at the redskins, and in spite of their warnings, waited for
that purpose. Nothing more was seen or heard of Job Hoysington
until the snow disappeared in the spring, when his body was found on
North street. A bullet had passed through his head and marks of a
tomahawk were found on his skull. His empty rifle lay by his side, a
silent witness that he had had his last shot at the Indians.
William Hodge, Sr., proprietor of the "brick tavern on the hill," would
not entertain the ideathatthe Americans would be defeated, until he saw
the militia hurrying past his house ; he then began to realize that it was
about time to prepare for removal and ordered his ox team hitched up.
After making some final arrangements in the house and waiting
impatiently for the arrival of the team at the door, Mr. Hodge came
out only to make the discovery that the hired man had concluded that
too much valuable time would be lost to him in the work of hitching
up the oxen and had left for good by his own more rapid means of loco-
motion. Self-preserVation was a ruling characteristic then, as well as
now. Mr. Hodge persuaded the driver of an army-wagon to halt at his
door a moment while the household goods were thrown in, with some
bedding and provisions, followed by the family, and thus they were sent
away, Mr. Hodge then yoked his oxen, piled into the cart as many of
the remaining household articles as it would hold and followed after
the army wagon. When Mr. Hodge returned the following day, even
the liquor in his cellar was undisturbed ; but his house was burned to
the ground on the second day after.
All day on the 30th the roads leading through Williamsville and
the Hamburg road — indeed, every road and pathway leading from the
village, were thronged with a hurrying crowd of men, women and
children, on foot and in a motley procession of vehicles — squads of
soldiers, families in sleighs and wagons, women driving ox carts laden
with portions of their household effects, mounted cavalrymen, wearied
women on foot with children in their aims — all inspired with the one
idea of escaping from a merciless foe. " In many instances half-clad
children, the wounded, the aged and infirm, were wading through snow,
bands of able-bodied men often passing them, pitiless and unobserving,
absorbed in deep concern for their own individual and especial safety.
Here and there along the road, were feeble attempts to rally and stand ;
some resolute individuals would propose it and partially succeed ; but
on would come the idle rumor that the invaders were pushing their
conquests, and the feeble barriers would give way, as does the moment-
ary deposit in flood tide, and on, on would sweep the strong current of
dismay, rout and flight'** Mrs. Mather, one of the earliest residents
of Buffalo, said that when she and her daughters started from the village
on foot a little before daylight, "it was very dark; we could hear from
* Tarner's History of the Holland Purchase.
6
68 History of Buffalo.
Black Rock the incessant roar of musketry, and see flashes of light
rising above the intervening forest. When daylight came, the Buffalo
road presented a sad spectacle of sudden flight, misery and destitution."
While selfishness was the rule in this wild rout, few giving thought
to any one beyond their own families, there were some commendable excep-
tions. A farmer from Nhmburg, with a load of cheese, met the fleeing
crowd and immediately threw his precious cargo into the road, filled
his sleigh with women and children and carried them to his own home.
Job Hoysington's wife waited long and patiently at their home, comer
of Main and Utica streets, for her husband to return ; finally she was
compelled to start on foot with her children. Two cavalrymen over-
took her and lifted two of the children to their saddles and rode away
with them towards safety. Weeks afterwards one of them was found in
Clarence and one in Genesee county. Families became separated and in
some instances, were not united for weeks. It was a smaller " Bull Run,"
participated in by women and children.
The first house burned stood on the northwest corner of Tupper and
Delaware streets ; a man named Dill occupied it. Judge Tupper's house
on Main street was the next one destroyed.
The following named residents of the village were captured by the
enemy: Cyrenius Chapin, John Lay, Charles C. Wells, William Wil-
ber, Rufus Botsford, Joseph D. Hoyt, Robert Keene, Timothy Strong,
Benjamin Hodge, Jr., Daniel Baxter and Captain R. Harmon.
During the night of the 31st, after a day of silence and desolation
at the ruined village there was a fall of snow and early the next morn-
ing a few of the fugitives returned to the ruins of Buffalo ; the desola-
tion and possible danger there seeming less inhospitable than the
winter forest. Prowling thieves hung about the ruins until driven
away by returning families, and carried off whatever they found that
was valuable.
Dr. Chapin's house was one of the four dwellings that had thus far
escaped the flames. Some of those who returned gathered at the Doc-
tor's house and others found hospitable shelter at Mrs. St. John's dwell-
ing. Suddenly a detachment of the enemy appeared and mercilessly
fired the remaining buildings, with the exceptions heretofore noted — Mrs.
St. John's cottage, the stone jail, which they could not bum, Reese's
blacksmith shop and the frame of a bam. When the officer in command
of the squad that completed the work of destraction, approached Mrs.
St. John's home, she and her daughters begged him 10 not destroy the
large hotel. The officer thereupon drew from his pocket an order com-
manding him to bum every building except " the one occupied by an old
woman and two girls." The hotel was then fired. It is little wonder
that the officer felt impelled to show some higher authority for his acts,
than his own inclination.
Burning of Hodge's Tavern. 69
On the day previous (the 31st) Ebenezer Walden had entered Mrs.
Lovejoy's house and laid the murdered woman, attired in the black silk
dre^ in which she was killed, on the bare cords of a bedstead. The
presence of death itself made no difference to the invaders, they made a
funeral pyre of the dwelling !
As the detachment of the enemy was about to depart, one of the
soldiers informed the commandant that public stores were secreted at
Hodge's " tavern on the hill." A squad of horsemen were immediately
dispatched to bum it. Benjamin Hodge, Sr., was there with Mr. Keep,
the blacksmith, at Cold Spring. They both started to run when the
horsemen approached, and the sergeant ordered them to halt. Hodge
stopped, but Keep continued to run a short distance, when he was shot
and killed.
The village merchants had stored quite a large quantity of their
goods at the tavern, and when these were discovered by the sergeant,
although assured that it was not public property, he ordered the building
set on fire. A few moments later, while the officer was filling his
canteen from a cask of old Jamaica that he had discovered after the
building was fired, the cry was raised, '^The Yankees are coming!"
The British soldiers hurriedly mounted and rode away. Adjutant
Tottman, in command of some mounted Canadian volunteers, rode up.
The adjutant galloped ahead to the side of the rearmost of the retreating
horsemen, when he was instantly shot. Tottman's men soon after
discovered a half-breed Indian setting fire to William Hodge's barn ; he
was captured, taken to Newstead and killed.
William Hodge returned from Harris Hill just behind Tottman and
his men, and saw that his tavern, which he had hoped would be spared
the flames, was in ashes. That was the last building burned.* When
the torch was applied to Buffalo, the hamlet at Black Rock was also
burned, not a single building being left.
It is difficult at this day to realize the paralyzing effect that such a
disaster as we have detailed, must have produced upon the people. In
very many cases, nothing whatever was left them but the blackened
ground whereon they had made their homes, and, what was still more
saddening, from many of those homes some member had gone out to
* *' The Bnffaloniuis slain were Job Hoysington, a carpenter and joiner, who lived on Church
street, near Franklin ; John Triskett, who cannot be identified ; John Roop, father of Heory Roop,
a teamster, of Dntch descent, but American birth, who lived on Main street above Tapper, and was
shoe while trying to escape ; Samnel Helms, a German and an old bachelor, who deserves to be
icmembered by the epicures of Buffalo, as the first market gardener in the place ; he raised the first
lettuce, which he used to carry in a basket on hb head, selling it from door to door ; he it was, too,
who dug the ditches to drain the morass south of the Terrace. N. D. Keep was killed by a British
officer near Cold Spring. James Nesbit and Myers I can find no trace of. The last was Rob-
ert Franklin, an aged negro, very black, who lived in a log hut on Niagara, opposite Jersey street.
Whether the oU negro died defending his home, I know not. His lifeless body was found near his
house, and k»Dg remained mkhmML^-^Exirui /rvm WilHam Dershnwut^s Paper,
70 History of Buffalo.
defend his hearthstone and would return no more. That under ^uch
discouragements those pioneers returned at all to build again the founda^
tions of a city, is sufficient honor for them and their descendants.
Before the smoke had ceased to rise from the ruins of Buffalo, the
dead bodies left upon the field were collected and laid out in ghastly
array in the blacksmith shop ; they were all frozen stiff, most of them
had been stripped by the enemy, and scalped. Those belonging in the
vicinity were taken away by their friends and the others were laid in one
large grave in the old burying ground on Franklin Square.
Less than one week later, on the 6th of January, William Hodge
brought his family back ; that was the first family to return, and Ralph
M. Pomeroy came immediately afterwards. William Hodge immediately
rebuilt his dwelling and Mr. Pomeroy his hotel. Soldiers were stationed
in the village and a feeling of comparative safety soon settled down upon
the frontier. A few other citizens came back and fitted up temporary
shelters for themselves and families, but there was no general return until
the following spring. Twice during the winter small detachments of
the enemy crossed the river, but they were driven back by the soldiers
then stationed there, without much fighting. Most of the people who
returned had little to live on except what was issued to them from the
commissary department of the army. There would have been much
suffering, but for the help of about $50,000 voted by the Legislature and
some contributions from other localities ; with this and aid from the
commissary, those who remained on the frontier passed the remainder of
the gloomy winter.
On the 4th of June, 18 14, five soldiers were brought into Buffalo to
be shot for desertion. The execution took place near what is now the
corner of Maryland and Sixth streets, and was long remembered as a
strikingly tragic scene. The unfortunate victims of martial law were
made to kneel upon the ground, their eyes bandaged and each with his
coffin in front and an open grave behind him. Twenty paces in front of
them a platoon of men were drawn up as the executioners. The entire
army was then formed on three sides of a hollow square to witness the
execution. The artillery stood by their guns with lighted matches, to
suppress any possible opposing demonstration, and Generals Scott,
Brown, and Ripley overlooked the scene from their horses.
When the firing squad had poured the contents of their muskets upon
the victims, four of the five men fell beside their coffins, while one, a young
man of twenty-onie, sprang to his feet, wrenched the cords from his arms
and then tore the bandage from his eyes. Two soldiers ad vanced to fire
upon him when he, supposing his last moment on earth had arrived, fell
fainting to the ground. He was carried away and his hfe spared. What-
ever was the reason for the action, the muskets of those soldiers who had
received orders to fire at him, were loaded with blank cartridges.
Farmer's Brother and the Chippewa. 71
Another incident that seems to be worthy of preservation, occurred at
Buffalo on the 31st of July, 1814. On that day a Chippewa Indian who
claimed to be a deserter, came across the river. His story was not fully
credited by the Senecas, but they permitted him to remain among them
and invited him to freely share the contents of a bottle of whisky. Under
the influence of the liquor, the Senecas began relating their deeds of valor
in the war, and boasting of the number of red-coats and British Indians they
had slain at the battle of Chippewa. The visitor, heedless of the part he
was attempting to play, also began boasting of the number of his victims,
and held up his fingers to indicate how many Yankees and Yankee Indians
he had killed, mentioning among them the noted chief and friend of
Farmer's Brother, " Twenty Canoes." Farmer's Brother was then at the
bedside of Captain Worth, of General Scott's staff, who was lying at Lan-
doii's tavern recovering from a wound received at Lundy's Lane, and
for whom the Indian chief had formed a strong friendship. When the
Chippewa Indian boasted that he had killed " Twenty Canoes," the
Senecas at once denounced him as a spy. The altercation that followed
reached the ears of Farmer's Brother and he came out of the tavern
and inquired the cause. When he was informed of the facts, he grasped
his war club, walked up to the Chippewa and felled him to the earth.
For a moment the Indian lay stunned and then sprang up and bounded
away, the blood streaming down his face. The Senecas cried out : —
"Ho, coward! Dare not stay and be punished. Coward!" The
Chippewa stopped and then slowly retraced his steps, drew his blanket
over his head and laid down beside the wall of a burned building. A
rifle was handed to Farmer's Brother, who walked to the side of the spy
and said : —
"Here are my rifle, my tomahawk and my scalping knife; by which
will you die ?"
The Indian chose the rifle. The Chief then asked him where he
preferred to be shot. The victim placed his hand on his heart, upon
which Farmer's Brother held the muzzle of the rifle at that point and
fired. Four young Senecas carried the body to the edge of the wood
some distance east of Main street and there left it.* This account is
condensed from " Johnson's History of Erie County " ; other versions of
the same event have been given by other writers. The execution of the
Indian occurred about in front of the site of Barnum, Son & Co.'s store,
on Main street.
* In an autobiographical sketch by Mr. Orlando Allen, he gives a somewhat different version
of this incident, as it was related to him by an eye-witness. He states that the spy was made to lie
down, when Farmer's Brother took the loaded gun and proceeded to address tlie culprit upon the
enormity of his offense, after which he said, ** You are about to die the death of a dog ; I am going
to kill yon now,*' and immediately fired, shooting the Indian through the head. Mr. Allen found a
skull in the summer of 1820, on a clear grass plat in the woods not far from where Seneca street is
crossed by Chicago street, which he thought was that of the Indian spy. It had a bullet hole in it
and a cat apparently made by a tomahawk. The skull was examined by a number of old settlers,
who ooncnrred in the opinion that it was the remains of the Chippewa spy.
72 History of Buffalo.
The departure of the enemy from the American shore on the first
day of the year 1814, had left a scene of desolation that would have
filled with despair any heart less self-reliant and hopeful than those of
the pioneers of Erie county. A hundred houses, with numerous other
buildings, most of which were scattered along Main street from Goodell
street to the site of the Mansion House, had been reduced to ashes, and
more then five hundred people left homeless in midwinter. Where
before that tragic event stood a thriving village, bearing all the evidences
of a prolnising future, was left a scene of devastation and ruin where not
a living thing could be seen.*
A gentleman writing to his friend in Oneida county gave the
following description of the devastated frontier, which was published in
the Buffalo Gazttu of February i, 18 14: —
" I have visited the smokinc" ruins of the once pleasant, delightful
and flourishing village of Buffsuo. Black Rock, Manchester, Lewiston
and the whole frontier, which were, not long since, enjoyed by hundreds
of families, now present a scene of desolation ; all swept \>y the besom of
destruction. The wretched tenants of this whole frontier have been
driven from their homes in the severity of winter ; many, in their haste
to snatch their wives and children from the tomahawk and scalping
knife, were enabled to preserve but little of their effects from the flames;
and many, whose houses were not burned by the enemy, after having
abandoned their dwellings to escape the ravages of their foe, returning
after the alarm was over, found that their effects were plundered by the
villains who prowl about the deserted country, too cowardly to face an
enemy of inferior force, and base enough to rob their neighbors of the
property the enemy had spared. It would make your heart ache to see
the women and children of the country fleeing from their homes and
firesides, to encounter the wintry blast, and all the miseries of a depriva-
tion of all the necessaries and comforts of life." * *
Harris Hill, or Harris' Tavern, about fourteen miles from Buffalo,
near Williamsville, was made a sort of headquarters for the business
men who had been burned out. The Gazette informs us that Seth Gros-
venor had removed from the " former flourishing village of Buffalo^ to
Harris' Tavern." H. B. Potter opened his office there, Eli Hart
removed his goods to Williamsville, where lEbenezer Walden also opened
his office. Root & Boardman also located " one door east of Harris'
Tavern, and fourteen miles from the ruins of Buffalo/'
On the 25th of January, under date of " Buffalo Ruins," J. Root
advertised in the Gazette as follows : —
"Stolen from the subscriber, two fat shoats, supposed to weifi^h
about seventy pounds each. They were taken from the ruins of the
village of Buffalo on the 12th or 13th, by some of the cowardly, light-
fingered iron-mongers, or some other savages," etc.
* James Sloan and Samuel Wilkeson came down the lake shore a few days after the Tillage was
burned, and "the only living thing they saw between Pratt's Ferry on the creek, and Cold Spring,
was a cat roaming disconsolate among the charred mins."
Buffalo ik the Spring of 1814. 73
R. B. Heacock also announced the loss of twenty or thirty grind-
stones by the heartless thieves.
It was but a short time after the burning of the village that, in spite
of the fact that the war was not yet ended and that it was midwinter,
some of the resolute pioneers returned and b^an the work of rebuilding
their ruined homes. On the 6th of January, just a week after the con-
flagration, as before stated, William Hodge returned, bringing his family
with him. About the same time Ralph M. Pomeroy also returned and
began immediately the erection of his hotel. In the GazitU of February
22d, Pomeray made the following quaint announcement: —
" Buffalo Phcenix.— R. M. Pomeroy begs leave to ipform the puWip,
and his old customers in particular, that be is again erecting his tavern
among the ri^ins of Buffalo. He calculates by the nrst of March to be pre-
pared to re<^ve and wait on company." [Then follows a call (or the pay-
ment of what 16 due him.] '* Come on then, men of New York ; let 00^
snow or r^ii. deter yovi; come in companie6, haU companicfs^ paii[s or
singly : ricb to the place ii the distance be loo far, and pay me dollar^
halMollars, shillings and sixpennys."
The latter half of the winter of 1813- 14 was a time of gre^t priva^
tion, distren^ ^d fev auBpng; thosjB who 1^. been rendered homeless.
The suffering would have been greatly a^gpkvated but for the timely
appropriation of about $50,000 beiore referred to, and the libei:al contrv
butions from other public and private sources. Rumors of impending
night attacks by the enemy were often heard by the settlers who ba4
returned to E^uffalo, and several times their goods were packed up fo;
immediate removal.
With the opening of spring, however, Buffalo put on new life.
More of the former residents returned, and with the advent of the army
in April, a large trade sprang up and a feeling of comparative safety
animated the people. In place of the fonner buildings, many board!
shanties were erected along Main and Pearl streets. One stood on the
site of the First Presbyterian churpb^ and another where St Paul's npw
stands. Money was scattered freely by the soldiers, and business 4ouir-
ished ; high prices were received for almost all kinds of npierchandise and
provisions.
Charles Townsend, S. Tupper, Ebenezer Walden, Jonas Harrison,
H. B. Potter, S. Grosvenor, Joseph Landon and Ebenezer Johnson were
appointed a Committee of Investigation to apppraise losses by the war.
Sufferers were notified to meet at the house of A. P. Harris, Mojaday,
March 7th, and prove their losses. The Gazette of April 5th, said : —
" Buffalo village which once adorned the shores of Erie and was
prostrated by the enemy, is now rising again ; several buildings are
already raised and made habitable; contracts for twenty or thirty
more are made and many of them are in considerable forwardness. A
brick company has been organized by an association of most enterprising
and public-spirited citizens, with sufficient capital for the purpose of
74 History of Buffalo.
rendering the price of brick so reasonable that the principal streets may
be built up of that article. All that is required to re-establish Buffalo in
its former prosperity, are ample remuneration from government, and
peace ; peace, it not obtained by negotiation, must be obtained by a vig-
orous prosecution of the war. Bu&lo has its charms — the situation, the
prospect and the general health of the inhabitants, to which we may add
the activity and enterprise of the trade, the public spirit; of the citizens
and the state of sbciety, all conspire to render it a chosen spot for the
man of business or pleasure."
Samuel Wilkeson, who had already done valiant service in the army
and was destined to make himself one of the foremost men of the place,
returned to Buffalo in April, 1814. He was then but thirty-one years
old. He put up a small building one door from the comer of Niagara
street on Main street, in which he began business. This dwelling he
erected on the north side of Main street.*
The directors of the first brickyard company, to which reference has
been made, were Ebenezer Walden, Charles Townsend, S. Tuppcr, Ben-
jamin Caryl and S. Grosvenor. In April they called for laborers to work
in the yard.
Holden Allen, father of Captain Levi Allen, who now lives in Buffalo,
leased the cottage of Mrs. St. John, very siaon after the burning. He
then erected about two hundred feet of rough shanties, extending along
southward from the cottage, without floors and fitted with rude bunks
filled with straw. In these temporary quarters, assisted by his wife, he
accommodated to the best of his ability, the people who desired to stop
on the site of the burned village.
April 25th, Eli Hart had opened near his old stand, and Seth Gros-
venor announced that he had " once more established himself in Buffalo
in a new house where the printing office of the Salisburys stood,"* where
he offered dry goods. H. B. Potter came back and located in the house
of F. Millen Dr. Ebenezer Johnson returned in April.
The Gazette of May 3d, stated that the " greatest activity and enter-
prise continues in Buffalo in building up and improving the place." The
county clerk's office was removed to Miller's house and the collector's
office brought from Batavia.
May loth, the Gazette announced that the postoffice would be for
the present at Judge Granger's house, but " in a short time it will be
removed to the village."
By the 20th of the month there were twenty-thred houses built, most
of which were occupied by families; three taverns were in operation,
four stores, twelve grocers and other shops, three offices and thirty huts
and shanties.
General Scott arrived on the frontier on t&e loth of April ; and
towards the last of May made his headquarters at Buffalo, where a large
* See biography in subsequent pages.
Peace Declared — General Retoicing. 75
force of the army gathered and went into camp amid the ruins, giving a
still greater impetus to trade.
In the Gazette of June 7th, notice was given that the Judges of the
Court of Common Pleas had appointed the house of John Brunson as the
temporary court house. This building stood where the Acatdemy of
Music is now located. It was a wooden tavern and was afterwards known
as the Farmer's Hotel.
During the month of June, Andrews & Hopkins establishd the cabi-
net-making business at the house ot Mrs. Adkins, and Juba Storrs opened
his store in the same house. Mrs. Adkins* dwelling must have been
either a commodious one, or uncomfortably crowded.
CHAPTER III.
THE SECOND BUFFALD AS A VILLAQE.
Peace — General Rejoicing over the Event — Departure of the Army from Buffalo — The Seiond
Newspaper — Prominent Arrivals — Rebuilding of the Village — Revival of Business —
Opening of the Courts— Brickyard Established — A Period of '* Hard Times"— The Canal
Project — Incorporation of the Village — New Ordinances Passed — Last Relic of Slavery —
Population in 1820 — The Harbor Project — How the Work was Done — The Terminus of
the Canal — Rivalry between Black Rock and Buffalo — Final Settlement of the Question in
Favor of Buffalo— Millard Fillmore — Completion of the Canal— The Village in 1825 —
The Buffalo Hydraulic Company — Jubilee Water Works — A Disastrous Fire — A Young
City— List of Purchasers of Lots of the Holland Company.
WITH the restoration of peace, the news of which reached Western
New York early in 181 5, the history of what may properly be
called the second BufFalo should begin, although previous to that
time and since the burning of the first village, considerable had been
done towards re-building the place.
The brilliant sortie planned and executed by General Porter and his
followers, and the consequent fall of Fort Erie on the 17th of September,
1814, virtually ended the war on the Niagara frontier; and when in the
following January, the news of the signing of the treaty of Ghent reached
Buffalo, a general shout of congratulation and thankfulness went up on
all sides. Emigration westward received a new impetus and Buffalo
shared largely in the results. The troops that had been stationed in the
vicinity were withdrawn, the last of them taking their departure during
the night of July 2d, and little was left but the scars of battle and fire to
indicate that war with all its terrors and hardships, had so recently
76 History of Buffalo,
swept over the frontier. A salute was fired at Black Rock upon the
restoration of peace, and there was an era of general rejoicing. General
Porter, who had borne so conspicuous a part in the war, was banqueted
at Canandaig^a and Batavia, and enthusiastic compliments were show-
ered upon him by the press and people.* Buffalo began to rise from its
ashes more rapidly.
The second newspaper was established in April, and in the columns
of that and the Gazette were chronicled many new business enterprises
and numerous arrivals of men who afterwards became prominent in busi-
ness and political life. Dr. John E. Marshall came from Chautauqua
county and settled in Buffalo in the spring of 1815. He soon occupied
a foremost position in the ranks of her citizens. He first located at the
house of Jonas Harrison. In March, Dr. Trowbridge informed the public
that he had taken the house formerly occupied by E. Hart. Townsend &
Coit removed that month to " their old stand next north of S. & S. K.
Grosvenor." Charles D. Eaton opened a general store in April. Under-
hill & Dann began business opposite the Grosvenors, and Vosburgli &
Barron started the saddlery business opposite '' the printing office."
The Gazette of April 17th, announces that Albert H. Tracy had
opened an office over E. Hart & Co.'s brick store.f
Ralph Plumb opened a general store in Buffalo in June, 181 5, and
in July the first milliner made her appearance in the person of Mrs.
Kagle. John Wagstaff opened the first tinware establishment in August,
"a few rods east of E. Hart & Co."
In July, 181 5, the Gazette boasted that there were as many houses
erected in Buffalo, or in process of erection, as were burned a year and
a half before. Building was also beg^n with vigor at the future rival
of Buffalo— Black Rock.
A pottery was established in 1815, near Cold Spring, by Armond
Parsons, and the first tannery was started the same year in that vicinity,
by Jacob Morrison.
*Geneiml Porter hat been characterized as " the first distinguished leader of American yolim-
tcers against a disciplined foe." In recognition of his services he was tendered the position of Com-
mander-in-Chief of the United States Army at the close of the war, by President Madison, but
declined. He is cerUinly entitled to rank as a great military commander, and he was no lets hon-
ored and successful in civil life. He was twice elected to Congiess and was made Secretary of War
by President Adams in 1828, the first cabinet officer in Western New York. He was also Secretary
of State in 1 81 5, and in 1816 was made one of the Commissioners to determine the boundary
between the United States and the British Possessions. General Porter died at his residence at
Niagara Falls, on the doth of March, 1844, at the age of seventy-two years.
t Mr. Tracy was then a young lawyer only twenty-two years old, •* tall, stimight, vigorous and
brilliant in intellect, and thoroughly cultured. " He soon became one of the most prominent and suc-
cessful politicians in the State ; was elected to Congress in 1818, by a heavy majority, when he was only
twenty-five years old, and was re-elected in 1820. A somewhat celebrated political circle consisted
of Mr. Tracy, Dr. Marshall, James Sheldon and a few others, who wielded oonsidermble power and
werc»known as the " Kremlin Junta " Mr. Tracy was elected State Senator in the fall of 1829, by
the Anti-Masons ; was re-elected in 1833, and retired from public life the following year, at the age
of forty-four. He died September 19, 1859.
The Cold Summer— Hard Times. ^^
On the 20th of April the courts were ordered to be held at the
house of Gilman Folsom, *' at present occupied by Moses Baker & Co.,
in the village of Buffalo." This house stood on the east side of Main
street, between Mohawk and Genesee streets. There all courts were
held until the new court house was finished late in the following year.
The new structure was erected under an act of Legislature passed on
the 17th of April, 1816, by which the State loaned to the county $5 000 ;
Joseph Landon, Samuel Tupper and Jonas Williams were the commis-
sioners named to superintend the construction of the new edifice. The
village authorities resolved to continue Washington street directly
through the circle on which the first court house stood ; this was done
and the county acquired title to the portion of it left on both sides of
the street. The new court house was built on the part of the block
lying east of Washington street, between Batavia and Clinton streets.
In the Gazette oi September 24, 18 16, the following announcement was
printed : —
" The walls of the court house, which was commenced in the early
part of the season, are erected ; we learn that the carpenter and joinei
work of the building are progressing. If the house is finished in the
style it has commenced, it will be an ornament to the village ; uniting
elegance with durability, and will be creditable to the judgment and
taste of the commissioners.*'
The summer of 1816 is remembered to this day as ''the cold sum-
mer." Its eflfects were seriously felt in Buffalo, through the failure of
crops in the surrounding towns. The trade that had fallen off largely
with the departure of the army, was now still further reduced, and an
era of hard times began that effectually retarded the growth of Buffalo
for a period of five years. While money was plenty, many had become
involved in debt, which they now found themselves unable to pay.
Flour sold in Buffalo at fifteen dollars a barrel and other provisions were
comparatively high in price. The Gazette of August 20th, stated that
there was "not a barrel of breadstuff in the village for sale." Mr.
Sheldon Ball wrote in 1825, that "a scene of insolvency ensued, more
distressing, if possible, than even the destruction of the village."
But a project was already being revived, which was destined to put new
life into the stagnant village — the construction of a " grand canal " across
the State from Lake Erie to the Hudson river, with its western terminus
at either Buffalo or Black Rock. The first survey for this great water-
way was made from Buffalo to the Genesee in the summer of 18 16, and
the work was thereafter ^pushed ahead with vigor, as has been detailed
in the preceding volume ; but it was not till 1820 that Buffalo and Bkck
Rock were very materially affected by the prospect of an early comple-
tion of the canal.
The first movement towards the incorporation of the village of Buf-
falo, was the passage of an act by the Legislature April 2, 181 3 ; but the
78 History of Buffalo.
exciting events of that year prevented a consummation of the object. The
following year another similar attempt was made and with a like result ;
the trustees named in the act failed to organize. In April, 1816, a third
act was passed under which the incorporation of the village was effected.
Oliver Forward, Charles Townsend, Heman B. Potter, Ebenezer Wal-
den, Jonas Harrison and Samuel Wilkeson were named as the trustees.
In April, 1822, another act of incorporation was passed, extending the
powers of the village authorities and repealing all former acts of incor-
poration. Ordinances were passed about the last of the year 1816, pro-
viding for better security against fire, and the village trustees were
authorized to ascertain the practicability of procuring a supply of water
by means of the water courses, streams and reservoirs. Twenty-five lad-
ders were ordered made within thirty days and all owners of houses
were required to provide "one good leathern bucket for each house, store
or shop ;*' to cause their chimneys to be swept and in the future to build
all funnels of chimneys large enough for chimney-sweepers to go through
them. This action was undoubtedly caused by a fire, as George Badger,
in the newspapers of December 17th, publicly thanked the citizens for assist-
ance rendered him at his late fire. Another ordinance was passed about
the same time authorizing the raising of a tax of $1,400. On the 26th of
July, 1820, ordinances were passed to prevent the selling of damaged
meat in the village ; ordering the removal of dead animals beyond the
city limits; pi'ohi biting the discharge of fire-arhis; abating the produc-
tion of nuisances of all kinds : ordering slaughter-houses to be kept under
the inspection of the trustees ; prohibitingthe beating of drums and blow-
ing of fifes in the streets ; fast driving and leading of horses on the side-
walks. On the loth of June, 1822, an ordinance was passed to prevent the
obstruction of the streets with buildings, lumber, teams, earth, etc.; July
15th, an ordinance was passed prohibiting the selling of liquor to Indians
and intoxicated persons. Penalties, usually of small fines, were imposed
in all cases of infraction of these village laws. These measures for the
government of the village were, of course, followed by many others simi-
lar in character, which need not be referred to in detail
As an indication that the people were laboring under a general
depression of business and scarcity of money, we may mention that a
meeting was called for the 12th of October, 18 19, at Cook's* inn, (where
the Tifft House now stands,) to take into consideration the pecuniary
embarrassments of the county ; whether anything effectual was accom-
plished at this meeting, does not appear.
Under the law of 181 8, by which the gradual abolition of slavery
was decreed, and which provided that young slaves might be brought
from other States, provided their owners filed an affidavit that such
slaves would not be held in bondage beyond the ages of twenty-eight
* Raphmttl Cook, the well known and successful inn4ceeper, died in Buffalo, April 15, 1821,
Slavery in Erie County. 79
years if males, and twentj-five years if females, General Porter and his
southern wife, Mrs. Grayson, dayghter of John C. Breckinridge,
brought five youn^ slaves to Black Rock in 1820. The affidavits of Mr.
and Mrs. Porter appear in the pages of the old town book of Buffalo.
As late as July, 1820, a black servant girl was advertised at auction in
Buffalo, with other property, by Jonas Harrison— the last flickering
embers of slavery in the county. That was only about sixty years ago,- and
even a year later the wolves were so troublesome not very far from
Buffalo, that the bounty on their scalps was raised, while ten years later,
William Hodge, as he state$, shot deer near the site of the Insane
Asylum, and as far south as the Normal School !
Orlando Allen, for many years a prominent and honored citizen
of Buffalo, came here in 18 19, and entered the office of Dr. Cy renins
Chapin to learn the mysteries of medicine ; he was then sixteen years
of age.*
In 1820 the population of the entire township of Buffalo had
reached but 2,095, including, of course. Black Rock. Most of the
business of Buffalo was then done between Exchange street and the
court house park. Among the stores and shops on Main street were
many dwellings, and others were scattered along EUicott, Washington,
Pearl and Franklin streets ; a few houses also were located on the cross
streets. Where is now built up the northeastern portion of the city,
was low ground that had not even been tilled, and the boys and girls of
the village went to a place not very far up Genesee street, where there
was a log causeway, to pick blackberries. The irregular line of the
forest came down to within from forty to a hundred rods of Main street,
as far southward as Cold Spring. About this time a spring near Dela^
ware street and just north of Virginia, was made the rendezvous of a
squirrel hunting party led by Frederick B. Merrill and Joseph Clary.
That spot was selected because there the woods extended as far east-
ward as Delaware street, affording the party a grateful shade.
As early as November 15, 1816, a meeting was held at Pomeroy's
tavern, to '' take into consideration the improvement of the harbor.*'
The bar across the mouth of the creek was impassable for vessels of any
considerable size, the water at times not being more than two feet deep^
The twenty-five or thirty small sloops and schooners then composing the
lake marine, were compelled to lay off from the port half a mile or more,
or else run down to Black Rock and anchor below the rapids. Most of
the lake disasters that occurred in the vicinity were charged directly to
the entire lack of harbor improvements. The light-house at the mouth
of the creek was finished' in July, 1818, and on the 23d of August, the
new steamer, Walk^in-the-Water^ succeeded, with the aid of Captain
Sheldon Thompson's " horn breeze," in making her passage up the rapids
* See biographic sketch in later pages.
8o History of Buffalo.
and into the lake : this last named event rendered the necessity of a har-
bor still more apparent.
The citizens of Buffalo now saw that the future growth and impor-
tance of the village depended largely upon the immediate construction
of a harbor, and various schemes were discussed for the accomplishment
of the object — ^among the plans suggested were a lottery ; the formation
of an incorporated company ; and a petition to the government for aid.
This agitation led to the organization of what was known as the Buffalo
Harbor Company, in the spring of 1819, comprising originally nine of
the foremost men of the village, as follows : Jonas Harrison, Ebenezer
Walden, H. B. Potter, J. G. Camp, Oliver Forward, A. H.Tracy, Ebenezer
Johnson, E. F. Norton, and Charles Townsend.
These gentlemen applied to the Legislature for the passage of a
law (finally passed April 17, 18 19,) by the provisions of which the State
agreed to loan the Harbor Company $12,000, provided the amount was
secured by individual bonds and mortgages of the members of the com-
pany for twice the amount of the loan. If the harbor, when completed,
proved acceptable to the State authorities, the bonds were to ht canceled ;
otherwise the company would have to pay the bonds and be reimbursed
from future tolls. The managers of the company declined to accept this
proposition, with the exception of Charles Townsend, (with whom was
associated George Coit) and Oliver Forward.* They were joined by
Samuel Wilkeson towards the last of 18 19, the offer of the State was
accepted and the bonds were made. Mr. Wilkeson had, for some rea^
son, declined to join the original company.f
The money was received from the State, and in the spring of i8ao,
the first work on the harbor was commenced. A superintendent was
secured at fifty dollars a month ; but he was retained but a short time.
After looking in vain for a more suitable man than the first, Mr.
Wilkeson himself accepted the superintendency, to the neglect of his
personal business.
* '* Finding that none of the original Company excepting Townsend and Forward would join in
making the secarity to the State, and that the appropriation would lapse if much more time was
lost, I agreed to join those gentlemen in making the security/'— /m^ WiiAetom,
t After William Peacock had completed his sunrey of Buffalo Creek, with reference to the oon-
struction of a harbor, as described in the accompanying eztracto from Judge Wilkeson's writings, lie
made a favorable report in which he advised the construction of a stone pier extending into the lake
nine hundred feet, at a cost of $12,787 ; this would give a depth of thirteen feet of water. (It is
now claimed by practical men that such a pier would have cost half a million dollars.) In opposi-
tion to Mr. Peacock's report and to the Buffalo Harbor scheme as a whole, a correspondent of the
Albany Atgus^ of February 19. 1819, writing over the signature •* Projector," ridiculed BuflUo
Creek as a future hartx>r. *• Two schooners can barely pass each other there," he wrote, and then
proceeded to demonstrate the feasibility of constructing a mile wall with a lock of four feet lift at
Black Rock, to overcome the current of the rapids. He would have sold lou on Grand Island,
(then the property of the State) to secure a retuni of the investment A bridge fiom the island was
to connect it with the " City of Ene," which would spring up where Black Rock then stood. This
was but one of hundreds of schemes that were ad wiced by the advocates of a harbor at either village.
GEDRG-E C D IT.
Construction of the First Harbor. 8i
Some years before the death of Judge Wilkeson, he wrote and
published a series of eight brief papers giving a detailed history of
the construction of the first harbor and the steps that led to it. These
papers bear the impress of impartiality upon their face ; they are written
by the man who, perhaps, was better informed upon the subject
than any other person ; they are vivid descriptions of an event that, at
least at that period, controlled to a great extent the immediate future of
Buffalo. These facts give this series of papers a degree of interest that
prompt their publication, almost entire, in this work, especially as they
are not now easily accessible to the general public. Judge Wilkeson
wrote as follows : —
"The war which had swept over our frontier had impoverished the
inhabitants of the little place, that has since grown into the City of the
Lakes. Their property had been destroyed, they were embarrassed by
debts contracted in rebuilding their houses which had been burned by
the enemy; they were without capital to prosecute to advantage
mechanical or mercantile employments ; without a harbor or any means
of participating in the lake trade, and were suffering with the country at
large, all the evils of a deranged currency. In the midst of these accu-
mulated embarrassments, the construction of the Erie canal was be^n
and promised help, however distant might be the time of its completion,
Buffalo was to be its terminating point ; — and when the canal was com-
pleted, our village would become a city. But no craft larger than a
canoe could enter Buffalo creek. All forwarding business was done at
Black Rock, and the three or four small vessels that we owned in Buffalo
received and discharged their cargoes at that place. A harbor was then
indispensably necessary at the terminus of tne canal ; and unless one
coula be constructed at Buffalo before the western section of the canal
was located, it might terminate at Black Rock. This was the more to
be apprehended, as an opinion prevailed that harbors could not be made
on the lakes at the mouths of the rivers. But a harbor we were resolved
to have. Application was accordingly made to the Legislature for a
survey of the creek, and an act was passed on the loth of April, 1818,
authorizing the survey and directing the Supervisors of the county of
Niagara to pay $3 a day to the surveyor and to assess the amount to the
county. The survey was made by the Hon. William Peacock, during
the summer of that year, gratuitously. Then came the important
question, where to ^et the money to build this harbor. At that day no
one thought of looking to Congress for appropriations, and there was
no encouragement to apply to the Legislature of the State ; the citizens
could not raise the means, however willing they niight have been. A
public meeting was called and an agent (the Hon. Charles Townsend)
was appointeato proceed to Albany and obtain a loan. Jonas Harrison,
Ebenezer Walden, H. B. Potter, J. G. Camp, Oliver Forward, A. H.
Tracy, Ebenezer Johnson, E. F. Norton ana Charles Townsend were
the applicants. Judge Townsend, after a protracted effort succeeded,
and an act was passed, April 17, 18 19, authorizing a loan to the above
mentioned persons and their associates of $12,000, for twelve years, to
be secured on bond and mortgs^e to double that amount, and applied to
the construction of a harbor, which the State had reserved the right to
take when completed, and to cancel the securities. The year 1819 was
82 History of Buffalo.
one of general financial embarrassment, and no where was the pressure*
or want of money more sensibly felt than in the lake country. It had
no market, and its produce was of little value. Some of the assutiaiofi
became embarrassed and others discouraged. The sumnoer passed
away, and finally all refused to execute the required securities, except
Judge Townsend and Judge Forward. Thus matters stood in Decem-
ber, 1 8 19. Unless the condition of the loan should be complied with,
the appropriation would be lost, and another might not be easily
obtained ; lor the project of a harbor at Black Rock, and the termina-
tion of the canal at that place, was advocated by influential men, and the
practicability of making a harbor at the mouth of Butlalo creek was
seriously questioned. At this crisis, Judge Wilkeson who had declined
being one of the original company, came forward and, with Messrs.
Townsend and Forward, agreedf to make the necessary securities. This
was perfected during the winter of 1820 — each individual giving his
several bond and mortgage for $8,000. The money thus loaned was
received in the sprine. By an arrangement between the parties, it was
disbursed by Judge Townsend. An experienced harbor-builder was to
be obtained to superintend the work. One was engaged who had
acquired reputation in improving the navigation of some river
down east. He was to receive I50 per month. Under his advice,
a contract was made for a hundred cords of flint stone from the Plains,
at $5 per cord, and four hundred hemlock piles, from twenty to thirty-
six feet long at thirty-one cents each. While the stone and piles were
being delivered, the superintendent with several carpenters, was em-
ployed in building a pile-driving machine and scow. An agent was
dispatched to the nearest furnace (which was in Portage county, Ohio,)
to provide the hammer and machinery.
" Mr. Townsend, with much solicitude, continued to watch the
movements of the superintendent for a few weeks, making himself fully
acquainted with his plans and managementt He became satisfied that
the superintendent, if not incompetent, was not such an economist as our
limited means required, and that if we retained him, the money would be
spent without getting a harbor. The Judge was decided that it was
better to abandon the work than to pursue it under the then existing
arrangements. His associates concurring, the superintendent was dis-
charged ; but no substitute could be obtained. West Point engineers
were scarce at that time, and if one could have been found, |i 2,000
would have been but a small sum in his hands. The situation of the com-
pany was embarrassing. Private property had been mortgaged to raise
the money, nearly $1,000 had been spent in preparations to commence a
work that neither ot the associates knew how to execute, nor could any
one be found, experienced in managing men, who would undertake the
superintendence. Mr. Townsend was an invalid and consequently unable
to perform the duty. Mr. Forward was wanting in the practical exper-
ience that was necessary. Mr. Wilkeson had never seen a harbor, and
was engaged in a business that required his unremitted attention ; but
rather than the effort should be abandoned he finally consented to under-
take the superintendence.
" Having abandoned his own private business, Mr. Wilkeson called
his men out to work the next morning by daylight — without suitable
tools, without boats, teams or scows. Neitner the plan of the work, nor
its precise location were settled. But the harbor was commenced. Two
84 History of Buffalo.
plans had been proposed for the work ; one, by driving parallel lines of
piles, and filling up the intermediate space with brush and stone, and the
other by a pier of hewn timber filled with stone. The latter plan was
adopted, and the location of the pier having been settled, the number of
laborers was increased, and contracts immediately made for suitable
timber and stone, to be delivered as fast as they might be required. In
the meantime, the timber intended for the piles was used in the con-
struction of cribs, three of which were put down the first day. The first
two days after commencing the work, the lake was calm; but the suc-
ceeding night a heavy swell set in ; the waves acting on the outside of
the crib, forced the sand and gravel from under them, sinking the ends
of some, the sides of others, and throwing them out of the line — the
whole presenting a most discouraging appearance. Fortunately a little
brush had been accidentally thrown on tne windward side of one of the
})iers, which became covered with sand, and preserved this pier from the
ate of the others. Profiting by this discovery, every crib subsequently
put down, was placed on a thick bed of brush extending several feet to
the windward of it. But other unforeseen difficulties were soon
•experienced. The cribs could be put down only when the lake ivas per-
fectly smooth. However fine the weather, the swell raised b^ an ordinary
sailing breeze suspended the work in the water. To obviate this diffi-
culty, the cribs, (which after the first week, were formed of large, square
timbers,) were put up and completed on shore. The timbers were
secured by ties six feet apart, maae to fit so tight as to require to be
driven home with a sledge, and were bored with a two-inch augur ready
for the trunnels, which were two feet long, and made of the best oak or
hickory. The timbers were marked and numbered, so that when required
for use, could be taken apart, floated out to their place, and put together
in an hour, even in ten feet of water, and secured with stone the same
day. The manner of constructing the pier is thus particularly described,
as it so effectually secured the timbers together, that when the west end
of the pier was undermined by the high water of the creek and turned
over, so that the sides became the top, not a stick was separated. After
the prevalence of a west wind for several days, the water oecame smooth,
but it rained severely and the workmen justly claimed exemption from
labor. To be interrupted by swells in fair weather, and by the rains
when the lake was smooth, would never answer. Every day's experience
admonished the company of the necessity of economizing their means,
and it was already fearecl that the fund provided would prove insufficient
for the object to be accomplished. A new contract was, therefore, made
with the workmen, by which their wages were raised two dollars a month,
in consideration of their working" on rainy days; and from that time
until the harbor was completed, the work was prosecuted without
regard to the weather. * » * « * After the pier was
extended about thirty rods into the lake, and settled as well as the limited
time would allow, a carpenter was employed at pne dollar per day, to
superintend the raising of the pier from the surface of the water, to its
full height. * * * * As the work advanced into deep
water, the bases of the cribs were enlarged, and the cost of the work
alarmingly increased. It was resolved to suspend operations for that
year, on reaching seven and a half feet of water. On tne 7th of Septem-
ber, after the timber work was completed, and while the pier was but
partially filled with stone, two small vessels came under its fee and made
Construction of the First Harbor. 85
fast. Towards evening, appearances indicated a storm, and while the
superintendent and captains were deliberating whether the vessels might
not endanger the pier, and perhaps carry away that part to which they
were fastened, the gale commenced, rendering it impossible to remove
the vessels otherwise than by casting them loose, andf letting them go on
the beach. This was proposed by the superintendent, and agreed to by
the captains, on condition that the safety of the pier should appear to be
endangered by the vessels. Both the pier and the vessels, however,
remained uninjured through the storm, which was regarded as no mean
test of the utility and permanency of the works. The pier, which at this
time extended fiity rods into the lake, was in a few days filled with stone,
and the operations upon it suspended for the season.
" It may not be out of place here to name the captains of the two
first vessels which found shelter in Buffalo harbor — Austin and Fox.
The former was an old Point Judith fisherman who, after spending most
of his life on the ocean, removed to the Vermilion river and settled on
a farm. But yielding to his yearning for the water, he built a small ves-
sel, of which he was captain and nis sons the crew, and engaged in the
lake trade. He was a shrewd, observing man, had seen and examined
many artificial harbors, and his advice contributed much to the correct
location and permanent construction of Buffalo harbor. Fox, long known
as a successful captain on the lakes, took a deep interest in the construc-
tion of the work, and during the three years that it was in progress, fre-
auently aided by volunteering his own labor and that of his crews. Tri-
ing as this- circumstance may appear, it gave at the time no small encour-
agement and has been gratefully remembered.
" Although the pier had been successfully extended over nine hun-
dred feet and was believed to be sufficiently strong to resist the force of
the waves, still it was but an experiment. The situation was the most
exposed of any on the lake, and no similar work had been constructed.
Should the whole, or any considerable part of the work be destroyed by
the gales of wind, or by the ice, the fund remaining would be insufficient
to repair the damage, and extend the work to the requisite distance to
make a harbor. Should the experiment of the pier prove ever so suc-
cessful, a most difficult part of the plan for forming a harbor was yet to
be executed, and the more difficult because the expense would depend
on contingencies which the company could not control. Buffalo creek,
in 1820, entered the lake about sixty rods north of its present mouth,
running for some distance parallel with the shore. A new channel had
to be made across the point of sand which separates the creek from the
lake. This point was about twenty rods wide, and elevated about seven
feet above the level of the lake. It was proposed to remove the sand by
scrapers to the level of low water, dam tne mouth of the creek by brush
and stone, and trust to the action of the spring flood to form a straight
channel in a line with, and near to, the pier. The scraping was com-
menced in November, by the voluntary labor of several of the citizens;
but instead of finding the point composed of fine sand, as had been
expected, when a few feet of the top was removed, a heavy, compact
body of coarse gravel and small stones was found, which, if removed
by the current of the creek, instead of being carried into the deep water of
the lake, would be deposited to the leeward of the pier in the very place
our channel must be, and from wheflce there was neither money nor
machinery to remove it. The scraping was therefore given up, and the
86 History of Buffalo.
subject of forming a new channel, proving a very serious one, laid over
for further consideration, in the expectation tnat some plan could be
devised to overcome the seemingly insurmountable difficulty. The
company had the satisfaction to see the fall gales pass away without
doine any damage to the pier, not even removing a single timber, and it
was loaded with so great a body of ice that no apprehension was enter-
tained of damage from the breaking up of the lake in the spring.
" Favorable contracts were made for timber during the winter, and
ties to complete the pier ; and as it was sufficiently extended to protect
the pile-driving scow, and as the use of this machine would be important
in farther prosecuting the work, it was determined to finish it. A ham-
mer and gearing, however, were wanted. These had been contracted for
in Ohio, but, owing to a misunderstanding, had not been received. The
iron gearing could be dispensed with, and a good substitute for a ham-
mer was found in a United States mortar, used during the last war, but
which had lost one of its trunnions. After breaking off the other, two
holes were bored through the ends for the staple by which to hoist it.
The ends of the staple projecting into the chamber were bent, and the
chamber itself filled with metal. Similar holes were bored on each side,
and two bars of iron between two and three inches square, firmly secured,
to act as guides. The hollow part being filled with a hard piece of wood,
cut off even with the end, it proved to be an excellent hammer of about
two thousand pounds weight.* The machinery to raise the hammer was
the cheapest and simplest kind, and worked by a single horse. Before
attempting the farther extension of the pier, it was resolved to attempt
the formation of a new channel. About the 20th of May, laborers were
engaged, and the pile-driver put in operation. Two rows of piles, six
feet apart, were driven across the creek, in a line with the right bank of
the intended channel, and the space between these rows of piles was
filled with fine brush, straw, damaged hay, shavings, etc. This material
was pressed down by drift logs, which were hoisted into their places by
the use of the pile-driver. On the upper side of the work a body of
sand was placed, making a cheap and tolerably tight dam, by which the
creek could be raised about three feet. Then by breaking the bank at
the west end of the dam, a current was formed sufficiently strong to
remove about fifteen feet of the adjoining bank, to the depth of eight ^ct.
The success of the first experiment was most gratifying. The dam was
extended across the new made channel, and connected with the bank,
with the least possible delay, and every dam full of water let off removed
hundreds of yards of gravel, and deposited it not only entirely out of the
way, but at the same time filled up the old channel. While this plan
was in successful operation, and when the new channel had been pushed
to within a few feet of the lake, and the strongest hopes were enter-
tained that, by the same process, the sand and gravel, even under the
shoal water of the lake, could be removed and the channel extended to
the end of the pier, and the harbor rendered immediately available, the
work was arrested by one of the most extraordinary rises of the lake
ever witnessed. About seven o'clock in the morning, the lake being
entirely calm, the water suddenly rose, and by a single swell swept away
the logs that secured the materials in the dam, broke away the dam on
the east side, fully destroyed the west end, which was made of plank,
and left the whole a total wreck. A more discouraging scene can
• Thit old mortar now fUnds on the sidewalk at the comer of Main and Dayton sinets.
Construction of the First Harbor. 87
scarcely be imagined. The pile-driving scow, without which the damage
could not be repaired, narrowly escaped destruction. The blind horse
which worked the pile-driver, was thrown from the platform pn the
scow, and, swimming in his accustomed circle, came near drowning.
All the lumber, timber, piles prepared for use, with the boats, scows,
and every floating article within the range of the swell, were swept from
their places and driven up the creek. It was afterwards ascertained that
an extraordinary vein ot wind had crossed the lake a few miles above
this place, and proceeding eastward, prostrated the timber in its course,
and marked its way with feariul destruction. This was supposed to have
caused the swell referred to.
" After securing the scows, boats and lumber which had been put
afloat, the condition of the dam was examined. About thirty feet of the
cast end was entirely gone, and the injury to other parts was greater
than was at first anticipated. * * * Although a flood had been wished
for, to aid in deepening and widening the new channel, yet the disastrous
accident which had just occurred destroyed the only means of controlling
it and turning it to account. A freshet then, mi^ht open the old chan-
nel, or perhaps enlarge the new one in a wrong direction and even under-
mine the pier. It was therefore resolved to repair the damage if possi-
ble. The pile driver was put in operation to restore the breach at the
east end oi the dam, and the men set to work to collect materials ; but
the rain increasing, and the weather beinc^ uncommonly cold, it was soon
discovered that without a large additional force the dam coold not be so
far repaired as to resist the flood, which might be expected within twenty-
four hours.
^'The recent disaster and the importance of immediate help was
communicated to the citizens, a large number of whom, notwithstandins"
the rain fell in torrents, repaired to the dam. They were distributed
in parties, some getting brush, others collecting loc^s, some placing the
materials in the dam, while others aided in working the pile-driver.
* * * Without this help of the citizens, it would have been
impossible to make the necessary repairs on the dam ; with it, and by
continuing the labor of the harbor workmen by torch-light until late at
night, all was done that human effort could do to prepare for the flood.
* * * The rain having continued through the night, in the morning
the flood was magnificent. The strong northeast wind which had pre-
vailed for nearly twenty-four hours, had lowered the lake two or three
feet and added much to' the effect of tne water in forming a new channel.
The barrier erected had produced the desired effect, the gravel removed
out of the new channel was carried down the lake, and in fact the whole
operation was so favorable that it seemed as though Providence had
directed this flood in aid of the great work of forming a harbor. The
breaking up of the dam had disheartened the men, and their extraordinary
efforts to repair the damage had exhausted them ; but a day's rest and
witnessing the triumphant success of the plan for opening a channel,
restored them to cheerfulness. The <ioubts and fears that were enter-
tained of ultimate success in makincp a harbor were dissipated. When
the freshet had subsided, it was found that the average width of the new
channel was about ninety feet at the bottom, and for the first twelve rods
it was as deep as the creek, and nowhere less than five feet, furnishing a
straight channel. From this time, smaill vessels could enter and depart
from Buffalo harbor without interruption.
88 History of Buffalo.
" Much yet remained to be done. The lines of piles in extension
of the dam were continued and filled up with brush and stone, intended
to form a permanent margin for the north bank of Buffalo creek. This
work was extended forty-six rods from the east bank of the creek, the dam
was strengthened, the number of men increased, and preparations made
for recommencing the pier. On a careful examination and measurement
of the water, it was found that the pier, if extended in the direction of
that already built, would require to be carried out much farther than
had been anticipated. This discovery was the more embarrassing, as
the company had become satisfied that they would be unable, with the
fund provided, to complete the pier even to the extent at first con-
teniplated, and it had been resolved to apply to the citizens for aid,
which was subsequently done. Scrip was issued entitling the bearer to
zp?o rata interest in the harbor. Over $i,ooo of this scrip was disposed
of for a small part of which cash was received, but the greater part
was received in goods, etc. For the sums thus advanced no considera-
tion was ever received by the holders of the scrip, and perhaps some of
them to whom no explanation has been made, may have felt themselvesr
aggrieved. For the satisfaction of such, it may be well here to state
how this business was closed. The act of the Legislature creatine the
Buffalo Harbor Company and making the loan, provided that it the
Legislature did not accept the harbor, it should be and remain the
property of the company, and that the canal commissioners should
settle the rate of tolls to be paid by all boats and vessels entering it.
The issue of the scrip was predicated on this provision ; and it was
believed that if the State accepted the harbor, they would willingly pay
the extra cost of its construction, over and above the- loan of $12,000
(which was to be canceled). This no doubt would have been done but
for the jprovisions of a law passed in the spring of 1822, entitled, 'An
act for encouraging the construction of harbors at Buffalo and Black
Rock.' This act provided to pay the two harbor companies, Buffalo
and Black Rock, each $12,000 on completing their harbors, thus limiting
the sum to the amount already loanecf to the Buffalo Harbor Company,
and cutting off all hope of remuneration from the State for any amount
that might be expended beyond that sum. ♦ * * ♦ ♦ The com-
pany could not retain the harbor as private property and impose tolls
on vessels entering it, without driving the business to a rival port*
Application was therefore made to the Legislature in the spring of 1825,
which passed a resolution to cancel the bonds and mortgages given to
secure the loan, but refused to allow the claim for the additional sum
expended ; which sum included not only the money received for the
scrip, but several hundred dollars advanced by Townsend,* Forward
and Wilkeson, beside contributions by other individuals.
" After ascertaining the distance to which it would be necessary to
extend the pier, and estimating the cost of completing it, the continuous
line was abandoned, and it was resolved to lay down a pier two hundred
feet long, several rods south and west of the pier already built, but in
the same direction. This pier would form the western termination of
the harbor, and was to be connected with the other by two lines of piles
eight feet apart. » » » B^^^t^ pile^driving and pier work
• In a foot note Mr. Wilkeson offers apology for injustice done 10 Mr. George Coil in not
connecting bis name with that of Judge townsend in the responsibilities assumed and moneys
advanced for the construction of the harbor.
The First HARfiOR Completed. 89
were commenced and prosecuted with vigor and economy suited to the
scanty funds of the company. ♦ * « * j^ attempting to
put down the first crib which was to form the eastern end of the block,
m about ten feet of water, the current was found so strong that it was
found impossible to keep the brush in line on which to place the crib. To
obviate this difficulty, piles were driven ten feet apart, on the north line
of the proposed pier. This not only secured the brush, but served as a
guide in putting down the cribs, which for this block were forty feet
u>ng, twenty feet wide at the bottom, and eighteen at the surface of the
water. » * * ^ slight rise in the creek about the middle of
July, encouraged a hope that by a temporary contraction of the channel,
it might be deepened. About fifty of the citizens volunteered their aid
for a day, and a foot of additional depth was gained. * * *
Thus was completed the first work of the kind ever constructed on the
lakes. It had occupied two hundred and twenty-one working days in
building, (the laborers always resting on the Sabbath,) and extended into
the lake about eighty rods, to twelve feet of water. It was begun, car-
ried on and completed principally by three private individuals, some of
whom mortgaged the whole of their real estate, to raise the means for
making an improvement in which they had but a common interest."
On the first day of November, 1821, the steamer Walk-in-the-Watery
the building and launching of which three years before, is described in
another chapter, was driven ashore nearly opposite the foot of Main
street, about a mile above the light-house, and wrecked. This led to the
building of another steamer, which event had a strong influence in decid-
ing the question of the permanence and efficiency of the BuflFalo harbor,
and consequently, upon her immediate commercial prospects also. The
steamer was the property of New York capitalists, and an agent was
sent on at once to make arrangements for the construction of a new craft.
His instructions were to build the boat at Buffalo, unless he found the
harbor unavailable. He first visited Black Rock, where the people con-
vinced him that the Buffalo harbor would prove a failure, especially as it
would remain filled with ice long after the lake was clear in the spring.
The agent accordingly- decided to have the new boat built at Black
Rock, and came on to Buffalo to draw the necessary papers. But there
were men in Buffalo, who had the fullest faith in their harbor ; at least
they saw that the time had come when it must be tested, and they must
stand or fall with it, to some extent. Judge Wilkeson was deputized to
wait on the agent at his hotel, with the general instructions to secure the
building of the steamboat at Buffalo, at all hazards.
The " committee " and the agent discussed the matter briefly, the
latter giving as his chief reason for not building the boat at Buffalo, the
fear that she would be detained in the harbor in the spring by the ice.
Mr. Wilkeson was not long in proposing to the agent such terms as he
thought must induce a change of decision. Said he : m 1, r w
- We will furnish timber at a quarter less than ^*^f. ^^^^jV 5^?^^^
prices, and will give you a bond with ample security, for the payment o
90 History of Buffalo.
one hundred and fifty dollars a day for every day the boat may be
detained in the creek beyond May first**
The offer was accepted, the bond was signed by most of the respon-
sible citizens of the village and the building of the boat begun.
Of the passage of the Superior out of the harbor and the incidents
connected therewith, and other harbor matters, Mr. Wilkeson*s papers
continue to speak ks follows : —
*' Buffalo having completed a harbor and established a ship-yard
began to assume new life. Brighter prospects opened and it only
remained to secure the termination of the canal at this place, of which
there was a fair prospect. David Thomas, an engineer in the employ of
the Canal Board, had been occupied the preceding summer in making
surveys preparatory to a location of the canal from tne lake to the moun-
tain ridge. He had spent some time in examining the Niagara river and
Buffalo creek and harbor. He was known to be opposed to the plan of
terminating the canal in an artificial l>asin at the Rock, and it was
presumed that he would report decidedly in favor of terminating the
canal in Buffalo creek. This encourae^ed tne citizens to send an agent to
Albany to represent to the president of the Canal Board, DeWitt Clinton,
the fact that a harbor haa been completed, and to urge the immediate
location of the canal to Buffalo. This subject was considered by the
Board and the canal report of that year, (1823) contained their decision
in favor of Buffalo.
" Although this decision was not unexpected, it occasioned great
rejoicing to the citizens, who, burnt out and impoverished by the war,
and disappointed in their just expectations of remuneration from the
government, had for years been battling manfully with adversity, cheered
on by hopes which were now about to be realized. While congratulat-
ing themselves on the prospect of still better times, the expected flood
came and removing a large body of sand and gravel, opened a wide and
deep channel from the creek to the lake. But, unfortunately, a heavy
bank of ice resting on the bottom of the lake and rising" several feet above
its surface, had been formed during the winter, extending from the west
end of the pier to the shore. This ice bank arrested the current of the
creek, forming an eddy along side of the pier, into which the sand and
Savel removed by the flood were deposited, filling up the channel for
e distance of over three hundred feet, and leavingTittfe more than three
feet of water where, before the freshet, there was an average of four and
a half feet. It was attempted to open a channel through the ice by blast-
ing, but this proved ineffectual ; no other means were tried and it was
now feared that the predictions of our Black Rock neighbors were about
to be realized.
" This obstruction of the harbor produced not only discouragement,
but consternation. A judgment bona had been executed, which was a
lien upon a large portion of the real estate of the village for the pay-
ment of $1 50 per day, from and after the first of May, until the channel
could be sufficiently opened to let the steamboat pass into the lake. To
form a channel even eight rods wide and nine feet deep, would require
the removal of not less than six thousand yards of gravel, for w^ich
work there was neither an excavator, nor time, skill or money to procure
one. The superintendent of the harbor was absent ; as soon as the news
A New Obstruction in the Channel. 91
of the disaster reached him, he hastened home, and arriving about the
middle of March, a meeting of the citizens concerned was called. It
was resolved immediately to attempt the opening of the channel, and a
subscription was proposed to defray the expenses which were estimated
at $1,600. The subscription went heavily, only about $300 being obtained,
but without waiting to see how the means were to be provided, prepar-
tions were made for commencing the work the next morning."
Here follow details of how the work of deepening the channel was
performed, by the aid of wooden scrapers drawn through the gravel by
means of capstans set up on scows, and then pulled back by ropes in the
hands of men on the opposite side. Mr. Wilkeson then continues : —
"The pi ogress made in removing the sand, was most encouraging,
and there appeared no doubt that by increasing the scrapers, the channel
could be opened before the first of May. Piles were put down, and a
raft of timoer substituted for scows, on which to erect more capstans.
Saturday night came, and the workmen were dismissed until Monday
morning. During the ni^^ht a heavy gale set in and increased in violence
until alK)ut noon on the Sabbath, when the ice began to break up, and
the lake to rise. Soon the ice was in motion,' and driving in from the
lake, was carried up the creek with such force as todestioy the scows and
all the fixtures. The pile-driver, being securely lastenea by strong rig-
ging to the piles, it was hoped would remain safe, but the fasts eave way
and it was ariving* towaros the shore, where it could scarcely escape
destruction. It was saved by the extraordinary exertions of two indi-
viduals who, making their way to it by the aid of two boards each, which
they pushed forward alternately over the floating ice agitated by the
swells, succeeded in fastening it with a hawser to a pile near which it was
floating. The scow being secured, the anxious and disheartened citizens
and workmen, returned to their homes. Any community less inured to
disappointments and adversity, would now have given up in despair,
The very elements seemed to have conspired against them. The gale was
frightful, and in the afternoon was accompained by a heavy fall of snow ;
the water was high, and ice driving with violence on to the flats.
" Monday morning the wind had subsided, but the weather was cold
and still stormy. A eeneral meeting of the citizens was convened, to
whom the superintendent stated j:he extent of the damage, the prob-
able time it would take to repair it, the amount of funds requisite to
complete the work, and his entire confidence in ultimate success. As
the liability to pay a hundred and fifty dollars a day would soon attach,
the importance of a united and speedy effort was more sensibly felt
The meeting was fully attended, not only by those who were liable on
the bond, but by many young mechanics and others. Dr. Johnson, John
G. Camp arid Dr. Chapm were chosen a committee to obtain and collect
subscriptions."
The list of subscriptions was made up largely of goods and pro-
visions and amounted to $1,361.25, ranging from two dollars to one
hundred and ten dollars, which was given by Dr. Johnson ** in goods
at cash prices.*'
•* The provisions and goods were paid to the workmen without loss,
but on much of the property (which was sold at auction) there was an
average loss of about thirty-seven and a half per cent.'*
92 History of Buffalo.
After detailing the work ot again opening the channel with the
scrapers, Mr. Wilkeson concludes as follows: —
" Although the weather became good the latter part of April, and
the work was prosecuted with the utmost diligence, yet the first of May
came while there were still a few rods of the channel in which only
about six and a half f£et of water had been gained. As considerable
work yet remained to be done on the steamboat, and no loss or incon-
venience could accrue to the owners in allowing a few days to deepen
the channel, yet no time could be obtained. The boat was put in motion
and fortunately the pilot. Captain Miller, having made himself accjuainted
with what channel there was, ran her out into the lake without di£Bculty.
The bond was canceled. The boat was, however, light, and when fully
loaded would require much more water. The scraping was therefore
continued.
'^ When the boat was finished, the citizens were invited to take ar.
excursion on the lake. It was feared that if the boat should be deeply
loaded with passengers, she would ground in the new made channel.
Although this would be a trifling occurrence in itself, yet circumstances
had recently occurred which led them to regard the experiment with
the deepest anxiety. An act had passed a few days before, authorizine
the Canal Board to contract for the construction of a harbor at BlacK
Rock, which, if completed, might secure the termination of the canal at
that place, and supercede Bufi^lo harbor. The subject was to be acted
upon by the Canal Board in a few days, and even so 'trifling an incident
as the grounding of a steamboat might influence their decision and
deprive Buffalo of the fruits of all her toils and exertions in building a
harbor. An effort was therefore made to either postpone the steamboat
excursion or limit the number of passengers ; but in vain. Neither the
captain nor a majority of the citizens could appreciate the solicitude of
the few. The whole village crowded on board and the boat grounded.
This was the more mortifying, as many of our Black Rock friends were
on board, who had always predicted our failure. But after a few min-
utes delay in landing some of the people on the pier, the boat moved for-
ward. Went alongside of the pier, took on the passengers, and proceeded
up the lake with bugles sounding and banners flying/'*
Buffalo harbor was considerably improved in the summer of 1826^
under contract Mrith Messrs. Baker & Merrill, and was still further
extended in 1829; nearly half the proposed ninety rods of pier being
then finished. An appropriation for this work was obtained from Con-
gress. This and some subsequent harbor improvements were executed
under the local superintendence of Mr. Isaac S. Smith, then a well
known resident of Buffalo.
In July, 1827, a writer in one of the local papers stated that
prominent citizens purposed memorializing the Board of Canal Commis-
* The pier is built of wood and stone, commencing at the extremity of the sandy point, on
which the light-hovse stands, extending in a westerly direction into the lake, eighty-fonr nids, and
averaging eighteen feet in width ; it was built in 1819, 'ao and 'ai, for the purpose of preventing
the accumulation of sands in the mouth of the creek ; and has so far answered the purpose, that
there has been an uninterrupted and safe navigation (during the season) for the last three years, for
any vessels that have navigated the lake, and in any weather.— ^r. BalCs PamphUi^ 1825.
Efforts to Secure the Canal. 93
sioners ioran independent canal between Black Rock and Buffalo, ''past
Black Rock harbor ; '* the writer added, " that work having entirely
failed, it is supposed that the Commissioners will not hesitate to go on
with this canal/' etc. This appears to have been a revival of a subject
that had been agitated before.
The Black Rock pier finally gave way in May, 1826, to such an
extent that all hopes of a substantial and permanent harbor there, were
abandoned.
While these events were occurring, the war of words between
Buffalo and Black Rock went on without interruption, and as soon as
the canal project began to assume definite shape, the controversy
involved the question of the terminus of that work and the rivalry
between the two places became more bitter than ever before. Both of
the villages had friends in the different Boards of Canal Commissioners
and in the engineer corps, and no effort was spared to make the most
of their influence. Black Rock had its natural harbor and besieged the
State authorities for appropriations to extend it by the construction of
piers, in expectation of thus influencing to some extent the Canal Com-
missioners to make it the terminal point of the new commercial highway.
One result of these efforts on the part of Black Rock, was the passage of
a resolution by the Commissioners in June, 1822, to the effect that if Peter
B. Porter and his associates succeeded in building ten or more rods of
pier on their plan between Brace's store and the second angle east of
Bird Island " by the first of May or June following," ^o the satisfaction
of the village trustees, then the Canal Commissioners would either
contract for the construction of the canal basin desired, or recommend
that the State refund the money that had been expended. The Black
Rock Harbor Company was thereupon formed, and a large quantity of
timber and stone advertised for, which were used in the " Experiment
Pier " that was afterwards built. This action inspired the Buffalonians
to renewed opposition to their rivals, and assertions were freely
made and published that the first run of ice in the river would destroy
the proposed improvements ; this eventually proved to be the case.
In the summer of 1822, a meeting the proceedings of which were
destined to exert a mighty influence upon the future of Buffalo, was held
at the Eagle tavern. It was a memorable gathering. DeWitt Chnton,
then chairman of the Board of Canal Commissioners, presided at the meet-
ing ; his associates were Stephen VanRensselaer, Henry Seymour, Myron
Holley and Samuel Young. The momentous question at issue was, Buf-
falo or Black Rock as the terminus of the canal. The latter village was
represented by General Peter B. Porter, and most ably, for the heart of
the speaker was in his cause. Samuel Wilkeson, at the head of a num-
ber of the leading men of Buffalo, was there to advocate the interests of
their village. Mr. Wilkeson, though unaccustomed to oratory, believed
94 History of Buffalo.
with his whole soul in the justice of his claims; he looked at the matter
in its most practical light ; he knew he was right and he proved it by
advancing many excellent reasons why the canal should come to Buffalo;
his success proved his eloquence. The case was summed up by Mr.
Clinton, and the Comniissioners decided * in favor of Buffalo.
The events above narrated and their surrounding circumstances
contributed to keep the controversy between the factions of Buffalo and
Black Rock at fever heat for years. In the spring of 1823, the " Experi-
ment Pier/' built by the people of Black Rock the previous summer,
withstood the run of ice and high water, which was watched from the
river banks for days, by many people from both villages. This fact
caused some of the Canal Commissioners to express themselves still
further in favor of improvements in that harbor and the war of words
broke out with renewed activity. To-day the people of one village would
be elated over a supposed victory, through some actual or fancied
expression from the Commissioners, while to-morrow, perhaps, the rival
village would fire a salute over a rumored triumph for itsell. So strong
were the influences at work in favor of Black Rock, that as late as
the summer of i823,t the people of Buffalo were caused great anxiety,
through fears that their desired consummation would not be reached.
One phase of this apprehension is exhibited in the following copy of an
old subscription paper, the original of which is now in possession of Jno.
Wilkeson, Esq. :—
" Whereas, The late decision of the Canal Commissioners, termin-
ating the canal at Black Rock, upon the plan proposed by Peter B. Por-
ter, will be injurious to the commerce of Buffalo and, in a great measure,
deprive the inhabitants of the benefits of the canal — ^in order, therefore,
to open an uninterrupted canal navi^tion upon the margin of Nias^ara
river, on the plan proposed by David Thomas,:^ from the point where
the line established by him will intersect Porter's basin, to the point
where it is proposed to dam the arm of said riyer to Squaw Island, the
undersijgned agree to pay to Henry B. Lyman, the sums annexed to their
respective names, to be (or that purpose expended under the direction of
trustees to be appointed by the subscribers. The sums subscribed to be
paid in such monthly installments as the said directors shall think it
expedient and proper to direct, not exceeding 30 per cent, per month on
the amount subscribed ; no part, however, 01 any subscription is to be
called for until the expenditure of the whole shall be authorized by the
Canal Commissioners, upon the plans herein proposed.
"Dated, Buffalo, July 2, 1823.
* In the tnbseqaent report of the Canal Commissioners, they said : —
** It is important to have at that end a safe harbor, capable, without much expense, of safficient
enlaigement for the accommodation of all boats and vessels, that a very extensive trade may here-
after require to enter and exchange their lading there. The waters of Lake Erie ore higher at the
mouth of the Buffalo creek than they are at Bird Island, or at any point further down the Niagara,
and every inch gained in elevation will produce a large saving in tne expense of excavation througb-
ottt the Lake Erie level "
f According to Mr. Wilkeson's papers, before quoted, the final and formal decision of the Canal
Commissioners, that the canal should extend to Buffalo, was not given until their report of 1823.
t This plan was substantially the one finally adopted by the Commissioners.
Subscriptions to Build a Canal Extension. 95
" Joseph Dart; Jr., $150; Timothy Page, $100; Stephen Clarke, $100;
E. Hubbard, $150; J. A. Lazelle, $150; Moses Bristol, $100; R. W.
Haskins, $100 ; Geo. Stow, $30 ; Abner Bryant, $250 ; H. R. Se3'mour, $250 ;
G. &T. Weed, $250; Joseph Bull & Co., $150; Abraham Larzalere, $200;
Hiram Pratt, $200; J. Sweeney, $100 ; N. Darrow,* $25 ; Moses Baker, $200;
B. Fowler, $25 ; Robert Bush, $50 ; A. Palmer, $100; James Miller, $40; S.
Matthews, $100; Erastus Gilbert, $100; B. I. Staats, $50 ; Lucius Gould,
$100; J. E. Marshall, $100; Johnson & Wilkeson, $1,500; Townsend &
Coit, $1,000; R. B. Heacock, $1,000; E. C. Hickox, $500; Joseph Stock-
ing, $600 ; Sheldon Chapin & Co., $500 ; Burt & Goodrich, $500 ; Eben-
ezer Walden, $500; Jonathan Sid way, $500; Oliver Forward, $400;
Joseph D. Hoyt, $500 ; Royal Colton, $200 ; Ruxton & Hamilton, $100;
Henry Kip, $59: S. A. Fobes, $100; G. B, Webster, $2^0; William
Mason, $25 ; total, $11415/'
In addition to the above, Mr. Louis Le Couteulx gave one-half
acre of land ** bounded on the canal and extending to the highway."
The land subscribed by Mr. Le Couteulx was on outer lot No. i.
Most of the money subscribed on this paper was collected and, although
it probably did not become necessary as a means of extending the canal
to Bufialo, it may have been used in harbor improvements.
In connection with the anxiety in Buffalo, as to their prospects of
being benefitted through the terminus of the canal at Buffalo creek, a
petition was presented to the Canal Commissioners, July 23, 1823, by the
Buffalonians, asking, in substance, that simple justice be done them in
the premises, and a long editorial appeared in the Patriot about that
time, deploring the consequences to Buffalo, if the Commissioners con-
tinued to expend money upon the Black Rock harbor, to the neglect of
that at the mouth of the creek; the editor concluded, however, with
the assurance that Buffalo would surely outstrip its rival, no matter
what course was pursued by the Commissioners.
For a year or two previous to the time in question, and during the
agitation. Black Rock had grown faster than Bufialo ; but it reached the
zenith of its prosperity with the construction of its harbor improve-
ments ; its pier was gradually destroyed, a large part of it being carried
away in May, 1826, and hopes of the place becoming a commercial
port of importance died out-f
* Tlie only penon in the list of subscribers who is now living.
t During the speculative period of i835-'36, a project was developed by a number of citizens of
both Black Rock and Buffalo, which they expected would result in building a city at the former
place, and in consequent large profits through the sale of lands. One feature of the scheme was
the construction of a pier or dam extending from Bird Island to a point near the outer end of the
Buffalo pier. It was expected that this extension would make it possible for vessels to go down
there sit all times, would improve the Black Rock water-power and prevent the then existing basin
from falling up with sand and ice. Congress having already granted large appropriations for Blac^
Rock improvements, was to be further petitioned for aid in this work, rhe matter went so far thai
surveys and soundings were made in the summer of 1835. Against this scheme Buffalo at large
opened a determined opposition, in which Mr. Wilkeson took an active part ; a memorial was
drawn by him, addressed to Congress, contending that the existing dam at Black Rock bad greatly
96 History of Buffalo.
The following statement shows who constructed the principal canals
and basins in the city. The Erie basin was made by the State, a nominal
price being paid the owners ol the land occupied by it. The Ohio basin
was made by the State, as were also the canals leading from the river to
it and from it to the Hamburg canal. The Blackwell ship canal was
constructed by the city^ at the expense of the owners of «the lands
through which it runs. The Hamburg canal was commenced by the
owners of the lands through which it runs ; subsequently it was assumed
by the State as a portion of the Erie canal.
It was in the spring of 1822, that Millard Fillmore first came to
Buffalo to reside — a man who arose from obscurity and humble surround-
ings, to the highest position in the gift of his countrymen. Mr. Fillmore
had paid Buffalo a visit as early as 1818, but returned to finish his appren-
ticeship in the carding and cloth-dressing business at Newhope ; this
employment gave him opportunity to teach school and study during the
winters, which was fully improved. His father removed to Cayuga
county, and the following winter placed his son in the law office of Judge
Walter Wood. Young Fillmore purchased the last year of his appren-
ticeship, and in the spring of 1822, began teaching school in Buffalo. He
soon entered the law office of Asa Rice and Joseph Clary. In 1823, he
was admitted to practice in the Court of Common Pleas. He then opened
an office in East Aurora, where he continued in practice till May, 1830,
when he formed a partnership with Mr. Clary, in Buffalo. Mr. Fillmore
was first elected to the Assembly, in the fall of 1828, having been
admitted as attorney in the Supreme Court, the previous year. He was
elected to Congress in 1832, when but thirty- two years old, and served
there four successive terms. He relinquished law practice January i,
injured the Buffalo harbor, chiefly by causing a rise in the water level, and that the proposed work
would cause still greater injury, besides being a scheme intended to some extent to enrich its pro-
jectors. The dam was never built as proposed. At the same time, (January, 1836,) Mr. Wilkeson
and his friends procured the making of a map showing the proposed improvements in Buffalo har-
bor ; this map and accompanying address to the citizens of Buffalo, was published as an extra to the
IVhije^ and Journal. We quote briefly from the address : —
"Since much has been said for the past few weeks of the necessity of extending Buffalo harbor,
it may be interesting to some of you to examine the accompanying plan, by which our harbor room
can be increased to any desirable extent, by excavating slips and basins on ground now unproductive
to the owners, but which, by the earth excavated from the slips, may be raised above the floods and
made to furnish valuable sites for docks and warehouses. Should this plan be adopted, it will put at
rest forever, all apprehensions of want of room. * * * * Those on the south side of
Buffalo creek will be particularly adapted to the great Western and Canal business, and perhaps
exclusively used for such.' The proposed increase of room, by enlarging Clark & Skinner's canal,
and convening the basin on Little Buffalo creek, intended for canal boats, into one for large vessels,
will still leave this plan subject to enlargement to any extent which may comport with the interests
of the eastern portion of this citv. "
The address then reviewed the great benefits to be derived from the proposed improvements,
and urged the execution of the work upon the people and the Common Council. A comparison of
this map with Mr. Ball's map of 1825, and of both with the present city maps, gives a clear idea of
the condition of the harbor at the respective periods, and also indicates how nearly the proposed
improvements were finally carried out. Much of the harbor improvement indicated on the map of
1836, was made about the year 1840. The old maps referred to, accompany this volume.
98 History of Buffalo.
1848, and assumed the duties of Comptroller of the State. He declined
a re-nomination for Congress in 1842, and in 1848 was elected President
of the United States by the Whig party ; he was defeated for the same
office as the candidate of the " National American" party, in 1856. Mr.
Fillmore then retired to honorable private life in the city where he had
so long enjoyed the confidence of his fellow men ; he died March 8, 1874.
With the fact settled that Buffalo would be the terminus of the canal,
and the beginning of work on the western section, on the 9th of August,
1823, the village developed and grew with wonderful rapidity. On the
1 2th of July, the proud boast was made in one of the newspapers, that
there were twenty-nine vessels at her wharves at once. Real estate
changed hands at advanced prices, new buildings were erected, new ves-
sels added to the lake fleet, and when the opening of the canal was cele-
brated on the 26th of October, 1825, everything in and near Buffalo
betokened all the prosperity she has since realized. We have, fortunately,
in a pamphlet published in that year by S. Ball, a comprehensive and
clear description of the village as it then existed. It is as follows : —
" There are at present between 400 and 500 buildings, including dwell-
ing houses, stores and mechanics' shops ; and accoroing to the census
taken in January last, there were 2412 inhabitants, which is 317 more
than the whole township of Buffalo, including the village of Black Rock,
contained in the year 1820, according to the census then taken. Black
Rock now contains 1,039 inhabitants.
" Among the population there are four clergyman, seventeen attor-
neys, nine physicians, three printers, who give employment to ten hands,
two bookbinders, four do. ; four goldsmiths, three do. ; three tin and cop-
persmiths, sixteen do. ; seven blacksmiths, seventeen do. ; two cabinet
makers, ten do. ; three wheelwrights and coach builders, ten do , two
chair makers, five do. ; one cooper, three do. ; three hatters, eight do. ;
two tanners and curriers, nine do. ; five boot and shoe makers, thirty-five
do. ; two painters, five do. ; four tailors, twenty do. ; one manufacturer
of tobacco, two do. ; fifty-one carpenters and joiners, nineteen masons
and stone cutters, three butchers and one brush maker. * * , *
" There are twenty-six dry goods stores, thirty-six groceries, three
hat stores, seven clothing do.; four druggist do. ; one hardware do. ; six
shoe do. ; one looking glass do. ; three jewelry do. ; three printing offices,
two bookstores and binderies, eleven houses of public entertainment, one
rope walk; three tanneries, one brewery, one livery stable, eight store
houses, one custom house, one reading' room, one post office, one public
library, one masonic hall, and one theatre situated on lot No. 15, which
has been conducted during the past year with a very considerable degree
of ability. The public buildings consist of a brick court house, a very
handsome designed building, but remains unfinished, situated upon an
eminence on the east side of North Onondaga (Washington) street, front-
ing Cazenovia Avenue, (Court street) and is on the most commanding
f round in the village. A stone Gaol, standing on lot No. 185. A market
ouse situated at the head of Stadnitzka Avenue. The market is well
supplied as most country villages. * * * The Niagara bank is a large
bricK building, situated on North Onondaga, between Swan and Eagle
Buffalo in 1825. 99
streets. The Buffalo Insurance Office is a large, well-finished three-story
brick building, on lot No. 35, Willink Avenue. An Episcopal church,
built of wood, a eood sized and well-finished edifice, standing on lot 42.
A Presbyterian Meeting House, a very commodious building, situated
on lot 43. And a convenient Methodist Uhapel, on lot No. 83. There is one
Young Ladies* School, one Young Gentlemen's Academy, and four com-
mon schools. The lots Nos. 108, 109, 1 1 1 and 112, are occupied for a bury-
ing i^round. The space left blank in the plan is lands owned and reserved
bj Joseph Ellicott, Esq. There are five religious congregations, one
Episcopalian, one JPresbyterian, one Methodist, one Baptist and one Uni-
versalist. Among the societies and institutions, there are five religious,
two Masonic, one Library, one Banking and one Insurance. There are
four weekly newspapers, to-wit : — The Buffalo Patriot, established in
1 811; The Buffalo journal, established in 181 5; the Gospel Advocate,
established in 1823 ; the Buffalo Emporium, established in 1824."
After a detailed description of the harbor, light house and pier,
which it is unnecessary to quote, Mr. Ball continues : —
" The buildings in the vills^e are principally of wood, and not very
compact, with the exception of Willink avenue ; this street is filled up,
and is the most business part of the town. Van Staphorst avenue is
built upon much beyond the extent of the map accompanying this work,
and is the principle street that is traveled in passing from east to west
* * * The streets leading along the creeks, (which have not
yet been favored even with a Dutch name) may be seen in the summer
season, to exhibit a bustle and hurry of business, not unlike a seaport ;
* * these streets are well built, with extensive and commodious
warehouses, and capacious docks, where the shipping lies undisturbed
and in perfect safety."
Mr. Ball's pamphlet then records, among other evidences of growth
and prosperity in the village, the existence of six different mail routes
leading to and from the place, with nine regular lines of stages arriving
and leaving every day and the best and most ample accommodations for
travelers.*
The view for the accompanying engraving of Buffalo harbor from
Mr. Bair$ pamphlet was taken from the Terrace. The foreground
* In a letter fiom Hon. Gideon J. Ball to Mr. O. H. Marshall, written in 1876, it g:iyen a brief
account of Mr. S. Ball's production of the plates from wliich the map and the engraving of Buffalo
Haibor were printed, as follows : —
'* S. Ball was not an engraver— never claimed to be— but with a pencil he sketdied well and
cleverly. After the completion of his drawings, he corresponded with engravers in the city of New
Vork^ and to his surprise found their chaiges so high and the difficulties of distance so great, that
for a lime he was disposed to give ud his hobby. After reflection, he resolved to do the work him-
self. Copper was procured ; the plates were hammered to firmness, and by infinite rubbing, their
surfaces were finished so that they presented polished planes. Mr. Ball then set himself to the work
and by persevering effort, succeeded in transferring to the copper the pictures he had drawn."
The letter then recounts how Mr. Ball then carried his plates to the Office of the Patriot, expect-
ing to get them printed on an ordinary printing press. When this was found to be impossible, he
read up on the subject, learned that the work could be done only on a rdller press, and immediately
set about making one ; a section from a buttonwood tree was procured, two rollers turned and a bed
plate of iron provided. Ink suitable for the work then, had to be made, and when all was ready the
printing was done in a very creditable manner, when the circumstances are considered.
M
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I02 History of Buffalo.
exhibits the Erie canal, then in an unfinished state, from a point near
the line of Erie street to near the Little Buffalo creek, above the Com-
mercial street bridge ; thence the bed of the Little Buffalo creek to the
Big Buffalo creek. At the left is seen the point on which was after-
wards erected the warehouse of Joy & Webster. The small building
on the extreme left stood in Prime street. The next is the " old red
warehouse," which was occupied by Townsend & Coit ; and below it
two buildings standing in and near the foot of Commercial street.
Farther down the harbor is seen a cluster of small buildings, then stand,
ing on the Johnson & Wilkeson lot. Next and near the center is the
warehouse then occupied by Hiram Pratt and Asa B. Meech. The
next and last building on the right, was the- small warehouse used by
S. Thompson & Co. Between the canal and the buildings is an open
field. It seems scarcely credible to the present resident of Buffalo that
this is a correct representation of the harbor and its surroundings less
than sixty years ago.
Of the period from the year 1825, to the incorporation of Buffalo as
a city, in 1832, we have only further to note that it was one of prosperity
and gradual advancement. Trade, manufactures, commerce and all
material interests were developed, and building in the village was
encouragingly extended. The lake and canal fleets were greatly enlarged
and were sources of a commerce which added to the general business
activity of the place. The Government, after years of vexatious delay,
repaid to some extent, the losses occasioned by the war, and a general
feeling prevailed th^t Buffalo had started upon an era of growth that
nothing could retard. This feeling was strengthened by a more liberal
policy which was adopted at that time by the Holland Land Company in
the sale of their lands, and towards those previous purchasers who were
indebted to the Company, and were unable to pay. Many such obliga-
tions were remitted ; for others, wheat, cattle, and other products were
taken in liquidation, and easy terms were offered to new purchasers.
Previous to the period in question, the Company had done very little for
the advancement of Buffalo in any respect.
During the fall of 1826, the subject of a National road between
Buffalo and the cit}* of Washington, was agitated, and the leading citizens
took a lively interest in the matter. A survey had been previously
ordered by the Secretary of War, and a meeting of the citizens of the
village was held at the Mansion House, on the 26th of October, at which
a resolution was passed that a petition be addressed to Congress, asking
that the work be forwarded. The village trustees were made a corre-
sponding committee on the subject.
A company from which much was expected, was incorporated in
1827 — the Buffalo Hydraulic Company; its capital was $25,000. In
October of that year the company partially completed and opened their
Jubilee Water Works— Early Fires. 103
canal from a branch of Big Buffalo creek, into Little Buffalo creek, near
the city limits ; this canal was nearly four miles long, and furnished a
head of sixteen feet. A saw-mill, grist-mill, woolen factory, hat body
factory, last factory, and a brewery, were built, which were operated
for some years, and quite a settlement grew up in that vicinity. The
spread of the city necessitated the subsequent filling up of the canal.
On the occasion of the opening of the canal, November i, 1827, the
company furnished the citizens with a big dinner at " Howard & Shaw's
inn ; a roasted ox, cider, whisky and other articles in abundance," were
enjoyed.
On the fourth of July, 1826, the Jubilee Water Works Company
began operations for the purpose of supplying the village with water
from the Jubilee Springs, "a fountain of pure water, on6 and one-half
miles from Black Rock." Pump logs were laid from the spring to Black
Rock, during that season. In the winter of 1827, the company was
incorporated, and contemplated continuing their conduits to Buffalo.
This was finally done in 1829, the logs being laid down Main street to the
canal basin. The rates charged were seven dollars for families, and five
dollars for stores and offices.*
During the period under consideration the village suffered severely
from fires, much loss being entailed through the lack of sufficient
extinguishing apparatus. Early in. the morning of November 14, 1829^
eleven stores were burned on the west side of Main street, causing a
loss of over $25,000. On the 15th of December, 1831, the "Kremlin
comer" was burned, with a loss of over $20,000. November 14, 1832,
occurred one of the most disastrous conflagrations in the history of the
city, destroying several squares of buildings in the heart of the city, on
Main, East and West Seneca, Pearl and Washington streets, and causing
a loss of nearly $200,000.
In September, 1830, a humorously inclined person wrote to the
editor of one of the local papers an amusing letter asking that the
streets of the village be properly named and numbered. The old Dutch
names of the principal streets had been changed in 1825, but they still
caused some confusion, while no numbers had yet been used on any of
the streets. By a resolution of the village fathers in March, 1831, the
numbering, as far as it then extended, was directed to be made on
substantially the same plan now in use.
The first directory of the village was published July i, 1832, by L. P.
Crary, an auctioneer in the place ; it was printed by Day, Follet & Has-
kins. The entire bpok contained less than sixty pages, thirty of which
only were filled with names. The colored residents were placed under
a separate heading.
* This cbmpftDy is still in existence, and further reference to it will be found in a subsequent
chapter.
I04 History of Buffalo.
A village census in 1830 showed a population of 8,653, upon which
congratulations were exchanged that it had quadrupled in the preceding
ten years.
About the ist of February, [832, the harbor was further extended
by the construction of a ship canal eighty feet wide and thirteen feet
deep, from the harbor near the outlet of the creek, across to the Eric
canal, about 700 yards ; and a smaller canal beginning at Big Buffalo
creek and extending to Little Buffalo creek. Five hundred men were
employed upon the work.
The growth and general activity of the village at this period is
indicated in some measure by the great number of propositions and
applications for the opening and extension of streets and improving those
already open, that were before the Common Council the ist of July,
1832. These were in part, as follows: —
" Extension of Delaware and Franklin streets from their terminations
to the northern bounds of the city. Opening Martin street from Big
Buffalo creek to Seneca street. Opening Beaver street from Main to
Martin street. Lay out and open Washington street from present
terminus to Charles Townsend s line. Open and work Crow street.
Open an alley from Washingfton eastward between Crow and Seneca,
Grade and travel the south side of Genesee street from Spruce to Main.
Grade Washington from Swan street to the court house. Grade Pearl
street from Huron to Chippewa streets. Grade Main and Canal streets,
from the Terrace to Big Buffalo creek."
These improvements and extensions were rapidly followed by others
at almost every meeting of the Council ; but to give the reader a just
appreciation of this rapid advancement, it is our duty to record the fact
that the enforcement of the ordinance prohibiting the running of cows
in the streets of the city was, upon motion of a member of the Council,
postponed to January i, 1833.
Towards the last of the year 1831 the inadequacy of the village char-
ter for the satisfactory government of the growing community, became
apparent to the ofiBcials, and doubtless to the inhabitants. Agitation of
the matter resulted in a meeting which was held about the middle of
December of that year, at which was appointed a committee charged with
the important work of drawing a new charter or amending the old one.
This committee consisted of Charles Townsend, B. D. Coe, Ebenezer
Walden, H.White, Millard Fillmore, J. Clary, H. Shumway, R. W. Has-
kins, P. A. Barker, B. Caryl, G. B. Webster, Samuel Wilkeson, D, Tilling,
hast, J. Stryker, W. Hollister, J. W. Clark, W. Ketchum and M. Baker.
After proper consideration of the subject, the committee unanimously
recommended that application be made to the Legislature for an act of
incorporation for the City of Buffalo. The act was accordingly drawn,
and no opposition being made, it became a law April 20, 1832. The city
was then divided into five wards, the boundaries of which are indicated
on the accompanying map, and contained about 10,000 population.
io6 History of Buffalo.
We cannot more appropriately or entertainingly close this chapter,
than by quoting from the address of E. C. Sprague, Esq., delivered at
the semi-centennial of the incorporation of the city, Julj" 3d, 1882, in
which he thus pleasantly alluded to the infant city : —
" It was a little city erected upon the substance of things hoped for
rather than of things seen. It contained a few scattered brick buildings
and perhaps twenty handsome dwellings mostly of wood ; but the bulk
of the city consisted of frame houses, generally from one to two stories
high, even on Main street. The ridge of land running from Exchange,
then known as Crow street, northerly, lifted Main, Franklin and EUicott
and the intermediate streets out of the bottomless mud east of EUicott
street, and the miry clay which, west of FrankUn street, absorbed in its
adhesive depths the wheels of wap^ons and the boots of pedestrians.
Niagara street, crossed and hollowed by running streams, was sometimes
impassable to man or beast. Extending from the corner of Main street and
the Terrace westerly around to Court street was a high bluff, down which
the boys coasted through Main and Commercial streets. The streets
were unpaved and the darkness of Main street was made visible by a few
oil lamps. But all the people knew each other, even in the dark, and
congregated at the Eagle Tavern, the Mansion House, the Buffalo Hotel,
and Perry's Coffee House, and, on pleasant days, in Main street on the
various corners from Court to Seneca streets, cracking jokes and discuss-
ing politics. ♦ ♦ ♦ The daily street costumes of some of our leading
citizens, in 1832, was a black or blue dress coat, with costly gilt buttons, a
voluminous white cravat, a ruffled shirt, accompanied by the ' nice con-
duct ' of a gold-headed cane. Main street presented a picturesque variety^
includine elegantly dressed gentlemen and ladies, blanketed and moc-
casined Indians, and emigrants in the strange costumes of foreic'n lands.
Most of the business was done upon the west side of Main street, oetween
Mohawk and Exchange. Mayor Johnson's stone cottage, now occupied
by the Female Academy, stood in soUtary state on Delaware Avenue,
which was devoted for the most part to lumber yards and soap factories.
The dwellings north of Mohawk street were few and far between. It was
considered a long walk to Chippewa street, and a hardship to walk as far
as Tupper street.
"It appears by the Directory of 1832 that the city contained six
churches, eight 'institutions,' includinc^ some debating societies, two
banks, an insurance company, and a library of ' nearly 7oo volumes.'
I have looked in vain for the record of a single charitable association.
There were sixteen public and private schools in the city, but the
scholars in them all would not equal those attending one or two of
the great schools of the present day. Sixty mails a week during the
winter and eighty-eight during the season of navigation were ' received,
made-up and dispatched at the post office.' Of the amount of property
shipped from this port it is stated that no certain information can be
obtained, but we are informed that there were ' ten store-houses for the
transaction of lake and canal business.* Even then, however, the steam-
boats on the lakes, though few in number, were among the best in the
country, and were crowded with passengers, who had arrived from
Albany on the canal, and were seeking a home in Ohio and Michigan.
" There were some forty manufacturing establishments in the city,
perhaps altogether not equaling in capital and men employed, one of
the great establishments of the present day."
Purchasers of Lots of Original Survey. 107
The following list gives the number and date of sale by deed* of all
the lots in the original survey of New Amsterdam, or Buffalo, by the
Holland Land Company, with the name of the purchaser of each lot : —
Inner Lot No. i, Zerah Phelps, September 11, 1806.
2, Samuel Pratt, April 20, 1807.
3, William Johnston, October 27, 1804.
4, Jane Eliza Lecouteulx, July 28, 1815.
5, Richard M. Green, February i, 1805.
6, Vincent Grant. July 8, 1808.
7, Samuel Tupper, August 28, 1805.
8, Oliver Forward, May 24, 18 13.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
^0.
do
No,
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
9, Asahel Adkins, September c, 1806.
io» John MuUett, November 10, 1812.
11, John Landis, October 10, 181 1.
12, and 13, Ebenezer Walden, September i, i8ia
14, and 15, James W. Stevens, September 10, 1810.
16, David E. Evans, April 2, 18 10.
17, Oziel Smith, December 18, 1809.
18, William Wood, May 23, 1815.
I9f John Gilbert, February 21, 1816.
20, Joseph Stocking, August 28, 1826.
21, Aaron Brink, January 10, 18 11.
22, Asa Coltrain, May 25, 1814.
23, Oliver and Susan White, May 7, 1829.
24, Moses Baker, May 8, 1826.
25, Elias Ransom, April 23, 1813.
26, Moses Baker, August 23, 1833.
27, Jonathan Sid way, January 3, 1826.
28, Charles Davis, April 8, 1830.
29, Silas A. Forbes, April 16, 1831.
30, William Johnston, August 15, 1804.
31, Erastus Granger, July 31, 1805.
32, William Johnston, October 27, 1804.
33, Birdsey Norton, October 7, 1807.
34, Nathaniel Norton, July 15, 1806.
35, James McMahan, Mav 17, 1823.
36, Samuel McConnell, May 19, 1813.
37, John EUtcott, May 6, 181 1.
38, Abel M. Grosvenor, May 30, 18 12.
39i Samuel Pratt, Jr., November 17, i8io.
40, Cyrenius Chapin, January 17, 18 10.
41, Eli Hart, September i, 18 10.
42, St. Paul's Church, June 14, 182a
43, First Presbyterian Society, December 12, 1820.
44, and 45, WiUiam Peacock, June 2, i8ia
46, Elijah Leech, November 10, 18 12.
47, John Haddock, April 29, 18 14.
48, Letitia EUicott, May 6, 181 1.
49, Juba Storrs, January 10, 181 1.
50, Bennett Stillman, January 16, 181 1.
51, Benjamin EUicott. May 6, 181 1.
*Piom KeCchum't " History of Buffalo and the Senecas.'*
io8 History of Buffalo.
Inner Lot No. 52, Joseph Ellicott, May 6, 181 1.
do No. 53, Gamaliel St. John, Januar}' 24, 1810.
do No. 54, Otis R. Hopkins, April 22, 18 14.
do No. 55, James Miller, October 25, 1824.
do No. 56, (part of,) William Wood, June 20, 18 16.
do No. " •' Elihu Pease, May 7, 1818.
do No. " " Lester Brace, May 8, 18 18.
do No. " " Seth Grosvenor, April 24, 181 8.
do No. " " Oilman Folsom. May 28, 1817.
do N(5. 57, David Burt, November 20, 1830, Ac, Ac.
do No. 58, Moses Baker, January i, 1822.
do No. 59, William J. Wood, May 22, 1823.
do No. 58, and 59, James Chapin, August $, 181 1.
do No. 60, Elias Ransom, June 14, 181 1.
do No. 61, Asa Fox, December 18, 1813.
do No. 62, Reuben B. Heacock, November 13, 181 3.
do No. 63, Ebenezer Johnson, April 25, 18 14.
do No. 64, Henry Roop, August 29, 1831.
do No. 65, 66, 67 and 68, Benjamin Ellicott, April 2, 1810.
do No. 69, Smith H. Salisbury, September 16, 1812.
do No. 70, R. B. Heacock, December 27, 1821.
do No. 71, Seth Grosvenor, April 21, 18 18.
do No. 72, Oliver Forward, December 18, 1813.
do No. 73, Benjamin Haines, Auerust 19, 181 5.
do No. 74, Nathan Dudley, March 29, 181 5.
do No. 75, Oilman Folsom, April 2, 1814.
do No. 76, Cyrenius Chapin, March 8, 181 1.
do No. JT, Walter P. Groesbeck, May 20, 1813.
do No. 78, David Burt and G. H. Goodrich, June 24, 1823.
do No. 79, Levi Strong, April 16, 1810.
do No, 80, George Keith, April 17, 1810.
do No. 81, William Baird, May 16, 1814.
do No. 82, Nathaniel Vosburgh, October 16, 1824.
do No. 83, Trustees M. E. Church, October 15, 1821.
do No. 84, Sylvester Mathews, January 20, 1830.
do No. 85, and part of 86, S. H. Salisbury, March 20, 1820.
do No. 85 and 86, (part of,^ P. Bennett, February 6, 1826.
do No. 85 and 86, (part of,) Erastus Gilbert, February 5, 1826.
do No. 85 and 86, (part of,) Miles P. Squier, July 13, 1825.
do No. 87 and 88, A. H. Tracy and John Lay, Jr., Dec, 28, 1829*
do No. 89, (part of,) Georg^e R. Babcock, Novejnber 16, 1830.
do No. 89,
do No. 90,
do No. 90,
do No. 91,
do No. 9I1
10, 1835.
C.I
Archibald S. Clark, September 20, 18 19.
Barent I. Staats, January 5, 1830.
Piatt & Clary, September 27, 1829.
Sylvester Cnamberlin, April 26, 1826,
Moses Baker, November 17, 1825, and June
do No. 92, Thomas C. Love, January 20, 1823.
do No. 93, First Baptist Society, January 17, 1822.
do No. 94, fpart of,) Denison Lathrop, July 2, 1823.
do No. 94, (part of,) Walter M. Seymour, January 5, 1827.
do No. 95 and 96, Ebenezer Johnson, December 20, i«25.
do No. 97, 98 and 99, G. H. Goodrich, June 6, 1829.
Purchasers of Lots of Original Survey.
109
Inner Lot
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
Fo.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
00 and loi, Ebenezer Johnson, August 9, 1824.
02 and 103, David E. Evans, April 5, 181 1.
04, Jesse Bivens, September 25, 1813.
05, Gilnian Folsom, April 24, 1818.
06, Oliver Newbury, December 13, 1825.
07, Sally GroosbecK, August 27. 1829.
07, (part of,) Charles T. Hicks, January 7, 1825.
08 and 109, quit-claim to Trustees Bu£Falo village, Sep-
tember 20, 1821, and to city, January 2, 1833.
10, Amos Callender, December 19, 1816.
II and 112, Trustees Buffalo village, September 20,
1 82 1, city of Buffalo, January 2, 1833.
13, (part of,^ Stephen K. Grosvenor, April 21, 181 8.
13, (part of,) George W. Fox, January 20, 181 7,
14, E. Johnson anaS. Wilkeson, January 18, 1825
15, (part of,^ William Keane, June 8, 1826.
15, (part of,j S. G. Austin, January 3, 1828.
16, Henry Lake, December 26, 1809.
17, R. B. Heacock, May 14, 1814.
18, John B. Stone, August 8, 1827.
19, E. Johnson and S. Wilkeson, December 20, 1825.
20, (jwat oi,) Albert H. Tracy, September 9, 1828.
20, mart of,jl Daniel Bristol, September 9, 1828.
21, Joseph Clary, September 28, 1825.
22, George Stow, April 26, 1826.
23, James Demarest, February 22, 183a
24, John Lay, Jr., September i, 1825.
25 and 126, Ezekiel Folsom, September 12, 1829.
27, Ebenezer Johnson, July 28, 1826.
28, Ebenezer Johnson, November 5, 1829.
29, Jonathan Sidway, November 11, 1828.
30, 131 and 132, Thomas C. Love and Henry H. Sizer,
July I, 1828.
33, (part of.) William Williams, September 10, 1831.
33, ^rt of,) Roswell Chapin, October 30, 1830.
34, 135, 136, 137, and 138, Ebenezer Johnson and Samuel
Wilkeson, January 18, 1825.
39, Samuel Wilkeson, December 17, 1825.
40. (part of,^ Moses Ferrin, September 14, 1825.
40, (part of,). Samuel Wilkeson, September 14, 1835.
41 Stttd 142, Jonathan Sidway, January 3, 1826.
43, Guy H. Goodrich, February.22, 1830.
44 and 145, Belinda Lathrop, April 16, 1825.
46, Elisabeth A. Barnes, August 20, 1830.
47 and 148, Christopher and John D. Woolf, March
26, 1826.
49, 150 and 151, Emanuel Winter, June 12, 18 12.
52, 153 and 154, Jeremiah Staats, February 4, 1833.
55, Barent L Staats, March 12, 1829.
56 and IS7, Myndert M. Dox, January 5, 1825.
58, Ontario Insurance Company, June 22, 1825.
59, William Keane, September 14, 1827.
60 and 161, Jonathan Sidway, November 11, 1828.
no History of Buffalo.
Inner Lot No. 162, Stephen G. Austin, September 13, 1830,
do No. 163, Walter M. Seymour, January 5, 1827.
do No. 164 and 165, John C. Lord and liiram Pratt, October 12,
1829.
do No. 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174 and 175, Peter
Huydekoper, August 8, 1825.
do No. 176, David Reese, June 21, 1808.
do No. 177, Joseph D. Hoyt, June 21, 181 5.
do No. 178, Moses Bristol, January 14, 1825.
do No. 179, (part oD Theodore Cobum, January 13, 1832.
do No. 179, (part of,) J. and J. Townsend, January 13, 1830,
do No. 180, Samuel Bell, December 23, 1819.
do No. 181, William Keane, July 8, 181 5.
do No. 182, Nathaniel Wil^us, September i, 1831.
do No. 183, Ebenezer Walden, December o, 1830.
do No. 184 and 185, Supervisors Niagara County, November 21,
i8ia
do No. 186, Horace Griffin, February 27, 1826.
do No. 187, Noyes Darrow, January 26, 1832.
do No. 188, H. J. Redfield, March 31, 1843.
do No. 189 and 190, Jonas Harrison, March 16, 1814.
do No. 191 and 192, Jonas Harrison, May ii> 1819.
do No. 193 and 194, Townsend & Coit, December 11, 1816.
do No. 195 and 196, John E. Marshall, April 12, 1816.
do No. 197, Seth Grosvenor, November 10, 181 8.
do No. 198, Gilman Folsom, Jr., July 22, 1830.
do No. 199, Caleb Gillett, August 31, 1825.
do Nb. 200, fpart of,^ Gilman Folsom, Jr., January 22, 1828.
do No. 200, rpart of,) Richard E. Sill, January 22, 1828.
do No. 201, Denison Lathrop, November 3, 1825.
do No. 202 and 203, M. A. Andrews, July 26, 1828.
do No. 204, Eton Galusha, June 21, 1824.
do No. 203, Henry M. Sizer, Juhr 16, 1833.
do No. 206, Tpart of,) Elijah D. Efner, November 2, 1822.
do No. 206, (part of,) Elias Hubbard, November 2, 1822.
do No. 207, E. Johnson and S. Wilkeson, January 18, 1825.
do No. 208, E. Johnson and S. Wilkeson, July i, 1824.
do No. 209, John A. Lazell, January 27, 1826.
do No. 210 and 211, E. Johnson and S. Wilkeson, January 18,
1825.
do No. 212, Abner Bryant, January 27, 1826.
do No. 213, Jonathan Sid way, January 31, 1822.
do No. 214, Elias Hubbard, August 19, 1825.
do No. 215, Thomas Coatsworth, June 30, 1823.
do No. 2i6, Ira A. Blossom, May 16, 1827.
Water Lot No. 5, Abraham Larzelere, November 18, 1823.
do No. 6, Samuel Barber, October 13, 1823.
do No. 7, 8 and 9, (part of,) Charles Townsend and George
Coit, September 26, 1823.
do No 9. (part of,) Charles Townsend, George Coit, S, Wilke-
son and E. Johnson, September 26, 1823.
do No. 10, S. Wilkeson and E. Johnson, November i, 1823.
do No. II, Jonathan Sidway, April 23, 1824.
Purchasers of Lots of Original Survey.
Ill
13, Hiram Pratt, September 24, 1823.
14, Elisha C. Hickox, September 24, 1823.
15 and 16, S. Thompson, H. Thompson and J. L. Barton,
December 2, 1823.
17, G. B. Webster, February 18, 1824.
18, 19 and 20, Samuel Wilkeson, May 8, 1828.
I, Ix>uis LeCouteulx, December 6, 1821.
2 and 3, Benjamin Ellicott, April 2, 18 10.
4, Joshua Gillett, September i, 1810.
7, 8, 9 and 10, William Peacock, April 2, i8io,
11, David E. Evans and J. Ellicott, Jr., September 21,
1821.
12, Asa Coltrin, May 25, 18 14,
13, David E. Evans and J. Ellicott. Jr., September 2t,
1821.^
14, Asa Coltrin, May 25, 18 14.
15 and 16 David E. Evans and J. Ellicott, Jr., Septem-
ber 21, 1821.
17, Henry Ketchum, June 18, 181 2.
18, Stephen Stillman, February 15, 181 1.
19, E. Ensien, July 8. 18 13.
20, C. R. Sharp. May 10, 1816.
21, Samuel Tupper,'May 5, 1812.
22, " " June 21, 1815.
23 and 24, Juba Storrs, Januarv 30, 181 1.
25, Louis LeCouteulx, November 22, 181 5.
26, John White, April 7, 18 10.
27, John B. Ellicott, Jr., and David E. Evans, September
21, 1821.
28, Sylvester Mathews, October 5, 1825.
29, Ebenezer Johnson, August 9, 1824.
30, " " November 14, 1814.
31, John Desparr, April 20, 1807. t
32, Gilman Folsom, September 28, 1829.
33, Jabez Gpodell, April 23, 1830.
34, Thomas Day, April 23, 1830.
35, Louis LeCouteulx, May 11, 1816.
36, (part of) Joseph and Benjamin Ellicott, Feb. 29, 1812.
36, " United States, September 29, 1819.
37, •' Joseph and Benjamin Ellicott, Feb. 19, 1812.
37, " Horatio J. Stow, July 16, 1844.
38, 3p, 40, and part of 41, Joseph and Benjamin Ellicott,
February 29, 1812.
41 and 42, (part of,) Letitia M. Bliss, June 14, 1837.
42, (part of,) 43, 44, 45 and 46, Joseph and Benjamin Elli-
cott, February 29, 1812.
47, 48, 49 and 50, Elijah Leech, July 19, 181 ^
52, Jonathan Sid way, November 11, 1828.
53, Hiram Pratt, December i, 1830.
54, " " April II, 1833.
55 and 56, Joseph Ellicott, February 28, 181 1.
57, (part of,) Jonathan Sidwa}^, November 11, 1828.
'• * Sherwood & White, September 29, 1829.
Water Lot No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
Outer Lot No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No,
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No,
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
do
No.
112 History of Buftalo.
Outer Lot No. 58, Theodore Cobum, November 27, 1826.
do No. 59, (part of,) George Stow, December 29, 1825.
do No. 59, " Heman B. Potter, September 27, 1827.
do No. 60, 61,62 and 63, Joseph D. Hoy t, December 26, 1825.
do No. 64, Elijah D. Efner, December 21, 1821.
do No. 65, Stephen Clark, March 9, 1832.
do No. 66 and 67, Thomas Coatsworth, August 25, 1830.
do No. 68, Martin Daley, November 29, 1830.
do No. 69, C. Tappan and J. Mansfield, November 27, 1829.
do No. 70, Stephen Champlin, May 23, 1825.
do No. 71 aiid 72, Robert Pomeroy, April 6, 1820.
do No. 73, Hiram Hanchett, June 9, 1810.
do No. 74,. Elijah Leech, December 23, 1808.
do No. 75, Ebenezer Walden, Novenitrer 26, 18 17.
do No. 76 and jj^ Zenas Barker, August i, 1814.
do No. 78, Vincent Grant, July 21, 1807.
do No. 79 and 80, William Grant, July 8, 1808.
do No. 81 and 82, J. M. Landon. July"28, 1825.
do No. 83, Jane E. LeCoiiteulx, July 28, 1825.
do No. 84, Isaac Davis, January 29, 18 14.
do No- 85, William Johnston, February '5, 1804.
do No. 86, Hydraulic Association, November 2t, 1827.
do No, 87, Amasa Ransom, November 20, 1824.
do No. 88 and 89, Apollos Hitchcock, December 6, 1809-
do No. 90, 91 and 92, Erastus Granger, December 31, 1809,
do No. 93, William Johnston, October 27, 1804.
do No. 94 and 95, R. B. Heacock, December 15, 1826.
do No. 96, Townsend & Coit, May 31, 181 3.
do No. 97 and 98, Noah Folsom, January 12, 1825.
do No. 99, 100, loi, 102 and 103, Samuel Pratt, June 7, 1813.
do No. 104, Joseph EUicott, October 2, 18 10.
do No. los, Hiram Pratt, July 21, 1829.
do No. 106, Silas A. Fobes, April 16, 1831.
do No. 107, Noyes Barrow, January 13, 1830.
do No. 108, (part of,) Nathaniel Vosburgh, December ii, 1829.
do No. io8 and 109, (part of,) John Lay, Jr., July 27, 1827.
do No. 109, (part ofj Ebenezer Walden, April 4, 1828.
do No. no, David E. Evans, September 10, 1821.
do No, III, " " April 5, 181 1.
do No. 112, Joseph Stocking and Joseph Dart, September 8, 1829.
do No. 113 and 114, G. H. Goodrich, October 19, 1830.
do No. 115, E. A. Biffelow, November 30, 1827.
do No. 116, James W. Stevens, April 2, 18 10.
do No. 117, Heman B. Potter, May 18, 181 5.
do No. 118, David E. Evans, April 5, 181 1.
do No. 119, Isaac Davis, October 9, 1812.
do No. 120 and 121, M. A. Andrews, July 28, 1831.
do No. 122, (part of) Walter M. Seymoui, January 5, 1827.
do No. 122, " Jonas Harrison, May 17, 1814.
do No. 123, " Ira A. Blossom, June 30th, 1828.
do No. 123, " Oziel Smith, June 26, 181^5.
do No. 124, Oziel Sinith, February 26th, 181 3.
do No. 125, (part of,) William Williams, April 13th, 1830.
First City Officers. 113
Outer Lot No. 125, (part of,) Ira A. Blossom, June 30th, 1828.
do No. 126, Isaac Davis, October pth, 1812.
do No. 127, 128, 129, and 130, M. A. Andrews, July 28th, 1831.
do No. 131 and 132, M. A. Andrews, March 19th, 1828.
do No. 133 and 134, James Rough, October 9th, 1812.
do No. 135, JabezGoodcll, November nth, 1834.
do No. 136, " " June 14th, 1817.
do No. 137, " " July 22d, 1825.
do No. 138, Jas. and Henry Campbell, June 22d, 1815.
do No. 139, Eli Hart, April ist, 181 5.
do No. 140, Amos Teft, October 23d, 181 5.
do No. 141, Matilda Sharp, July 26th, 18 14.
do No. 142, Philo Andrews, April i6th, 1810.
do No. 143, Henry Lake, March i6th, 18 10.
do No. 144, Samuel Helm, December 22d, 1809.
do No. 145, Jabez Goodell, April 8th, 18 16.
do No. 146, " " July 22d, 1825.
do No. 147, " " December 1st, 1823.
do No. 148, Silas A. Fobes, November 8th, 1834.
do No. 149, James Sweeney, Aufi^ust 23d, 1825.
do No. 150 and 151, Walter M. Seymour, December ist, 1827.
CHAPTER IV.
BUFFALO AS A CITY.
Rnt Election of City Officen— The Cholera Epidemic of 1832— Incidents of the Scouise— The
Bomrd of Health and '* the Old Sexton" — First Meeting of the Board of Aldermen — The
Ptaiic of i835-'36 — The City in X836— The Patriot War ~ Death of Dr. Chapin — Reor-
ganizatioa of the School System — Establishment of .a Recorder's Court and the Superior
Court — The Great Flood of 1844 — The " UoiTenity of Buffalo " — The Cholera Epidemic
of 2849^ Enlargement of the City in 1853 — The Financial Crisis of 1857 ~- The War of
the Rebellion — Comparison of the City of 1862 with that of 1836— The Park System—
City Impforements.
THE preceding chapter finished the history of Buffalo as a village
and noted the first step In its existence as a city under the roost
auspicious prospects. The first election of city officers was held
May 28th, 1832, resulting as follows: —
Mayor — Ebenezer Johnson.*
Clerk — Dyre Tillinghast.
Treasurer — Henry It. Seymour.
Attorney — George P. Barker.
Surveyor — J. J. Baldwin.
Street Commissioner — Edward Baldwin.
Chief Engineer Fire Department — Isaac S. Smith:
• Eheneser Johnson died at Tellico Plains, Tenn., Febmaiy 8th. 1840, aged 81 years.
114 History of Buffalo.
ALDERMEN.
First Ward — Isaac S. Smith, Joseph W. Brown.
Second Ward-^Jno. G. Camp, Henry Root.
TAird IVard—T)2Lvid M. Day, Ira A. Blossom.
Fourth fVard— Henry White, Major A. Andrews.
Fi/tA Ward— Ehcnczer Walden, Thos. C. Love.
The boundaries* of the five city wards as established by the charter,
were as follows : —
'* First Ward— All that part of the city which lies south and east of
the following lines, viz., begmning at a point in said reservation, where
a line drawn through the center of Excnange street, would strike said
reservation ; thence along said line to the center of Exchange street ;
thence proceeding westwardly along the center of said street to Caze-
novia Terrace; thence to tne center of Cazenovia Terrace; thence
westwardly and northerly alone the center of said Terrace to the center
of Erie street ; thence along the center of Erie street to the center of
Erie canal ; thence along the center of the canal to the west bounds of
York street ; thence down the west bounds of York street to Lake Erie;
thence due west to the State line.
*' Second Ward— All that part which lies east of the center of Main
street, and north of the center of Exchange street, and north of a line
drawn through the center of Exchange street to the said reservation,
and south of the center of Eagle street, and south of a line to be drawn
in continuation of the north line of Eagle street, to the Buffalo creek
reservation.
" TAird Ward— All that part of the city lying westerly of the center
of Main street and northeasterly of the bounds of the First Ward, and
southeasterly of the northwesterly bounds of said York street, and southr
westerly of the center of Niagara street.
" FourtA Ward— All the residue of said city, lying east of the
center of Main street, and north of the center of Eagle street.
" Fi/tA Ward— All the residue of said city, lying west of the center
of Main street, and northeasterly of the center of Niagara street."
Early in the summer of 1832 an unwelcome visitor made its appear-
ance in the city, leaving sorrow in its track and producing a marked
and depressing effect upon all kinds of business enterprise ; this was the
terrible and fatal scourge, the Asiatic cholera, which swept over the
entire country during that year. Although Buffalo suffered less from
the epidemic than many of her sister cities, probably on account of
efficient work by her new Board of Health and her healthful surround-
ings, still the dreaded and mysterious destroyer crossed hundreds of
thresholds in the young city leaving mourning and dismay in many
households. In midsummer during a portion of July and August, there
were one hundred and eight-four cases in Buffalo, eighty of which
proved fatal. A brick building on Niagara street was taken for a
hospital. In July it was deemed necessary to close the '' public burying
* These boundaries were greatly changed when the corporation was enlarged in 1853, ^ shown
by comparison of the map of the city previous to that date, (printed herein) and the present-city
map.
The Cholera Et'iDEinic of 1832. 115
ground/' (which embraced the present site of the crty and county
building). This was done, and nine acres purchased near " the north-
east bounds of the city/' on farm lot No. 30 ; a portion of this was set
apart for the Catholics. Daily bulletins were issued by the Board of
Health, showing that during the summer the new cases of the disease
daily ranged from one to ten. The Board of Health consisted of Pr.
Ebenezer Johnson, (the Mayor), Lewis F. Allen, and Roswell W. Has-
kins. Dr. Marshall was city physician, and Loren Pierce was city
undertaker. Mr. Allen still lives in Buffalo and vividly recollects the
general feeling of fear and anxiety which pervaded all classes during
that season ; the venerable gentleman also relates some ghastly anec-
dotes of the experiences of himself and his brother officials, while in the
discharge of their duties. Mr. Haskins was a nervous man, impulsive
and quick in action, while Mr. Pierce was his opposite in temperament,
quiet and methodiod, doing his gloomy duty by the dead with a grim
composure that was admirable, if not almost amusing. One night, Mr.
Allen had retired at his home on Main street, worn out with his unusual
labors, when a terrific thunderstorm arose. Near midnight he was
awakened by a rapping at his window. Going to his door he met Mr.
Kerce. The storm was at its height ; the lightning flashed across the
heavens and thunder rolled almost continuously. The appearance of
the undertaker at such an hour on such a night, awakened in Mr. Allen's
nEHnd apprehensions of some new calamity.
" For heaven's sake, Pierce/' he exclaimed, *• what is the matter ?
Is there any new trouble ? "
'' No, nothing new," replied the tranquil undertaker ; ** I have six
bodies in the wagon out here, on my way to the grave-yard, and I
thought I would call and tell you that everything is all right."
** And have you called me up on such a night as this, only to tell me
that you are taking six bodies to the grave-yard in a storm that threatens
to drown the city ? You don't mean to say that you are alone ?"
'' O, no," replied Pierce, " Black Tony is out there holding the horses ;
I guess we can manage it," and off into the storm and darkness went the
faithful man, with his solitary assistant, to bury his harvest of the dead.
It was, doubtless, an all night task, yet Mr. Pierce* was at his post in
the meeting of the Board at eight o'clock the next morning, placid and
deliberate as usual.
But the fatal scourge was conquered at last, (although it appeared
again in a less destructive character in 1834,) and with its disappearance
men again fumed their attention to the business of life, and the young
city assumed more than its former activity. The political excitement
that attended the Anti-Masonic movement, had passed its zenith, which
« Mr. Pierce, the " Old Sexton," died May H* t^V^ It has been laid that he had bnried 3S,ooo
bodies ia Bnffala
ii6 History of Buffalo.
fact also inured to the business prosperity of the community. The great
project of a railroad from Buffalo to the Hudson river was beginning to
excite discussion, and railroads to other points were suggested ; these
and kindred projects formed one element in the flood of speculation and
inflation that was soon to sweep over the country.
The first meeting of the new Board of Aldermen of the cit}' was
held June 4, 1832, at which the Mayor appointed the following standing
committees : —
Finance — Walden, Blossom, Camp and White.
Fire and Water — Smith, Root, Brown and Day.
Streets, Alleys^ Canals and Ferries — Andrews, Camp, Brown, Blos-
som and Love.
Police — Love, Root, Day, Smith and Andrews.
Wharves and Public Lands — White, Walden, Blossom and Love.
John W. Beals and Samuel Jordan were appointed Assistant Engi-
neers, and David M. Day was made City Printer.
The city government being thus established, Buffalo continued upon
its brief period of outward prosperity and brilliant expectations. The
tide of commerce flowed in from the West, and the products of that
rapidly developing section found their way to the Queen City and thence
into the Erie canal; the boats that floated down that great commercial
highway, laden with grain, came back crowded with emigrants, many of
whom settled in and around Buffalo. The fierce rivalry that had formerly
existed between the city and Black Rock had become, to a great extent,
a thing of the past; on the 29th of October, 1833, grading was begun on
a horse railroad to connect the two places ; two hundred rods of the
road were completed in December, and a car began running ; the cost
of this road when finished was about $15,000.*
During the year 1833, transactions in red estate were numerous and
prices somewhat advanced — the first premonition of that marvellous
tide of speculation that swept over the land» reaching its climax in
1835-36, involving almost the entire community in ruin or heavy loss.
The city increased in population from 8,653 in 1830, to 15,661 in 1835;
this rapid growth, with the inflation of the existing currency and the
constantly increasing prices of real estate, combined to turn the heads
even of steady-going business men ; everybody turned speculator, and a
large majority of the numerous real estate transactions were made on
credit. The crash came in 1836, with all the disastrous consequences
detailed in a subsequent chapter ; this portion of the country has never
experienced so serious a financial crisis, and Buffalo, from her commer^
cial importance and the eagerness with which her citizens rushed into
land speculation, was peculiarly unfitted to meet the shock. All through
* At the Uanch of the new steamer, Generai Porter^ on Sfttordmj, November 33, 1833, the fol-
lowing toest was given by Dr. Chapin : —
** Buffalo and Black Rock— one and indivisible ; mav their citisens oontiniie to be nnited in
enterprise and deeds of benevolence as long as Lake Erie bears a wave*"
Buffalo in 1836. 117
the year 1837, prices went down lower and lower, while bankruptcy and
financial loss generally prevailed on all sides ; recovery from this calam-
ity was the slow process of years.
In the year 1836, so rapid had been the march of improvement, there
were fifty-two miles of pavement* laid in the city, and the sewerage sys-
tem was well inaugurated on some of the prominent street2».
In a paper read before the Historical Society in June, 1880, Rev.
George W. Hosmer thus pleasantly referred to the city at this time : —
*' So came the Buffalo of 1836 ! We can see the old signs now along
the docks and upon Main street — Joy & Webster, Sheldon, Thompson
& Co., Smith & Macy, Wilkeson & 6eals, Townsend & Coit, Hollister
Brothers, Oliver Forward, Reuben B. Heacock, Judge Love, Dr. John-
son, Pratt 8l Co., William Williams, S. N. Callender, N. P. Sprague,
General Potter, Albert H. Tracy, Millard Fillmore, N. K. Hall, Ira A.
Blossom, H. K. Smith, Barker, Hawley & Sill, and physicians and min-
isters. I should like to call all their names as they come up to me. I
have always thought it was a remarkable company of men here in Buffalo
in that first period of the city. They had unusual practical force, and
there were many among them with uncommon intellectual power. They
compare favorably with the builders of other young cities of the West,
whom I have known. And there were here in Buffalo, fortj years ago,
a company of women superior as the men. The new life quickened them
and gave spirit and force to the culture and habits they brought with
them from older communities."
Amendments to the act incorporating the city were passed in 1837,
in relation to the schools, regelating the grade of the railroad within the
city limits, establishing a workhouse and otherwise perfecting the munici-
pal government In spite of the '* hard times " then prevailing, a com-
pany was formed, and a charter obtained for building a macadam road
from Buffalo to Williamsville ; the road was completed a year or two
later.
In the winter of 1837-38, what was known as the " Patriot War "
created considerable excitement in Buffalo. This war was the result of
Canadian discontent with the English government, finally breaking out
in open rebellion. A great deal of sympathy with the " Patriots " was
felt here ; public meetings were held, which were acldressed by promi-
nent citizens, and the United States Marshal appointed thirty deputies
from among the leading men of Buffalo, to prevent violations of neu-
trality between the two countries. The struggle ended about the mid-
dle of January, 1838 ; its history in detail has already been given in the
preceding volume.
The winter of i838-*^9, is memorable as one of the mildest ever
known along the lake country. In participation in the ", Patriot War,"
the steamboat Robert Fulton went up the lake in January — a sigfht seldom
witnessed.
* Mr. Lewis F. Allen states that when be arrived in Buffalo, in iSa?, there was not a rod of
pavement or sidewalk in the^lace.
ii8 History of Buffalo.
In February, 1839, I^^* Cyrenius Chapin, having just revived his
aged spirits sufficiently to express his sympathy with the rebellious Cana-
dian subjects, in public speeches and otherwise, was overtaken by his last
sickness. He died, and was buried with military honors on Washington's
birthday, his funeral being attended by a vast concourse of people of the
city.*
It was during this period just considered, when a war seemed prob-
ablej and the country had not yet escaped from its financial troubles,
that the school system of Buffalo was reorganized. The public schools
thus far had been ordinary district schools, unsuited to a growing city,
and attended principally by children of the poorer classes. But in the
financial crash of 1837, many private educational institutions went down
and the people were compelled to turn their attention to the neglected
public schools. Under a law passed early in 1838, the entire school sys-
tem of the city was reorganized on a plan similar to that now in force.
Oliver G. Steele was appointed superintendent, and much of the work
incident upon putting the new system into operation, devolved upon
him. The principal features of the reorganized system were large
schools, divided into departments, thorough supervision by the superin-
tendent, and substantially free instruction to all children residing in the
city. In the summer of 1839, ^^ l^ss than six new school buildings were
erected under Mr. Steele's supervision, and competent teachers were
employed in all the districts. There was some opposition to this work,
mainly on account of the^ heavy expenditure ; but as a whole, the people
supported the movement. This subject is fully treated in a subsequent
chapter.
By the act of the Legislature passed in 1839, a Recorder's Court
was created for the City of Buffalo, and the appointment of the Recorder
was vested in the Governor. The term of office was four years, and it
was held by Horatio J, Stow from 1840 to 1844 ; Henry K. Smith from
1844 to 1848. By the constitution adopted in 1846, the office was made
elective by the people, under which it was held by Joseph G. Masten
from 1848 to 1852; George W. Houghton from 1852 to 1854. An act
was passed in 1854 by which this court was reorganized and merged
into the present Superior Court, with three Judges, whose term of office
was fixed at six years. Provision was also made that the incumbent of
the office of Recorder at the time 6f the reorganization, should serve as
one of the Judges of the Superior Court for the remaining portion of the
term for which he had been elected. Recorder Houghton was, there-
fore, under this arrangement, entitled to serve two years as Judge of the
new court. At the first election under the new law, George W. Clinton
and Isaac A. Verplanck were chosen as the other Judges, and upon
* FttKther reference to Dr. Cbapin, will be found in the chapter on the Buffalo Medical pro-
feision.
/i-
CZl
^
Judges of the Supreme Court. 119
casting lots for the long and the short terms, Judge Clinton secured the
full term of six years, and Judge Verplanck that of four years. The
Judges of the reorganized court have been : —
George W.Houghton, 1854 to 1856 ; I. A. Verplanck, 1854 to 1858 ;
George W. Clinton, 1854 to i860 ; Joseph G. Masten, 1856 to 1862 ; I. A.
Verplanck, 1858 to 1864; George W. Clinton, i860 to 1866; Joseph G.
Masten, 1862 to 1868; I. A. Verplanck, 1864 to 1870; George W. Clinton,
1866 to 1872; Joseph G. Masten, 1868 to 1871 ; James M. Humphrey,
1871 to 1872; James Sheldon, 1872, (now in office;) I. A. Verplanck, 1870
to 1873; James M. Smith, 1873 to 1874; James M. Smith, 1874, (now in
office;) George W. Clinton, 1872 to 1878; Charles Beckwith, 1878, (now
in office.)
Judge Masten died in the spring of 1871, after serving two terms and
a half, or fifteen years, and James M. Humphrey was appointed by Gov-
ernor Hoffman, to fill the vacancy. At the succeeding election in Novem-
ber, 1871, James Sheldon was elected as the successor of Mr. Humphrey.
Judge Verplanck died in the spring of 1873, aftfer serving two full
terms, and two fractional terms, or a little more than eighteen years, and
James M. Smith was appointed to the vacancy, by Governor Dix. At
the succeeding election in November, 1873, Judge Smith was chosen his
own successor.
Judge Clinton was retired under the Constitution, on account of age,
on the 31st day of December, 1877, ^uid was succeeded by Judge Beck-
with, who was elected at the November election preceding.
By the Constitutional Amendment of 1870, the term of office was
extended to fourteen years, and it is also provided that the judges shall
be elected for the full term of fourteen years, whether chosen to fill a
vacancy, or otherwise.
The clerks of the court have been: M. Cadwallader, 1839 to 1844;
Nelson Ford, 1844 to 1846 ; C. M. Cooper, 1846 to 1848 ; William Davis,
1848 to 185 1 ; Jared S. Torrance, 1851 to 1856; Dyre Tillinghast,* 1856
to 1862; Thomas M. Foote, 1862 to 1863; Amos A. Blanchard, 1863 to
1865 ; John C. Graves, 1875, and now holding the office.
Previous to the year 1840, the Mayors of Buffalo were chosen by the
Common Council. In the winter of 1839, ^ ^^^ ^^^ passed providing
that the Mayors should thereafter be elected by the people. Sheldon
Thompson was the first mayor elected under that law, in 1840.
In May, 1842, an agreement was finally consummated, after consid-
erable negotiation, the details of which have been given in the preced-
ing volume, by which the ^ndhins gave up their Buffalo Creek reserva-
tion and other lands, to the Ogden Company, and during the years 1843
and 1844, the Buffalo Creek Indians departed from the lands where they
* Mr. Tiilingfaast was the £nt city clerk of Buffalo ; he died March i8, 1872, aged sixty-four
years.
9
I20 History OF Buffalo.
had dwelt for more than sixty years, and which had been a favorite place
of assemblage for the nation for nearly two centuries. From that time
to the present, little has been seen in Buffalo of the dusky faces and
stately forms of the race that made its site their home long before the
ancestors of the city's present proud occupants looked forth upon the
blue waters of the great lake. The stem and majestic chiefs, the lithe
and graceful young braves, the quaintly dressed squaws and their
oflFspring, once so conspicuous in the streets of Buffalo, are gone —
whither; before what is called "the march of civilization," they have
disappeared — a fate that cannot fail to awaken saddening reflections in
the earnest and impartial mind, especially must this be true of those older
residents of the city, who mingled with the once possessors of the soil
and found much to admire in many of their untaught natures.
On Friday, October i8, 1844, the city was visited by a most remark-
able and destructive gale, accompanied by an overflow of the lake.
During the day a fresh wind had blown from the northeast. About
eleven o'clock in the evening it shifted to the southwest and west and
soon arose to a terrific gale which continued all night. The waters of
the lake, which had been driven back by the northeast wind, were blown
down upon the city causing a rise of two feet more than was ever known
before or since. The damage to shipping and to the city was immense,
and what was still more deplorable, between thirty and forty lives were
lost, mostly by drowning. About one-third of the length of the stone pier
was washed out ; the wharves were badly damaged, and the flats east of
Main and south of Seneca street presented a scene of wreck and desola-
tion; stranded scows and canal boats, lumber and other debris were
scattered in all directions; the brig Ashland was thrown upon the
south pier ; the steamer G. Dole was thrown high and dry into Ohio
street, while just above her lay the Bunker Hill ; the Columbus lay
near Michigan street above high water mark, and the United States
steamer Albert was high and dry below the pier, and a large number
of canal boats were driven up on the land, from the Hydraulics to the
bounds of the city. The loss of shipping on the lake was very heavy.
Numerous buildings in the city were demolished or badly damaged.
The engine-house of the Buffalo & Attica railroad was blown down,
as was also the glass factory of H. Hodge & Co., — while chimneys
were demolished, cellars were filled and the shanties and small houses
of poor people near the lake were destroyed and washed away. The
damage in the city was estimated at as much as two hundred thousand
dollars. Two girls were drowned in the' basement kitchen of Huff's
(now Moeller's) hotel, 95 Main street, and eight persons were drowned
near Wilkeson's foundry, which stood near the site of the Wilkeson
elevator. The calamity was an appalling one and its disastrous effects
were only partially alleviated by the prompt action of the people
The Cholera Scourge of 1849. r2i
of the city in relieving the distress of the sufferers, through liberal
subscriptions.
In the year 1845 ^be population of the city had increased to 29,773,
from 18,213 in 1840, and the place had to a great extent recovered from
the effects of the financial crisis of ten years before; in the rush of
emigration westward and the general development of the country, that
event was nearly forgotten by the masses of the people. The great elevator
system, which has worked wonders for the commerce of Buffalo, was
inaugurated by Joseph Dart in 1843, and was just beginning to bear its
legitimate fruits. Fleets of grain-laden vessels, growing more and more
numerous with each year, poured their golden cargoes into the boats,
bins and elevators of Buffalo harbor, whence they were shipped forward
to tide-water, leaving their tithe in the growing city and filling her
wharves and streets with thousands of busy men. New streets were
laid out and old ones were extended farther into the surrounding
country; new buildings of better and more substantial architecture,
arose on every hand, while municipal institutions and departments were
improved and extended.
It was in this year (1845) ^hat the grand project of the '* University
of Buffalo " was inaugurated ; this institution was intended to rival the
greatest universities of the country. The medical department was
organized in August, 1846, as the Buffalo Medical College. Under the
direction of the eminent physicians who then practiced here, the institu-
tion soon took a foremost position, which it has ever since held ; but the
university project ended with the establishment of the medical college.
The cholera visited Buffalo for the third time in May, 1849, ^^ its
most malignant form. On the last of May, one hundred and thirty-four
cases had been reported, with fifty-one deaths. From that date down to
about September 10, the scourge swept over the city, the number of
cases daily averaging from fifteen to nearly one hundred, and the deaths
from one to twenty-five. The total number of cases in the city was a
little over three thousand, and the deaths nearly 900. In spite of
vigorous action on the part of the Board of Health, as well as among
the people at large, the career of the fatal disease was an appalling
one and spread mourning and anxiety through the entire community.
Many left the city for refuge in the purer air of the country, while the
inhabitants of the surrounding towns dreaded the approach of residents
of Buffalo. The disease carried off many prominent people, both in the
city and country.
About the year 1850, the growth of Buffalo had been so rapid and
the future of the city looked so promising, the project of enlarging its
boundaries began to be discussed. At that time the town of Black Rock
hemmed in the city on the landward side, as indicated on the map of the
territory embraced in the first city limits. The movement towards
122 History of Buffalo.
enlargement* took definite shape in April, 1853, when a new charter was
granted under the provisions of which the entire town of Black Rock was
absorbed and the enlarged city divided into thirteen wards. The new
municipal domain was about nine miles long, north and south, by from
three to five miles in width. The first election under the new boundaries
was for the year 1854; the mayor, comptroller, treasurer, attorney,
surveyor, street commissioner, superintendent of schools, overseer of the
poor, were elected for two years and the mayor ceased to be a member
of the Common Council, as had previously been the case, the presiding
officer of that body being selected from the members. Eli Cook (demo-
cratic) was elected mayor for 1854-55.
The new charter changed the boundaries of the wards substantially
to their present location, with the exception of the seventh and twelfth
wards, which were extended to their present limits in 1870. A com-
parison of the map of the city before it was enlarged, (in this volume,)
with the present city map, will indicate to the reader the character of
the changes in the ward boundaries.
In 1857 the era of prosperity which Buffalo had enjoyed for several
years was interrupted. The overdoing of business, speculation and gen-
eral financial recklessness, with inflation and depreciation of the currency,
produced their natural result. While this crisis and panic was not nearly
so disastrous as its predecessor of twenty years before, still it caused a
great deal of ruin and general " hard times," the effects of which were
seriously felt for two or three years after. A subsequent chapter devoted
to financial matters treats more fully of this topic.
On the 1 5th of April, 186 1, the Buffalo morning newspapers were
ablaze with the tidings of the bombardment of Fort Sumter. The effects
of that event, as witnessed in this city, were similar to those in other
localities. Business almost ceased. War was the topic on every tongue.
* Although the city had shown remarkable development during the few years just preceding
1852, yet that some portions of it fell very far short of their present condition will be inferred from
the following extract Irom the Historical Address of Charles E. West, LL. D. » at the Twenty-fifth
Anniversary of the Buffalo Female Academy, in 1875 :—
* * The older persons of my audience will remember that no improvements had been made in
this part of the city, (the vicinity of the Female Academy). Our beautiful Delaware Avenue was
not paved— a broken plank sidewalk was all it could boast ; no water or gas pipes had been laid— a
few miserable oil-lamp lights only served to make the darkness more hideous. The cottage stood
with a fine yard of evergreens and two stately willows as sentinels in front— its garden and low, homely
sheds in rear ; while beyond was an unsightly piece of ^und, covered with rubbish, called a park,
the common rendezvous of hogs, geese and dirty children. Such was the aspect and condition of
things, when the Acadcmv began its work. Everything had to be done. How different the Dela-
ware Avenue of to-day from the Delaware Avenue of twenty-five years ago ! Just north of us, on
one side, were a lumber vard, a brick yard and a soap factory, while further up on the other, were a
lead factory and some dilapidated military barracks. Scarcely a house of any pretension was to be
teen — but now how changed ! The wand of the fairy magician has wrought its wondrous transfor-
mations ! Palatial residences, with their beautiful parterres of flowers and evergreens, have sprung
up, the admiration of the stranger ! Then, the Avenue led nowhere but to the swamps of Scajaquada
Cfreek and the more desolate lands beyond, but now it leads to the beautiful city of the dead and to
the lovely Park with its pathways, its serpentine walks, its romantic lake and miniature islands, and
its expansive lawns dotted with umbrageous oaks of a century's growth ! Such are some of the
physical changes which have marked the quarter-centuiy we are contemplating."
The War of the Rebellion. 123
The high treason was denounced on every hand. When the first shock
of the portentous event had passed away, then the citizens of Buffalo
showed themselves as fully imbued with patriotism and liberality as the
people of any other city in the Union. The militia put itself in readiness
for active duty. The people subscribed $30,000 to provide for volunteers
and their families, to which sum the Common Council added $50,000.
War was imminent and the people began in earnest to prepare for it.
Nearly a hundred of the prominent elderly citizens of the city enrolled
themselves as a company of "Union Continentals.** The old Continental
uniform was adopted and ex-President Fillmore was chosen Captain of
the company.
Of the part taken in the bloody strife that followed, by the thousands
of volunteers from the city of Buffalo and the surrounding towns of Erie
county, the reader has been given a detailed history, as far as it is accessi-
ble, in the preceding volume. It is sufficient to say here that the sons of
the Queen City went forth, many of them never to return, to do their
part in the struggle for the permanence of the government, with the same
high degree of patriotic devotion that inspired the whole people of the
State, and as numerously in proportion to the population of the city, as
volunteered from any other similar community in the country.
Just after the breaking out of the war, late in 1861 or early in 1862,
the lamented Guy H. Salisbury wrote as follows, in comparing the city
at that time with its condition in 1836, twenty*five years before: —
" In 1836 we had less than 16,000 inhabitants. Now we may in round
numbers count 100,000. We had then but a single street paved, lor one-
fifth of a mile in length — now we have fifty-two miles of superior pave-
ment in one hundred and thirty-seven streets or two hundred and fifty-nine
times as much as in 1836. Then we had but one mile of imperfectly con-
structed sewers, in three streets — now we have an extensive and con-
nected system of sewerage, of which fifty-two miles have already been
built in the most substantial manner, in one hundred and twenty-four
streets, the benefits of which to the publichealth, cleanliness and comfort
will be incalculable. We had then but the dim lamps of the oyster cellars
to light the steps of benighted aldermen and drowsy watchmen — now we
have one of the best gas works in the Union, whose castellated edifice is
a model of graceful architecture, and which has laid d'>wn fifty-five miles
of street mams, furnishing a beautiful light to over twenty-one hundred
street lamps, elevated on a tasteful iron column, whose lone lines of flam-
ing cressets are in brilliant contrast with the sombre gloom through
which we used to ffrope our way. Then we obtained the indispensable
element of water from public and private wells, often at inconvenient
distances ; while, for the extinguishment of fires, we had to depend mainly
upon reservoirs under the streets in only the central parts of the city,
that were filled by a " Water-Jack" affair, drawn to and from the canal
by a pair of horses. Now, we have the current of the Niagara river flow-
ing in larg^e iron pipes through every section of the city, supplying
numerous hydrants, whence our principal steam fire-engrines have always
an exhaustless supply for arresting conflagrations ; whfle in our residen-
124 History of Buffalo.
ces the touch of a child's fineer can summon the gushing waters as e;isily
as could the nymphs of Uncfine, midst their native streams.
"Our harbor was in 1836 of such limited capacity as to present a
seeming barrier to the increase of our commercial business. Now, by
an enlarged and liberal system of improvement we have in all, some
thirteen miles of water front, for lake and canal craft— enough to answer
all the wants of our commerce for an indefinite period. This, too, is
exclusive of Blaclc Rock harbor, and the new commercial emporium of
Tonawanda, which, some years since, neglecting her mullet fisheries, had
ambitious aspirings to become an infant rival of Buffalo and a colony of
Cleveland, it has been understood that the experiment was not a
success.
*' In 1836 we had but a single railroad running into Buffalo — that
from Niagara Falls — of not less than twenty miles in length, with no
connection whatever with any other road. Now, we have the great New
York Central, with its vast freight and passenger depots and enormous
business — the New York and Erie, the terminus of whose line, is prac-
tically here — ^the Buffalo and State Line, with its interminable western
connections — the Buffalo, New York and Erie, and the Buffalo and Lake
Huron, connecting with the Great Western and Grand Trunk railways,
and altogether with over 2,000 miles of Canadian roads.
" And in the convenience of local travel, within the city limits, the
change is great indeed. In 1836 we had but four omnibusses, makine
hourly trips through a part of Main street, and literally a one-horse rai^
road that made occasional trips between the terrace market and Black
Rock ferry. Now, we have eleven miles of well built double track
street railways, through our most important avenues, running sixty
elegant passenger cars, not surpassed in any city, that make regular
trips every five and ten minutes, greatly facilitating the travel and mter-
course between the distant sections of the city, rendering a suburban
residence a cheap, accessible and desirable home, and adaine more to
the permanent value of the property thus benefitted, than all the cost of
the roads and their ample equipment."
On the 25th of January, 1865, the American Hotel was burned to
the ground, and James H. Sidway, William H. Gillett and George H.
Tifft, were killed by a falling wall.
As will be seen by a perusal of a subsequent chapter, the manufactur-
ing interests of Buffalo had not developed to a very encouraging degree
previous to about i860. At that time earnest men of the city made a
vigorous effort to stimulate interest in the subject, and to attract capital
from other points for investment in manufacturing in this city. An
" Association for the Encouragement of Manufacturing in Buffalo," was
formed, through the efforts of which, combined with a growing convic-
tion that this was a desirable point for the establishment of manufactur-
ing enterprises, an impetus was given in this direction, the effects of
which have continued down to the present time. The growth of the
city in this respect has been of a healthy and permanent character ; few
failures of important manufacturing establishments have ever occurred,
and the present importance and future supremacy of Buffalo, over most
The Fenian Invasion of Canada. 125
other cities of its size, in respect to its manufactures, is generally acknowl-
edged. The proper development of these interests cannot but prove a
powerful element in the future growth and prosperity of the city.*
In 1862, a law was passed under the provisions of which the differ-
ent wards of the city were allowed more than one Supervisor each, as
had previously been the case, with the exception of the Thirteenth
Ward. The First, Second, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Wards had
three Supervisors in the year 1862, and after that year, two each, the
same as all the other wards, except the Thirteenth.
The last time that warlike demonstrations were made in the city of
Buffalo was during the first half of June, 1866, when the city was made
an important rendezvous by the Fenian organization preparatory to its
invasion of Canada. During that futile attempt to capture Canada, as
a preliminary step to the subjugation of Great Britain, Buffalo was the
headquarters of detachments of the Fenians, and a point of departure
for Canadian soil, as well as a haven of retreat at the end of the inglori-
ous campaign. The Fenian soldiers began to arrive in the city during
the last days of May, and by the first of June there were probably about
a thousand of the organization quartered here, although the entire
movement, especially at the outset, was generally received with ridicule
by all who were not in direct sympathy with it; yet the presence of
so many strangers in the city, and the dissemination of numerous wild
rumors, caused a good deal of excitement.
Towards midnight of the 31st of May, squads of the invaders were
marching through the streets towards Black Rock, and a train of loaded
wagons, with munitions of war, went northward to the vicinity of the
Pratt rolling-mill, whence they crossed to Canada, on canal boats towed by
tugs. The Fenian force here was then under immediate command of Gen-
eral O'Neil. The United States authorities took steps early in the move-
ment, to prevent the transportation of men and arms across the river.
The steamer Michigan passed down the river and took a position about
opposite the Clinton mills, at 6 o'clock A. M., of June ist, but she was too
late to oppose the crossing of the invaders, as above noted. It is sup-
posed that nearly one thousand Fenians crossed the river that night
Two armed tugs were placed in the harbor as a patrol.
When it became known that an aggressive movement had actually
been made, the excitement in the city greatly increased. Crowds lined
the river bank, and an almost continuous tide of travel turned toward
Black Rock during the first day of June. In the evening of that day, a
Fenian meeting was held in the Opera House. On the 2d, General Grant
arrived in the city, and placed General William F. Barry in command of
the frontier, with authority to call out the National Guard, if necessary.
A detachment of the regular army were ordered to Fort Porter, from
* See saUequent chapter on " Manufactures of Buffalo."
126 History of Buffalo.
Sackett's Harbor, and prompt measures were adopted to prevent further
hostile movements from this side.
Of the brief operations of the Fenian force that crossed the river here,
little need be said. An engagement was fought at Limestone Ridge, on
Saturday, June 2d, resulting disastrously to the invaders. In the mean-
time, large numbers of the organization continued to arrive in BufiFalo,
and an attempt was made to reinforce General O'Neil during Saturday
night following the engagement ; but the boats were met by orders from
the Greneral to return with the reinforcements, and then proceed to Fort
Erie, for the purpose of transporting to Buffalo the retreating Fenians.
This was attempted ; but when the boats were midway in the river, they
were met by the propeller Harrison and ordered to surrender ; they did
so, and were taken under the guns of the Michigan. Something over
five hundred men were captured, but a large number escaped before the
final release of the main body.
While this movement practically ended the invasion, it did not stop
the excitement in Buffalo. Train loads of Fenians continued to arrive,
mass-meetings were held, and boasts were freely made that the invaders
would again plant their standard on British soil, within a few days. On
the 4th, a detachment of artillery arrived at Fort Porter, fnwn Fort Ham-
ikon. On the 5th, Captain Randall's force of militia captured several
wagon loads of arms, which had arrived at the express office here.
The prospect at this time must have been a hopeless one to the
Fenians ; but this fact did not serve to prevent an enthusiastic mass-
meeting in the opera house, on the evening of the 5th, at which City
Clerk, C. S. Macomber, presided.
On the 5th, orders were made public in the city, signed by the Attor-
ney General of the United States, for the arrest of all persons supposed
to be connected with the Fenians. This action exerted a very depressing
influence upon the whole movement ; but arrivals of Fenians continued
until the 8th. On the 7th the chief Fenian officers who had been cap-
tured, to the number of eighteen, gave bail before Judge Clinton and
were released ; the other prisoners were soon after set free on their own
recognizances.
Orders were issued on the 12th, under which the entire Fenian force
returned to their homes. General Barry furnishing transportation. On
the 14th, the following bulletin was printed in the local newspapers: —
"On behalf of that portion of the Fenian army who rendezvoused in
this city but a few days, the undersigned beg to return their most pro-
found gratitude to the citizens of Buffalo. Coming among you as stran-
gers and stigmatized by those in British interests, the courtesy and aid
you have so generously extended is, therefore, the more appreciated, and
is characteristic of that indomitable love of liberty which is a prominent
feature in the American people. Those who have thus shared your hos-
pitality are now compelled to return to their homes without accomplish-
The Park System Inaugurated. 127
ia^ the object dearest to their hearts, and for which thejjr were ready to
offer up their lives." [After reviewing the causes of their defeat* the bul-
letin concludes :] " In conclusion, it affords us much pleasure that the con-
duct of the men has been such as not to disgrace the cause and to meet
your general approval. J. W. Fitzgerald.
"June 14, 1866. MICHAEL SCANLAN."
In the summer of 1868, Mr. Frederick Law Olmstead, the distinguished
landscape architect of New York city, was called to Buffalo by a number
of public-spirited citizens, who saw the great need of providing the
dty with a broad and beneficent system of public parks before it
should be too late. The subject had often been earnestly discussed for
several years previous to this first public act in that direction. The
gentlemen through whose agency Mr. Olmstead's services were first
secured, were Messrs. Pascal P. Pratt, Sherman S. Jewett, Richard Flach,
Joseph Warren and Wm. Dorsheimer. Hon. Wm. F. Rogers was then
mayor of the city and he lent his favor and influence to the movement ;
it was further advanced by the liberal policy of the Common Council.
After a thorough examination of the city with reference to the possibili-
ties of establishing parks, Mr. Olmstead made a full report of such favora-
ble character that action was at once begun under its general recom-
mendations. A Board of Park Commissioners was appointed and an act
of the Legislature passed in April, 1869, authorizing the issue of bonds
for the prosecution of the work. During the succeeding five or six
years, under immediate supervision of Mr. Wm. McMillan, super-
intendent, work was vigorously pushed on all parts of the park sys-
tem, resulting finally in the magnificent free public resorts with which
the city is now provided. The parks and their construction will be found
fully described in a subsequent chapter.
On the 24th of June, 1872, the comer stone of that noble structure,
the City and County Building, was laid, with appropriate ceremonies ;
the building has been described in the preceding volume. It was finished
and ready for occupancy early in 1876. On the 28th of Feb-
ruary of that year, the Common Council appointed a special com-
mittee to make suitable arrangements for the formal occupancy of the
new structure. This committee was composed of the president, A. S.
Bemis, and Aldermen A. L. Lothridge, Nathan C. Simons, Elijah Am-
brose, and Clerk, R. D. Ford. In behalf of the bar of the dty, Hon.
George W. Clinton prepared and submitted to his professional brethren
the following paper : —
" It is announced that on the 13th inst., the new City and County
Hall will be open for the reception of all our Courts of Record, it
seems to us impossible that the gentlemen of benches and bar can bid
farewell to the old court house without a feeling of reeret; and we
venture to suggest the propriety of their assembling therein at two
o'clock P. M., of Saturday next, for the purpose of a free interchange of
memories and social intercourse.
" Buffalo, March 7, 1876."
128 History of Buffalo.
These were the pFeliminary steps towards the series of meetings^
addresses, congratulations, resolutions, and other ceremonies by the
municipal authorities, the bar and the clergy, attendant upon the dedica-
tion and occupancy of the new City Hall. The Common Council met
for the last time in the old court house, March 6, 1876. The new
building was thrown open to the public on the 13th of March, 1876.
The exercises by (he members of the bench and bar were very interest-
ing, and will be more fully detailed in a subsequent chapter. At a
meeting held in the old court house, in Clinton street, many interesting
and able addresses were made, most of them, of a historical nature
and all partaking of the character of a farewell to the old building
where so many grand legal triumphs had been won. In the address
by Hon. James Sheldon on that occasion, he thua referred to the first
court house : —
''At the time the court house was erected (18 17) it was the finest
and most imposing edifice in the village. Situated upon the highest
point of land m the corporation limits, it was visible from every direction
and from the cupola or tower, an extensive view was presented of the
villa[ge and of Lake Erie and the surrounding country. It must be re-
remembered that for many years the adjacent buildings were, with but few
exceptions, only two stones in height, so that they offered no obstruction
to tne view of the splendid scenery which was spread before the
observer. Indeed it was the custom of our hospitable people to escort
all visitors to the tower, in order to point out for their admiration the
broad expanse of Lake Erie, whitened by the sails of commerce, the beau-
tiful river of Niagara and the shores of Canada, where the historic ruins of
Fort Erie were already growing gray with the decay of years. The
court house bell, which some of us have heard from mfancy, not only
rang to indicate the hours for the assembling of courts or religious or
other public meeting's, but pealed forth many an alarm when conflagra-
tions tnreatened and the villagers all hastened, carrying their leathern
buckets from their houses, to aid in preventing the destruction of the
homes and property of their neighbors.
The old court house to which Judge Sheldon referred, was torn
down in 1875. All the business of the city government, as well as
that of the county, is now transacted in the magnificent new City and
County Hall, which is located on the square between Franklin, Dela-
ware, Church and Eagle streets. The total cost of this structure, includ-
ing its. furnishing and the improvement of the grounds, was $1,450,000.
On the 20th day of May, 1880, an act was passed by the Legislature,
creating a Municipal Court in Buffalo. Its purpose was to displace all
the Justices' Courts then existing in the city. The law gives the Muni-
cipal Court jurisdiction over all cases in the city where $300 or less, in
money, are involved; in matters of accounts where the total sum of
the accounts of both parties does not exceed $600 ; cases of damage to
person or property to the amount of $300 ; on confession of judgment,
where the amount confessed does not exceed $500 ; and in some other
c<.
Improvements in the System of Sewerage. 129
classes of cases. There are two judges of this court, who were appointed
by the mayor, and confirmed by the Common Council ; the term of one
of them is six and one-half years, from July i, 1880, and of the other
five and one-half years. At the expiration of the terms of the present
judges, the offices will be filled by election. The act provides that the
Justices of the Peace holding office at the time of the erection of the
new court, should finish their terms. The first Judges of the Municipal
Court arc George S. Wardwell and George A. Lewis. Otto Volger is
Clerk of the Court.
The surface of the land on which the city of Buffalo stands, is of such
a character as to afford excellent natural advantages for drainage ; but
the construction of that portion of the Erie Canal, known as the Main
and Hamburg street canal, intercepted the natural line of drainage in the
section of the city through which it passes ; as a consequence the sewage
of that portion ot the city has for many years been drained into the
canal, creating a dangerous and offensive nuisance that has become more
and more a source of trouble and anxiety, as the city has become more
thickly settled. This fact has led to repeated efforts on the part of the
city government, to devise some means for the abatement of the evil.
Unavailing appeals to the State for assistance in the matter have been
made, and different plans, such as the extension of the canal up to the
Buffalo Creek, near the stone bridge of the Lake Shore Railroad, dam-
ming the creek at the sulphur springs, and taking the water through the
old hydraulic canal and thence into the Hamburg; placing a water-
wheel in the Ohio basin slip, to create a current in the offensive waters
of the canal, with many others of less importance, have been tried or
discussed, but none of them promised accomplishment of the desired
object. Prolonged agitation and discussion of the subject through
several years past, finally resulted in a conclusion on the part of the city
authorities, that permanent relief could be expected only from an inter-
cepting sewer, which should cut off the sewage from the canal, and
extending far enough northward along the Niagara river, to empty its
flow into that stream.
In the discussion that arose as to the best method of securing
competent supervision of this great work. Mayor Grover Cleveland
strenuously advocated the appointment of a commission which should
have full charge of the undertaking until finished ; in this he was
opposed by the Common Council and some other city officials. In
a communication submitted to the Council on February 20, 1882, the
Mayor said : —
" The construction of this sewer is, I believe, the most extensive
work, and will probably involve more expenditure and more care and
attention, than any other ever before attempted in this city. It should
meet all the necessities of the future and anticipate the needs of the
increased growth and progress which awaits us. There should be no
I30 History of Buffalo.
mistake made in locating the sewer ; and the manner of its construction
should be superintended and constantly watched by the best engineering
skill and care. The advantage of havmg the work commenced and com-
pleted under the same management, must be obvious. Your honorable
oody has quite enough to occupy your time in the ordinary matters of
municipal affairs, which from weclc to week are urged upon your con-
sideration ; and our city engineer and his corps of assistants should be
constantly employed in the city's current affairs, which necessarily fall to
his department. Under these circumstances I beg leave to suggest that
the construction of the contemplated sewer be put in the hands of a com-
mission of our citizens, who shall have full charge of the work."
The commission advised by the Mayor was finally agreed upon, when
he nominated Messrs. Daniel C. Beard, Jacob Scheu, George Gorham,
Michael Nellany and George B. Mathews, who were subsequently
confiimed. Before deciding upon the route of the proposed sewer, the
services of the distinguished sanitary engineer, George E. Waring, Jr.,
were secured, who acted in conjunction with the commission in select-
ing the route, which was made as follows : —
" Beginning at the mill-race sewer in Swan street, following the line of
Swan street to the terrace, through the Terrace to Court street, through
Court street to Fourth street, as far as Porter Avenue, thence along the
slope of the ifront to the bank of the canal, and along the bank of the canal
to a point near Albany street and to the south thereof , and thence under
the Erie canal and Black Rock harbor out into the Niagara river/'
City bonds for $150,000 were issued dated November i, 1882, for the
construction of this work. The estimated cost of the sewer is $764,370.
Work was begun about April i, 1883.
supervisors of buffalo.
Following is a complete list of the Supervisors of the different wards
of the city of Buffalo since its enlargement in 1854 to the present time: —
First J>^<rr</— 1854, Patrick Milton; 1855- 58, Thomas Edmonds; 1859,
Michael Collins; i86o-'6i, John O'Donnell; 1862, Thomas Edmonds,
iohn O'Donnell, James Fleeharty; 1863, James Fleeharty, Thomas M.
[night; 1864, T. M. Knight, Dennis McNamara; 1865, James Fleeharty,
Joseph Murphy; 1866, Austin Hanrahan, George Campbell; 1867, A.
Hanrahan, Maurice Courtney ; 1868, A. Hanrahan, Malhias Ryan ; 1869,
A. Hanrahan, John Pier; 1870, J. Pier, Edward Mullihan ; 1871, J. Pier,
iohn Manning; 1872, Alex Love, G. G. Smith ; 1873, G. G. Smith, James
lanrahan; 1874, James McCarthy, Thomas Quinn; 1875-76, John
Norris, James Manahar ; 1877, Jeremiah Higgins, James Manahar ; 1878,
Jeremiah Higgins, Hu&^h Hogan ; 1879, Hu^h Hogan, John Hynes; 1880,
Hugh Hogan, John Hynes; 1881, Hugh Hogan, James Reardon; 1882,
James Reardon, J. McCarthy ; 1883, Joseph McCarthy, Dennis Corbett.
Second Ward-^iSSAf Charles E. Young ; 1855, Nelson K. Hopkins;
1856, Orlando Allen; 1857, '58, '59 and '60, William C. White; i86i,J.K.
Tvler ; 1862, John M. Scott, Amos Morgan, James S. Lyon ; 1863, William
M. Scott, James S. Lyon; 1864, J. S. Lyon, Hugh Webster; 1865, Hugh
Webster, Walter G. Seeley ; 1866, Hugh Webster, W. G. Seeley ; 1867,
Hugh Webster, Z. Bonney ; 1868, Z. Bonney, P. J. Ferris; 1869, H.
Supervisors of Buffalo. 131
Webster Z. Bonney; i870-'7i, H. Webster, Albert Haieht; 1872. A.
Haight. Daniel Post; 1873-75, E. R. Saxton, A. L. Lotnridgfe; 1876,
E. K. Saxton, J. M. Comstock; 1877, John Comstock, Frederick Ken-
dall; 1878, Frederick Kendall, Phillip Hoenig; 1879, Phillip Hoenie,
John Roberts ; 1880, John Roberts, Charles A. Butman ; 1881, Charles A.
Butman, Frederick Kendall; 1882, Frederick Kendall, Charles A. But-
man; 1883, Frederick Kendall, Charles A. Butman.
Third ^^tfr^^— 1*54, N. H. Gardner ; 1855- 56, Zadoc G.Allen; 1857,
John M. Daiiid ; 1858, William M. Scott ; 1859, Z. G. Allen ; i860, Whitney
A. Case; 1861, Joshua Barnes; 1862, James P. Bennett, John Steam; 1863,
George Bymus, John Zier; 1864-65, John Zier, Matthew O'Brien;
1866, George Gehring, J. fiaumgarten; 1867, Milton Wilder, Bernard
Knor; 1868, Milton Wilder, N. Seibert; 1869, J. A. Sevmour, W. A.
Carney; 1870, John Mahoney, J. V. Hayes; 1871, J. V. Hayes, Anselm
Haefner; 1872, J. V. Hayes, G. M. Ruhlman; 1873. Frederick Arend,
G. H. Kennedy; 1874, J. G. Streich, William Dolan ; 1875, W. W.
Buffum, J. G. Streich ; 1876, W. W. BuflFum, E. W. Evans; 1877, E. W.
Evans, Louis F. Heimlich; 1878, Louis F. Heimlich, Patrick Corriston;
1879, Patrick Corriston, William Dolan; 1880, William Dolan, W. H.
Carney ; 1881, W. H. Carney, J. W. Leech ; 1882, J. W. Leech, Nicholas
Merzig; 1883, J. W. Leech, Nicholas Merzig.
Fourth ^Fflr^^— 1854-55, O. Vaughn; 1856, S. Bettinger; 1857, Harry
Slade; 1858, Nicholas Ottenot; 1859, George P Stevenson; i860, Rich-
ard Flach; 1861, ; 1862, B. W. Skidmore, Philip G. Lorenz,
Frank Fischer ; 1863, Frank Fischer, Joseph W.Smith; 1864, Harmon
H. Griffin, Jacob Gittere : 1865, M. Leo Ritt, Levi Curtiss ; 1866, Thomas
Famham, George M. Kolb; 1867, P. J. Ripont, L. P. Mauer ; 1868, A. C.
Hudson, F. J. Stephan; 1869, W. S. Ovens, F. C. Fischer; 1870, G. C.
Grimard, Ludwig Wilhelm; 1871, Ludwig Wilhelm, F. J. Stephan;
1872, W, W. Lawson, Louis Hesman; 1873, W.W. Lawson, Charles Per-
son; 1874- 75> E. Bertrand, Jr., C. Wagner; 1876, E. Bertrand, C.
F. Mensch; 1877, Charles Mensch, Ernst Bamberg; 1878, Ernst Bam-
berg, Daniel H. Pierson; 1879, Daniel H. Pier son, Ernst Bamberg; 1880,
Louis Herman, Daniel H. Person; 1881, Daniel H. Person, George J.
Reister ; 1882, George J. Reister, Benjamin Killinger ; 1883, O. J. Glenn,
Julius J. Herbold.
Fifth lVard—iSS4, A. Webster; 1855-56, Sebastian Diebold ; 1857,
-58, George Zillig; i859-'6o, Andrew Gross; 1861, Orrin Lockwood,
1862, Jamci» S. Irwin, Henry Nauert, George Baldus; 1863, James S.
Irwin, George Baldus; 1864-65, James S. Irwin, George Baldus; 1865,
J. S. Irwin, George Raldus; 1867, Henry Fort, John Huels; 1868; C.
G. Irish, Charles Sauer; 1869, William Seymour, William Critchley;
i870-'7'> William Seymour, Caspar J. Drescher; 1872, William rfem-
rich, Conrad Sieber; 1873, C. Sieber, P. F. Lawson; i874-'75» William
Seymour, Louis Fritz; 1876, L. Fritz, P. F. Lawson; 1877, Lyman A.
Daniels, Fred H. Tuhl ; 1878, Lyman A. Daniels, Louis Fntz; 1870,
Louis Fritz, Phillip Steingoeter; 1880, Phillip Steingoeter, Ed. A.
Forsyth ; 1881, Ed. A. Forsyth, Phillip Steingoeter; 1882, Phillip Stein-
goeter, Charles Kibler ; 1883, Phillip Steingoeter, Charles Kibler.
Sixth fFiirrf— 1854, John Schwartz; 1855, Peter Rechtenwalt; 1856,
'5 7-'58-'6o, John Davis ; 1859, John Stengel; 1861, Joseph Davis; 1862,
Jacob H. Pfohle,' John Haller, Felix Bieger; 1863, Jacob H. Pfohle,
Felix Bieger; 1864-65, J. Stengel, Jacob Himmens; i866-'68, J. Stengel,
10
132 History of Buffalo.
i. Himmens; 1867, J. Stengel:, J. P. Walter; 1869-70, Leopold Mullen*
off, Caspar Meyer; 1871, Adam Wick, A. Lenhart; 1872-73, William
Scheier, Ernst BiUeb; 1874-75, Sebastian Elser, Henry Miller; 1876, S.
Elser, Michael Loebie; 1877, Michael Loebig, Sebastian Elser; 1878, Se-
bastian Elser, Peter ICoerbel; 1879, Peter Koerbel, Adam Wick; 1880,
Adam Wick, William Sdhier; 1881, William Schier, Adam Wiclc; 1882,
Adam Wick A. J. Mayer; 1883, Louis Lorenz, Alphonzo L Mayer.
Seventh Ward— i6s4-\6, Samuel Hecox; i855-*6, Anthony Kraft:
i857-'58, Volney Randall; 1859, Anthony Kraft; i86o-'6i, George
Reichert; 1862, George Reichert, Adam Weller, Henry Bitz; 1803,
Henry Bitz, George rfeiffer; 1864, Henry Benz, George J. Buchheit;
1865, John Gisel, Xouis Fritz; 1866, John Gisel, .Louis Fritz; 1867,
J. Gisel, Jacob Ban^asser; 1868, J. Bangasser, Henry Hitchler;
1869, Conrad Baer, Henry Schcrmer; i870-'7i» C. oaer, Conrad
Branner; 1872, Alfred Lyth, Henry Schermer; 1 873-74* A. Lyth,
G. Baer; 1875, G. Baer, M. L. Luke; 1876, G. Baer, Peter Bran-
ner; 1877, Peter Branner John H. Ludwig; 1878, John H. Ludwig,
Jacob Beier, Jr. ; 1879, Jacob Beier, Jr., Frank E. Winter; 1880, Frank
E. Winter, Peter Wohlers; 1881, Peter Wohlers, Henry Moest; 1882,
Henry Moest, F. A. Menge ; 1883, Henry Moest. F. A. Menge.
iEiW/M ITarrf— 1854, David Page ; 1855- 56, Thomas O'Dwyer; 1857,
iames Duffy; 1858, John P. O'Brien; 1859, William Ashman; i860, John
L Hotter; 1861, James Ryan; 1862, Thomas H. Myers Dennis M.
Enright; 1863, James McCool, Michael Carroll ; 1864, 'Price A. Matte-
son, John Hopkins; 1865, Geor&re Diebold, Cyrus Harmon; 1866,
Michael Carroll, Samuel M. Baker; 1867, George Weber, Michael
Keenan ; 1868, Michael Keenan, George Gates : 186^, William Fitzgerald,
Henry McQuade; 1870, S. McQuade, Daniel Cruice; 1871. B. R. Cole,
Robert Wlieelan ; 18^2, Fred Rigger, Thomas Canfield; 1873, John
Manning, Henry Bnnkman; 1874, Edward Lyon, J. K. Wolf; 1875,
Timothy Sweeney, John Ffeil ; 1876, Timothy Lyons, James E. Nunan;
1877, Timothy Lyons, James Rogers 1878, James Rogers, Patrick Con-
ners; 1879, Patrick Conners, John Davey ; 1880, John Davey, Charles
A. Flanagan ; 1881, Charles A. Flanagan, John Hurley ; 1882, John Hurley
Michael Gorman ; 1883, Michael Gorman, Michael Kelley.
Nvit/i WTrrrf— 1854,-56, George L. Marvin; 1857, Nelson Randall ;
1858, Fayette Rumsey; 1859, George L. Marvin: 1861, Albert Sawin;
1862, George P. Baker, William Ring ; 1863, William Ring, W. B. Peck ;
1864, William Ring, W. B. Peck; 1865. C. A. VanSlyke, A. J. Buck-
land; 1866, George Colt, Elias Green ; 1867, A. J. Buckland, D. G. Jack-
son; 1868, A. J. Buckland, T. W. Toye; 1869, T. W. Toye, E. Green;
1870, E. Green, D. W. Burt; 1871, E. Green, Silas Kingsley ; 1872, D. W.
Burt, T. W. Toye; 1873, T. W. Toye, E. Green; i874'-75, E. D.
Berry, W. R. Crumb ; 1876, E. D. Berry, Fred Busch ; 1877, Fred Busch,
Daniel Mann ; 1878, Daniel Mann, John C. Ingram ; 1879, John C. Ingram,
Daniel Mann; 1880, Daniel Mann, Robert K. Smither ; 1881, Robert K.
Smither, JohnMesmer; 1882, John Mesmer, Robert K. Smither; 1883,
Robert K. Smither, William Thurstone.
7>«/A Ward 1854-57, Wells^Brooks ; 1858, O. G. Steele; 1859,
.. ^ , ^' '' ' . - ^ ... . " ph
Supervisors of Buffalo. 133
- 70, C. E. Young, Philip Miller ; i»7i, C. E. Young, S. M. Robinson;
1872, C. E. Young, Philip Miller; 1873, J. A. Gittcre, L. P. Beyer;
1874, L. P. Beyer, Charles E. Young; 1875,-76, L. P. Beyer, Amos B.
Tanner ; 1877, Amos B. Tanner, Charles E. Young^; 1878, Charles E.
Young, Amos B. Tanner; 1879, Amos B. Tanner, Charles E. Young;
1880, Charles E. Young, James S. Murphy; 1881, James S. Murphy;
Charles E. Young; 1882, Charles E. Young, Frank W. Hess; 1883, F.
W. Hess, Philo D. Beard.
Eleventh fT/irrf— 1854- 55, Harry Thompson ; i856-'57, James Patter-
son; 1 858-'59, Harry Thompson; i860, Thomas Stocking; 1861, Thomas
R. Stocking; 1862, Thomas R. Stocking, Alfred H. Giddings; 1863,
Thomas R. Stocking, William Richardson ; 1 864^*65, T. R. Stocking
William Richardson; 1866, William Richardson, P. A. Balcom; 1867,
P. A. Balcom, James Sheldon ; 1 868^*69, P. A. Balcom, Dickinson Gaz-
lay; 1870, P. A. Balcoiii, H. O. Cowing; 1871, A. McLeish, Leonard
Hinkley; 1872, A. McLeish, Thomas Thompson ; 1873- 74- 75» Thomas
Prowett, Christopher Smith; 1876, Thomas Prowett, Dickinson Gw-
lav ; 1877, Dickinson Gazlay, Levi E. Short ; 1878, Levi E. Short, George
SnerifF ; 1879, George Sheriff, Charles Suor ; 1880, Charles Suor, Robert
C. Leighton ; 1881, Robert C. Leighton, O. A. Jenkins; 1882, O. A.
Jenkins, Thomas Prowett ; 1883, O. A. Jenkins, Christopher Smith.
Twelfth Ward— iSS4, Samuel Ely ; 1855, Harmon H. Griffin ; 1856-
'57» G- w. Hall; 1858, Charles Manly; 1850, Job Gorton; i860, Elisha
Safford; 1861, Jacob Reichert; 1862, Christopher Laible, John A.
Smith; 1863, Christopher Laible, Henry Mochel; 1864, Christopher
Laible, Henry Mochel; 1865, William rost, Robert Ambrose; i8(36,
Robert Ambrose, J. A. Chase; 1867, G. J. Woelfley, Samuel Eley;
1868, G. J. Woelfley, Henry Mochel ; 1869, E. R. Jewett, F. Haehn ;
1870, Frank Fomess, Jacob Smith; 1871, Jacob Smith, J. Cantillon;
1872, J. Cantillon, Washington Russell ; 1873, James Delaney, John Abel ;
1874, James Delaney, Washington Russell; 1875, Leonard Eley,
J. S. Estel; 1876, Leonard Eley, Peter Glor; 1877, Peter Glor, Jr.,
Leonard Eley; 1878, Peter Glor, Jr., Leonard Eley; 1879, Peter
Glor, Jr., James Delaney ; 1880, James Delaney, John Mang; 1881, John
Mang, Michael Cronin; 1882, Michael Cronin, John Mang ; 1883, Jacob
Streicher, John Mang.
Thirteenth Ward—\%1^ Horace A, Buffum; i855,'56. Job Taylor;
1857, George Moore; 1858, John Kelly ; 1859, William B. Hart; i860,
Aaron Martin; 1861, Aaron Martin; 1862, Daniel M. Joslyn ; 1863,
George Orr ; 1864-65, George Orr ; 1866, T. M. Gibbon ; 1807, George
Orr; 1868, Frank Puetz; i86q-'70, William Graham; 1871, William
Shannon ; 1872- 73, J. J, Coates; 1874,-75,-76, Edward Corriston; 1877,
Edward Corriston; 1878, John McCarthy; 1879,-82, Emile G. Sirret ;
1883, William J. Fisher,
THE VILLAGE AND CITY CIVIL LIST.
In the following few pages is given the Civil list of the city, from
the date of the first village organization, to the present time, including
the officials of the village and city, above the office of collector : —
1816 — Trustees, Oliver Forward, Charles Townsend, Heman B. Pot-
ter, Ebenezer Walden, Jonas Harrison, Samuel Wilkeson ; Clerk, Jona-
than E. Chaplin; Treasurer, Josiah Trowbridge; Collector, Moses
Baker.
134 History of Buffalo.
1817. — Trustees, Ebenezer Walden, Jonas Harrison, John G. Camp,
Samuel Wilkeson, Elias Ransom ; Clerk, Jonathan E. Chaplin ; Treas-
urer, Josiah Trowbridge ; Collector, Moses Baker.
18 18. — Trustees, Joseph Stocking, Charles Townsend, Heman B. Pot-
ter, Oliver Forward, Abraham Larzelere ; Clerk, Stephen K. Grosvenor ;
Treasurer, Elijah D. Efner ; Collector, Moses Baker.
1819. — Trustees, Charles Townsend, Samuel Wilkeson, Joseph Stock-
ing, Heman B. Potter, Joseph Landon ; Clerk, Stephen K- Grosvenor ;
Treasurer, Elijah D. Efner ; Collector, Leonard P. Crary.
1820. — Trustees, Charles Townsend, Cyrenius Chapm, Samuel Wilke-
son, Joseph Stocking, William T. Miller ; Clerk, Stephen K. Grosvenor ;
Treasurer, Elijah D. Efner ; Collector, Moses Baker.
1 82 1. — Trustees, Charles Townsend, Samuel Wilkeson, Joseph Stock-
ing, Cyrenius Chapin, Heman B. Potter ; Clerk, Stephen K. Grosvenor ;
Treasurer, Elijah D. Efner; Collector, E. F. Gilbert.
1822.— Trustees, Ebenezer Johnson, Oliver Forward, John B. Hicks,
iohn Scott, Henry M. Campbell ; Clerk, Gorham Chapin ; Treasurer,
lenry R. Seymour; Attorney, Heman B. Potter; Collector, Moses
Baker.
1823. — ^Trustees, Oliver Forward, Charles Townsend, David Burt,
Abner Bryant, Benjamin Caryl; Clerk, Joseph Clary ; Treasurer, Henry
R. Seymour ; Collector, James Higgins.
1824. — ^Trustees, Heman B. Potter, David Burt, Joseph Stocking,
Nathaniel Vosburgh, Oliver Forward ; Clerk, Joseph Clary ; Treasurer,
Henry R. Seymour ; Collector, Lorin Pierce.
i825.-^Truste^s, Oliver Forward, David Burt, Heman B. Potter,
Ebenezer Johnson, Nathaniel Vosburc^h ; Clerk, Joseph Clary ; Treas-
urer, Henry R. Seymour ; Collector, James Hignnns.
1826. — Trustees, Oliver Forward, Benjamin Rathbun, William Hollis-
ter, Joseph D. Hoyt, Major A. Andrews; Clerk, Henry E. Davies;
Treasurer, Henry K. Seymour ; Collector, James Higgins.
1827. — Trustees, Benjamin Rathbun, Joseph D. Hoyt, William HoUis-
ter, Oliver Forward, Major A. Andrews; Clerk, Henry E. Davies;
Treasurer, Henry R. Seymour ; Collector, Leonard P. Crary.
1828. — Trustees, Bela D.Coe, Anthony Beers, Joseph Clary, Hiram
Pratt, Moses Baker ; Clerk, George P. Barker ; Treasurer, Henry R.
Seymour; Collector, James Higgins.
1 829,^Trustees, Joseph Clary, Hiram Pratt, Bela D. Coe, Moses Baker
Anthony Beers ; Clerk, George P. Barker; Treasurer, Henry R. Sey-
mour ; Collector, David E. Merrill.
1830. — Trustees, Moses Baker, Theodore Cobum, John W. Clark,
Joseph Clary, William Ketchum ; Clerk, George P. Barker ; Treasurer,
Henry R. Seymour ; Collector, David E. Mernll.
183 1. —Trustees, Bela D. Coe, Moses Baker, John W. Clark, James
Sheldon, Theodore Cobum ; Clerk, Elijah Ford; Treasurer, Henry R.
Seymour; Collector, David E. Merrill.
1%12.— Village Officers, Trustees, John W. Clark, William S. Waters,
Cyrus Athearn John D. Hearty, James Sheldon ; Clerk, Elijah Ford ;
Treasurer, Henry R. Seymour ; Collector, Oilman Smith.
Thtee officials held only until the organization under the city charter
in May.
City Officials, 135
City Officers. — Buffalo was incorporated as a city by act of the Legis-
lature in 1832. The first election under the new charter was on the 28th
of May following. Mayor, Ebenezer Johnson ; Clerk, Dyre Tillinghast;
Treasurer, Henry R. Seymoui* ; Attorney, George P. Barker ; Surveyor,
J. J. Baldwin; Street Commissioner, Edward Baldwin; Aldermen — First
Ward, Isaac S. Smith, Joseph W. Brown ; Second Ward, John G. Camp,
Henry Root ; Third Ward, David M. Day, Ira A. Blossom ; Fourth
Ward, Henry White, Major A, Andrews ; Fifth Ward, Ebenezer Walden,
Thomas C. Love.
1833. — Mayor, Major A. Andrews. Aldermen — First Ward, Stephen
Clark, Joseph W. Brown ; Second Ward, John G. Camp, James Durick ;
Third Ward, George B. Webster, Darius Efiirton ; Fourth Ward, Phil-
ander Bennett, Moses Baker; Fifth Ward, Sheldon Smith, Sylvester
Matthews. City Officers — ^Clerk, E. J. Roberts; Attorney, William A.
Moseley ; Street Commissioner, Edward Baldwin ; Surveyor, James J.
Baldwin ; Printer, David M. Day ; Clerk of Market, Oliver Forward ;
Constables, William Jones, Dan Bristol, Nelson Adams,
1834. — Mayor, Ebenezer Johnson ; Alderme?i — First Ward, Isaac S.
Smith, Stephen Clark; Second Ward, Squire S. Case, Henry Root;
Third Ward, Birdsy Wilcox, John T. Hudson ; Fourth Ward, Moses
Baker, Elijah Ford ; Fifth Ward, Sylvester Mathews, James Miller.
City Officers — Clerk, E. J. Roberts ; Surveyor, J. J. Baldwin ; Treasurer,
Orlando Allen ; Health Physician, Henry K. Stagg ; Attorney, William
A. Moseley; Street Commissioner, Edward Baldwin ; Collector, William
Jones ; Constables, Nelson Adams, Barney Adamy, Dan Bristol, Samuel
Fursman, Charles M. Hoople.
1835. — Mayor, Hiram Pratt, (Whig^ Aldermen — First Ward, John
Prince, John W. Clark ; Second Ward, Squire S. Case, Orlando Allen ;
Third Ward, Ira A. Blossom, William F. P. Taylor; Fourth Ward,
Elijah Ford, Noyes Darrow ; Fifth Ward, Manly Colton, Nathaniel Vos-
burgh. City Officers — Clerk, Theodotus Burwell ; Treasurer, Henry Root ;
Attorney, Nathan K. Hall; Street Commissioner, Sylvester Mathews;
Surveyor, William B. Gilbert ; Clerk of Market, Frederick B. Merrill ;
Chief Engineer Fire Department, Samuel Jordan ; Police Constables,
John W. Stewart, John Drew ; City Collector, William S. Rees ; Harbor
Master, William T. Pease ; Health Physician, Alden'S. Spraeue.
1836. — Mayor, Samuel Wilkeson, (Whie.) Aldermen — First Ward,
Aaron Goodrich, John W. Prince; Second Ward, James Durick, Mor-
fan L. Faulkner ; Third Ward, Stephen K. Grosvenor, Silas Sawin ;
ourth Ward, Nathaniel Wilgus, Harlow French ; Fifth Ward, Daniel
F. Kimball, Jeremiah Staats. City Officers — Clerk, Elbridge G. Spauld-
ing^ ; Treasurer, A J. Douglass ; Attorney, John L. Talcott ; Street Com-
missioner, Alanson Webster ; Surveyor, William B. Gilbert ; Clerk of
Market, William Sparks; Chief Engineer Fire Department, Samuel Jor-
dan ; Health Physician, Charles Winne ; Police Constables, John W.
Stewart, Lewis Tillotson, Joseph Shepard, Elijah Kellog^g, Aaron L.
Porter ; Collector, William Seaman : Printers, Day, otagg & Cad-
wallader.
1837. — Mayor, Josiah Trowbridge, (Whig) ; resigned December 22,
1837 ; Pierre A, Barker elected to fill vacancy. Aldermen — First Ward,
William Valleau, William J. Mack ; Second Ward, Jacob A. Barker,
George E. Hayes; Third Ward, Walter Joy, Edward L. Stevenson;
Fourth Ward, Nathaniel Wilgus, Moses Baker ; Fifth Ward, Nathan K.
136 History of Buffalo.
Hall, Pierre A. Barker. City (7^/ri^-Clerk, Theodore C. Peters ; Treas-
urer, Hamlet D. Scianton ; Attorney, Theodore C. Peters ; Street Com-
missioiier and Sanreyor, William K. Scott; Chief Ennneer Fire Depart-
ment, Jacob A. Barker; Qeiics of Markets^Jerry Raacliff, Bartholomew
Armstrong ; Collectors, William S. Rees, William Wells ; Police Justice,
James L. Barton ; Health Phvsician, Charles H. Raymond ; Board of
Health, Daniel F. Kimball, William Evans, Charles Winne; Constables,
Robert H. Best, John M. Crosier, Philip Wilbur, Elijah Kellogg, George
B. Gates.
1838.— Mayor, Ebenezer Walden, (Whig.) Aldermtm— First Ward,
Daniel F. Kimball, Charles S. Pierce; Second Ward, Squire S. Case,
Lucius Storrs ; Third Warcl, William F. P. Taylor, James McKav ;
Fourth Ward, Nathaniel Wilgus, Moses Baker; Fifth Ward, Charles
Winne, Alonzo Raynor. Citf OJfkcrs— Clerk, Theodore C. Peters;
Treasurer, Hamlet D. Scranton ; Attorney, Theodotus Burwell ; Street
Commissioner and Surveyor, William iC, Scott; Clerks of Markets,
Charles Norton, Darius O. Baker; Collectors, William S. Rees, Darius
O. Baker; City Engineer Fire Department, Jacob A. Barker; Health
Physician, Francis ll Harris ; Board of Health, Willisun Evans, George
Coit, Moses Bristol ; Harbor Master, Samuel Chase ; Constables, George
B. Grates, Eddy Howard, George W. Smith, Jonathan W. George, Milan
Adams; Police Justice, James L. Barton; Superintendent of Schools,
Oliver G. Steele.
183a— Mayor, Hiram Pratt, (Whig.) Aldtrnun— First Ward, For.
dyce W. Atkins, Henry Lamb; Second Ward, Lucius Storrs, Thomas
R. Stocking; Third Ward, William HoUistcr, Jr., Edward L. Steven-
son ; Fourth Ward, Morgan L. Faulkner, Frederick Dellenbaugh ; Fifth
Ward, Peter Curtiss, Augustine Kimball. City OJlctrs—Gerk, Theo-
dore C. Peters ; Treasurer, William Moore ; Attorney, Harlow S. Love ;
Street Commissioner and Surveyor, William K. Scott ; Clerk of Markets,
Charles Norton; Collectors, William Wells, Edwin Hurlburt; Health
Physician, Charles Winne ; Superintendent of Schools, Oliver G. Steele;
Police Justice, James L. Barton ; Constables, George W. Smith, George
B. Gates, M. W. Bottom, Milan Adams, Henry Jeudevine, Robert H.
Best, Philip Wilbur, John Pierce, Grove A. Hudson, Jonathan W.
George.
1840.— Mayor, Sheldon Thompson, (Whig.) ^/*ri«^«— First Ward,
Henry Lamb, Charles A. Comstock ; Second Ward, Aaron Rumsey,
Noah H. Gardner ; Third Ward, George B. Gleason, William Williams;
Fourth Ward, Frederick Dellenbaugh, Philander Bennett; Fifth Ward,
Isaac R. Harrington, Peter Curtiss. CiV> Ojfficers— Clerk, Squire S. Case ;
Treasurer, John R. Lee ; Attorney, Harlow S. Love ; Street Commis-
sioner and Surveyor, William K. Scott; Clerk of Markets, John Bush;
Collectors, William Wells, Edwin Hurlburt; Superintendent of Schools,
Daniel Bowen ; Health Physician, Charles H. Raymond.
This year, for the first time, the Mayor was elected by the people*
George P. Barker was the opposing candidate on the part of the Demo*
crats. The term still remained one year.
1 841. —Mayor, Isaac R. Harrington, (Whig) ; Ira A. Blossom oddos-
sS?s Elbrid^e G^^ ^^^^J?u g?'^«<^rj Third Ward, Richard
^cars, blbndge G. Spaulding; Fourth Ward, Philander Bennett, Oliver
City OmcvoA 137
G- Steele ; Fifth Ward, John R. Lee, Henry Roop. City OJ^ers—Cltrk,
John T. Lacy; Treasurer, William Williams; Attorney, George W,.
Houghton ; Street Commissioner and Surveyor, Henry Lovejoy ; Super-
intendent of Schools, Silas Kinjgsley ; Health Physician, Austin Flint
1842. — Mayor, George WTChnton, (Dem.); Isaac R. Harrington,
opposing candfdate. Alaennen — First Ward, Ephraim S. Havens, Eras-
mus D. Kobinson ; Second Ward, Noah H. Gardner, Lucius H. Pratt ;
Third Ward, Orsamus H. Marshall, John Wilkeson; Fourth Ward, Oli-
ver G. Steele, Nelson Randall; Fifth Ward, Asahel Camp, H. W. Pierce.
City Ojficers— 'Clerk, John T. Lacy ; Treasurer, John R. Lee ; Attorney,
Samuel Wilkeson, Jr. ; Street Commissioner and Surveyor, H. Lovejoy ;
Superintendent of Schools, Samuel Caldwell ; Health Physician, Austm
Flint
1843.— Mayor, Joseph G. Masten fDcm.); Walter Joy, opposing can-
didate. Aldermen — First Ward, John Cummines, Patrick Smith ; Second
Ward, Samuel F. Pratt, Francis Ellas ; Third Ward, Daniel Bowen, Hiram
Barton ; Fourth Ward, James Delonjg, Thonipson Hersee ; Fifth Ward,
Lewis L. Hodges, Samuel G. Walker. City £?^/rj— Clerk, John T.
Lacy; Attorney, Asher P. Nichols; Treasurer, George C. White;
Superintendent oi Schools, Samuel Caldwell; Collectors, William J.
Mack, Stephen Albro, George Walker.
1844. — Mayor, William Retchum; Oliver G. Steele opposing candi-
date. Aldernun—Yxx^t Ward, John Cummings, Patrick Smith ; Second
Ward, Francis S. Ellas, Samuel F, Pratt ; Third Ward, Daniel Bowen,
Hiram Barton ; Fourth Ward, James Delong, Thoinpson Hersee ; Fifth
Ward, Lewis L. Hodges, Samuel G. Walker. City Officers-^QXerV^ John
T. Lacy ; Treasurer, Robert Pomeroy ; Attorney, Seth E. Sill ; Surveyor,
Henry Lovejoy ; Street Commissioner, Isaac Hathaway ; Superintendent
of Schools, Elias S. Hawley ; Health Physician, John S. Trowbridge.
1845. — Mayor, Joseph G. Masten; (DemO Hiram Barton Qpposing
candidate. Aldermen --YKr^X, Ward, Walter S. Stanard, Patrick Smith;
Second Ward, Orlando Allen, Sherman S. Jewett ; Third Ward, Daniel
Bowen, C. A. Van Slyck; Fourth Ward, Thompson Hersee, Charles Ess-
linger ; Fifth Ward, W illiam Williams, Robert Russell. City Officers-^
Clerk, Joseph Stringham ; Attorney, Eli Cook ; Treasurer, William Lov-
ering ; Superintendent of Schools, Oliver G. Steele ; Street Commissioner,
Abram Hemstreet ; Surveyor, Henry Lovejoy ; Health Physician, S. F.
Mixer ; Collectors, C. S. Pierce, Columbus Hart.
1846. — Mayor, Solomon G. Haven ; Isaac Sherman opposing candi-
date. Aldermen — First Ward, Patrick Smith, Jacob W. Banta; Second
Ward, Sherman S. Jewett, Samuel T. Atwater ; Third Ward, George R.
Babcock, Lester Brace ; Fourth Ward, Nelson Randall, Harlow French ;
Fifth Ward, Benoni Thompson, Samuel Haines. City Officers — Clerk, M.
Cad wallader ; Attorney, James MuUett ; Treasurer, James Crocker ; Super-
intendent of Schools, Daniel Bowen ; Street Commissioner, Samuel G.
Walker ; Surveyor, Henry Lovejoy ; Collectors, James Durick, D. S.
Battey.
1847. — Mayor, Elbridge G. Spaulding ; (Whig,) Isaac Sherman oppos*
ing candidate. Aldermen — First Ward, ratrick Smith, Jacob W. Banta ;
Second Ward, Orlando Alien, Latham A. Burrows ; Third Ward, Hiram
Barton, Calvin Bishop ; Fourth Ward, Oliver G. Steele, Albert S. Mer-
rill; Fifth Ward, Luman K. Plimpton, Watkins Williams. City Officers
— Clerk, M. Cadwallader; Treasurer, John R. Lee; Attorney, James
138 History of Buffalo.
Sheldon ; Street Commissioner, Samuel G. Walker ; Superintendent of
Schools, Elias S. Hawley ; Health Pbysiqian, John S. Trowbridge.
1848. — Mayor, Orlando Allen; (Whig,; Israel T. Hatch opposmg can-
didate. Aldermen— YiTSt Ward, Walter W. Stanard, John M. Smith;
Second Ward, Daniel Bo wen, David M. Vanderpoel; Third Ward,
Levi Allen, Paul Roberts ; Fourth Ward, Albert S. Merrill, Harry H.
Matteson ; Fifth Ward, Luman K. Plimpton, Watkins Williams. City
Officers — Comptroller, M. Cadwallader; Clerk, Jesse Walker; Attorney,
John F. Brown ; Treasurer, John R. Lee ; Street Commissioner, Samuel
G. Walker ; Surveyor, Henr^ Lovejoy ; Superintendent of Schools, Elias
S. Hawley ; Health Physician, John S. Trowbridge ; Collectors, Silas
Sawin, A. W. Wilgus, Isaac T. Hathaway.
1849. — Mayor, Hiram Barton; (Whig,) Elijah Ford opposing candi-
date. Aldermen — First Ward, Warren Lampman, Horace Thomas;
Second Ward, Sherman S. Jewett, Myron P. Bush ; Third Ward,
Charles F. Miller, Samuel A. Bigelow ; Fourth Ward, Albert S. Merrill,
Harrison Park ; Fifth Ward, William K. Scott, Lucius F. Tiffany. City
Officers — Comptroller, M. Cadwallader; Clerk, Jesse Walker; Attor-
ney, Charles D. Norton ; Street Commissioner, Samuel G. Walker ;
Superintendent of Schools, Daniel Bowen; Surveyor, Henry Lovejoy;
Treasurer, John R. Lee ; Health Physician, John S. Trowbriage; Collec-
tors, John R. Williams, Rodman Starkweather, William L. Carpenter.
1850. — Mayor, Henr^ K. Smith ; (Dem.) Luman L. Plimpton, opposing
candidate. Aldermen — First Ward, Jacob W. Banta, John Walsh ; Second
Ward, Milo W. Hill, Myron P. Bush ; Third Ward, Paul Roberts, Miles
Perry ; Fourth Ward, Harrison Park, Abram S. Swartz ; Fifth Ward,
Lucius F. Tiffany, George L. Hubbard. City Officers — Coniptroller, M.
Cadwallader ; Clerk, Horatio Seymour, Jr. ; Attorney, James Wadsworth ;
Treasurer, Daniel G. Marcy ; Street Commissioner, Albert S. Merrill ;
Surveyor, Henry Lovejoy ; Superintendent of Schools, Henry K. Viele ;
Health Physician, Dr. S. F. Mixer ; Collectors, Charles Wormwood,
Israel Gillett, Hezekiah A. Salisbury.
1851. — Mayor, James Wadsworth; (Dem.) Sherman S. Jewett oppos-
ing candidate. Aldermen — First Ward, John Walsh, Charles S. Pierce;
Second Ward, Myron P. Bush, Milo W. Hill; Third Ward, Paul Rob-
erts, Alexander McKay ; Fourth Ward, Harrison Park, Abram S. Swartz ;
Fifth Ward, Lucius F. Tiffany, Georee L. Hubbard. City Officers—
Comptroller, M. Cadwallader ; Clerk, William L. G. Smith ; Attorney,
Eli Cook ; Treasurer, Cyrenius C. Bristol ; Street Commissioner, Abram
Hemstreet ; Surveyor, Henry Lovejoy ; Superintendent of Schools, Oliver
G. Steele ; Collectors, John G. Riley, Israel Gillett, Michael Doll, Patrick
Milton ; Health Physician, Timothy T. Lockwood.
1852.— Mayor, Hiram Barton; (Whig,} William Williams opposing
candidate. Aldermen— First Ward, John Walsh, Charles S. Pierce ; Sec-
end Ward, Milo W. Hill, John R. Evans ; Third Ward, Alex. McKay,
Asaph S. Bemis ; Fourth Ward, Abram S. Swartz, James C. Harrison ;
Fifth Ward, Albert L. Baker, H. S. Chamberlain. City Officers— Comp-
troller, M. Cadwallader ; Clerk, Roswell L. Burrows ; Attorney, Cyrus 6.
Poole ; Treasurer, George R. Kibbe ; Street Commissioner, James How-
clls ; Surveyors, Henry Lovejoy ; Superintendent of Schools, Victor M.
Rice ; Health Physician, John u. Hill.
T^ 1853.— Mayor, Eli Cook, (Dem.); James C. Harrison and Elijah
D. Efncr opposing candidates. Aldermen— First Ward, John Walsh,
City Officials. 139
Charles S. Pierce: Second Ward, John R. Evans, Chandler J. Wells;
Third Ward, Alex McKay, Asaph S. Bemis ; Fourth Ward, James C.
Harrison, Daniel Devening, Jr. ; Fifth Ward, Albert S. Baker, H. S.
Chamberlain. City Officers — Comptroller, M. Cadwallader ; Clerk, Ros-
well S. Burrows ; Attorney, Cyrus Poole ; Treasurer, George R. Kibbe ;
Street Commissioner, James Howells ; Surveyor, Henry Lovejoy ; Super-
intendent of Schools, Victor M. Rice ; Health Physician, Dr. E. P. Gray.
1854. — Mayor, Eli Cook, (Dem.) Leroy Farnham, opposing candfi
date. AlderincJi—FirsX. Ward. Charles S. Pierce, John H. Bidwell ;
Second Ward. Chandler J. Wells, Daniel D.Bidwell ; Third Ward, Samuel
Slade, G. W. Barker ; Fourth Ward, Hiram Chambers, John J. Weber ;
Fifth Ward, Henry Lamb, Edward Bennett; Sixth Ward, Henry B.
Miller, Solomon Scheu ; Seventh Ward, Edwin Thayer, A. S. Plumley ;
Eighth Ward. Zoroaster Bonney, Bartley Logan : Ninth Ward, Charles
F. Miller, Asaph S. Bemis ; Tenth Ward, Watkins Williams, Michael
Clor; Eleventh Ward, James Haggart, Franklin A. Alberger; Twelfth
Ward, Stephen W. Howell, Fayette Rumsey ; Thirteenth Ward, Joseph
A. Bridge, Samuel Twichell, Jr. City Officers — Comptroller, William
Chard ; Deputy-Comptroller, Nathaniel Hall ; Clerk, Koswell L. Bur-
rows; Attorney, John Hubbell; Treasurer, John R. Evans ; Street Com-
missioner, Jacob L. Barnes; Surveyor, George Cole; Superintendent of
Schools, Ephraim F. Cook ; Health Physician, James M. Newman.
This year the city boundaries were enlarged, and the Mayor elected
for two years ; he ceased to be a member of the Common Council, which has
since elected one of its own number as presiding officer, who in absence
of the Mayor, discharges his duties. This year the position was bestowed
upon Mr. Stephen W. Howell, (Rep.) The politics of the president
show the political complexion of the board.
1855. — Mayor, Eli Cook, (Dem.); President of the Council, Charles
S. Pierce, (Dem.) Aldermen — First Ward, Charles S. Pierce, John H.
Bidwell; Second Ward, Chandler J. Wells, Levi J. Waters: Third
Ward, Samuel Slade, G. W. Barker ; Fourth Ward, Hiram Chambers,
John J. Weber ; Fifth Ward, Frederick Dellenbaugh, Edward Bennett ;
Sixth Ward, Heniy B. Miller, Solomon Scheu ; Seventh Ward, Andrew
J. McNett, A. S. Plumley ; Eighth Ward, Z. Bonney, George J. Rehm ;
Ninth Ward, Charles F. Miller, John F. Lockwood ; Tenth Ward, Wat-
Idns Williams, Dennis Bowen ; Eleventh Ward, James Haggart, Fred-
erick P. Stevens : Twelfth Ward, Lewis P. Dayton, Fayette Rumsey ;
Thirteenth Ward, Joseph A. Bridge, William C. Prescott. City Officers
—Comptroller^ William Ketchum ; Clerk, Roswell L. Burrows ; Attorney,
John Hubbell ; Treasurer, John R. Evans ; Street Commissioner, Jacob
L. Barnes; Surveyor, George Cole; Superintendent of Schools,
Ephraim F. Cook; Health Physician, John Root.
1856. — Mayor, Frederick 'P. Stevens, (Dem.) William A. Bird and
Lewis L. Hodges, opposing candidates ; President of the Council, Lewis
P. Dayton, (Dem.) Aldermen — First Ward, Jarvis Davis, John H. Bid-
well; Second Ward, Chandler J.Wells, Levi J. Waters; Third Ward,
James O'Brian, Norman Hagerman ; Fourth Ward, Hiram Chambers,
Hiram P. Thayer; Fifth Ward, Fred. Dellenbaugh, Edward Bennett;
Sixth Ward, Lorenz Gillig, Peter Recktenwalt ; Seventh Ward, William
Hellriegel, A. S. Plumley ; Eighth Ward, Thomas Merrigan, George J.
140 History of Buffalo.
Rebm; Ninth Ward, Hunting S. Chamberlain, John F. Lockwood;
Tenth Ward, Miles Jones, Dennis Bo wen ; Eleventh Ward, Henry P.
Clinton, Edwin S. Dann ; Twelfth Ward, Lewis P. Dayton, John
Ambrose ; Thirteenth Ward, Joseph A. Bridge, William C. Prescott
City CT^^/rj— Comptroller. Charles S. Pierce } Clerk, William H. Albro;
Attorney, Andrew J. McNett ; Treasurer, William L. G. Smith ; Street
Commissioner, Patrick Smith ; Superintendent of Schools, Ephraim F.
Cook ; Health Physician, Charles L Dayton.
1857. — Mayor, Frederick P. Stevens, (Dem.) President of the Coun*
cil, Lewis P. Dayton, (Dem.} Aldirmen—Ymt Ward, Michael Hagan,
John H. Bidwell ; Second Ward, Chandler J. Wells, James B. Dubois;
Third Ward, James O'Brian, Joshua Barnes; Fourth Ward, H. P.
Thayer, Stephen Bettinger; Fifth Ward, Edward Bennett, Edwin
Thayer ; Sixth Ward, Peter Recktenwalt, Christ. Rodenbach ; Seventh
Ward, William Hellrigjel, Henry A. Goodrich ; Eighth Ward, Thomas
Merrigan, Thomas O'Grady ; Ninth Ward, Hunting S. Chamberlain, S.
W. Carpenter; Tenth Ward, Miles Jones, Henry Martin; Eleventh
Ward, Henry P. Clinton, Edward S. Dann; Twelfth Ward, John
Ambrose, Lewis P. Dayton ; Thirteenth Ward, Joseph A. Brids^e, Ben-
jamin Dole. City C!^/rj— Comptroller, Charles S. Pierce ; Cleri^ Will-
lam H. Albro; Attorney, Andrew J. McNett; Treasurer, William L. G.
Smith ; Street Commissioner, Patrick Smith ; Superintendent of Schools,
Ephraim F. Cook; Health Physician, Charles L. Dayton.
1858. — Mayor, Timothy T. Lockwood, (Dem.) Frederick P. Stevens,
opposing candidate. President of the Council, Daniel Devening, Jr.,
fpem.) AUermin-r'Tw^ Ward, Michael Hagan, John H. Bidwell;
Second Ward, Chandler J. Wells, James B. Dubois; Third Ward, James
O'Brian, Joshua Barnes ; Fourth Ward, Stephen Bettinger, Harry Her-
see ; Fifth Ward, Daniel Deveninff, Jr., Bela H. Coleerove ; Sixth Ward,
Christopher Rodenbach, Henry S. Miller ; Seventh Ward, George F.
Pfeifer, A. S. Plumlcy ; Eight Ward, Thomas O'Grady, Thomas Tru-
man; Ninth Ward, H. S. Chamberlain, S.. W. Carpenter; Tenth Ward,
Henry Martin, Alonzo Tanner; Eleventh Ward, Henry P. Clinton,
Edward S. Dann ; Twelfth Ward, John Ambrose, Lewis P. Dayton ;
Thirteenth Ward, Benjamin Dole. City Officers — Comptroller, Charles
S. Pierce ; Clerk, William H. Albro ; Attorney, Edwin Thayer ; Treas-
urer, C. A. W. Sherman ; Street Commissioner, Levi J. Waters ; Super-
intendent of Schools, Joseph Warren; Health Physician, H. D.Garvin.
18J9. — Mayor, Timothy T. Lockwood, (Dem.) President of the
Counal, Alon;co Tanner, (Rep.) Aldermen — First Ward, Michael Hagan,
Peter Walsh ; Second Ward, Chandler J. Wells, James B. Dubois ;
Third Ward, James O'Brian, James G. Turner ; Fourth Ward, Harry
Hersee, Jacob Beyer; Fifth Ward, Daniel Devening, J. A. M. Meyer;
Sixth Ward, Henry B. Miller, William Messingj Seventh Waid. George
F. Pfeifer. F. M. Pratt ; Eighth Ward, Thomas Truman, Pliny F. Barton ;
Ninth Ward, H. S. Chamberlain, F. A. Alberger ; Tenth Ward, Alonzo
Tanner, Asaph S. Bemis ; Eleventh Ward, Henry P. Clinton, A. A.
Howard ; Twelfth Ward, John Ambrose, Stephen W. Howell ; Thir-
teenth Ward, Thomas Savage, Lewis L. Wileus. City Officers-^Comp^
troller, Charles S. Pierce; Clerk, Charles S. Macomber; Attorney,
Edwin Thayer; Treasurer, C. A. W. Sherman; Street Commissioner,
Levi J. Waters ; Superintendent of Schools, Joseph Warren ; Health
Physician, P. H. Strong.
City Officials. 141
i860. — Mayor, Franklin A. Alberger, (Rep.) Henry K. Viele, opposing
candidate; President of the Council, Asaph S. Bemis, (R.ep.) Alaermcn —
First Ward, John Hanavan, Peter Walsh ; Second Ward, Nathaniel
Jones, James B. Dubois ; Third Ward, Zadock G. Allen, James G. Tur-
ner; Fourth Ward, Everard Palmer, Jacob Beyer; Fifth Ward, Charles
Beckwith, J. A. M. Meyer ; Sixth Ward, Paul Goembel, William Mess-
vas^ ; Seventh Ward, J. F. Schwartz, F. M. Pratt ; Eighth Ward, Robert
Mollis, Pliny F. Barton ; Ninth Ward, James Adams, Jacob L. Barnes ;
Tenth Ward, George R. Yaw, Asaph S. Bemis ; Eleventh Ward, Jacob
Crowder, Austin A. Howard ; Twelfth Ward, Washington Russel,
Stephen W. Howell ; Thirteenth Ward, Thomas Savage, Lewis L. Wil-
eus. City Officers — Comptroller, Alonzo Tanner; Clerk, Charles S.
Macomber ; Attorney, George Wadsworth ; Treasurer, John S. Trow-
bridge; Street Commissioner, Levi J. Waters; Superintendent of
Schools, Sanford B. Hunt ; Health Physician, C. C. WyckoflF.
Asai
Waf
Zadock G. Allen, Alexander Brush ; Fourth Ward, Everard Palmer,
Edward Storck ; Fifth Ward, Charles Beckwith, Andrew Grass ; Sixth
Ward, Paul Goembel, Jacob Scheu ; Seventh Ward, J. F. Schwartz, F.
M. Pratt; Eighth Ward, Robert Mills, Charles E. Felton ; Ninth Ward,
James Adams, Eben P. Dorr; Tenth Ward, George R. Yaw, Asaph S.
Bemis ; Eleventh Ward, Jacob Crowder, Austin A. Howard ; Twelfth
Ward, Washington Russell, Stephen W. Howell; Thirteenth Ward,
Thomas Savage, Thomas Rutter. City Officers — Comptroller, Alonzo
Tanner ; Clerk, Otis F. Presbrey ; Attorney, George Wadsworth ; Treas-
urer, John S. Trowbridge ; Street Commissioner, Levi J. Waters ; Super-
intendent of Schools, Sanford B. Hunt ; Health Physician, J. Whittaker.
1862. — Mayor, William G. Fargo, (Dem.); James Adams, opposing
candidate; President of the Council, Charles Beckwith, (Dem). Alder-
men — First Ward, John Hanavan, Patrick Walsh ; Second Ward, James
B. Dut>ois, Joel Wheeler; Third Ward, Samuel D. Colic, Alexander
Brush; Fourth Ward, Orson C. Hoyt, Edward Storck; Fifth Ward,
Charles Beckwith, Andrew Grass; Sixth Ward, Paul Goembel, Jacob
Scheu ; Seventh Ward, Fred Bangasser, William A. Sutton ; Eighth
Ward, Robert Mills, Charles E. Felton ; Ninth Ward, Edward S. War-
ren, Eben P. Dorr ; Tenth Ward, George R. Yaw, Asaph S. Bemis ; Elev-
enth Ward, Jacob Crowder, Nelson K. Hopkins ; Twelfth Ward, Lewis
P. Dayton, Peter Burgard ; Thirteenth Wara, Rodney M. Taylor, Thomas
Rutter. City C|^^^rj— Comptroller, Peter M. Vosburgh ; Clerk, Charles
S. Macomber ; Attorney, Harmon S. Cutting ; Treasurer, Joseph K. TyJer ;
Street Commissioner, James O'Brian ; Surveyor, Francis F. Curry ;
Superintendent of Schools, John B. Sackett; Health Physician, Sand-
ford Eastman.
1863. — Mayor, William G. Fargo, (Dem.); President of the Council,
Charles Beckwith, (Dem.) Aldermen — First Ward, John Hanavan, Pat-
rick Walsh ; Second Ward, James B. Dubois, George B. Gates ; Third
Ward, Samuel D. Colie, William P. Moores ; Fourth Ward, Orson C.
Hoyt, Richard Flach ; Fifth Ward, Charles Beckwith, Elnah Ambrose ;
Sixth Ward, Paul Goembel, Jacob Scheu ; Seventh Ward, Frederick Ban-
easser, William A. Sutton ; Eighth Ward, Robert Mills, Henry C. Persch ;
Ninth Ward, Edward S. Warren, William L Mills ; Tenth Ward, George
142 History of Buffalo.
R. Yaw, Seth Clark ; Eleventh Ward, Jacob Crowder, Nelson K. Hop-
kins ; Twelfth Ward, Lewis P. Dayton, Peter Burgard ; Thirteenth Ward,
Rodney M. Taylor, Chnstian KUnck. City CT^^j— Comptroller, Peter
M. Vosburgh ; Clerk, Charles S, Macomber ; Attorney, Harmon'S. Cut^
ting ; Treasurer, Joseph K. Tyler; Street Commissioner, James O'Brian ;
Surveyor, Francis F. Curry ; ^uperintendent of Schools, John B. Sackett ;
Health Physician, Sandfofd Eastman.
1864. — Mayor, William G. Fargo, (Dem.) ; Chandler J. Wells, oppos-
ing candidate ; President of the Council, Lewis P. Dayton, (Dem.)
Aidermen^Yvc^X. Ward, Daniel Fitzgerald, Patrick Walsh ; Second Ward,
Phineas S. Marsh, George B. Gates ; Third Ward, Alexander Brush,
William P. Moores; Fourth Ward, George Fischer, Richard Flach ; Fifth
Ward, Henry Nauert, Elijah Ambrose ; Sixth Ward, Paul Goembel,
Jacob Scheu ; Seventh Ward, Thomas Clark, J. L. Haberstro ; Eighth
Ward, George J. Bamler, Henry C. Persch ; Ninth Ward, James D.
Sawyer, William L Mills ; Tenth Ward, Georc^e R. Yaw, Seth Clark ;
Eleventh Ward, John Auchinvole, Nelson K. Hopkins ; Twelfth Ward,
Lewis P. Dayton, Peter Burgard ; Thirteenth Ward, Angus McPherson,
Christian Klinck. City Officers — Comptroller, Ralph Courter; Clerk,
Charles S. Macomber; Attorney, Charles Beck with ; Treasurer, John
Hanavan ; Street Commissioner, James O'Brian ; Surveyor, Francis F.
Curry ; Superintendent of Schools, Henry D. Garvin ; Health Physician,
Sandtord Eastman.
1865. — Mayor, William G. Fargo, (Dem.) ; President of the Coun-
cil, Nelson K. Hopkins, (Rep.) -<4/(t//r»»^— First Ward, Daniel Fitzgerald,
James Ryan ; Second Ward, Phineas S. Marsh, Jonathan S. Buell :
Third Ward, Alexander Brush, William P. Moores; Fourth Ward,
George Fischer, Richard Flach ; Fifth Ward, Henry Nauert, Elijah
Ambrose ; Sixth Ward, Paul Goembel, Jacob H. Pf hoi ; Seventh Ward,
Thomas Clark, J. L. Haberstro ; Eighth Ward, George J. Bamler, John
P. O'Brien ; Ninth Ward, James D. Sawyer, William L Mills ; Tenth
Ward, George R. Yaw, William C. Bryant; Eleventh Ward. John
Auchinvole, Nelson K. Hopkins; Twelfth Ward, Henry A. Swartz,
Peter Burgard ; Thirteenth Ward, Angus McPherson, J. Kelly, Jr. City
Officers — Comptroller, Ralph Courter; Clerk, Charles S. Macomber;
Attorney, Charles Beckwith; Treasurer, John Hanavan; Street Com-
missioner, James O'Brian ; Surveyor, Francis F. Curry ; Superintendent
oi Schools, Henry D. Garvin ; Health Physician, Sandford Eastman.
1866. — Mayor, Chandler J. Wells, (Rep.) ; William G, Fargo, oppos-
ing candidate ; President of the Council, Joseph L. Haberstro, (Dem.) ;
Aldermen— Ymt Ward, James Ryan, Thomas Whalen; Second Ward,
Phineas S. Marsh, Jonathan S. Buell ; Third Ward, Alexander Brush,
William P, Moores ; Fourth Ward, Jacob Beyer, Richard Flach ; Fifth
Ward, August Hagar, John H. Shepard ; Sixth Ward, Solomon Scheu,
Jacob Pfhol ; Seventh Ward, Joseph L. Haberstro, G. J. Buchheit ;
Eighth Ward, George J. Bamler, John P. O'Brien ; Ninth Ward, Henry
Morse, S. S. Guthrie ; Tenth Ward, George R. Yaw, William C. Bryant;
Eleventh Ward, Nelson K. Hopkins, John Auchinvole; Twelfth Ward,
John Glasser, Henry A. Swartz ; Thirteenth Ward, Angus McPherson,
J. Kelly, Jr. City Officers — Comptroller, William F. Rogers ; Clerk,
Charles S. Macomber; Attorney, George S. Wardwell; Treasurer,
Joseph Churchyard ; Street Commissioner, Jeremiah Mahony ; Surveyor,
John A. Ditto ; Superintendent of Schools, John S. Fosoick ; Health
physician, Sandfora Eastman.
City Officials. 143
1867.— Mayor, Chandler J. Wells, (Rep.) ; President of the Council,
William C. Bryant, (Rep.) Aldermen — First Ward, James Ryan, Thomas
Whalen ; Second Ward, Joel Wheeler, John Pierce ; Third Ward, Alex-
ander Brush, John A. B. Campbell ; Fourth Ward, Jacob Beyer, Anthony
Stettenbenz ; Fifth Ward, August Hagar, J. H. Shepard ; Sixth Ward,
Solomon Scheu, Felix Biegler ; Seventh Ward, J. L. Haberstro, G. J.
Buchheit; Eighth Ward, George J. Bamler, Edward Madden; Ninth
Ward, Henry Morse, S. S. Guthrie ; Tenth Ward, John Walls, William
C. Bryant ; Eleventh Ward, Nathaniel B. Hoyt, John Auchinvole ;
Twelfth Ward, John Glassar, James W. Parsons ; Thirteenth Ward,
Aneus McPherson, John Kelly, Jr. City Officers — Comptroller, William
F. Roeers; Clerk, J. D. Hoyt Chamberlain ; Attorney, (jeorge S. Ward-
veil; Treasurer, Joseph Churchyard; Street Commissioner, Jeremiah
Mahony ; Surveyor, John A. Ditto ; Superintendent of Schools, John S.
Fosdick; Health Physician, C. C. F. Gay.
1 868. — Mayor, William F. Rogers, (Dem.) ; Chandler J. Wells, oppos-
ing candidate ; President of the Council, Paul Goembel, (Dem.) Alder-
men— First Ward, Edward Bvms, George Chambers; Second Ward,
John Pierce, W. B, Sirret ; Third Ward, Z. G. Allen, J. A. B. Campbell ;
Fourth Ward, Frank Collignon, A. Stettenbenz; Fifth Ward. P. Rechten-
wait, J. H. Shepard; Sixth Ward, Felix Biegler, Paul Goembel ; Seventh
Ward, G. J. ouchheit, John Gisel; Eighth Ward, Edward Madden,
John Sheehan ; Ninth Ward, S. S. Guthrie, Henry Morse ; Tenth Ward,
D. C. Beard, W. C. Bryant ; Eleventh Ward, John Auchinvole, N. B.
Hoyt ; Twelfth Ward, John Ambrose, J. W. Parsons ; Thirteenth Ward,
John Kelly, Jr., A. McPherson. City Officers — Comptroller, R. D. Ford ;
Clerk, Charles S. Macomber ; Attorney, David F. Day ; Treasurer,
Joseph L. Haberstro ; Street Commissioner, Alexander Brush ; Surveyor,
George VomBerge ; Health Physician, Dr. G. C. Mackay.
1869. — Mayor, William F. Rogers, (Dem.); President of the Council,
John Sheehan, (Dem^ Aldermen^Yxr^t Ward, Edward Byrns, George
Chambers; Second Ward, John Pierce, W. B. Sirret; Third Ward,
Zadock G. Allen, George G. Newm;»n ; Fourth Ward, F. Collie^non, Peter
P. Miller; Fifth Ward, Charles Sauer, John Dietzer ; Sixth Ward, Paul
Goembel, Henry Dilcher ; Seventh Ward, John Gisel, Donald Bain ;
Eighth Ward, John Sheehan, Michael Keenan; Ninth Ward, Henry
Morse, James VanBuren ; Tenth Ward, D. C. Beard, Robert Carmichael ;
Eleventh Ward, John Auchinvole, E. S. Hawley ; Twelfth Ward, John
Ambrose, Elisha SaflFord ; Thirteenth Ward, Angus McPherson, George
Orr. City Officers — Comptroller, R. D. Ford; Clerk, George S. Ward-
well ; Attorney, David F. Day ; Treasurer, Joseph L. Haberstro; Street
Commissioner, Alexander Brush ; Surveyor, George VomBerge ; Super-
intendent of Schools, Samuel Slade ; Health Physician, Byron H. Dag-
gett.
1870. — Mayor, Alexander Brush, (Rep.); Thomas Clark, opposing
candidate; President of the Council, John Pierce, (Rep.) Aldermen —
First Ward, William B. Smith, George Chambers ; Second Ward, John
Pierce, John Booth ; Third Ward, Samuel G. Peters, George G. New-
man; Fourth Ward, Edward Storck, Peter P. Miller; Fifth Ward,
Charles Groben, John Dietzer; Sixth Ward, Michael Lang, Henry
Dilcher ; Seventh Ward, John Werrick, Donald Bain ; Eighth Ward,
John Shehan, M. Keenan ; Ninth Ward, Frank A. Sears, James Van
Buren; Tenth Ward, Lewis M. Evans, Robert Carmichael ; Eleventh
11
144 History of Buffalo.
Ward, Jacob Scheu, Elias S. Hawley ; Twelfth Ward, Isaac I. Van
Allen, Elisha Safiford ; Thirteenth Ward, Almus T. Patchin, George Orr.
City CT^fcrrj— Comptroller, R. D. Ford; Clerk, George S. Ward well;
Attorney, Benjamin H. Williams; Treasurer, Joseph L. Haberstro;
Street Commissioner, George W. Gillespie ; Surveyor, John A. Ditto ;
Superintendent of Schools, Thomas Lothrop ; Health Physician, Byron
H. Daggett.
1871.— Mayor, Alexander Brush, (Rep.) ; President of the Council,
John Sheehan, (Dem.) Aldermen— First Ward, W. B. Smith, Patrick
Walsh ; Second Ward, John Booth, John Pierce ; Third Ward, S. G.
Peters, John Kelly, Jr.; Fourth Ward, E. Storck, W. S. Ovens; Fifth
Ward, Charles Groben, Joseph Bork; Sixth Ward, M. Lang, J, H.
Fischer; Seventh Ward, John Werrick, George Rochevot; JSighth
Ward, John Sheehan, Daniel Cruice; Ninth Ward, Frank A. Sears,
James Van Buren ; Tenth Ward, L. M. Evans, R. Carmichael ; Eleventh
Ward, J. Scheu, George W. Zink ; Twelfth Ward, I. I. Van Allen, C. L.
Dayton : Thirteenth Ward, A. T. Patchin, William Dawes. City Officers
— Comptroller, R. D. Ford; Clerk, Thomas R. Clinton ; Treasurer,
Joseph L. Haberstro; Attorney, Benjamin H. Williams; Surveyor, John
A. Ditto ; Street Commissioner, George W. Gillespie ; Supenntendent
of Schools, Thomas Lothrop.
1872. — Mayor, Alexander Brush; President of the Council, Edward
Storck. Aldermen — First Ward, John Doyle, Patrick Walsh ; Second
Ward, Benjanin Dickev, John Pierce ; Third Ward, J. A. Seymour, John
Kelly, Jr. ; Fourth, Ward, E. Storck, L. P. Reichert ; Fifth Ward, Frank
Sipp, Joseph Bork ; Sixth Ward, Jacob Bott, J. H. Fischer ; Seventh
Ward, J. r. Einsfeld, George Rochevot; Eighth Ward, M. Keenan,
Daniel Cruice; Ninth Ward, F. A. Sears, James Van Buren; Tenth
Ward, Joseph Churchyard, R, Carmichael; Eleventh Ward, William
Baynes, George W. Zmk ; Twelfth Ward, John Frank, C. L. Dayton ;
Thirteenth Ward, A. B. Angus, A. Prenatt. City Officers — Comptroller^
Lewis M, Evans ; Clerk, Walter C. Winship ; Attorney, Frank R. Per-
kins; Treasurer, Joseph Bork; Street Commissioner, James Franklin;
Engineer, John A. Ditto; Superintendent of Schools, Josephus N.
Lamed.
1873. — Mayor, Alexander Brush ; President of the Council, Frank
A. Sears. Aldermen — First Ward, John Doyle, Timothy Cotter ; Second
Ward, Benjamin Dickey, Ellis Webster ; Third Ward, J. A. Seymour,.
J. W. Dennis ; Fourth Ward, Louis Herman. L. P. Reichert ; Fifth
Ward, Frank Sipp, William Henrich ; Sixth Ward, Jacob Bott, J. H.
Fischer; Seventh Ward, J. P. Einsfeld, George Reinheimer; Eighth
Ward, M. Keenan, Charles Jessemin ; Ninth Ward, F. A. Sears, James
Van Buren; Tenth Ward, J. Churchyard, R. Carmichael; Eleventh
Ward, William Baynes, Archibald McLeish ; Twelfth Ward. John Frank,
Christopher Laible ; Thirteenth Ward, J. J. Weber, A. Prenatt. City
Officers— Com^troW^T, Lewis M. Evans; Clerk, Walter C. Winship;
Attorney, Frank R. Perkins ; Treasurer, Joseph Bork ; Street Commis-^
sioner, James Franklin; Engineer, John A. Ditto; Superintendent of
Schools, Josephus N. LameoT
1874.— Mayor, Lewis P. Dayton; President of the Council, Benja-^
min Dickev. Aldermen-^First Ward, Timothy Cotter, John Doyle;
Second Ward, Ellis Webster, Beniamin Dickey; Third Ward, J. W.
Dennis, J. N. Mileham ; Fourth Ward, Louis Hermann, G. F. Zeller ;
City Officials. 145
Fifth Ward, William Henricfa» C P. Drcschcr; Sixth Ward. J, H.
Fischer, Joseph Jergt ; Seventh Ward, George Reinheimer, J. P. Eins-
feld; Eighth Ward, Charles Jessemin, Joseph Galley; Ninth Ward«
James Van Buren, N. C. Simons ; Tenth Ward, R. Carmichael, P. J.
Ferris ; Eleventh Ward, A. McLeish, George W. Zink ; Twelfth Ward,
Christian Laible, L I. Van Allen ; Thirteenth Ward, A. Prenatt, N. H,
Lee. Cii^ 0^/rj— Comptroller, Thomas R. Clinton ; Clerk, Walter C,
Winship ; Attorney, Frank R. Perkins ; Treasurer, Joseoh Bork ; Street
Commissioner, A. Stettenbenz; Engineer, George E. Mann; Superin^
tendent of Education, William S. Rice.
1875. — Mayor, Lewis P. Dayton ; President of the Council, Elijah
Ambrose. A/dermm— First Ward, John Doyle, John Hanavan ; Second
Ward, Benjamin Dickey, William V. Woods; Third Ward, J. N. Mile-
ham, Michael Danahy; Fourth Ward, G. F. Zeller, Charles Persons;
Fifth Ward, C. P. Drescher. E. Ambrose ; Sixth Ward, Joseph Jeree,
Jacob Hiemenz ; Seventh Ward, J. P. Einsfeld, J. C. Weber ; Eighth
Ward, Joseph Galley, Michael Keenan ; Ninth Ward, N. C. Simons, C.
D. Simpson ; Tenth Ward, P. J. Ferris, M. Nichols ; Eleventh Ward,
George W. Zink, John Auchinvole ; Twelfth Ward, L L Van Allen,
William Farmer; Thirteenth Ward, N. H. Lee, Charles Dickman. Citjf
Officers — Comptroller, Thomas R. Clinton ; Clerk, R. D. Ford ; Attor-
ney, Frank R. Perkins ; Treasurer, Joseph Bork ; Street Commissioner,
A. Stettenbenz ; Engineer, George E. Mann ; Superintendent of Educa-
tion, William S. Rice.
1876. — Mayor, Philip Becker, (Rep.); President of the Council,
Asaph S. Bemis. Aldermen — First Ward, John Hanavan, John White ;
Second Ward, William V. Woods, A. L. Lothridge; Third Ward,
Michael Danahy, Alfred H. Neal ; Fourth Ward, Charles Persons, Asaph
S. Bemis; Fifth Ward, Elijah Ambrose, Jacob Benzinger; Sixth Ward,
Jacob Hiemenz, Henry J. Baker; Seventh Ward, John C. Weber, Don-
aid Bain ; Eighth Ward, Michael Keenan, John Pfeil ; Ninth Ward,
Clarence D. Simpson, N. C. Simons ; Tenth Ward, Merritt Nichols,
Peter J. Ferris; Eleventh Ward, John Auchinvole, Chris. Smith;
Twelfth Ward, William Farmer, Isaac L Van Allen ; Thirteenth Ward,
Charles Dickman, M. Shannon. City Officers — Comptroller, Lewis M.
Evans ; Clerk, R. D. Ford ; Attorney, John B. Greene ; Treasurer, Henry
D. Keller ; Street Commissioner, Charles Jessemin ; Engineer, George
E. Mann ; Superintendent of Education, William S. Rice.
1877. — Mayor, Philip Becker ; Comptroller, Lewis M. Evans ; Attor-
ney, John B. Greene ; Treasurer, Henry D. Keller ; Engineer, George
E. Mann ; Street Commissioner, Charles Jessemin ; Superintendent of
Education, William S. Rice ; President of Common Council, John Auch-
invole.
1878. — Mayor, Hon. Solomon Scheu; Comptroller, John C. Shec-
han; Attorney, Price A. Matteson; Treasurer, Eugene Bertrand, Jr. ;
Engineer, George Vom Berge; Street Commissioner, James V. Ha^es;
Superintendent of Education, Christopher G. Fox ; President of Com-
mon Council, John B* Sackett.
1879. — Mayor, Hon. Solomon Scheu ; Comptroller, John C, Shee-
han ; Attorney, Price A. Matteson ; Treasurer, Eugene Bertrand, Jr. ;
Engineer, George Vom Berge ; Street Commissioner, Jaihes V. Hayes ;
Superintendent of Education, Christopher G. Fox ; President of Com-
mon Council, Merritt Nichols.
146 History of Buffalo.
1880. — Mayor, Hon. Alexander Br\ish ; Comptroller, John C. Shee-
han ; Attorney, Edward C. Hawks ; Treasurer, Joseph Ball ; Engineer,
Jasper T. Youngs; Street Commissioner, Michael Magher; Superin-
tendent of Education, Christopher G. Fox ; President of Common Coun-
cil, Milton E. Beebe.
1 88 1. — Mayor, Alexander Brush; Comptroller, John C. Sheehan ;
Attorney, Edward C. Hawks ; Treasurer, Joseph Ball ; Engineer, Jasper
T. Youngs; Street Commissioner, Michael Majg^her ; Superintendent of
Education, Christopher G. Fox ; President of Common Council, Milton
E. Beebe.
1882. — Mayor, Grover Cleveland ; Comptroller, Timothy J. Mahoney ;
Attorney, Giles E. Stilwell ; Treasurer, Joseph Ball ; Engineer, Thomas'J,
Rogers ; Street Commissioner, John Mahoney ; Superintendent of Edu-
cation, James F. Crooker ; President of Common Council, George W,
Patridge. Aldermen — First Ward, Dennis Hanrahan, John White;
Second Ward, R. R. Heflord, Charles B. Doty ; Third Ward, Joseph
Maycock, George W. Patridge ; Fourth Ward, August Beck, John A.
Miller; Fifth Ward, Louis Fritz, William C. Bramard; Sixth Ward,
Louis Knell, William Schier ; Seventh Ward, Henry Rochevot, George
Baer; Eighth Ward, James Rogers, John Elliott; jNinth Ward, George
E. Matteson, Alexander McMaster; Tenth Ward, H. H. Koch, Henry
Montgomery ; Eleventh Ward, Marcus M. Drake, Charles A. Rupp ;
Twelfth Ward, Peter Glor, Jr., John C. Han bach ; Thirteenth Ward,
William H. Little, Henry H. Twichell.
1883. — Mayor 5 Department — Mayor, John B. Manning, salary $2,^00;
Messenger, Adam Nicken, $750.
Comptroller s Department — Comptroller, Timothy J. Mahoney, salary
$2,500; Deputy, A. A. Vandenburgh, $1,250; Chief Book-keeper, Joseph
R. Williams, $1,600; Assistant Book-keepers, John F. Maione, $900,
Edward McGuire, $900, Archie L. Allen, $900; Statement and Warrant
Clerk, James W. Mather, $1,100; Recording Clerks, Thomas Beasley,
$900, Alexander Kirsch, $800; Tax Sale Clerks. Frank Short, $1,500,
Charles F. Kleber, $1,000; Clerk of Arrears, Patrick H. Mahoney ,.$1,000;
Bond Clerk, Charles McDonough, $1,000; Auditor, Richard" W. Eng-
lish, $1,200.
Attorney's Department — City Attorney, Giles E. Stilwell, $2,500;
Deputy, Edgar 6. Perkins, $1,250; Managing Clerk, James M. Cloak ;
Clerk, Henry H. Guenther, $800 ; Detective, Carl Andersen, $720.
Treasurer's Department — City Treasurer, Joseph Ball, $2,500 ; Dep-
uty, James H. Carmichael, $1,500; Cashier, Charles J. Ball, $1,200;
Book-keeper, A. J. Meyer, $1,200; Clerks, George E. Hunter, $800, C.
Stockmar, $800, Joseph H. Kolb, $800, Henry L. Schnur, $800, Max
F. Gese, $800, George Feldman, $800.
Engineer s Department — City Engineer, Thomas J. Rogers, $2,500 ;
Deputy, Daniel H. Sherman, $1,800; Assistants, Albert Krause, $1,250,
F. L. Bapst, $1,250, George E. Fell, $1,250; Clerk, John A. Bodamer,
$1,200; Draughtsman, Hugh Macdiarmid, $960.
Street Department — Street Commissioner, John Mahoney, $2,000;
Assistant, John W. Snyder, $1,250 ; Clerk, John S. Bid well, $1,050.
Assessors Department — Assessors, John S. Robertson, Chairman;
John H. Ludwig, Henry O. Dee, salary, each $2,000; Draughtsman,
H. T. Buttolph, fooo ; Cferks, Dirck V. Benedict, $1,200, Joseph Mayer,
$1,000, George T. Pfeiffer, Michael E. Hogan, Mathew Ludwig, Charles
A. Dee, each $800.
City Officers. 147
City Clerk's Defartment— City Clerk, WHHam P. Burns, $w»o;
Deputy, William A. Bird, $1,250; Warrant Clerk, B. F. Bruce, Jr.,
$1,000; Index Clerk, John G. Klein, $1,000.
Educational Department — Superintendent, James F. Crooker, $2,500 ;
Clerk, G. A. Fink, $1,200; Porter, John Doyle, $800; Compulsory Edu-
cational Examiners, First District, Cortland Lake, per dav, $300; Sec-
ond District, Charles Lipp, per day, $3.00 ; Teachers, one, $2,500 ; three,
each $1,250; twenty-three, each $1,450; six, each $1400; four, each
$1,100; fifteen, each $800; six, each $700; fifty -six, each $650; two hun-
dred and seventy-six, each $570 ; thirty-four, each $500 ; twenty, each
$450 ; ten, each $400.
City Poor Relief Department- Overseer, Henry T. Kraft, $2,000;
Deputy, John Zoll, $1,200; Clerks, J. J. Aeshbach, $800; John Arnold,
$800 ; Jacob Crowder, $800.
Judiciary Department — Suoerior Court Judges, James Sheldon, C. J.,
$6,000; James M. Smith, $6,000 ; Charles Beckwith, $6,000; Stenographer,
George Macnoe, $2,000; Crier, P. D. Ellithorpe, $1,000; Clerk, John C.
Graves, salaries and fees; Deputy, Charles B. Sill, $1,000; Special Dep-
uty, E. P. Fields, fees ; Recording Clerk, John G. Cloak, fees ; Messen-
fer, John Flynn, $750. Municipal Court Judges, George S. Ward well,
2,000, George A. Lewis, $2,000; Clerk, Fred. Greiner, $1,000; Janitor,
Charles Salter, $240. Police Court Justice, Thomas S. King, $3,000;
Clerk, Butler S. Farrington, $1,200; Deposition Clerk, Louis Scheu,
$1,000.
Common Ci?«^i/— President, Robert R. Hefford, $500; City Clerk,
William P. Bums, $2,000; Deputy City Clerk, William A. Bird, $1,250;
Sergeant-at-Arms, Norton B, Smith, per session, $2.00; Messenger,
Frank S. M. Heinze, per session. $1.75.
Aldermen — Twenty-six, each $250. First Ward, John White, Andrew
Beasley ; Second Ward, Charles B. Doty, R. R. HeflFord ; Third Ward,
George W. Patridge, Michael Callahan ; Fourth Ward, John A. Miller,
Augustus Beck; Fifth Ward, William C. Brainard, Louis Fritz; Sixth
Ward, William Shier, Jacob Hasselbeck ; Seventh Ward, George Baer,
Alfred Lyth; Eighth Ward, John Elliott, John Davy; Ninth Ward,
Alexander McMaster, William Franklin; Tenth Ward, Henry Mont-
S ornery, Samuel V. Parsons ; Eleventh Ward, Charles A. Rupp, Marcus
I. Drake ; Twelfth Ward, John C. Hanbach, George Denner ; Thir-
teenth Ward, Henry H. TwitchelK William Summers.
The city of Buffalo now has one hundred and thirteen miles of paved
streets, grown from about fifty miles in i860; it is drained by one hun-
dred and twenty-seven miles oi sewerage, to which will soon be added
the great trunk sewer referred to heretofore ; a fire department equipped
with nineteen engines, three hook and ladder companies, a fire alarm tele-
graph system and all other necessary accessories for the protection of the
citizens' property from fire ; a police force of about two hundred and thirty
who preserve the public peace and safety of property ; more than one
hundred churches that open their doors to the public for the worship of
the Creator; a school system giving educational advantages that can
scarcely be excelled ; and a press that occupies the field with eflBcient
intelligence. These different departments, institutions and interests, with
other special city topics, are treated in succeeding chapters.
148
History of Buffalo.
The growth of BufiFalo in the value «of real and personal property,
and the amount of taxation from year to year since the enlargement of
the city in 1854, is clearly shown in the following table: —
Statement Showing the Valuation of Real and Personal Estate
IN THE City of Buffalo from 1855 to 1883, inclusive, and
THE Amount of Tax Levied for Each Year,
V>a»
Vftlnation of RmI
Valwdoo or PmottU
Total ValuatiooorRealaiid
Tas
Y«r.
Kslato.
KMOtt.
AaJU
1855
$ 28,128,039 00
$ 7,360,436 00
$ 35,488,475 00
$ 30».a>3 3»
1856
29.356,291 00
8,130,770 00
37,487,061 00
317,478 5*
1857
29,446,280 00
6,065,720 00
35,512,000 00
345.834 47
1858
27,743.945 00
5,485,080 00
33,229,025 00
364,904 48
1859
24.997,300 00
4.743,080 00
29,740,380 00
304,783 33
i860
24.358.905 00
5.893.470 00
30,252,375 00
303,443 i3
]86i
24.232,955 00
6,472,175 00
30,705,130 00
983,644 49
1863
24.677.»75 00
6,944,180 00
.3".62i,355 00
984.196 19
1863
25,210,815 00
6,528,045 00
31,738,860 00
334,504 83
1864
25.49».900 00
6,5i7,5»o 00
32.009,410 00
403.857 33
1865
25,868,210 00
7.730.030 00
33,598,240 00
504,918 86
1866
26,438,325 00
8,5i9.375 00
34,957,700 00
485,444 16
1867
28,807,940 00
io,755.»75 00
39,563,"5 00
640.713 45
1868
29.359.788 00
30,289,215 00
7.156.475 00
36,516,263 00
648,778 II
1869
7.350.835 00
37,640,050 00
657.954 74
1870
30,838,530 00'
6,547.575 00
37,386,105 00
864,350 56
1871
31,990,095 00
6.247.775 00
38,237,870 00
867,644 25
1872
32,755.730 00
5,719,405 00
38.475.135 00
1,049,619 69
1873
33.587,040 00
6,129.550 00
39.716,590 00
1.334,975 88
1874
33.943.735 00
6,024.370 00
39,968,105 DO
1,449,390 39
1875
34,974.065 00
6,105,000 00
41,079,065 00
1,487.679 19
1876
102,540,095 00
9,455,860 00
1 ".995.955 00
1,430,778 87
1877
91,130,870 00
8,844,705 00
99.975.575 00
i.545.39« 8»
1878
80.929,165 00
7,947,380 00
88,876,545 00
1,343,589 89
1879
80,521,930 00
7.634.380 00
88,156,310 00
1,036,501 97
1880
81,713.740 00
7,523.580 00
89,237,320 00
1,964.064 90
1881
84.394.920 00
7,859.545 00
92,254.465 00
1,595.445 "
i88a
88,473,285 00
9.623.750 00
98,097.035 00
1,583,665 15
1883
93. '67,090 00
8,796.675 00
101,963,765 00
1,659.634 99
The growth of BuiSTalo in population has been steadily upward since
its earliest settlement, and at no period has the future looked more en-
couraging in this respect than at present. The following figures from
the State and United States census reports and the city directories of
the past two years, show the increase of population by semi-decades since
the year 18 10: —
States.
United
State
United States.
State
United States .
ITbab.
POFULA,TIOir.
1810
I.SOS
1814
1,060
1820
2,095
1825
5.141
1830
8,653
Growth of Buffalo. 149
ObRBOB. TkAB. P0FUl4ATI0N.
State 1835 15,661
United States 1840 18,213
State 1845 29,773
United States 1850 42,261
State 1855 72,214
United States i860 81,126
State 1865 94,210
United States 1870 1 17,714
State 1875 134,557
United States 1880 I55,i34
Buffalo City Directory 1882 182,5 ^ i
Buffalo City Directory 1 883 199,892
In concluding these chapters devoted to the settlement and general
growth of the city, it is pleasant to add that every passing year is adding
largely to the population, wealth and beauty of the Queen City ; that in
the years to come, when it has reached the proud position that it may
reasonably be expected to attain, its present proportions, grand as they
are, may be looked back upon as almost insignificant. And now let us*
in imagination, look out upon the good city from the observatory of that
grand structure, the City and County Hall, and listen to the words of a
gifted orator,* as they fell from his lips when the corner-stone was
laid: —
"We barely elance at the colossal statues of Justice, Industry, Com-
merce and Art, for we see the very things themselves in the heavens
above us and in the landscapes at our feet. Afar off in the south, blue
hills end our extremest view and border the rich expanse of plain, dotted
with happy villages and towns which curve eastward ana far north.
The whole' country is alive with labor and with the rush of business and
of pleasure. The roads radiating from the city in all directions are
throns^ed with vehicles of every kind. On the west, and apparently so
near tnat we can chuck a biscuit into it, sleeos Lake Erie, the first, ifnot
the fairest of the great chain of mountain lakes — an opening to a navi-
gation of thousands of miles, a ready access to a country almost as broad
as Europe and richer far. It is whitened by not unfrequent sails, and
above its green waters float the frequent trains of smoking propellers
hurrying to and fro from our harbor. The fair coast of Canada con-
fronts us smilingly, the mighty Niajgara, like molten silver gleams north-
ward till its own curvings nide it, but the stationary cloud beyond
betrays its presence and marks the position of the great cataract, and
proclaims the fact that commerce by water beyond Buffalo is barred by
nature. On every hand, in everv direction upon the land, you see long
trains of cars impelled by locomotives towards and from us. You notice^
too, that commerce, impatient of the least delay, is bridging the wide,
deep, rushinjB^ river. The harbor, once so contracted, is now capacious,
and saucy little tues are pulling leviathans hither and thither with admi-
rable dexterity and ease. And there, too, packed with long lines of
freighted boats, towed by slow-paced horses, is the Erie canal, the popu-
lator and best friend of the great West — the author, and so far as we
know, the sure conservator of the fortunes of Buffalo.
* Hon. Geofge W. Clinton.
I50 History of Buffalo.
'' In the city at our feet, here and there, <}uick puffs of steam and
great steady columns of smoke indicate the positions of our great fur-
naces and forges, and work-shops and factories of innumerable kinds. And
then the beauty of the city ; but I will not dilate on that. We rest con-
tent with stating that the main features of this wondrous picture are the
growth of less than fifty years, and that no cause of that growth has
ceased to act ; that each and every cause of it is now acting, and must
act for ages with increasing power."
CHAPTER V.
THE GERMANS OF BUFFALO.
Chanctenstics of tbe German Element— Proportion of German Population in Buffalo— Whence
they Emigrated — The Old Lutherans— Mecklenburi^ers and Alsatians — The First German
Settler in Buffalo— ''Water John"— Jacob Siebold's Arrival — The First Brewer, Rudolph
Baer— An Early Teacher of Languages— The First Potter in Buffalo— The Oldest German
Resident of the City— The German Element in 1828- Arrivals of Settlers in 1831 — llie
German Press — The German Young Men's Association — Its Objects— First Membcn —
Music Hall and its Projectors ^ German Musical Societies — Secret Societies— The German
Bank of Buffalo — German American Bank — Buffalo German Insurance Company— The
German Churches.
GERMAN immigration to America since the beginning of the present
century has been a powerful element in the growth and prosperity
of the country. From no other foreign land has there come to us
a class of people possessed in so great a degree of the characteristics
necessary to render them peaceable, loyal and intelligent citizens of a
free country. Industry, thrift, economy, patience in the toil necessary
to procure for themselves homes, sociability, general temperance and
intelligence above the average of our citizens — these are the marked fea^
tures of the German character that is so numerously represented in all
of our large cities ; they readily adapt themselves to our form of govern-
ment, adopt our language, connect themselves with our institutions while
perpetuating their own» take an active and intelligent part in our politics,
and by the general exercise of the traits of character above noted, soon
gain a foothold and occupy a position of prominence wherever they make
their homes. Wherever they settle in any considerable numbers, the
Germans are prompt in the building of churches, the founding of useful
societies and the patronage of schools, while the ratio of their increase
in numbers, as compared with any given number of American families,
is greatly in their favor.
There are few Northern cities where the German element forms a
larger proportion of the population than in Bu£Falo. In 1880, the
The Germans of Buffalo. 151
nationality of the parents of all the pupils registered in the public schools
of the city, was as follows :^--
American 4,612
German 9,088
Irish 2,834
Other Nationalities. 2,072
In 1882, these proportions stood as follows : —
American 5»46o
German 10,301
Irish ^ 2,633
Other Nationalities 2,293
At the present time it is probable that the Germans of Bufifalo num-
ber more than 75,000 (50,000 of whom were born in this country,) little
less than one-half of the entire population of the city, while the other
figures we have quoted indicate that the German families who send chil-
dren to our public schools, equal in round numbers, not the American
school patrons alone, but all other nationalities combined. Whoever
walks the streets of Buffalo, or reads the list of business firms and of the
directors of our financial and other institutions, will not fail to be struck
with the frequently recurring, well-recognized names of our German cit-
izens; they are numerous, prominent and valuable constituents in the
composition of the commercial and business structure of the com-
munity.
The early settlers of Teutonic descent in Buffalo came almost entirely
from Alsace (then under French rule; and southern Germany. This is
accounted for by the fact that those sections of the Fatherland had been
devastated by wars and were ruled in despotism and ruinous extrava-
gance, which tended to drive the industrious peasantry to seek homes
where their labors would be justly and permanently rewarded. Although
northern Germany was at the same time under rigid despotic rule, it was
of a vastly more humane and intelligent character. In Prussia especially,
the peasantry were made to feel a strong confidence in their government
and contentment with their position. As a consequence the settlers of
Buffalo who came from northern Germany were later arrivals than their
more oppressed southern brethren.
The first considerable body of Prussians who came to Buffalo to
settle were the old Lutherans; they reached here in 1839, under care
of their persecuted ministers, Johann Andreas, August Grabau and L. F.
E. Krause, from Erfurt, province of Saxony, having been driven from their
native land on account of their religion.
The Mecklenburgers constitute another important element in the
north German emigration. The Seventh ward is largely populated by
them, and they form an intelligent and successful class in the community.
Alsace contributed largely to the earlier emigration from southern
Germany. The Alsatians have allied themselves, in the broadest sense,
18
152 History of Buffalo.
with the great mass of the German population of the city, and were
foremost in the establishment of German churches and schools, in organ-
izing societies, and in other ways fostering the welfare of their country-
men.
These different foreign elements, all essentially one people, combin-
ing the qualities necessary to success in life to which we have before
referred, comprise within their ranks strong representative men — men
who have not only been Influential in developing resources in trade and
manufactures which have paved the way to remunerative employment,
and resulting competency and contentment for their less prominent
countrymen, but have, at the same time, taken an enviable position in
politics, in social affairs, and the general advancement of the city's
interests.
The first German settler in Buffalo, was John Kuecherer,* who came
from Pennsylvania in 182 1. He became a somewhat noted character,
and is now well remembered by old residents as " Water John,'* a title
that was bestowed upon him on account of his business of carrying
water for washing and other purposes, to the inhabitants of the village
who were not otherwise supplied. Of Kuecherer's early history, and
that of his antecedents, little is known. His daughter still lives in the
city, but she is unable to throw much light upon the subject. It is
supposed that he left Germany in one of the caravans that was driven
from their homes to England during the last century, and was thence
shipped to America. Kuecherer died in Buffalo, at the age of eighty-
eight.
In 1822, Jacob Siebold, the second German settler in Buffalo, arrived.
He came from Wurtemberg and afterwards became a successful and
prominent business man. He was extensively engaged in the grocery
business and had a store on Main street next door to the Hayden build-
ing. He was also one of the founders of the Buffalo Board of Trade,
and a director in the Buffalo Savings Bank. Few business men in the
community have inspired a greater degree of respect than Jacob Sie-
bold. His wife and children still reside in Buffalo.
Following Siebold, Rudolph Baer came from near Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania, and settled in Buffalo in 1826. He was originally from
Switzerland and came to America in May, 18 14. He engaged in keep-
ing the hotel at Cold Spring, and soon after built a brewery and gave
the Buffalonians their first taste of beer made at home. It may not have
been a beverage of very high quality, but Baer*s brewery was the foun-
dation of a business in Buffalo, that has reached enormous proportions,
and is still largely in the hands of Germans. Rudolph Baer died in
* The spelling of this pioneer Gemuin's name is authorised by Mr. I. S. EUisoD» in n paper
read by him before the Historical Society : a paper to which we are indebted for many of the facts
used in this chapter. The name is spelled many different ways in various publications, but this is
undoubtedly correct.
vJ^^^2^^^^^s^^'£^^^2^ Cy^cA^ois^y
Early German Settlers. 153
1836, in the house now occupied by his son» Augustus Baer, No. 1503
Main street*
About the time of Baer's arrival here, Philip MeyerhofFer also set-
tled in Buffalo. Little is known of him except that he was a teacher of
languages in 1827, and officiated at German divine service in 1828, in a
room over 533 Main street.
Godfrey Heiser, who now lives at 209 Seneca street, came to Phila^
delphia from Germany in 18 19 and to Buffalo in 1828. He first engaged
in the lime business on Exchange street, when it was "woods nearly all
around him." He afterwards began the first pottery business in Buffalo,
on the site of his present residence, where his son also conducts a grocery
business. At a still later date Mr. Heiser was engaged in brewing at the
same location, in connection with his brother. He retired from active
business seventeen years ago.
Although the first Buffalo directory, published early in the year
1828, and supposed to contain a record of the names of the inhabitants at
that time, gives no other distinctively German name, it is more than
probable that others had settled here before that date. Mr. E. G. Grey,
who is now the oldest German resident of Buffalo, is positive that when
he arrived here in the spring of 1828, there were about seventy Germans
in the village. If such was the case, however, there is little now reraem*
beredof them; a small body of Germans arrived late in the year 1827.
Christian Bronner, who died in April, 1881, was one of them. He has
descendants now living in Buffalo.
In the year 1828, German immigration increased rapidly. In that
year the venerable E. G. Grey came ; he is now the oldest German resi-
dent. Mr. Grey has been a successful grocer and a respected citizen in
all that the term implies. Jacob Schanzlin also arrived in 1828 ; he brewed
the first lager in Buffalo and kept a ** Wirthschaft *' on Main street where
it is crossed by Scajaquada Creek, which was once a popular resort. Dr.
Daniel Devening came to America in 1827, and a year later settled in
Buffalo, being then 17 years old. He has enjoyed a successful career
as a physician and was the first German elected to the Assembly from
Buffalo. He still resides here, an honored representative of his coun-
trymen.
Michael Mesmer emigrated from Alsace in 1829 and settled in
Buffalo. He was for thirty years engaged in the grocery, flour and
feed business, and later was a member of the well known firm of furni-
ture manufacturers and dealers, Weller, Brown & Mesmer. Other
prominent Germans who settled here in i828-'29 were Jacob Roos,
a successful brewer, Philip Beyer, George Goetz, George Metzger,
Michael Hoist, George Hoist and Chistopher Klump ; the last six named
were the first Germans who purchased homes of the Holland Land
Company. Besides Mr. Mesmer, there arrived from Alsace in 1828-29,
154 History of Buffalo.
Joseph Haberstro, whose son was aftewards sheriff, Anthony Feld-
man, George Gass, George Lang, Joseph Suor, Sebastian and Frieder-
ich Rusch, George Urban, George Pfeifer and others. Many of these
early settlers are dead.
In 1830 Dr. Frederick Dellenbaugh settled in Buf&lo, and still lives
here. He was honored with a seat iki the Aldermanic Board in i839-'40,
the first German city oflBcial elected in BuflFalo. His career as a physi-
cian has been a most successful one, and he is now a hale, well preserved
and intelligent gentleman.
Of the Germans who settled in Buffalo in 1 831, it may not he out
of place to mention the names of Mr. John Greiner, Dr. John Hauen-
stein, and Dr. F. C. Brunck ; while of the old Lutherans before referred
to as having immigrated in 1839, ^^' Carl Weiss, who still lives here, Dr.
Baethig, deceased, Orl Gruener, who died in Europe, all of whom
arrived in Buffalo about i848-'49, and doubtless others might properly
be mentioned as having left the impress of their individuality upon the
city. But it will be seen that to follow in detail the tide of German
immigration to this city during the past forty years is not only impos-
sible, but undesirable ; all the prominent names could not possibly be
mentioned, and to select from them would be invidious. It must suffice
to state in a general way that the increase in the German population of
the city has kept pace with her growth in other respects. Between the
years 1850 and i860, immigration decreased somewhat, and it was
further diminished by the War of the Rebellion. In that struggle, as
is well known, the Germans of America took a prominent part. In the
long roll of honor on which are inscribed the names of those of the
heroes of Buffalo who risked or lost their lives to preserve the country
as a unit, will be found so large a proportion of Germans, that all of that
nationality may look upon it with pride and satisfaction.
The general advancement of German social and business interests in
Buffalo has been most effectively promoted by the early establishment and
later wide extension and able conduct of the German press — an institution
that could not fail to exert a powerful influence, especially during that
earlier period before the German element had become so generally
familiar with the language of their adopted country. In the columns
of the press printed in their own familiar tongue, they read and learned
of the government under which they came to dwell ; of the growth and
prosperity of a country of free institutions ; of the character and social
and business habits of the people with whom they found themselves asso-
ciated ; the political issues of the time and the laws by which the people
were governed, and thus sooner became active, intelligent constituents of
the city's living structure, and prosperous, loyal American citizens.
The first German newspaper published in Buffalo was called Der
WltlthargfTt the initial number of which was issued December 2, 1837.
German Newspapers. 155
It was published by Mr. George Zahm, who also kept a German bookstore.
Its editor was Mr. Stephan St. Molitor. Its brief salutatory, which smacks
a trifle of apology for its appearance, contained the following announce-
ment : —
" The number of the German population of Buffalo has increased
largely during the last four or five ^*ears, and the commercial as well
as the political circumstances of this city have become of such great
significance for the Germans living here, that the appearance of a news-
paper in the German language has lonp^ been felt as an urgent need. Its
aim is the instruction of the Germans in the politics of this country, and
the communication of the most important American and European events.
As this instruction will be one of its main purposes, it will advocate no
special party, but try to develop independently and impartially those
principles which are necessary to the preservation of the Constitution.
On the more important political questions both parties will be presented,
in order to enable' the readers to form their own judgment."
It is clear that the first German newspaper started out in life upon a
broad and independent policy. Der Wtltbuerger was Democratic in
politics and in a leading editorial, counseled its readers to ally themselves
with one or the other of the great parties, that they might thus retain
their influence as citizens. The paper was a neat appearing sheet for
that period, 19 by 25 inches in size and was fairly patronized with adver-
tisements of the business of the village. Der Weltbuerger remained
under control of George Zahm until the fall of 1844, when he was killed
at a hickory-pole raising in Cheektowaga, by the falling of the pole. The
paper was then edited by Jacob M. Zahm until the fall of 1845, being pub-
lished by the administrators of George Zahm's estate. At the latter date
it was purchased by Dr. F. C. Brunck and Jacob Domedian, who began
its issue as a semi- weekly on a small sheet, at the same time enlarging the
weekly. In 1848 the second German weekly was started by Mr. Carl Ess-
linger, and called the Demokrat. When it was a year and a half old,
it was purchased by Carl De Haas and Mr. Knapp, who began
its publication as a daily — the first .in Buffalo in the German . language.
In 1853 Der Weltbuerger and the Demokrat were consolidated and
Mr. Knapp's interest bought by Mr. Fred Held, the new firm being
Brunck, Held 4 Co. Der Weltbuerger was continued as the weekly
edition, while the daily still appeared as the Demokrat ; the same policy
is still in force. The entire establishment is at present in the hands of
Mr. Held, Carl De Haas having sold his interest in 1859 and Dr.
Brunck, June i, 1875. The Demokrat wields a powerful influence
among the German population and is one of the leading papers printed
in that language in the State.
The next effort at German journalism in Buffalo was not so success-
ful. In 1840 Mr. John M. Meyer issued a campaign paper called the
Volksfreund; it was started in the Whig interest and its publication
abandoned soon after the close of the campaign. January ist, 1843, the
156 History of Buffalo.
same gciitkmen, with Mr. Alexander Krause» issued the Freimuethigt^ and
it, too, died in the summer of 1845. ^^ ^'^^ 7^^^ H. B. Miller established
the Telegraph as a weekly, and in 1854 it was issued as a daily, by Miller
& Bender. Philip H. Bender afterwards bought his partner's interest
and then sold out to Mr. F. Geib, in whose hands the paper died in 1873.
The Telegraph was first a Whig and afterwards a Republican organ.
In 1850 Mr. I. Marie began the publication of the Luegenfeindy a
small sheet devoted to the* interests of the Free Christian congregation.
It lived about two years. In 1855, its successor was started in the
Lichtfreundy by Joseph Egenter, but its life was likewise short.
The Frete Presse a small sheet, was first issued in 1855, by Fred
Reinecke. It lived seventeen years as a weekly, and was transformed
into a daily in 1872. Reinecke, Zesch & Baltz followed Fred. Reinecke as
its publishers ; it is now in the hands of Reinecke & Zesch. The Freie
Presse is an influential paper, Republican in politics.
Die Wachende Kirche is a religious journal which was started in
1856, and was pubhshed by Rev. J. J. A. Grabau ; it is now issued semi-
monthly, by Rev. J. Lange.
In 1857 the Buffalo Patriot was started as a daily by Messrs. Young
& Vogt ; it lived but a few days. The Buffalo Union^ another Republi-
can daily, started in 1863, by Messrs. Reinecke & Storcke, survived but
two 'days. The Buffalo /^//r;/^/, first issued the same year, by Messrs.
Nauert, Hansman & Co., was soon after its establishment, purchased by
Dr. Carl De Haas and Fr. Burow and afterwards passed into the hands
of Philip Bender ; it was subsequently merged with the Buffalo Telegraph.
The Journal was alterwards re-established by a Mr. Nether and lived
through one political campaign. In 1868 a paper of a mixed religious-
political character, was established by the German Printing Association ;
it was named the Volksfreuud, and was devoted to the interests of the
Roman Catholic church and Democracy. This journal is still living and
is an ably conducted sheet.
On the 16th of October, 1875, the Ty?L\\y Republikaner, was first issued
by Mr. I. S. Ellison, as an uncompromising Republican organ. On the
1st of January, 1878, its proprietary rights were transferred to the Ger-
man Republican Printing Association, Mr. Ellison continuing as its editor
until November nth, 1879; ^ week later the Republikaner w^s consol-
idated with the Freie Presse.
In 1878 another politico-religious paper was established, to be
devoted to political independence and the interests of the Protestant
Church ; it was called the Evangelische Gemeindezeiiung^ but its name
was soon after changed to Volksblatt fuer Stadt und Land. This paper
was afterwards converted into a daily, but its success was not sufficient
to make it permanent, and it was suspended on the last day of January,
]8ea
German Newspapers. 157
There arc two other German weeklies, both of which are devoted
to Roman Catholic literature — the Aurora^ pubUshed by Mr. C. Wiede-
mann, since 1858, and the Christliche Woche conducted by Rev. Joseph
Sorg, since February, 1875,
In September, 1875, the first German Sunday paper was established
in Buffalo, by Messrs. Haas, Nauert & Klein ; it was called the Sun-
day Heraldy it lived but a few months. In January, 1876, the second
Sunday journal made its appearance in the Tribune^ it was established
by a number of striking printers, and during the fall of 1877,
under the influence of the great railroad strikes, it was issued as a daily.
Its unpopular policy and incompetent management compelled it to sus-
pend in April, 1878, as a daily. The Sunday issue is still continued by
the German Republican Printing Association, and is widely read.
In the summer of 1878, the Arbeiterstimme am Erie was started;
it advocated communistic principles and quite properly died before the
anniversary of its birth.
Die Laterne was established February 21, 1880, by Emile C. Erhart.
Its name was changed to Das Banner^ August 14, 1880, and it at
the same time passed into the hands of P. Eby and C. Stienke. After
the beginning of its second year, it was continued by a stock company,
and collapsed February 10, 1883. It was a Greenback organ.
The Buffalo Wecker, was started October 30, 1880, by Emile C.
Erhart, and continued a precarious existence for seven weeks.
This completes the list of German publications in Buffalo. Those
of them that are still in existence are creditable alike to their publishers,
editors and the German speaking portion of the community that sup-
ports them.
Scarcely less than the influence of the press upon the Germans of
Buffalo, has been that of the numerous societies that have been organized
among them. Foremost among these is the German Young Men's Asso-
ciation of Buffalo. On the loth day of May, 1841, nine young men who
saw the need of fully acquainting themselves with and preserving the
literature of their native land, joined together to found a society (or the
accomplishment of that laudable object. Their names* were: F. A.
Georger, now president of the German Bank ; Dr. John Hauenstem, m
prominent German physician ; Jacob Beyer, ex-police commissioner ;
Stephan Bettinger, Karl Neid hard t, George F. Pfeifer, Wilhelm RudolpA,
and Adam Schlagder. The object of the society, as set forth in its
incorporation act, is : —
" To propagate the knowledge of the treasures of the German lit-
erature, and to cause the preservation of the German language, and
the growth of the German spirit and self-conscience."
* Of these, one, Mr. Bettinger, was bom in Lorraine ; two, Messrs. Hauenstein and Rudolph,
came from Switzerland ; five, Messrs. Beyer, Niedhardt, Georger and Pfeifer, were Alslitians, and
only Schlagder, was from Germany proper, the Palatinate.— ^r. EUison*s Paper,
158 History of Buffalo.
The name first adopted by the society, was the " German and Eng-
hsh Literary Society. '* Meetings were held weekly, and the proceed-
ings were made up principally of debates and discourses or declamar
tions given alternately in the German and English languages. The
society rapidly increased under its wise counsels and persistent activity,
and the nucleus of its present splendid library was soon gathered.
On the nth of September, 1841, the nameof the society was changed
to that of " The German Young Men's Association of the City of Buffalo."
It employed a librarian, and recording and corresponding secretaries.
At the end of the year 1845, the number of members had increased
to one hundred and twenty-two, and the library to four hundred and
thirty volumes, and it was resolved to apply for its incorporation, which
was effected by act of the Legislature of the State of New York, May
12, 1846. In this act, by which the nameof " The German Young Men's
Association of the city of Buffalo," was retained, it was said : —
" And by that name (the Association) shall have succession for the
[nirpose of establishing and maintaining a library, museum, reading rooms,
iterary and scientific lectures, exercises and debates, and other means of
promoting moral and intellectual improvement, with power for such pur-
poses," etc.
This worked a complete transformation of the Association. Its
object now was : — Improvement in the knowledge of the treasures of
German and English literature, co-operation in the cultivation of the
mind, and promotion of the arts and sciences. The meetings, which
heretofore had been hours of exercises, for which every member had to
prepare himself, and in which the one was the teacher of the other, now
became literary seances. The principal aim now was to make additions
to the library, and by its books and their circulation among the members,
prosecute the object of the Association. The restriction as to age of
members was done away with, and instead of weekly meetings, monthly
business meetings were held, at which every member had a right to be
present; and also annual meetings, for the purpose of rendering state-
ments of work performed and the election of officers. Debates, lectures
and discourses were now held only from time to time, and non-members,
as well as members of the Association, were engaged for lectures and
other exercises, and the general public admitted. The use of the Ger-
man language became more general, and special attention was paid to
the increase of German books in the library, while other libraries in this
city directed their attention almost exclusively to English literature and
contained but few German books.
In 1857, regular monthly meetings were discontinued and the whole
management entrusted to the officers of the Association, and a govern-
ing committee of ten members. This change caused dissatisfaction among
the members, and many gave up their membership ; so that, on the 3d of
April, 1 861, the Association numbered only fifty-four members.
cTSfS^.--.:-
S2^i^e^ ^^cea^c^, J^
The German Young Mens Association. 159
At the general meeting of October 2, 1861, the governing committee
was abolished, and the former monthly business meetings for all members
restored. The consequence was, that interest in the society and its
objects revived, and in the year 1866, the Association numbered two
hundred members, while the library had increased to 2,273 volumes.
In that year the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Association was cele-
brated by orations, a banquet, and a ball, on which occasion $800 were
voluntarily contributed by the members for the purpose of increasing
and improving the library. By means of these contributions the library,
in the spring of 1869^ had increased to 3,123 volumes.
In the year 1870, a system was introduced whereby periodicals of a
scientific and literary character, published in Germany, were placed on
certain tables in the room of the Association, where they could be read
by the members during the hours that the library was kept open. This
arrangement having proved a success, has since been continued.
In the same year it was resolved to admit as extraordinary members,
(that is, members who were not entitled to vote or hold office,) widows,
women, who are of age, self-dependent and unmarried, and on the appli-
cation of their guardian, those who are under age but grown up.
In April, 187$, the Association had a surplus of $800 at its disposal,
and it was decided to set aside the sum of $S00, the interest of which,
and that only, should be expended in the purchase of books for the
library.
The membership of the Association has now reached a large num-
ber, and the library contains over 7,000 volumes. The difficulty of secur-
ing a proper hall for the Saengerfest of 1883, led Messrs. J. F. SchoelU
kopf and Philip Becker, to purchase the property corner of Main and
Edward Streets, with the view of transferring the same to the German
Young Men's Association. At the suggestion of these purchasers, and
Mr. A. Ziegele, it was resolved to take a deed of the land, and erect a
structure suitable for all the uses of the Association as well as for the
festival of 1883.
The project was rapidly developed, and in November, 1882, the col-
lection of funds for the proposed building was begun. Messrs. Philip
Becker, J. F. Schoellkopf and Albert Ziegele, Sr., each contributed $i,oco
to the object, and many other liberal Germans gave sums nearly as
large ; each person contributing $50 or more, becoming a life member.
Plans were prepared by architects Esenwein and Deisler, for a building
which, with the grounds, cost about $225,000, and bonds were issued
in sums of $25 and upwards, to run for thirty years, with option of col-
lecting them any time after ten years ; these bonds were issued to the
amount in gross of $150,000, at five per cent, interest In this splendid
building, now just completed, the library of the Association occupies a
commodious and convenient room on the second floor, 33 by 60 feet in size.
i6o History of Buffalo.
and located on the corner of the two streets upon which the building
fronts. The great Saengerfest of 1883 ^^^ held in the building, the large
hall being calculated to seat about six thousand persons.
The German Lutheran Young Men's Association was organized for
the intellectual improvement of its members, chiefly through a medium
of a library and reading room, which is kept open every evening.
There are now about 3,000 volumes in the library, and the rooms are
located at 659 Michigan street.
The Germans are a musical as well as a social people, and their sing-
ing societies are found wherever Germans have settled in any consider-
able numbers. The oldest German singing society in Buffalo is the
Liedertafel, which was founded May 9, 1848. Its first officers were : H.
Wiser, President; F. Albrecht, Secretary ; C.Huis, Treasurer; A. Wun-
derlin. Librarian. The following named gentlemen have served this
society as musical directors : John Dossert, Frederick Hoddick, C. Adam,
W. Groscurt, Sig. J. Nuno, C, W. F. Mueller, Frederick Erfling and
Joseph Mischka, who is now the efficient incumbent of that position. In
1853 '* Das Liederkraenzchen '' was organized, and from this society the
'< Saengerbund " emerged on the 20th of April, 1855, with the following
named members: C. W. Braun, H. Duehrfeldt, C. Voss, E. Besser, A.
Holzhausen, and nine others. The musical directors of this society were
C. W. Braun and Prof. Friedrich Federlein. In 1869, two more singing
societies were formed, the " Harugari-Maennerchor," September 19th,
and the " Orpheus " October 29th, of that year ; the latter society sprang
from the Liedertafel, with the following founders : A. Brunn, A. B. Fel-
gemacher. Otto Ulbrich, F. Lautz, A. Lautz, C. KroU, M. Stark and
others. The first musical director was Ernst Schultz, who was succeeded
by Carl Adam. Besides these societies there are the ** Arion Singing
Society," August Goehle, director ; the " Germania Singing Society,"
August Goehle, director ; the " Harmonie Singing Society," John Laux,
director ; " East Buffalo Maennerchor," the " St. Stephens Maennerchor."
J. Eitelman, director ; the ** Helvetia Saenger-Verein," William Lutz,
President.
On the 7th of March, 1853, the Buffalo Turnverein was organized in
Roth's Hall, on Michigan street. The following twenty gentlemen were
its founders: Louis Allgewaehr, Gustav and Frederic Duehrfeldt, Her-
man Weber, Heinrich Nauert, Gustav Spitznagel, Martin Riebling, Karl
and Gotthard Krech, Ed. Gerstenhauer, Wilhelm Moeser, A. Liesenhopp,
John Haffner, Anton Heilman, George Hirsch, Valentine Friedrich, James
Von Arx, G. Bachman, G. Berger and A. Kaltenegger. The Turnverein
has enjoyed a very prosperous career and now possesses a valuable
property on Ellicott street, embracing a commmodious Turn Hall.
In the different secret societies the Germans of Buffalo have for many
years been conspicuous. As early as 1847 they organized the " Walhalla"
German Societies — Banks. i6i
lodge of the order of Odd Fellows, since which time several other lodges
have been organized by Germans of this order. In 1849 ^be first German
Free Mason lodge was formed by James Wenz, Dr. Ehrman, Moritz
Eschenbach and Jacob Weil; it was called the '* Concordia." Since
that time several other lodges of this order have been established,
which are properly referred to in the chapter on the Masonic order of
Buffalo.
The distinctively German order " Harugari/* is very strongly repre-
sented in Buffalo. The constitution of this order directs the exclusive
use of the German language in its proceedings and makes it a duty to
do everything possible for the preservation of the language in other ways*
The first lodge of this order was founded in Buffalo in 1848 and named the
" Columbia Lodge No. 1 1 ;" the second was the " Goethe No. 36.*' Both
of these were soon dissolved. Following them '' Black iRock Lodge No.
35 " was founded in 1853 J " Chcrusker No. 47" in 1854 ; " Robert Blum
No. 54 " in 1855 ; " Buffalo No. 10 " in i860 ; " Ludwigs No. 105," " Buffalo
Plains No. in" and " German No. 1 19 " all in 1865 ; " Erie County No. 165 "
ini868 ; '' Goethe No. 222 " in 1870 ; " Loche " in 1875 ; " Bal dur " in 1876,
and " Freundschaft " in the same year. The order is in a very flourish-
ing condition.
In matters relating to finance, the Germans of Buffalo have acquired
a position that is enviable. The German Bank of Buffalo was organized
May 6, 1 871, and opened its doors for business about June ist,of that year.
Its first officers were F. Augustus Georger, president ; Philip Becker, vice-
president ; S. W. Warren, cashier. Its incorporators were F. Augustus
Georger, Philip Becker, Philip Houck, J. F. Schoellkopf, Jacob Dold, R.
Hoffeld and F. C. Brunck. This institution began business with a capital of
$100,000, in 1876 under the Erie County Savings Bank, corner of Main and
Court streets, and removed to its present location in the German Insur-
ance Company's building when it was first occupied. The German Bank
has, since its organization, paid an annual dividend of 10 per cent, and has
now an accu^iulated surplus of $100,000. Its present officers are F.
Augustus Georger, president; Philip Houck, vice-president ; Eugene A.
Georger, cashier. The directors are : — F. Augustus Georger, Philip
Houck, J. F. Schoellkopf, Jacob Dold, R. Hoffeld, Albert Ziegle, Sr.,
Dr. John Hauenstein. This bank is one of the most prosperous financial
institutions in the cit}'.
The German American Bank was organized May 10, 1882, and began
business at 424 Main street, corner of Court, May 22d, with a capital of
$100,000, which is fully paid in. Its business has rapidly increased and
now reaches half a million dollars. The officers of the German Ameri-
can Bank are : Henry Hellriegel, President ; Alexander Martin, Vice-
President ; Henry W. Burt, Cashier. The Directors are Henry Hell-
riegel, Charles Greiner, John P. Diehl, Alexander Martin, L. L. Lewis,
John Schaefer, Francis Handel, Joseph Timmermann, Henry Breitweiser.
1 62
History of Buffalo.
As far back as 1867, the Buffalo German Insurance Company was
organized, with a capital of $100,000, which was increased in 1871 to
$200,000. The first officers of the company were : E. G. Grey, President ;
Philip Becker, Vice-President; Alexander Martin, Secretary. The
incorporators were : E. G. Grey, Philip Becker, Julius Fuchs, Michael
Mesmer, Solomon .Scheu, J. F. Schoellkopf, Philip Houck, Oliver J,
Eggert, Albert Ziegele, F. C. Brunck, Stephan Bettinger, F. Augustus
Georger, Jacob Beyer, R. HoffeldJ' Joseph Timmermann, Henry C.
Persch. The first offices of this company were located on the north,
east corner of Main and Mohawk streets. In 1869 the following named
officers were elected: Philip Becker, President; Julius Fuchs, Vice-
President; Alexander Martin, Secretary. In 1874 Mr. Martin resigned
as Secretary and Oliver J. Eggert was elected to the vacancy. The
present directors of the company are : Louis P. Adolff, Philip Becker,
Charles Boiler, F. C. Brunck, Adam Cornelius, John P. Diehl, Jacob
Dold, Julius Fuchs, F. A. Georger, George Goetz, E. G. Grey, John
Hauenstein, William Hellriegel, Jacob Hiemenz, Philip Houck, Michael
Mesmer, N. Ottenot, Henry C. Persch, J. F. Schoellkopf, Albert
Ziegele.
The German Insurance Company does business in seventeen States
as follows: California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New
York, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and in the District of
Columbia.
The following figures show the remarkably successful business that
has been done by this company during the past sixteen years : —
DATE.
February 15, 1867,
ASSETS.
1 100.000.00
Nrr suKPLUs.
LOSSBS PAID.
January
1, 1868,
118,738.88
% 4.593.94
• 5,275.59
«
1. 1869.
125,220.58
6,03343
25.705.96
.(
I, 1870,
155,090.26
28,828.68
12,624.81
11
1, 1871,
270,080.82
22,104.10
25,317.37
«
1, 1872,
3 > 8,337.34
43,099.60
53,265.34
«<
1, 1873.
357,160.79
61,571.95
63,206.0a
«
1, 1874,
447,273-95
140,852.27
59,979.92
f<
1, 1875.
552,601.96
234,197.01
65,267.13
<•
1, 1876,
647^60.33
321,25647
74,962.07
u
1, 1877.
684,799-20
338,068.91
1 10,28046
u
1, 1878,
702,074.26
381,796.50
106,126.61
it
1, 1879,
754,406.93
420,025.61
89,618.67
u
1. 1880.
781,062.46
421,022.96
139494.87
<«
1, 1881
825,432.73
444,071.53
I44AJ3.60
.<
1, 1882.
900,956.29
45'7,892.20
171,728.52
a
1. 1883,
936,940.54
494,204.85
190^898.38
$».337.795.32
German Churches. 163
In 1876, this Company erected the substantial and beautiful iron
structure fronting on Lafayette Square and Main street, at a cost of $275,-
ocx>. In this building are located the convenient and commodious offices
of the company. The building is in many respects the finest architect-
ural work in the city.
The Germans are also fully represented in most other lines of busi-
ness in the city, and especially in manufacturing, as will be learned in
succeeding chapters. Each generation is brought up to a clear under-
standing of some branch of mercantile business, or is instructed in some
useful trade, so that all are workers in some direction, and fitted to add
in their proper ratio to the wealth and growth of the community.
German Churches.
St. Louis Church, — The Germans of Buffalo took an early active
interest in religious matters, which has been since continued, and there
are now in the city more than thirty church organizations, many of them
owning costly edifices, which may be properly classed as German in
character. The first of these in point of organization, is what is known
as the St. Louis Church, situated on the corner of Main and Edward
streets. The first church building that stood on that site, was erected in
1832. In 1828, Rev. Father Baden, the first Catholic priest ordained in
the United States, came to Buffalo and was the guest of the distinguished
and philanthropic pioneer, Mr. Louis LeCouteulx, for several weeks.
During that period and doubtless at his suggestion, Mr. LeCouteulx
resolved to donate the site of the St. Louis church to Bishop Dubois.
Both Father Baden and Mr. LeCouteulx placed themselves in communi-
cation with the Bishop, who came to Buffalo in 1829, and said mass in
the old court house. He was surprised to find so large a number of
Catholics in the place, and after his return to New York, at his earnest
solicitation, Rev. John Nicholas Mertz, who had returned from Europe
the second time, consented to become a missionary to Buffalo and the
surrounding country. He first held services here in a frame building on
Pearl street, in rear of what is now the American Block. In 1832 the
first primitive church was erected on the site, a frame building with
cross beams of logs ; a man named George Schneider, doing the work. As
soon as the Catholics in other near localities learned that a church had been
established in Buffalo, they came to the village in such numbers that the
little church was too snuill to accommodate them ; in consequence the
Irish element branched off and built the St Patrick's church. In 1835,
the French and German Catholics erected the present large and hand-
some St. Louis church. It was built directly over the old church, which
after the brick church was finished, was demolished and carried outside.
Peter Kraemer had the contract for building the brick church. In 1838
or 1839, Rev. Father Mertz returned to Europe. He had been succeeded
164 History of Buffalo.
in 1836, by Rev. Alexander Pax, who rendered valuable service for
eight years, and was succeeded by Rev. Francis Guth ; he also remained
eight years. Then came in succession the Rev. Fathers Raffeiner,
Weninger, Dieterz, Serge de Scthoulepnikoff and lastly, the present
pastor, Rev. Father Sorg, who took charge of the church August 25,
1867. The first Board of Trustees of this church, were Michael
Werle, Peter Kraemer, Peter Eslinger, George Zahm, George
Bangasser, John Dingens and Peter Zintz. The French portion of the
society separated from the parent church about thirty years ago, leaving
the congregation distinctively German. The present Board of Trustees
are Paul Hausle, Jacob Davis, Francis Spoeri, Joseph Bronner, Mathias
Smith, Peter Paul and Frank Deck. A school was established in con-
nection with the church in 182 1. It is now in very successful operation
with about five hundred and eighty pupils and eight teachers.
St. Boniface Church, — In March, 1849, ^ ^^^ German Catholics who
lived in the vicinity of Mulberry street, in the midst of what was then more
than half a wilderness, resolved to build a church. Accordingly two lots
on Mulberry street were bought, each twenty-five feet wide, and to this
Mr. A. D. Patchen added by the gift of 100 feet. A frame building was
begun and on the 15th of May, 1849, Rev. Father Kunze held the first
services in the church. The society then comprised about forty families.
A parsonage was built and a school house, which was finished in April,
i8$o. During the year 1851, the church was enlarged, a tower built and
a bell provided. In the spring of 1854, Father Zacharias Kunze was suc-
ceeded by Rev. Rudolph Folltoius, who served five years. In 1856 the
church was again found to be too small to accommodate the growing
congregation and the society resolved to erect a new brick structure
55 by 120 feet. The corner stone was laid in November of the same year
and the church was consecrated June 15, 1857 ; its cost was about $10,000.
The same year the society was incorporated under the name of St. Boni-
face Church. Rev. Follenius died May 27, 1859, ^^^ Rev. H. Feldmann
was called to the office : he served until January ist, 1864. During his
ministry, the church was refurnished and the property increased by the
purchase of two lots. In 1861 a large brick school house was built, and
in 1864 a large organ was purchased at a cost of $2,000. Between January
I, 1864 and March 17, 1866, Rev. Joannes Jowistowsky oflSciated as pas-
tor ; he was succeeded by Rev. Joannes Soemer. During that period
another lot was bought. From September 29, 1867, to March i, 1873,
Rev. Nicolaus Sorg officiated in the church. During his ministry the
church edifice was much enlarged and a steeple erected at a cost of $20,-
000 ; and in 1870 a chime of four bells was put in, with a tower clock. Two
new benevolent associations were also founded and a house and lot secured
for a teacher's residence. The school is under the charge of the Sisters
of St. Joseph and is largely attended. March i, 1873, Rev. Mr. Soi^ was
German Churches. 165
recalled by his bishop and was succeeded by Rev. Heinrich FeldmanUi
who was followed by the present pastor, Rev. Chrysostomus Wagner,
December 11, 1880. In 1873 ^ handsome parsonage was built at a cost
of |6,ooo. In 1875 the interior of the church was frescoed and the follow-
ing two years an addition was built to the school house and a beautiful
high altar put in the church, to which two side altars were added in 1878.
This church is now one of the finest in Buffalo and is valued, with its prop-
erty, at $60,000.
A school was organized soon after the construction of the church
and now has between four and five hundred scholars, with six teach-
ers. . Francis Joseph Schmidt is the principal.
St. Francis Xakfier Chu,rch. — This church .was founded in 1849 by ^^
following named gentlemen : Franz Hall, Franz Wamhoff, Henry Niehaus,
Henry Rahe, Joseph Spiedl, John Arg^s, Ignatz Fomess, Henry Sander,
Ernest Sander, Simon Burkhardt, John Burkhardt, John Bauer, John Han-
bach, Jos. Danscher, Jos. Hall and Qerhard Niehaus. The first service
was held on the 2d of December, 1849, ^^ ^ little frame church on Amherst
street, where the present edifi^ce stands, by Rev. Franz Guth. In 1852,
the congregation had grown so that it was necessary to ha.ve a larger
church, and a brick building was erected. An addition was made to
this building within a few years. In 1866, the Irish members of the con-
gregation withdrew from the church and formed the St. John Baptist
church; but the St. Francis Xavier congregation grew rapidly. The
following Reverend Fathers have been stationed at this church in the
order they are named — Revs. Franz Guth, Aloys Samogyi, Fr. N. Lester,
Dominique Geymer, Anton Saeger, Aloys Hatala, John Ignatz Yawis-
towsky, J. A. Mosball, P. Foertch, S. J., P. Haering, S. J., P. Martens,
O. S. M., Henry Feldmann, followed by the present pastor, Rev. F.
X. Kofler, under whose direction the congregation grew rapidly. In
1877, a further enlargement of the church was made; the old spire and
the front wall were taken down, twenty feet were added to the building
and a tower one hundred and twenty-nine feet high erected. Three bells
of 1,800, 1,400 and 1,000 pounds respectively, tuned F, G and A, were
placed in the tower, and a clock that strikes the quarter hours added.
The church was also frescoed, the gas laid and the organ enlarged. A
school was originally kept in the little frame church on week days, twenty-
five or thirty scholars attending. This number increased so rapidly that
in 1 87 1, the Sisters of St. Joseph established a school-house and placed
three Sisters in it as permanent teachers. A lay teacher (the church
organist) was also kept. In 1874, another Sister was engaged as teacher.
The pupils of the parish school now number nearly 35a
St. Michael* s Raman Catholic Church. — The congregation of St
Michael's was organized early in June, 1851. About nineteen families
were then represented in the first religious meeting, which was held in
i66 History of Buffalo.
the basement of St. Peter's French Roman Catholic church, on the cor-
ner of Clinton and Washington streets, June 15, 1851. The first pastor
of this congregation was Rev. T. L. Caveng, S. J., who served from
June, i8si» to January 27, 1862, when he died. His successor. Rev. F.
John Blettner, S. J., remained with the congregation but a few months,
and was succeeded July 20, 1862, by Rev. F. Vetter, S. J., who filled the
office until August iSt 1863. He was then followed by Rev. F. Joseph
Durthaller, who left July 26, 1870, and was succeeded by the late Rev.
F. E. Reiter, S. J., vfho remained with the congregation until March i,
1 87 1. Rev. F. William Becker, S. J., was the next pastor; he filled the
office until February 5, 1875, when the present pastor. Rev. Joseph
Kreusch, S. J., assumed the office. The comer stone of the first church,
a brick structure, was laid August 20^ 185 1, and the edifice was dedicated
January i, 1852, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Timon. The new St. Michael's
church, an imposing stone edifice, on Washington between Chippewa
and Tupper streets, was dedicated June 16, 1867, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop
Lynch. It is a beautiful church, and is noted for its fine paintings. Its
spires are not yet finished ; they are being erected at a cost of nearly
$20,000, and will be completed within the ensuing year. A parochial
school is attached to the church, with over six hundred pupils, all 01
whom also attend the Sunday School ; the pastor of the church is super-
intendent of the school.
St. Anne^s Ratnan Catholic Church. — This church was organized
June 28, 1858. For about a month after its organization it was served
from St. Michael's church. July 28th, Father J. Vetter assumed the
charge and remained until i860, when he was succeeded by Father
George Fritsch, from i860 to 1867. From that time until July 26, 1870,
Father A. Suter served the church ; he remained only until August 22d
of the same year, when Father Ignatius Bellwealder came until Septem-
ber 7, 1 87 1. He was succeeded by Father P. Spicher, until July 9, 1872,
when Father Bellwealder again occupied the office until September i,
1875. Following him came Father W. Roether, the present Superior. His
assistants are Fathers O. Hogenvorst, A. Suter and F. Seuermann. The
building of the church was begun in April, 1858, and it was dedicated
June 28, 1858 ; its cost was between $8,000 and $9,000. The school was
then held in the second story of the church building ; about two years
later, the school house was built. When the church was established,
there were about one hundred families connected with it. Now there are
one thousand two hundred children in the school, and about the same
number of families in the parish. The corner stone of the grand struc-
ture now in process of construction, was laid in 1877. About $80,000
have already been expended on this building, and it is estimated that it
will cost $120,000. It is located on Emslie street, comer of Broadway,
and is two hundred and twelve feet long, with a front of ninety-three
German Churches. 167
feet on Broadway. The main spire is on the corner of the two streets
named, and is two hundred and twenty-eight feet high ; another spire on
the other corner is one hundred and eighty feet high; the building
material used is Lockport limestone. The church will be finished in
about two years. This church society has enjoyed continual growth and
prosperity, and the costly and beautiful structure now being erected is
entirely free from debt ; as the building progresses, everything is paid
for, and the people contribute liberally for the work.
• Church of the Seven Dolors. — This society was established in the year
1871, Father Gundelach being the first pastor. The present house of
worship was built during the first year after the organization of the
society. After Father Gundelach, came successively Fathers Th.
Voss, Gr. Wagner, and then the present pastor, Father A. Heiter.
There are now three hundred families in the parish ; the church is located
on Genesee street, near Fillmore Avenue.
St, Vincent's Church, — This church is located at Cold Spring, and was
organized in 1864, by about forty families. The first pastor was Rev.
J. Sorg, who began his work on the 19th of July, 1864, attending the
church from St. Joseph's Cathedral. The succeeding residing pastors
were Rev. Hopschneider, Rev. Keck, Rev. Dalez, Rev. Scheffels, and
then the present pastor, Rev. M. Philipps. The number of families at
present in the congregation is one hundred and twenty. The parochial
school is taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph, and contains eighty-two
children.
St. Nicholas' Church, — This church is located on Glenwood avenue,
near Jefferson street, and was organized in 1874, with about fifty mem-
bers. The first pastor was Rev. V. Velten, who began his work on
Easter Sunday, 1874. The succeeding pastors were Rev. Voss and Rev,
Philipps, who attends it from St. Vincent's church. The number of
families now in the church is about one hundred and three. The paro-
chial school is attended by ninety children.
St, Marys Church — This church is located at the corner of Broad-
way and Pine streets. The congregation was organized in 1842,
by Rev. Joseph Alig. In 1844 a frame church was erected. Four years
later, April 9, 1848, the corner stone of the present edifice was laid. In
1856 the school for boys and girls was built on Broadway ; in 1869 a large
school house was bu'lt on Pine street, and in 1874 another was erected on
Broadway ; these schools are all numerously attended. The first Supe-
rior, who came in 1844, was Rev. Benedict Bayer. His successors and
the dates of their coming are as follows : — 1848, Rev. Carl Cannemueller ;
1849, J^^v- Joseph Helmpraecht ; 1855, Rev. Anthony Urbanzeck; 1856,
Rev. Aloys Schaefler; 1857, Rev. Joseph Claus ; 1858, Rev. Henry
Giesen ; 1859, R^v. Anthony Schmidt; 1861, Rev. Robert Kleineidam;
1862, Rev. Louis Claessens; 1863, Rev. Adrian VandeBraak; 1868,
a.3
i68 History of Buffalo.
Rev. John Hespelein; 1871, Rev. E. F. Schauer; 1877, Rev. George
Sniet.
Church of the Sacred Hearty — This church was organized in
1875, in which year the building was erected ; the corner stone wjais
laid in May. It is located on Seneca street, near Emslie. The church
and the grounds cost $31,000. The original membership comprised
about thirty families. The first pastor was the Rev. Chrysostomus Wag-
ner, who assumed the office by order of Bishop Ryan, for about five
months ; he was siicceeded by Father Theodore Voss, who remained a
year and nine months, when Father Matthias Gessner came and still
remains with the church. The parochial school connected with the
church was instituted in June, 1875, with about twenty-five children ;
the first lay trustees were L. Holzbom and M. Duchman. The school
is conducted by the Sisters of St. Francis, and now contains nearly three
hundred children. The church congregation now comprises three hun-
dred families. The present lay trustees are Bernard Schmitt and Paul
Kreuz.
The German Protestant churches are divided among the Evangeli-
cal Lutheran and Old Lutheran, Baptist and Methodist denominations,
and the churches of the Evangelical Association. There are no Presby-
terian or Episcopalian German churches in Buffalo.
German Evangelical Lutheran St. Johris Church. — We have already
referred to the first German protestant services held in the city ; as an
outcome of those services, the first German protestant congregation was
organized on the loth day of February, 1832. The vestry consisted of
Ludwig Bronner, Sr., George Schneider, Philip Beyer, Sr., Samuel Krie-
gelstein, Michael Ruch and Michael Goetz. The first trustees were
Jacob Siebold, Rudolph Baer, Ernst G. Grey, Christian Bronner,
Christian Lapp and Fred. Dellenbaugh. On the 9th day of September,
1835, the corner stone of their church on Hickory street, between Broad-
way and William streets was laid, and on the 25th of May, 1840, the
finished church was dedicated. It was a substantial brick building,
48 by 80 feet and cost $10,000, In 1874 the congregation numbered
about one thousand and three hundred, and a new building 65 by
116 feet, brick, in gothic style was begun. The corner stone was
laid September 20, 1874, and the church dedicated September J,
187s ; ^^ structure cost $42,000. This church is known as the Ger-
man Evangelical Lutheran St. John's church. The first pastor was
the Rev. F. D. Guenther, who filled the office until January, 1857.
In May of that year, the present pastor, Rev. Christian Voltz assumed
the duties of the office. The society owns a school house, supports its
own parochial school, and has a Sunday school that is very prosperous.
It also owns a cemetery of eleven acres on Pine Hill, and the Lutheran
Orphan Asylum, which was founded March 6, 1864; the asylum was
German Churches. 169
dedicated May 9^ 1865, and incorporated April 14, 1865. A separate
asylum for orphan boys was built at Sulphur Springs and dedicated
October 11, 1868 ; the building was destroyed by fire February 23, 1876,
but was at once rebuilt ; the comer stone of the second building was
laid July 16, 1876, and it was dedicated August 15, 1877. The first Board
of Managers were. Rev Christian Voltz, Jacob H. Koons, George Kray,
Andreas Grass, Daniel Lang, Anton Hasselbach, Jacob Reiman, Carl
Sauer, Frederick Wuest. The present Board consists of William Hen-
rich, Michael Ulrich, John Machemer, Jacob Benzing, Anton DegenfeU
der, Louis Seligman.
United Evangelical St. PauTs Church. — Early in the year 1843, a
number of the congregation of St John's (St Johannes) church, who
were dissatisfied with its exclusively Lutheran character, separated from
that church and organized on the i6th of July, the United Evangelical
St Paul's church. A lot was bought on Washington, between Genesee
and Chippewa streets, and the erection of a church commenced. At the
first meeting of the new organization, held August 7, 1843, Dr. F.
Dellenbaugh presiding, Messrs. D. Devening, J. Krettner, L Weber, J.
Hellriegel and J. Bodemer were elected trustees. The first pastor was
Rev. Mr. Von Linge, who was succeeded in 1844 by Rev. C. F. Sol-
dan, who filled the office nine years. In August, 1854, Rev. Otto
Burger became the pastor, where for over seventeen years, he
labored most effectively and satisfactorily for the good of the society.
In 1873 he was compelled to seek restoration of his impaired health, for
which purpose he made a visit to Europe. During his absence Rev.
Schomstein, who was acting as Mr. Burger's substitute, with a portion
of the^ congregation, took steps towards separation from St. Paul's and
the formation of St. Marcus church ; this movement brought Rev. Mr.
Burger hoipe, and he again assumed his duties, but his failing health
compelled him to resign his pastorate early in 1874. Rev. C. L. Schild
succeeded to the office and still retains it. The first steps towards build-
ing a new church, were taken in May, 1861. Two lots were bought on
the west side of EUicott street, between Tupper and Goodell streets, for
about $10,000, and ground was broken in October. The comer stone
was laid in the following April, and on the 29th of April, 1883, the dedi-
cation took place. The cost of the church and ground was about $62,000.
This church is a very prosperous one and is one of the largest in the
city. The present trustees are Philip Houck, John Greiner, Fr.
Persch, Jacob F. Schoellkopf and P. Lindenbach. Henry Hellriegel is
treasurer.
Evangelical St Stephen* s Church. — From St. Paul's church sprang
in March, 1853, the St Stephen's church. It began with twenty-
one families, but now has about eight hundred. Its first pastor was Rev.
Karl F. Soldan ; he was succeeded in August, 1854, by Rev. F. Schelle,
I70 History of Buffalo.
who is the present incumbent. In 1857 a church was built on the cor-
ner of Peckham and Adams streets ; an addition was made to the
structure in 1875, leaving it as it now stands, with sixty feet front by one
hundred and sixteen and one-half feet deep, with a seating capacity of
one thousand and four hundred; its cost was about $25,000. Three
chimes, cast by Kimberly & Meneele, of Troy, N. Y., were put in the
tower in 1875, at a cost of $2,600, and a clock costing $600, built by
Rufus L. Howard & Co. Four benevolent societies are connected with
the church, and an Evangelican home for Buffalo and vicipity, for aged
and indigent persons. This is situated at the junction of- Batavia and
Genesee streets; the building cost $10,000, which is all paid. It was
dedicated June 16, 1876. There are at present twenty-one inmates in. the
institution. Forty-two and one half acres are attached to it. An addition
of a three-story brick building with an observatory, at an estimated cost of
over $9,000, Henry Schaefer, builder, is now in process of construction.
The corner stone was laid in the latter part of August, 1883. The pres-
ent trustees are, Rev. F. Schelle, president ; John H. Peters, secretary ;
Philip Debus, treasurer; Henry Schaefer and John N. Smith. The
trustees of the church are : Louis Fritz, president ; William Sinsel,
secretary; Peter Pfeil, treasurer; Charles A. Fritzsche, Henry Diet-
schler and Henry Roos. The elders are Philip Zoeller, Martin Fritz,
Henry Peters, Jacob Knehr and Matthew Koch. A parochial school of
brick construction, expenses paid by the church, is connected with the
church, with over three hundred and fifty pupils in attendance ; the prin-
cipal is Jacob Eitelman, who is also organist and conductor of the choir.
The Sunday school has between five hundred and six hundred scholars.
Rev. Mr. Schelle, who is also superintendent of the Sunday school, is
one of the two pastors in Buffalo of the longest standing, having been
thirty years in this office.
TAe German United Evangelical St. Peter*s Church. — In the autumn of
1 83 1, Rev. Joseph Gumbel arrived in Buffalo; he came from Wurtem-
berg, and immediately began laboring among the few Germans then here,
as an Evangelical preacher. In the spring of the following year a Ger-
man family of five persons, also from Wurtemberg, reached Buffalo ;
they were John Schwartz and his wife, Katherina ; her brother, Konrad
Seeger ; her step-brother, John George Schiefer, and a nephew of John
Schwartz, named Gottlieb Weibert. The Rev. Mr. Gumbel, with this
family, organized the United Evangelical St. Peter's Church, holding
services for a time in a small frame building on Pearl street, near Niag-
ara street. The society grew, and in 1835, the "English Methodist
Society " made their German friends a present of the small frame church
building, where the Germans had held their services, and it was removed
to their lot on the eomer of Genesee and Hickory streets. Rev. Mr.
Gumbel soon after resigned his pastorate and returned to the old country.
German Churches. 171
He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Laoge, and he, in 1838, by Rev. Hoi-
lacher. Shortly after Rev. William Veil assumed the charge. January
I2« 1845, ^he faith and articles of the constitution of the society were
adopted, and the first church counsel elected, consisting of Wilhelm
Messing, Stephen Weisgerber, John Nebe, trustees ; John Schoenthal,
Johann Schiefer and Henry Schwartz, elders. On the 2rstof October,
1848 Rev. G. S. Vogt became the pastor, in which capacity he served
faithfully for twenty-seven years. The congregation grew rapidly, and
on the 25th of February, 1850, the old St. Paul's Episcopal church was
purchased by the society for $600, and transferred to their lot ; in 1852
this building was enlarged. In December, 1875, R^y- Mr. Vogt resigned
his pastorate, organized another congregation, and built the St. Jacobus
church. The present pastor, Rev. E. Jung, was called to the office in
the spring of 1876. April 18, 1877, the society resolved to erect a new
church : accordingly the corner stone of the present handsome structure
was laid July 22d of that year, and the building was dedicated February
3, 1878. A day school has been connected with this church since early
in its existence ; it is kept in a brick school house on the rear of the
church lot. The society is a member of the German Evangelical Synod
of North America, with headquarters at St. Louis.
TA^ United Evangelical Protestant St. Mathew's Church. — This con-
gregation is of the United Evangelical denomination, and belongs to
the German Evangelical Synod of Nortfi America. The St. Mathew's
congregation was organized in 1868, and in that and the follow-
ing year, built a large brick church on Swan street, near its junc-
tion with Seneca street. The congregation also owns a school house
and lot, and a cemetery on Clinton street, below Buffalo Creek. The
first pastor, under whom the congregation was organized and who super-
intended the building of the church, was Dr. Hugo Kuehne. He
resigned in 1870, and was succeeded by Rev. Julius Krummel, who died
in 1872. Rev. Gottfried Berner, who succeeded Rev. Krummel, left the
congregation and ministry in 1878, in order to devote his time to editing
a German newspaper. The vacancy was then filled by the present pas-
tor. Rev. John Bank. The trustees are Frederick Dietrich, William
Corbach, Edward Becherer, Friedrich Dold, Frederic Henning. The
congregation at present consists of one hundred members entitled to
vote, and two hundred and fifty who are simply owners of pews. The
parochial school numbers from fifty to one hundred pupils, under direc-
tion of Mr. Emil Bandlitz. The Sunday school numbers from one
hundred and fifty to two hundred scholars ; Mr. Bandlitz is the super-
intendent, with twenty teachers and other officers. Early in its existence
this congregation met with many difficulties, but through the faithful-
ness and energy of the members, the heavy debt which rested on the
church has been reduced to $6,000.
172 History of Buffalo.
German Evangelical St Lucas Church. — This church is now located on
the comer of Richmond avenue and Utica street ; it was organized in
December, 1870, with Rev. C. Zumedden as pastor, and the following
named trustees : — William Mueller, Peter Hoffman, Philip Folz, Henry
Thauer and Andrew Vogt. There were twenty-seven members when
the church was organized. The second pastor was Rev. Jacob Schlegel,
who accepted the office in April, 1875 ; he was succeeded in April, 1877,
by Rev. Frederick Roesch, who remained until December, 1877. In
April, 1878, the present pastor, Rev. George Kottler came, and ii under
contract until 1886. The present church was built in 1 881, at a cost,
including the lot, of $9,500 ; the old church stood on the same grounds,
and was built in 1868 by the Westminster church, for Sunday school
purposes. The congregation now numbers one hundred and sixty-three,
and the trustees are : — Peter Hoffman, Andrew Vogt, Fred. Kissinger,
Louis Brackman and Valentine Funk.
The Evangelical St. John's Churchy — This church was organized in
1847, there being twenty original members, some of whom are still in the
society. Services were first held by the Rev. P. Brumbach ; he came
once in every three or four weeks from Tonawanda for the purpose, and
received for his labors an annual salary of $100. Previous to 1850 the
meetings were held in a public school house. At that time the congrega-
tion removed to the English Baptist church on Dearborn street, Rev.
Maier having succeeded the first pastor. He was followed just before
1852, by Rev. P. Julius Knimmel, who was the first pastor to devote his
whole time to the church. During his administration a new brick church
was erected on Amherst street, the comer stone of which was laid
August 25, 1852 ; the building was finished the following year. The land
on which the church stands was donated by a Mr. Haist and J. Schmidt.
The cost of the building was $3,500 ; it was enlarged and improved in
1874, making its seating capacity eight hundred. Rev. Mr. Bochart suc-
ceeded Rev. Krummel as pastor. Between 1856 and 1858, Rev. P.
Kretzschmer occupied the pulpit ; he was followed in December, 1858,
by the Rev. C. Siebenpfeiffer, who remained three years. He was fol-
lowed in 1861, by the Rev. E. Runk. In May, 1864, the Rev. P. Julius
Krummel was recalled to the church, after an absence of eleven years.
From May, 1870, to May, 1873, Rev. A. Grotrian was the pastor ; his
successor was Rev. H. Zimmer, who remained until May, 1876, when he
was succeeded by Rev. P. W. Angelberger. In May, 1878, he was suc-
ceeded by Rev. A. Zeller, who remained until the spring of 1883. Dur-
ing the administration of Rev. Krummel, about 1864, a school house was
erected, in which a flourishing parochial school is now conducted.
German Evangelical Friedens C4«r<rA.— This church was organized
January 26, 1880, with Rev. G. Berner, the present pastor, officiating.
Following are the names of the first trustees, who are still in office : —
German Churches. 173
Hermann C. Grasser, president ; J. F. Berner, secretary ; John Menz,
treasurer ; Charles Huenemiller and Ch. Schroeder. The church stands
at the foot of Monroe street, on Eagle ; it was dedicated August 29, 1880.
There are about one hundred and eighty-five families belonging to the
church, comprising a union of Lutherans and the Reformed denomina-
tion ; the church started with but forty-five families ; it has a prosperous
Sunday school and day school, with about one hundred pupils.
Evangelical Reformed Zion Church, — On the 5th day of September,
1845, Rev. John Althaus, Adam Minkel, Sr., J. Adam Guth, Sr., John
Kalle, Adolph Meir, Johann Diehl, Johann Fries, Peter Schulz, Christian
Hormel, Adam Guth, Jr., Michael Ott, John Riebling, John Wagner,
Heinrich Kurtz, Jacob Wurster, Heinrich Kuhn and William Gum-
brecht, met for the purpose of forming a German Evangelical Reformed
church in Buffalo. The object was promptly carried out and a lot
bought on the comer of Cherry and Spring streets, at a cost of $210;
on this lot a frame building 40 by 50 feet was erected. Officers were
elected on the 7th of October, 1845, who were installed on the 19th, by
Rev. John Althaus. Their names were : J. Adam Guth, John Kalle,
Adam 'Minkel, trustees ; Johann Fries, Adam Diehl, elders ; Adam Guth,
Jr., William Gumbrecht, vestrymen ; J. Adam Guth, W. Gumbrecht,
clerks. The Rev. Althaus at that time lived in Lockport, whence he
came every two weeks to preach. He served the congregation until
about the close of 1846. He was succeeded by Rev. George S. Vogt,
who remained in the office until late iii the year 1848. On the i4th of
February, 1849, Frederick William Hesselmann was called; but was
afterward excluded from the pulpit on account of his dissipation, and
the congregation was without a pastor until May 5th of the same
year, when Rev. H. Bielefeld, of New York, was called. On the 20th of
May the society joined the German Reformed Synod of the Reformed
Church in the United States. October 27th of that year, the church was
considerably enlarged, in accordance with a resolution passed at that
date. Rev. Bielefeld preached his farewell sermon October 23, 1853, and
on the 27th of November, Rev. Lichtenstein was elected pastor ; he
served until October 8, 1862, when he resigned, and Rev. J. B. Kniest,
the present pastor, was elected, entering upon his duties March 18, 1863.
In 1854, the congregation had so far increased that it was decided to
build a new church, and a lot was purchased on Lemon street for the
purpose ; there a handsome church was erected, which was dedicated
four days after Whitsuntide, in 1856. A parochial school is connected
with the church, and held in the basement of the building. A lot was
bought and a parsonage erected in 1866.
Evangelical Reformed Salem's Church. — This society was organized
on the 31st of August, 1873, by the following members and their families :
C. Scholpp, H. A. Altenburg, H. Sprenger, H. Weber, G. Salzman, J.
174 History of Buffalo.
Salzman and C. Roessel. February 4th, 1874, they bought the lot on
Sherman street, between Sycamore and Batavia streets, from the Evan-
gelical Reformed Zion's Society ; a frame building was on the lot. The
first church officers were : H. Sprenger, C. Roessel, H. A. Altenburgand
C. Scholpp. Rev. C. Kuss was elected pastor, and entered upon his
duties on the ist of April, 1874; the church was consecrated September
20th, 1874; a parsonage was built on the church premises in 1874. An
infant school of sixty pupils, and a school for large scholars, with an
attendance of about one hundred and twenty-five are connected with the
church.
German United Evangelical Saint Marcus Church. ^T\i\s Society was
organized August 5, 1873. The first minister was E. Schornstein, who
was succeeded July 4, 1875, ^7 Dr. G. A. Zimmerman; under his
administration the beautiful church was built on Oak street, in 1876.
Dr. Zimmerman resigned in July, 1878, and was succeeded in Septem-
ber 1878, by Rev. O. H. Kraft, who is the present pastor. A parochial
school with fifty pupils, is connected with the church.
First Church of the Evangelical Association of North America. — ^This
Church was organized in 1837, by Rev. Joseph Harlacher, a preacher
sent to Buffalo by the East Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical
Association. Its first place of worship was a small frame building on
Sycamore street near Spruce. In 1839 ^^^ congregation had grown
encouragingly and the first church building lot was purchased ; it was on
Mortimer street, and there a plain church was built In 1846 the present
church lot, corner Spruce and Sycamore streets, was purchased and the
frame church removed to it ; services were held there till 1854, when
the building was sold, and in its place a substantial brick building was
erected. In May, 1879, ^^^^ building was taken down and in its place
was built the present handsome gothic edifice, at a cost of $i6,ooa The
vigorous growth of this Society enabled it in 1857 to establish its first
mission church in Buffalo, which is now the prosperous, independent
Krettner Street Church of the Evangelical Association, with a handsome
edifice and parsonage. In 1873 another mission was established, the St.
Paul's Evangelical Association, on Grape street, which now has a church
worth $10,000. The pastors of this association are itinerant ; consequently
the changes have been numerous. The present pastor of the First Church
is Rev. Adolph Lueocher ; of the Second, Rev. Frederick E. Hehr, and of
the St. Paul's Church, Rev. Manin Yauch. The trustees of the First
Church are C. P. Stein, Charles A. Haist, G. F. Hofheins, George
Sutter and Charles Boiler ; of the Second, Kilian Schmidt, August Hof,
Michael Kohlert, Leonard Reu and John Wagner; of the St. Paul's,
Peter Hering, Jacob Werner, John Petrie, William Hehr, and Gottfried
Eiss. A German and English Sunday School, with about three hundred
scholars is connected with the church.
German Churches. 175
Second Evangelical Association^ (Krettner Street Church^ — The New
York Conference of the Evangelical Association of North* America held
an annual session at Lyons, N.Y., on the 23d of April, 1857, during which
the following resolution was adopted :—
'' Resolvedy That a mission shall be located in the southeast part of
Buffalo, N. Y., and be called the Buffalo Mission."
This was the beginning of the above named church. Rev. Augustus
Klein was appointed a missionary to build up the church and arrived
and took the chare:e in May of that year. It was decided to build a
church at once, and to carry out the purpose, ten members of the First
Church honorably withdrew and organized the " Second Society of the
Evangelical Association in the City of Buffalo/' A frame church build-
ing was erected on the northeast corner of William and Emslie streets,
and a parsonage was soon after secured in rear of the church. The church
was dedicated August 8, 1857, by Rev. M. Lauer. While the church
was located at the place named the following persons successfully minis-
tered in it: from 1857 *<> '859, Rev, A. Klein; 1859 ^o ^861, S. KroppJ
1861 to 1862, P. AUes; 1862 to 1864, C. A. Thomas; 1864 to 1866, M.
Lauer: 1866 to 1868, P. J. Miller; 1868 to 1869, L. Herman; 1869 to
i87i,D. Fisher; 1871 to 1874, J. Greuzebach. During the latter pastor's
administration, December 25, 1872, while the forenoon Christmas services
were in progress, the church caught fire causing much alarm, but the
loss was comparatively small. The property was then sold tu John
Eckhardt, and the Krettner Street lot purchased on which was erected
the following summer, a new brick church, the cost of which, aside from
the lot, was about $12,000. The new church was dedicated October 12,
1873, by the the Rev. Rudolph Dubs. In April, 1874, Rev. J. Reuber
took the charge, remaining until March, 1877, when he was succeeded
by Rev. M. Pfitzinger. During his administration, in the spring of 1178,
the parsonage was built on the church lot at a cost of $1,200. Rev.
Pfitzinger was succeeded by the Rev. G. F. Buesch, and he by the pres-
ent pastor. Rev. Frederick E. Hehr. A flourishing Sunday school is
connected with this church, the number of scholars averaging two hund-
red and fifty; the school has a large library. This society was continued as a
mission until March, 1879, when at the annual conference,. it was consti-
tuted a self-sustaining charge. The present trustees are August Hof,
Michael Kohlert, John Wagner, H. Wind, J. H. Thomas.
First Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Congregation^ ^^ Unaltered Augsburg
Confession^' — Lutherans immigrating from Silesia in 1839, organized this
church. Their pastor, L. F. E. Krause, made vain efforts to unite his
congregation with that of Rev. Grabau, who arrived in Buffalo with his
flock. Soon after Rev. Krause left his position in the church, and in Octo-
ber, 1 841, this self-depending congregation gave a vocation to Rev. E.
M. Buerger, who after investigating the situation of the congregation^
i;6 History of Buffalo.
gave up his intended journey to Germany, and accepted the pastorate.
The vocation was dated November 28, 1841, and signed by the follow-
ing members: — Carl G. Faude, Daniel Keller, Ernst Mayer, Ernst
Faude, Carl Toy, Ferdinand Langner, Joseph Hanschke. I. Ch. Sie£Fert,
Christian Graeser, Gottfried Grottke, Ignatz Felzel and Wilhelm Stem.
Their place of worship at that time was in a hall in the upper story of
Moses Baker's block, comer of Main and Huron streets. In 1842, the
congregation bought a lot on the comer of William and Milnor streets,
where they soon built a brick church ; a part of the building was used
for a school, in which the Rev. Mr. Buerger taught during the week.
This church was known by the title above given and was incorpo-
rated in February, 1844; tmstees: — Ferdinand Langner, Heinrich Phil-
lippi and I. Th. Cbabot. The congregation became a member of the
Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States, and
has sent their pastor, teacher and a delegate to the sessions of the Synod
each year. The congregation worshipped in the church on William
street until 1867. From that time the parochial school was held there
until 1873 ! in ^hat year the new two-story school house on Michigan
street was completed and the William street property sold. Rev. E. M.
Buerger was succeeded by Rev. A. G. G. Franke, from 185 1 to 1852, in
which year Rev. C. Diehlmann was elected pastor. In May, 1854, Rev.
I. H. Pinkepank accepted a vocation as vicar and teacher and succeeded
Rev. Diehlmann in 1855 ; the latter received a caH from a Lutheran con*
gregation in Rainham, Canada, in December. Rev. Mr. Pinkepank died
in November, 1856. In January following, the congregation elected
Rev. L. Dulitz their pastor; he filled the office until July, 1864. In
March, 1865, Rev. F. Th. Ruhland accepted the pastorate. In 1867 a
separation occurred in the old Lutheran Trinity Church, comer of
Goodell and Maple streets, when quite a number of members, with
Rev. Chr. Hochstettef , second pastor of the Congregation, united with
the First Evangelical Lutheran Trinity congregation, and both pastors
served the united congregation. About this time it was resolved to
rent the church comer of Tupper and EUicott streets and meet there
until their own church was completed. During this period both of the
pastors were called to another field, and Rev. Carl Gross, from Rich-
mond, Va., accepted the pastorate. July 5, 1868, the new church on
Michigan street, between Genesee and Sycamore streets, was dedicated.
In 1873, the new school-house in the rear of the church lot was erected
and a parsonage built near the church, No. 653 Michigan street. In
November, 1880, Rev. Carl Gross accepted a call from Fort Wayne»
Ind., and was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Aug. Senue, from
Ottawa, Ont, in February, 1881. The present Board of Tmstees areas
follows: — Fred Braeck, president; Henry Keitsch, secretary; Henry
Fischer, cashier ; Henry G. Wolter, Christopher Wagner, Daniel Voel-
German Churches. 177
ker, Henry Poetting. Church Wardens: — Ernest Beyer, Geo. Fritz,
C. Becker, Fr. Kamprath, Fr. Braeunlich. Teachers, Paul Theo. Buer-
ger, Geo. W. Frickenscher.
Lutheran Trinity Church. — ^Among the Old Lutheran clergymen who
defied the union of the Reformed and Lutheran churches in Prussia by
King Frederick Willfam^ III, and emigrated to America rather than
sacrifice their principles, was Rev. J. A. Grabau. He was imprisoned
for his defiance of the decree, but was afterwards permitted to emigrate,
which he did, with some of his faithful supporters. This movement
constituted the Old Lutheran immigration to BufiFaloin 1839, which ^^s
been before referred to. The party came over in five ships, in the last
of which was the devout minister. They landed in New York, Septem-
ber i8th, and reached Buffalo on the 26th, being followed by the Rev. Mr.
Grabau on the 5th ot October. On that day their first divine service
was held in a room on Main street. A church lot was soon after bought on
the comer of Goodell and Maple streets, and there the Lutheran Trinity
Church was built. On the 2d of December, 1839, ^^e society was incor-
porated, and June 7, 1840, the new church was consecrated. The elders
were, Ernst Krieg, Frederick Luetke, Rudolph Krause, Gottfried Schoen-
feld, Christian Rother, Johann Heuer ; trustees, Christoph Schmelzer,
Heinrich V. Rohr. A school was connected with the church. In the
year 1845, I^^v. Grabau, with others holding the same theological views,
formed the " Synod of Buffalo." He also went to Germany, in com-
pany with Rev. Mr. Rohr, to solicit assistance for the building of a
college ; their errand was successful, resulting in the building of the
German Martin Luther College, which was dedicated November 10,
1854, and is now a successful educational instftution. On the 2d of
February, 1879, Rev. Grabau preached his last sermon ; the following
day he was attacked by a disease that caused his death on the 2d of June
following. Rev. Martin Burk, who has long been connected with the
church as a deacon, is the present pastor of this church. A school with
jtwo teachers and one hundred and fifty pupils is connected with the
church.
German Evangelical Lutheran St. Andrew* s Church. — In the fall of the
year 1858, an Old Lutheran branch church was organized, under the
immediate ministration of Rev. J. A. Grabau. The names of the
original members of this congregation were, Christian Pohlmann, Jobst
Kreinheder, Herman Kreinheder, H. Kinnius, H. Bockstedt, C. Bohle,
Fred. Tepc, Christian Tepe, George Kratzat, Fred. Beck, William Rose,
John Hauschild, Mr.Woelfeland Mr. Wiesmann. The vestry were, Chris-
tian Pohlmann, Jobst Kreinheder and Christian Tepe. Services were at
first held in a dwelling house on Peckham street. In December, 1858,
the present church premises, corner of Sherman and Peckham streets,
were donated by S. V. R. Watson, Esq., and the erection of a church
178 History of Buffalo.
begun ; it was dedicated July lo, 1859, under direction of Rev. J. A.
Grabau, Rev. Christian Hochstctter and Rev. Heinrich V. Rohn The
congregation was a part of the Lutheran Buffalo Synod until 1866. The
first pastor of the congregation was Rev. W. Grabau, who had been its
pastor since dedication ; he was succeeded by Rev. O. Wuest After
his departure the congregation re-called Rev. W. Orabau, who resigned
because the congregation severed its connection with the BufFalo Synod.
Rev. P. Brand succeeded Rev. William Grabau as pastor, in July, 1866.
In 1869 he accepted a vocation to Washington, D. C.,and was succeeded
by Rev. A. Ch. Grossberger, who was pastor until May, 1883. His suc-
cessor and present pastor is Rev. John Sieck. A school house was built
in connection with this church, and dedicated September 3, 1871, which
now numbers more than two hundred scholars. The present board of
trustees are, Charles Lichtenberger, E. Thiesfeld, H. W. Kreinheder, Louis
Waldow, Frank Kinnius, church wardens; Chr. Pohlmann, Friedrick
Kruger, Albert Kromphardt and Jobst Kreinheder as honorary member.
The first teacher in September, 1871, was Fred. Hoffmeyer, and the
present teachers are Joh. O. G. Robert and Henry E. Brauir. A Sun-
day school was organized July 15, 1883, with two hundred and forty-
nine children.
Gertnan {English) Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity. — This church
was organized May 5, 1879. under the ministration of Rev. L. H. Gesh-
wind, who was called here from Pittsburg for the purpose, by the fol-
lowing named gentlemen : — William Hengerer, Henry Koons, Louis P.
Reichert, A. J. Kurtz, E. G. Becker, James Schneider, Jacob Dold, Jr.,
Louis P. Adolf, Jr., Louis Bergtold and a few others who did not after-
wards join the church. Mr. Geshwind began preaching February i, 1879,
on a salary of $1,000 for the first year, in the same church now occupied by
the society ; it was built by a French Lutheran congregation, in 1 830, which
congregation, for a consideration of $3,000, consolidated with the new
church ; about $1,000 was then spent in repairing the chur'ch. The society
was self-sustaining from the first,and never received any financial assistance
whatever from any source outside of the church ; its indebtedness is
now a very small sum, which will be paid before the close of the pres-
ent year. There are now about one hundred and forty-five communi-
cants in the church. It is the only English Lutheran church in BufFalo.
The present trustees are, William Hengerer, James Schneider and J. C.
Rother.
German Baptist Churches. — The First German Baptist society was
formed in Buffalo by Alexander Von Putkammer, who came to Buffalo
in 1848, as an agent of the American Tract Society. He began preach-
ing in a school house on Spruce street, where the commodious First
German Baptist church now stands. In 1849 ^ society with twenty-four
members was organized. The founder of the society remained with his
Gbrman Churches. 179
congregation until 1853, since which time Revs. A. Transchel, Sieg-
mund Kuepfer, Fr. Meir« C. Schoemaker, J. C. Griromell and others
have officiated. During the prosperous administration of the latter pas-
tor, from 1864 to 1874, the present church and its mission chapel on
Je£Ferson street were erected. Since 1874 the church has prospered under
the ministrations of Rev. Conrad Bodenbender. The second Baptist con-
gregation was organized with about sixty members, in the year 1859,
under the direction of Rev. Edward Gruetzner. In i860 a frame church
was erected on Hickory street, between Genesee and Sycamore. Rev.
Mr. Gruetzner was succeeded in 1862 by Rev. G. A. Schulte, under
whose ministrations the society prospered for eight years. He was suc-
ceeded by Revs. R. Otto and J. Senn, the latter serving but two years
on account of ill health. Rev. H. W. Nagel was then called in 1878, and
is the present officiating pastor. The Third Baptist society was organ-
ized March 2, 1875, with ninety-nine members. It holds its services in the
mission chapel, corner of High and Mulberry streets, and was first under
the ministration of Rev. G. Fetzer. Since September, 1875, 1^^^- Wm.
C. Rabe has officiated as pastor, and the congregation is prosperous.
German Methodist Episcopal Churches. — There are two German Meth-
odist Episcopal churches in Buffalo, the first of which was founded in
1846, by JohnSauten In 1847 the first church building was erected on
the corner of Sycamore and Ash streets. In 187 1, the present church
and parsonage were built, under the direction of the Rev. F. Rey. About
the year 1852 the first steps were taken towards the formation of the Sec-
ond Methodist Society, by Rev. John Swahlen, who, while terving the
first congregation, preached occasionally at Black Rock. His succes-
sors were Revs. Charles Hertel, John G. Lutz and George Abele, who
held services in private houses or school houses. From 1858 to i860.
Rev. Julius Seidel was pastor; from i860 to 1864 Rev. Louis Wallon,
Kappale and Jacob Kalb successively filled the office. Rev. F. W.
Hoppman, who was the next pastor from 1864 to 1867, noting the neces-
sity for a church building, bought the lot on East street, between Ham-
ilton and Austin. The erection of a building was begun in the fall of
1866, and cost with the grounds $3,580. It was finished and dedicated
on the 18th of August, 1867, and the society was independently organ-
ized by the founder of German Methodism, Rev. Dr. Nast, from Cincin-
nati ; a parsonage was built in 1877. '^h^ society owns a cemetery on
Bird street. The first resident pastor of the Church was Rev. WiUiam
Schlueter, who filled the office from 1867 to 1870. He was succeeded
by Rev. Philip Handiges, who remained until the spring of 1873. Rev.
J. Woerz followed and remained until the spring of 1876, and was suc-
ceeded by Rev. John Flad. From 1878 to 1880, Rev. Phillip Stahl was
the pastor, when the Rev. F. W. Hoppman came, and is the pastor at
present The total membership of the church is 87.
i8o History of Buffalo.
Several of the Churches in the above list have established benevo-
lent societies for the benefit of either men, women or children, through
which much good has been acomplished.
CHAPTER VI.
COMMERCE AND NAVIDATION.
Commercial ImporUnce of Baffalo — Firat American Vessel on Lake Erie — Other Eariy Veaids —
Porter, Barton & Co. 's Fleet in 1806 » Augustas Porter's Reminiscences ^Pkmeer Comman-
ders and their Vessels — Buffalo as a Port of Entry— Entries at the Pdrt August isth, 181$*
— Porter, Barton & Cc's Warehouse at Black Rock — Early Transportatioa Firms •« Lake
Marine of 1816— Enrollment of Vessels in the District of Buffalo Creek in 1817, 1818 and
1819— Townsend & Coit — Shipping owned in Buffalo in 1818— The First Steamer— Her
Passage up the River — The Second Steamer —Captain Levi Allen's Reminisoenoet — Cap-
tain Sam Ward's Trip to New Yoric— Captain Daniel Dobbins -^Captain Fred. S. Miller
and other Early Commanders — Development of Lake Commerce Incident upon the Con-
struction of the Canal — First Shipmenu of Wheat — Captain A. Walker^s Memories of the
Early Commercial Men of Buffalo— Shipbuilding — The First Propeller on the Lake—
— The Tug Fleet— Transportation Companies- The Lumber Interest— Coal Trade of
Buffalo— The Live Stock Interest— Canal Commerce.
IN commercial importance Buffalo ranks as second only to one other
city in the Empire State. This proud position she has attained by vir-
tue of her advantages as the key of the great lake and canal system of
the country and the energy and commercial sagacity of the men who
have labored in that field. With a safe and commodious harbor, lined
with the most extensive and improved facilities for elevating, storing and
transferring grain, chutes and trestles for coal, and with terminal advan-
tages that are unsurpassed, Buffalo now more than fulfills the expec-
tations of the hopeful and far-seeing men who pioneered the commerce
of the port. The vast chain of lakes that form an uninterrupted water-
way from the inexhaustible and almost boundless territory of the West
to the Erie canal and through that to the seaboard, has been aptly termed
" The Mediterranean Sea of America."* Upon their waters floats a com-
merce which, stupendous as it now is, has only passed its infancy. By far
the larger portion of this is wafted directly into and through the port of
Buffalo ; she holds the key of the situation, in a commercial sense.
*In a paper written by the late Guy H. Salisbury, comparing Buffalo in 1836 and x86a, he
said : —
'* This brief retrospect brings ns to the period when the elemenu of growth had given such
strength to our business position in 1834-35, that anticipation looked eagerly forward to the coming years
when Buff;ilo should sit at the foot of our own blue Mediterranean like a commercial Constantinople,
stretching along the Bosphonis of the broad Niagara and holding the keys of a Dardanelles that
could open and shut the gates of trade for the regions east and west.
First Vessels on Lake Erie. i8i
The first vessel that sailed Lake Erie under the American flag, was the
sloop Detroit^ which was purchased by the government from the British
Northwest Company in 1796. She was an old craft of about seventy
tons and was soon after condemned. In the same year a small schooner,
the Erie Pockety was built in Canada, to run between Fort Erie and
Fresque Isle. She was lost in 1799, having drifted out of Erie harbor.
In 1797 the schooner General Wilkeson was built at Detroit; she was
about eighty tons and was sailed two years By Captain Connelly. In
1810 she was refitted and her name changed to the Amelia, She was
purchased by the government in 1812 and belonged to Commodore Per-
ry's squadron. The Good Intent was built by Captain Wm. Lee in 1799;
in 1806 she ran upon Point Abino and was lost with her cargo and
crew. The same year, (1799) the brig Adams and the schooner Tracy
were built by the government. The Adams was captured, by the Brit-
ish during the first year of the war of 1812 ; she was retaken at Fort
Erie, ran upon Squaw Island and burned. The Tracy was sold to
Porter, Barton & Co. and was afterwards lost on a reef near Fort
Erie. In the year 1805 the government directed the commanding officer
at Fort Niagara to construct at that point a vessel large enough to trans-
port Indian presents from the Fort to Fort Wayne. The vessel was
built at Black Rock and named the Nancy ; she was about fifty tons.
The Contractor y a vessel of eighty tons, was built at Black Rock in 1806,
by Porter, Barton & Co. She was sold to the government in i8i2r.
The schooner Catharine was built at Black Rock in 1808, by Sheldon
Thompson & Co. with others. Several small vessels were built all Black
Rock and other points before the war, the names of many of which have
been lost.
In the year 1806 the firm of Porter, Barton & Co., to the members of
which the reader has already been introduced, owned a few small ves-
sels on the lake and began the transportation of freight sent on to them
by their eastern connections, transporting it around the portage at the
Falls and thence boating it up the river to Black Rock. There a pier
was built by the firm, and freight was transferred and stored there as
became necessary, or was sent forward on the lake. This was the first
regular line of transportation on the great lakes, with headquarters on
the American side. When the laden vessels could not ascend the river
against the current with the aid of the wind alone, from ten to twenty
ox teams were hitched to the prows and they were thus hauled up the
stream. Of the incipient commerce of those days, the late* Augustus
Porter left the following reminiscences : —
"Between the years 1796 and 1800, (I am unable to particularize the
year,) the schooner General Tracy was built at Detroit, and in August,
1808, purchased by Porter, Barton & Co., and thoroughly repaired,
and on her second or third trip, was wrecked on the Fort Erie reef, in
1809. The brig Adams, a government vessel, was built about the same
i82 History of Buffalo.
time as the General Tracy^ and was sailed by Captain Brevoort for a
number of years. She was built at Detroit. A small vessel called the
Good Intent was built at Presque Isle, by Captain William Lee and, I
believe, was partlv and perhaps wholly owned oy Rufus S. Reed. She, I
think, was built about 1800, and was wrecked near Point Abino, in 180$.
In 1802 or 1803, the schooner General Wilkeson, of seventy tons, was
built at Detroit, and in 181 1 was thoroughly repaired ana her name
changed to the Amelia. One-half of her was purchased of Solomon Sib-
ley, Dy Porter, Barton & Co., in 181 1. She was sold to the United States
during the war. In the winter of 1802 and 1803, the schooner Contractor
was built at Black Rock, by the Company having the Government con-
tracts for the supply of the military posts, under the superintendence of
Captain William Lee, by whom she was sailed until 1800, and afterwards
by Captain James Beard. In i8o3-'o4, a small sloop called the Niagara^
01 about thirty tons, was built at Cayuga Creek, on the Niagara river,
by the Government, but not put in commission. She was purchased by
Porter, Barton & Co., in 1800, and her name changed to the Nancy ^ and
sailed by Captain Richard O'Neil. In 1806 the schooner Mary^ of one
hundrea and five tons, was built at Erie by Thomas Wilson, and pur-
chased, the one-half by James Rough and George Bueshler, and the
other half by Porter, Barton & Co., in 1808, and sailed by Captain Rough
until the war, and then sold to the United States. In 1808, Porter, Bar-
ton & Co., purchased the schooner Ranger^ of George Wilber, then
several years old. She was repaired and sailed by Captain Hathaway.
In 1810 the sloop Erie was built at Black Rock by Porter, Barton & Co.,
and sold to the United States in the time of the war. The schooner
Salina^ sailed by Captain Daniel Dobbins, and the schooner Eleanor^
were built before the war, and sailed the lakes. Messrs. Rufus S. Reed,
Bixby & Murray, of Erie, and some others whose names I do not recol-
lect, built and owned vessels on the lakes in those early days. A number
of vessels on both lakes, owned and armed dunngthe war by the United
States, were afterwards sold and employed in commerce."
Bufifalo Cr^ek was made a Port of Entry in the year 1805. The
foregoing account will give the reader a general conception of the lim-
ited commerce and shipping of this port previous to the war of 18 12.
On the i6th of March, 181 1, Black Rock was made a port of entry, and
from that time until as late as 1815,-16, most of the lake vessels landed
there ; at that period they were all sloops, schooners and open boats.
One of the principal commodities sent up the lakes at that time was
salt, with small quantities oi dry goods, groceries, furniture, clothing,
etc. Many of the vessels sailed down the lakes in ballast ; those so for-
tunate as to be loaded, carried chiefly furs and fish. During the period
in consideration, and for a few years later, many of the vessels were com-
pelled to lay up a month or two in midsummer for want of up-freights.
During the Week preceding the 15th of August, 181 5, the entries at the
port were : a boat from Detroit loaded with fish and wool, and a sloop,
the Commodore Perry y with peltries. The only clearance was the sloop
Fiddler, of Cuyahoga, with salt and pork. The sloop Hannah was the
first vessel registered in the Custom House at this port ; it is under date
Early Forwarders. 183
of August, 1816, She was owned by Townsend & Coit, the pioneer
forwarders from Buffalo.
In the year 1815, Porter, Barton & Co. built a warehouse at Black
Rock, nearly opposite the present site of the Queen City Mills. Black
Rock was then the great salt and commercial exchange, where the Pitts-
burg traders, shippers and boat captains met to talkover the prospedts
and transact business. In March, 1816, the warehouse built by Porter,
Barton & Co., was occupied by the forwarding firm of Sill, Thompson
ft Co., who carried on their business there until March, 1821, and with
thdr immediate successors, were among the most prominent of the early
forwarders from the foot of Lake Erie. The firm was composed of
Nathaniel Sill, Sheldon Thompson, and James L. Barton; the firm was
connected with Townsend, Bronson ft Co., at Oswego, and with Porter,
Barton ft Co. The one warehouse which has been referred to, served
all the purposes of storage for freight going both east and west at that
period ; while this would not seem to indicate a very enormous traffic,
yet the firm was designated as *' a monopoly that was not satisfied with
doing all the commercial business, but tried to control the politics of the
county."*
The firm of Sill, ThQmpson ft Co. engaged as employees in the year
1817, the now venerable John L. Kimberly and Sheldon Pease, both of
whom reside ia Buffalo. Mr. Kimberly was largely engaged in the
shipping interest for many years. Mr. Pease remained in the employ
of Sill, Thompson ft Co. at Black Rock for five years, when he went to
Osw^o, remaining there ten years. He then went to Cleveland, and
returned to Buffalo in 1862. As member of the firm of Griffith, Pease
ft Ca in 1837-38, Mr. Pease aided in building one of the first regular pas-
senger steamers on Lake Erie, the QivtUmd. The firm of Pease ft
Allen was subsequently formed and became prominent in the forwarding
business.!
In 1 8 16, the lake marine had reached the proportions represented by
the following list: — schooners Dolphin^ Diligence^ Erie^ Pamfret^ Weasel^
Widow's SoMf Merry Calvin^ Pi^^fiy^ Paulina^ Mink^ Merchant^ PUot^
Rachel^ Michigan^ Niptum^ HircuUs^ Croghan^ Tigir^ Aurora ^ Experimint^
Black Snake^ Ranggr^ FiifdUr and Champion ; sloops Venus ^ American
EagUj. Perseverance^ Nightingale^ and Black River Packet^ besides a few
open boats.
Of the above list the following named craft, with a few additional
vessels, were enrolled and licensed in the district of Buffalo Creek dur-
ing the years 1817, 1818 and 1819: —
*Jamei L. Barton't paper read before the Bnilalo Historical Society, March 19, 1866.
t See biogFaphlcal iketdi in f oUowing pagea.
1 84
History of Buffalo.
Enrolled.
1817
No. 2,
No. I,
No. 3,
No. 4,
No. 5,
No. I, z8i8
No. 2,
Nas,
No. 4,
No. 5.
No. 7,
No. 8,
No. 1,
No. 2,
Name of VesseL
1819
Brig Huron*
Sloop Hannah
Schooner Aurora
Schooner Experiment
Schooner Racbelf
Brig Union}
Schooner Experiment
Liberty
Wasp
Packet
Wasp
Rachel
Wolf
Aurora
No. 3.
No. 4.
Experiment
Nautilus
Owners' Name. I Blaster's Name. When and Wlieie Bailu
Jonathan Sidway
Townsend&Coit
Samuel Wilkeson
James Hale
Robert Eaton
Jonathan Sidway,
Elihu Pease
Thomas Warren
Hawley Reed
John Crane
Gardner Cadr
Francis Hibberd
Robert Eaton
Henry T. Guest .
.Samuel Wilkeson
Sheldon Chapin,
Wm.A. Lyndeand
John B. Pelk
Chas. H. Averill
James Beard
Oliver Coit
Seth Tucker
Orlando Keyes
Robert Eaton
James Beard
Warren Dinglay
Hawley Rera
Francis Hibberd
Gardner Cady
Francis Hibberd
Robert Eaton
Henry T. Guest
Zephaniah Perkins
Simeon Fox
Gea J. Adlcins
Grmnd River, O.. 1814
Black Rock, i8i6«
Huron, O., i8z6
Black Rock, 18x3
Sandusky. O., 18x5
Huron, O., 1814
Black Rock, 1813
Two Mile Creek, 1818
Huron, O., 1817
Buffalo, 18x7
Huron, O., 1817
Erie Dist O., 1815
Danbury, O., 1817
Huron, O., 1816
BUck Rock, 1813
Sandusky, O., 18x8
Enrollments of the following named vessels are supposed to have
been burned : —
X817
•«
1818
1819
Schooner Michigan
Erie
Humbird
*' Kingbird
Steamer Walk-in-the- Water
Sloop Independence
** Dolphin
Sheldon Thompson
Walter Norton, Wm. Miller and Sheldon Thompson
H. & E. Thompson
Israel Loomts and Seth Stanl
Josephi
Wm. Walters
bus B. Stewart and
»tanley
JobFi
ish
A. Williams.
Total Tonnage, 1,188.54
In the cargoes of these vessels at that period were to be found shipped
westward, dry goods, household goods, naval stores, groceries, hardware,
salt, fish, spirits, mill machinery, medicines, whisky, farm utensils, etc.
Coming down, were shipped furs, grindstones, fish, cider, household goods,
building stone, hardware, groceries, pork, etc. From the west furs still
formed the principal article of commerce. In the summer of 1817 the
schooner Tigress and the sloop Hannah brought in the most valuable lot
of furs ever shipped from the west at one time. It comprised five hun-
dred and ninety-four packages of beaver, otter, muskrat, bear and
buffalo skins and was estimated to be worth more than $1 50,000. Three
hundred and twenty-two of these packages were consigned to Hart &
Lay, and owned by John Jacob Astor ; one hundred packages were con-
signed to Townsend & Coit for different owners.
The firm of Townsend & Coit was composed of Chas. Townsend§ and
George Coit ; they engaged largely in the storage and forwarding busi-
ness about 1 818 at the foot of Commercial street, where they erected
commodious warehouses for the purpose. They were the first firm in
Buffalo in this business, and sent the first cargo from here westward, by
* Thi Hwm was 6rst a Schooner and was altered to a Hermaphrodite brig in 181$, and was
again rebuilt at Black Rock in 1816.
f Surrendered and enrollment and license granted to J. Sidway and R. B. Heacodc, Septem-
ber 11, 1819.
% The UmoH^ 96 13-95 tons, built in 1814, was the fifst merchant brig built on the lakes. She
was subsequently laid up as being too large lor the business.
I Judge Townsend died September 13, 1847, aged 61 yean.
First Steamboat. 185
regular bill of lading. At a little latter date John Scott began the for-
warding business near the foot of Main street; the firm afterwards
became Scott & Barker, Jacob Barker being the new member; still
later the firm was Barker & Holt and Holt & Ensign. Soon after the
completion of the canal in 1825, Sheldon Thompson & Co., removed
from Black Rock to Buffalo, and carried on business as the Troy and
Erie Line, with important connections east and west.
About the middle of July, 181 7, an open boat called the Troyer^ came
into this port with the first cargo of breadstuffs from the west ; she was
partially loaded with flour at Cuyahoga. From that insignificant begin,
ning has grown our present great commerce in the grain products of
the west.
The Buffalo Gazette, of March 17, 1818, gives the following list of
shipping then owned in Buffalo : —
Schooner Mich^n of 132 tons burthen.
Brig Union f 104 " "
Schooner Erie ^^ ** "
^\oo^ Hannah 43 •* "
^c\iOOVitx General Scott 21 " "
Total, 377 tons.
In the journal of a western tour kept and published by David
Thomas, he gave the number of vessels on the upper lakes in 181 8, as
fifty, with a gross tonnage of 1,867 tons. But two vessels were of more
than one hundred tons ; many of them of less than twenty. In the same
journal it is stated that there were then on Cayuga lake about thirty
vessels, schooners and boats, of from eighteen to fifty tons. In other
words, that small lake in 181 8 (65 years ago), had floating on its bosom
half as much vessel tonnage as all the upper lakes. At that date the fifty
vessels on all the upper lakes footed up less than 2,000 tons. Now nu-
merous vessels enter Buffalo harbor that carry 3,000 tons and staunch
enough to circumnavigate the globe. These large vessels make the cost
of freight transportation for long distances on these lakes the cheapest
in the world.
The First Steamboat.— The Niagara Patriot of August 18, 18 18,
contained the following important announcement : —
"The new and elegant steamboat, Walk-in-the-Water, will be
ready for sailing the present week and we learn will take a short
excursion previous to her regular trip to Detroit."
This pioneer lake steamer was built by Adam and Noah Brown, of
New York ; her boilers were made at Black Rock. John C. Calhoun
f The brig Umcn was built in Ohio and was the first vessel on which the pioneer lake Captain,
A. Walker, sailed after his arrival in Buffalo, in 1817 ; she was owned by Jonathan Sidway, and it
is said that it was difficult to get crews for her, on account of a prevailing belief among sailors that
she was haunted.
I86 HiSTOftY OF BOTFAIX).
was her first engineen She was fitted with two matts and sails. Her
first license was dated Ifay 7, 1819. She was commanded first by Cap>
tain Job Fish, a former North River steamboat captain. The boat was
nearly lost during a severe gale in her first season, when Captain Fjsh
proved himself incompetent, and at the request of the passengers and
crew. Captain John Davis toolc command of the steamer and brought
her safely into port In consequence he was given her regular command.
The keel of the WaU^n^he^Wmter was laid in November of the pre-
vious year, near a little ravine about opposite the head of Squaw Island ;
she was finished and launched on the 28th of May, 1818, at Black Rock,
amid the enthusiastic acclamations of the community.*
It was not until about the middle of August that she was ready to
sail, when steam power, as represented in the new craft, entered the con-
test against the current of Niagara River. Humiliating as it must have
been to the owners and managers of the steamboat, the rapid stream won
the day.
Trial after trial was made, the engines were worked to their utmost
power, but it was all in vain ; the pioneer steamer could not get up the
rapids unaided, and finally the assistance of Captain Sheldon Thomp-
son's " horn breeze," as his ox teams were called, was invoked ; the ox
teams were hitched to the boat and thus assisted, she made her way
slowly up the swift stream and into the lake. This event occurred on
the 23d of August, on Sunday ; a short excursion was tendered the dti-
xens of Black Rock and Buffalo, which was very generally enjoyed. The
steamer was a success from the first, financially and otherwise ; the fare
to Detroit was fixed at $i8xx) for cabin and %7joo for steerage passengers.
She returned from her first trip on the ist day of September, and on
her next trip she took out one hundred and twenty passengers. The
Walk^in4ki'Wat0r was, however, destined for a short life; she was
wrecked off the lighthouse, November i, 1821. Obtain Jedediah Rogers
was then in command of her, with Captain William Miller as pilot and
sailing master. Her owners immediately began the construction of
another steamer, under contracts calling for her completion by May loth
of the following year. She was built at Buffalo, near the foot of Indiana
street, under circumstances that have already been detailed, and was
launched April 13, 1822 ; she was named the Superior. Before the har-
bor pier was constructed, all vessels anchoring off Buffalo were unloaded
and loaded from and into scows or lighters; this business was largely
monopolized by G. W. Fox, with whom arrangements wereKlso made by
the owners of the Superior^ as well as her predecessor, by which passen-
•The Ni^vm PtOrUi of June 8, 1818, Mud:» — —
** On Thwidajr last, acooidii^ to prenout anBogement, was lanncfaed the elegant ■tf^i^b^nt at
Black Rock, bnOt hy Mr. Brown, of New York, who is one of the proprietors. She left the stocks a
lew ninvtes before one, and moved In fine style, without aeddenC into her destined element, amid
the acdamatbas of the nnmerons speetatofs who were hi^y grsdfied with the novdty of the
Early Steamboats. 187
gers were transferred in the same manner. The Superior was lost on
Lake Michig^^in i834-'35. Her machinery was afterward put in to the
Charles Tawnsend.
The canal was now under process of construction ; Samuel Wilke-
son and his co-laborers had constructed the first harbor, as detailed in
earlier chapters ; general prosperity reigned and the young commerce
and navigation interests of the port and lakes shared in it. Monday
morning, August 5, 1822. fifteen vessels were moored off Buffalo ; this
was noted as cause for congratulation. On July 12th, the following year,
this number had grown to twenty-nine. January 22, 1825, a local paper
noted the fact that one steamer, six schooners, one brig, in all forty-two
different vessels entered and cleared during the previous season. The
gross number of arrivals and clearances was two hundred and eighty-six.
A new steamer, called the Pioneer^ started on her first trip to Detroit
on Wednesday, May 28, 1825. She was built at Black Rock and was
the first high pressure boat on the lakes. The Pioneer was afterwards
commanded by Captain Levi Allen, who now lives in Buffalo and enjoys
the distinction of being the oldest lake captain residing in the city. With
the possible exception of Captain Harry Whittaker, of Detroit, Captain
Allen is probably the oldest of the pioneer lake navigators now living.*
He went on the lakes when he was seventeen years old, with a brother
in-law, aboard a schooner which the latter had bought from the govern
ment ; she was named the Commodore Perry ^ and was one of that victo-
rious commander's fleet. Mr. Allen was aboard of the ill-fated steamer,
Walk^n^ke-Water, when she was lost in 182 1. He also sailed about two
years on the second steamer, the Superior; she was afterwards ship-rigged,
carrying a cloud of sail. In 1834, Captain Allen commanded the Superior;
that was the last year she sailed. Ten days were then consumed in a
trip to Detroit
Captain Allen's memory is clear regarding a time when he could at
certain seasons of the year easily walk across the month of Buffalo creek,
scarcely wetting his feet ; the sand-bar which made this possible, would
be carried out into the lake with each spring .flood, leaving a channel
four or five feet deep. Several little coasters of thirty or forty tons then
trafficked along the lake shore and were able to enter the creek at most
seasons, while all the larger vessels were compelled to anchor outside or
run down to Black Rock. One of these early coasters was called the
Salem Packet; she was commanded by Captain Sam. Ward in i8i6-'i7;
* Mr. Allen's memoiy is a mine of reminiscences of lake navigation in early times. His father
was HoMen Allen, one of the pioneers of Buffalo. He came here in 1808, when Levi Allen was six
yean old. Holdea Allen had been a merchant, and brought here the remnants of a small stock of
goods which he placed in market, in a log house that stood not far from the present No. 750 Main
street The next spring he bought out Major Frederick Miller, at the Ferry, where he remained
until he was burned out in 1813. He leased Mrs. St. John's cottage immediately after the fire and
entertained th^ public as best he could. He afterwards kept a hotel at Black Rock» and died with
dK^eia in 1832.
i88 History of Buffalo.
he was one of the pioneer navigators of the lakes and his arrival at dif-
ferent points along the coast was eagerly awaited, as he carried provis-
ions and luxuries not otherwise easily obtainable. In 1824, Captain
Ward built at Newport, Mich., a small schooner of thirty tons, called the
St. Clair. He loaded her with skins, furs, potash, and black walnut, and
started in June, 1826, for New York city, via the recently finished Erie
canal. He sailed to Buffalo, where he took the spars from his vessel and
towed her to New York with his own team. There he disposed of his
cargo to good advantage, partially re-loaded with goods for his Michigan
store, filled up with salt at Syracuse, and returned home the same way
he went down. The St. Clair was the first, and for many years the only
vessel of that character to go through the canal.
Charles M. Reed, of Erie, was one the foremost men in the steam-
boat interest for many years. Captain Levi Allen was in his employ and
connected with him for several years. Mr. Reed owned a line of steam-
boats in 1835, oiic of which was the Pennsylvania^ which Captain Allen
commanded. In 1838 Captain Allen and Mr. Reed built the Buffalo^
which the Captain commanded for several years. They afterwards built
the Louisiana^ which was also commanded by Captain Allen. He then
took command of the Niagara in 1847, ^nd after two years of service on.
her he retired from the water ; for some years after he was connected
with the First National Bank of Buffalo and engaged to some extent in
business, but has now retired from active life.
Captain Daniel Dobbins was for many years a prominent early lake
navigator. He commanded the schooner Lady Washington^ as early as
1800. When war was declared he entered the navy. The first timber cut
for a new vessel for th^ Lake Erie fleet was under Captain Dobbins'
direction, at Erie, where he then lived. Owing to the scarcity of ship car-
penters at that time, he was compelled to employ ordinary carpenters and
others who were even less skilled in the art. On this account, th6 work
was finally transferred to Black Rock. Captain Dobbins commanded the
Ohio in Perry's fleet. Superintendent David P. Dobbins, of the Nint dis-
trict of the U. S. Life Saving Service (Buffalo), is a son of Captain Dobbins.
The Clay^ the Niagara, (not the steamer on which Captain Allen
sailed in 1847,) ^^^ the Daniel Webster were steamboats of light tonnage
that were built by or for Porter, Barton & Co., Sheldon Thompson & Co.,
or Sill, Thompson & Co., and their connections, as early as 1825. Shel-
don Thompson, one of the early leading men here in lake shipping inter-
ests, was Mayor of Buffalo in 1840. He died March 13, 1851, aged sixty-
six years.*
About the year 1856, side-wheel steamers reached their climax of
popularity on the lakes. The railroads had crippled the passenger traffic
and propellers rapidly took the place of the side-wheel boats.
* See Uogmphj in tubseqnent pages.
e^A^^^^^^^ yjLe^--f^T^^» i$L^^%^
Prominent Early Lake Navigators. 189
Captain Frederick S. Miller who now resides in Buffalo at the age
of seventy-three years, is one of the oldest lake navigators who have
sailed from this port. He has spent nearly his whole life on the lakes,
having sailed on his first voyage July 10, 1831, on the schooner Louise
Jenkins, of which his brother Wells Miller was the Captain. In 1832
Captain Miller helped to fit out the schooner Austerlitz, the first double-
top-sail schooner on the lakes, and sailed in her that season. In the fol-
lowing three seasons he sailed on the schooners Huron, Captain Robert
Hart ; with Captain Stiles on the schooner Minerva, built by Captain
Augustus Jones; and on the schooner Merchant. In the fall of 1836
Captain Miller volunteered with a few others, to take the Milwaukee
from Buffalo to Detroit with a load of merchandise. The vessel stranded
near Marblehead. From that time down to i83i, Captain Miller was
engaged successively as captain of the steamer Robert Fulton ; mate of
the steamer Thos. Jefferson ; mate of steamer Michigan ; mate of steamer
Wisconsin ; mate of steamer Buffalo, with Captain Levi Allen for five
years ; captain of steamer Chautauqua, owned by Oliver Lee, Cameron
and McKay of Buffalo ; mate of steamer Nile, the Louisiana, with Cap-
tain Levi Allen, and on the Niagara', then successively captain of steam-
ers Diamond, the Ohio, the propeller Acme, in Ensign's Buffalo and Chi-
cago line, the Arctic, of the Lake Superior line, the Cleveland, the Trav-
eller, the Morning Star, the May Queen, and the Ontonagon. In 1866 he
commanded the propeller Oneida, for the Western Transportation Com-
pany, and the next year the steamer Illinois of the Lake Superior line.
In 1870 Captain Miller entered the employ of the Union Steamboat
Company, with whom he remained until 1881, when he retired from the
lakes. Captain Miller is the youngest of ten children of Major Frede-
rick Miller, who has been frequently mentioned in this work as one of
the pioneers at Black Rock. Two others of Major Miller's sons, Wm.
Welk and Charles, were well known lake navigators in early times.
Among other well known early navigators of the lakes, whose suc-
cess in their calling rendered them conspicuous, may be mentioned Cap-
tain Stephen Champlin, who distinguished himself as commander of
the schooner Scorpion in the battle of Lake Erie, September 10, 18 13 —
he died in Buffalo, February 20, 1870; Captain David Wilkinson, who
commanded the Commodore Perry in i836-'37; Captain James Rough;
Captain Knapp, many years in command of a Revenue Cutter;
Captain Chelsea Blake, who distinguished himself at the battles of Chip-
pewa and Lundy's Lane and afterwards commanded some of the finest
lake steamers. Others were Captains Jacob Imson, Walter Norton,
Thomas Wilkins, Cliff Belden, Geo. Miles, John White, Wm. T. Pease,
James M. Averill,* Chas. Burnett, Ned Burke, John Burnham, John
Stewart, Robert Wagstaff, John Fleeharty, Simeon Fox, Wessel and
♦ Died October 13, 1873, aged 66
190 History of Buffalo.
Harry Whittaker, Joseph Caskie, Levi and Archibald Allen, William
Dickson, G. Appleby, Morris Tyler, Sam Chase, Augustus Walker,
John and James Shook, Norman and Alvin Patterson, Charles and Ben.
Stanard, Charles Coshaway, Fred Miller, James Beard, E. P. Dorr,*
and others.
These and doubtless many of their co-laborers, were men whose
natural ability, strength of character and firmness of purpose placed
them in the front ranks of those who devoted much of their lives to the
navigation and commerce of the great lakes during a period when the
calling was fraught with more danger than it is at the present day.
With the completion and opening of the canal in 1826, lake naviga-
tion and commerce of all kinds became still more active ; new steamers
were built in rapid succession, and the lake fleet of sailing craft was
largely increased. In the pamphlet published by Mr. Ball, in 1825, to
which reference has before been made, he says of the shipping interests
at that time : —
** The shipping which belongs to this port, amounts to upwards of
1,050 tons; among which are one steamboat, one hermaphrodite brig,
eight schooners, one sloop and four transportation boats, which average
over twenty-five tons each. * * » Besides there are numerous
other water craft of smaller dimensions.
'' There are upwards of sixty sail of eood, substantial and safe ves-
sels owned upon tnis Utke, forty-two of wnich entered this port last sea-
son ; and there were two hundred and eighty-six arrivals and an equal
number of clearances."
In referring to the passenger traffic on the lake, Mr. Ball said : —
" There is also the steam brie Superior, of three hundred and forty-
six tons burden, whose accommodations have not been surpassed, making
a trip to Detroit, a distance of nearly three hundred miles, every eight
or nme davs ; and it is rare that a day passes during the season without
the arrival or departure of some of the lake vessels, which generally
have very good accommodations for passengers, and are well found."
The Emporium newspaper of June 10, 1826, noted the arrival (prob-
ably for the previous week) of thirteen schooners and two steamboats in
Buffalo harbor. October 26, 1830, there were thirty schooners, six
steamboats, two sloops, thirty canal boats and other craft in the har-
bor at one time. The canal tolls of that year were $48,923.02, an increase
over the previous year of nearly one hundred per cent.
Beginning with the year 1829, the wheat shipped eastward from
this port for three years was as follows : — 1829, 3,640 bushels ; 1830, 149,-
219 bushels; 1831, 186,148 bushels.
The shipments of flour for the same period were : — 1829, 4,335 barrels ;
1830, 31,810; 1 83 1, 62,968.
In 1817 there were nineteen merchant vessels on the lake, with gross
tonnage of nine hundred and eighty-six tons. The following year the
* This list of names is chiefly from a paper left by Captain E. P. Dorr. Captain Dorr died at
Aiken, S. C, March 99, 1881.
192
History of Buffalo.
number had increased to twenty-eight vessels, 1,586 tons ; in 1832 there
were forty-seven vessels, 2,000 tons ; in 1854 the gross tonnage was 132,-
000 tons; in 1858, 404,301 tons; in 1863, 413,026 tons.
In the spring of 1827, ^^ ^^ ^^ informed by Mr. James L. Barton,
in his paper read before the Historical Society in 1866, he left Black
Rock and came to Buffalo, where he formed a partnership with Samuel
Wilkeson in the forwarding business.* This partnership lasted but two
years, after which Mr. Barton carried on the business until the end of
the year 1835. They had the agency of a large line of boats on the canal
and vessels on the lake ; " yet so scarce was western freight that it
was difficult to get a full boat-load, although the boats were then of light
tonnage.** A few tons were all that could usually be furnished each boat
to carry to Albany. This the boats would take on and then fill up at
Rochester, which place, being situated in the heart of the grain growing
district of New York, furnished much of the down freight for the canal.
About the period of 1 832-33, the forwarding and commission mer-
chants of this port and the lines they represented, were as follows : —
Townsend, Coit & Co. and Thompson & Co., Troy & Erie Line ; Joy
A Webster, Pilot Line ; Pratt, Taylor & Co., Washington Line ; Richard
Sears, James L. Barton, Western Line ; Smith & Macy, New York &
Ohio Line ; Baker & Holt, Merchants' Line ; Norton & Cariisle, Hudson
& Erie Line ; Augustus Eaton, Clinton Line.
On the morning of November 19, 1833, Buffalo harbor contained
seventy vessels of different kinds, which indicates that the lake and canal
commerce and navigation generally kept pace with the growth of the city.f
In the year 1835, all of the wheat, corn, and flour received at this
port was equivalent to 543,815 bushels. From that year to 1842, the
receipts were as follows : —
Yft.
Flour,
No. Bwrelt.
Wheat,
No. Butheb.
Cora,
No. Bushels.
Omto,
No. Bushels.
Bwley.
No. Bushels.
Rye,
No. Bndu
1836
1837
1838
1839
1840
I84I
1842
139.178
126,805
277,620
294,12s
597. J42
730.040
734.408
304,090
450.350
933.117
1,117,262
1,004,561
1,635,000
1,555.420
204,355
94.490
34.148
71.337
201,031
I 454,530
28,640
2.553
6,577
14.144
4.876
4.710
I.SOO
3.267
909
2,150
1,268
* Mr. Bftftoo said of Judfre Wilkeson : — '* The Judge had been among the foremost in the con-
troversy between Buffalo and Black Rock, and although many hard things had been said about him
in oar paper (the Black Kock GautU)^ he remembered with unkindly feelings nothing that had occur-
red in the season of anger and strife. He had a mind of laige grasp, quick perception, indomitable
energy ; never sparing time or money so long as a possibility existed of accomplishing any great
object he undertook. He may emphatically be numbered with the leading minds that laid the
fonndatioo of this city." (See biographical sketch in subsequent pages of this volume.)
f The City Directory of 1836, says there were then fifty-three American vessels on the upper
Nearly or quite all of these entered Buffalo harbor.
Forwarding and Commission Merchants. 193
Captain A. Walker has left in the Historical Society the following
list of names of men and firms who were in business on the Buffalo docks
in i848~''49, among them being most of those who had taken part in
building up the commerce of the harbor from its infancy : —
Israel T. Hatch, Joel Thayer, Seymour & Wells, James G. Gibson,
H. W. Millard & Co., Joseph Dart, Jason Parker, S. W. Howell, Russell
H. Heywood, J. T. Noye, John R. Evans, Joseph B. Gardner, Evans &
Dunbar, B. Spencer, Waldo & Mann, J. Myers & Co., Niles & Whalen,
Abell & Gardner, Ressel & Eldridge, William Andrews, Mack & Hall,
James D. Sawyer, Holt & Palmer, J. & C. Hitchcock, H. S. Beecher, A.
W. Johnson, A. Chester, I. H. Bostwick, H. Williams, William B. Har-
mon, R. Haskill, A. Morrison & Co., F. R. Townsend, George W. Tifft,
R. Famsworth. Morris Hazard, Monteath & Sherman, William Stimp-
son, Dean Richmond, W. H. Bement & Co., Hayes & Johnson, William
Buckley, O. W. Ranney, H. B. Walbridge & Co., Bement & Ruden,
William A. Brown, Ward & Co., M. S. Hawley, Hamilton Rainey, Will-
iam Foot, Kent & Carley, Richard P. Wilkins, James Murray, P. Durfee
& Co., E. Root, Cobb & Co., Isaac S. Smith, Charles Holland, John G.
Brown & Co., S. Purdy & Co., H. O. Corwin & Co., Coats & Folger, S.
H. Fish, G. S. Hazard, Joseph E. Follett, A. W. Cutler, George W.
Allen, Simon Spearman, Henry Daw, Fleeharty & Warren, Robert Allen,
Allen W. Norton, J. Nottingham, S. Strong, William Chard, S. Brown,
J. M. Smith, Joseph Plumb, Maxwell & Co., Davidson & Co., Robinson
& Parsons, P. S. Sternberg & Co., Bemis & Brothers, I. H. Hooker, Joy
& Chapin, William Howard & Co., D. N. Barney & Co., H. H. Sizer,
Edwin Thomas, Charles C. Hall, H. M. Kinne.* Many of these names
will sound familiar to the older residents of Buffalo, and a few of them
are still in business here.
This was a period (1848-49) when the commerce of Buffalo was at a
high tide of prosperity, to which it had rapidly grown during the years
that had followed the completion of the harbor and its extensions, and
the Erie canal. Buffalo was then essentially a maritime city. The harbor,
largely extended during the next few years, was safe if not very commo-
dious, and it continually presented during the season of navigation a
scene of life and business activity that promised most encouragingly for
* Mr. Kinne is still in the shipping and commission business on the Central Wharf. He began
the commission business in Buffalo in 1840, in company with Dean Richmond, J. M. Peabody «cmt
James A. Cowing. In 1846, Mr. Kinne built the third elevator erected in Buffalo, and between
the years 1838 and 1865, alone or in connection with others, built fifty-one different lake vessels ;
among them was the Wyndham^ the first of the large fore-and-aft schooners on the lakes. Her
capacity was 10,000 bushels ; the average capacity of lake vessels at that time was about 4,000 bush-
els, and the launching of the Wyndham, with more than double the ordinary capacity, created quite
a sensation. Predictions were freely offered that her great size and her enormous spread of canvas
would certainly cause her destruction. That was only forty- five years 1^0 ; the Wyndkam sailed the
kkes successfolly, and now it is not a very uncommon thing to see a lake schooner come into Buffalo
hariior, lad«n with a hundred thonsaad bushels of grain.
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Growth of Lake Commerce. 195
the future. A paper prepared by Sanford B. Hunt about 1865, says of
the period in question : —
** Passenger steamboats were in their glory, numerous lines leav-
ing daily, crowded with passengers, advertised with wonderful per-
tinacity by the class of * runners * very remarkable men in their
way, and adding to the seductions of this persuasive system, the
charms of music discoursed at all hours from the guards of the steanK
boats. Elevators were only an experiment then, and a vast number of
longshoremen were supported by the labor of handling freight by
inconvenient processes. * *' * Canal boats were small but
numerous, and the result was a business which advertised itself by its
own bustle and by the crowd which was constantly maintained in the
narrow quarters where it was transacted, and through which every stran-
ger passed on his way East or West."
Between 1848 and 1857, while the commerce of the port did not
retrograde, it made less bustle and outside display. The growth of the
elevator business relieved the wharves of the presence of hundreds of
laborers ; passenger traffic was largely transferred to the railroads ; har-
bor extensions spread the shipping interests over more territory. But
none of these changes were especially u^healthful in character; com-
mercial interests grew and the business was profitable to those who
engaged in it, until the panic of 1857, which for a time partially paralyzed
the general business and commercial prosperity of the port. Tne suc-
ceeding two or three years were, perhaps, the most discouraging that
commercial men in Buffalo have ever encountered ; but with the com-
pletion of the Erie canal enlargement a few years later, backed by all the
well known commercial advantages enjoyed by Buffalo, her recovery
from the partial prostration was sure and rapid, and its growth in this
respect has been steady and healthful down to the present time.
In a recent interview, Washington BuUard, manager of the Union
Steamboat Co., a man of thirty years* active experience in commerce
and lake navigation, said of the commercial prospects of Buffalo: —
*' The commerce of Buffalo has received new guarantees latelv,
viz.: — an immense anthracite coal business which is to-day only in its
infancy, and a future export bituminous coal business which will
undoubtedly be very large ; its location with reference to the develop-
ment of a territory imperial in extent and tributary to the west end of
Lake Superior — a development which has never been equalled in this
or any other country, the Iruits of which must come to Buffalo, for this
reason: — this city has been able to do the grain business by lake from
Chicago, notwithstanding the distance between that point and this by
lake is nine hundred and fifty miles, while the railroaci distance is only
five hundred and fifty miles ; the lake has always been able to compete
with railroads, even with these inequalities of distance. In contrast
with this, the water route to the west end of Lake Superior and the
northwest territory before alluded to, is as short as that of any railroad
(perhaps shorter), now in existence or that can be built ; this fact guar-
antees that we shall always bring the products of that region to Buffalo.
196 History of Buffalo.
Added to this is the Northern Pacific railroad, which will, beyond a
doubt, bring a large trans-continental business."
Statistics prepared September i, 1883, by Wm. Thurstone, Secretary
of the Board of Trade, show remarkable improvement in the commerce
of the port, over the previous year. He says : —
" The receipts of grain by lake, including flour reduced to its equiva-
lent in wheat, aggregate thus far this year, 40,730,900 bushels, while for
the correspondmg period of last year they were 33,767,760 bushels,
showing tne gratifying ^ain of 6,963,140 bushels for 1883. The coal
exports show an excess over 1882 of over 20,000 tons, while the move-
ment of cement, plaster, salt, and railroad iron are about the same as in
that year. No returns are made of miscellaneous freights, ot which the
shipments have been very large. The canal exports thus far this sea-
son are 24,555,050 bushels of grain; last year they were 16,635,177 bush-
els, making an increase this year 7,862,871 bushels. Thirty-one more
boats have cleared up to August 31 than did last year, the figures being
3,887 for 1882 and 3,918 for 1883. The quantity of coal exported was
20,306 tons and of flaxseed 5,704 tons. The up-movement has been
quite satisfactory. Elevating and storage charges have been steady all
the year at last year's figures. The shipments of grain from the eleva-
tors by railroad show an increase in favor of 1883 o^ about 700,000
bushels. August 31, wheat was shipped at 4 1-4 cents and corn at 4
cents from Chicago to Buffalo. The same day last year the rates were
only 2 1-4 and 2 cents respectively. Canal freights yesterday hence to
New York, were 5 3-4 cents on wheat and 5 1-4 on corn, about i 1-4
cents higher than on the corresponding day last year. Doubtless the
freeing of the canals from tolls has helped the movement of tonnage to
and from tide water to a considerable extent.'**
A United States volunteer life boat station was established in
Buffalo Harbor in September, 1877, which was made a full station of the
United States Life Saving Service in the ist of July, 1879. The station
is under the superintendency of Captain David P. Dobbins, and has
been very efficient whenever its service has been needed.
Ship Building. — The preceding pages have necessarily included many
facts relative to ship buildmg at Buffalo and Black Rock ; to these there
is little to add. One of the earhest ship builders in this vicinity was
Captain Asa Stanard, who had a yard as early as 18 10, at Scajaquada
Creek. At a little later date he removed to Black Rock, where he was
associated with Benjamin Bidwell, as the firm of Stanard & Bidwell.
They built the schooner Erie at Black Rock; she was owned by Sheldon
I'hompson & Co., and Captain William Miller. The Red Jacket was the
last vessel built by Stanard & Bidwell at Black Rock ; she was owned
by Sill, Thompson & Co., and was built in 1820. The Peacock was the
*In ft pftpcr of reminiscences left with the Historical Society by Captain Walker, one of the
more prominent early lake navigators, he states that in 1856 the schooner />Aiit Richmond Xwik
wheat to Liverpool from Chicago, making quicker passage than many of the ocean vessels. In
1859, thirty or more lake vessels loaded with grain for ocean voyages. These facts are given as
evidence that our •* fresh-water sailors " are capable of excellent ocean service. The Dmom Rich^
mcmd was the first lake vessel to load for a foreign port.
Early Ship Builders. 197
last steamer built by the firm of Stanard & Bidwell. She was built in
1828. The firm was afterwards Bidwell & Davidson, and then Bidwell
& Carrick, who finally established themselves at Buffalo. Mr. Bidwell
enjoyed the reputation of possessing peculiar genius and ability in
his profession ; he was the master spirit of the different firms of which
he was a member. Jacob Banta was one of the most successful ship-
builders of early days, and was a partner of Mr. Bidwell after the
removal of the latter to Buffalo. Mr. Banta built the fine steamers
Western Metropolis and City of Buffalo.
Captain Frederick N. Jones and his brother were prominent ship-
builders. The former came to Buffalo in 1845, ^"d established himself
where the R. Mills & Co., yards are now located ; he built there the pro-
peller Pocahontas^ the schooner Watts Sherman and other vessels. He
sold the yard in 1866 and removed to Tonawanda, where he built
numerous vessels.
About the year 1832 the building of upper-cabin boats was begun;
there was a good deal of doubt expressed at first as to their sea-worthi-
ness; other kinds of vessels were built about that time of greater length
than formerly.
The growth of the ship-building interest in Buffalo is indicated by
the fact that in 1853, for the year ending June 30th, there were built at
Buffalo, one brig, twelve steamers and nine schooners, with a gross ton-
nage of 65,184.25. In 1867 this interest had grown to the building of
three ships or barks, sixty-nine sloops and canal boats, seven brigs and
fourteen steamers. In 1870 there were built at Buffalo, fourteen pro-
pellers, one side-wheel steamer, one barge, two sail vessels and twenty,
six canal boats.
The first propeller that ever visited Buffalo harbor was the Vandalia,
which came up from Lake Ontario in the spring of 1842; she was built
the previous year at Oswego. In December, 1840, Josiah T. Marshall,
formerly of the firm of Bronson, Marshall & Co., of Oswego, was
requested by Mr. Sanderson, of Brockville, Canada, to visit New York
city to inspect the new propeller that had just been completed and pat-
ented by Captain John Ericson. Mr. Marshall met Captain James
Van Cleve, one of the most prominent of the older lake captains, and
asked him to also go and inspect the new craft, which he did. These two
men reported most favorably of the propeller and an arrangement was
made between Captain Ericson and Van Cleve, by which the latter
became half owner of the patent on the propeller as far as it applied to
the North American lakes, provided he put a propeller afloat on the lakes
within one year. The result was the building of the Vandalia, When
the propeller reached Buffalo, the HoUisters, a firm of ship-builders, then
of Perrysburg, evinced much interest in the new steamer and Captain
Van Cleve effected a bargain with Robert HoUister, by which he built
198 History of Buffalo.
two propellers in 1842-43 — the Hercules and Samson. Sheldon Pease,
now of Buffalo, was afterwards interested in the building of propellers at
Cleveland, and their numbers then rapidly multiplied.* It will
show the rapid change from steamboats to propellers, to state that
in the year 1847 there were in commission on the lakes sixty-four steam-
boats and only twenty-one propellers; in 1861, fourteen years later,
there were seventy-one steamboats and one hundred and eighty-two
propellers.
In 1862, E. T. Evans made a contract with David Bell, of Buffalo,
for the construction of an iron propeller; accordingly, in the early part
of the year, Mr. Bell laid the keel of the first iron steamer constructed
west of New York ; she was eight hundred and fifty tons ; the iron
was rolled at the mills of Messrs. Pratt & Co., and almost the entire
work was done in Buffalo. She was named the Merchant^ and success-
fully navigated the lakes for many years. Mr. Bell has always been, and
now is an ardent advocate of iron vessels for the lakes, and he has built
many of the finest ones afloat. In 1876 the fleet of iron boats sailing
from Buffalo harbor had increased to ten; besides the Merchant their
names were, the Philadelphia, Alaska, India, China, Japan, Cuba, Java,
Russia, Scotia, Arabia. Others have since been added.
The ship-building interest at this point is now mainly in the hands of
David Bell and Samuel Gibson, builders of iron vessels. R. Mills & Co.,
Baker & Sons, Carroll Bros., William Hingston & Son, Riley Bros., Union
Dry Dock Co., C. L. Dimmers, George H Notter, William Murphy,
Joseph Supple.
Tlu Tug Fleet. — In 1851, Sherman Petrie made an effort to get a tug
built in Buffalo, but was unsuccessful, for the reason that no one had any
confidence in the success of the craft in a pecuniary sense. A few years
before that date the Charter was built here for service in towing rafts,
but she can hardly be classed as a regular tug.f
About the year 1855, the first regular tug was put afloat in Buffalo
waters ; she was the Franklin, and was bought in Albany by William
Farrell. She found plenty of business, and the construction of others
rapidly followed. Cook Brothers were early tug owners, as was also
Mr. Curtiss, who built the P. F. Barton, among the first tugs built
here, and a number of others. The tug fleet of Buffalo harbor now com-
prises fourteen large boats, which are controlled by Captain George
Hand, the Independent Tug Line, and Thomas Maytham. There are
also about twenty small tugs in the port, mostly owned by individuals.
* Josiah T. Marshall died in Buffalo November 23, 1875, at ihe age of seventy-two yean.
Robert HoUtster died in Buffalo, September 23, 1877. The Samson and the HertuUs were each
about four hundred tons burthen. The Samson was burned at Cleyeland, November 29, 1875.
f Mr. H. M. Kinne volunteers the statement that if the tug service had been introduced here
before the construction of the Blackwell Canal, about 1846. that portion of the haibor system would
have been unnecessary, at least at that time, at the tugs could have taken all vessels into the creek.
Transportation Companies, 199
Transportation Companies, — The regular transportation companies
which participate largely in the commerce and passenger travel on the
lakes, with their headquarters at Buffalo, are : —
The Union Steamboat Company, which was established and incor-
porated in 1869. The Lake Navigation Company and the American
Transportation Company were in existence previous to that time, but
had disappeared. The Union Steamboat Company is a combination of
the old Erie Railway Steamboat Company with other interests. Its first
manager here was S. D. Caldwell, and Jay Gould was the first president.
The Company is now the owner of all the stock of the Union Dry Dock
Company, which builds all the vessels of the steamboat company. S. S.
Guthrie is the present president of the company, and Washington Bull-
ard is manager. This company has built the following named pro-
pellers : —
Jay Gould, B. IV. Blanchardy James Fiske, Jr., Newburgh^ Dean Rich-
mondy Starucca, Portage , Avon, Nyacky New York, Rochester, H. J. Jewett.
The gross tonnage of the fleet is twenty-nine thousand tons. The
company now runs fifteen steamers and two schooners.
The Lake Superior Transit Company was organized in 1878, and is
incorporated under the law's of the State of New York. It is a joint
organization, formed by the Western Transportation Company, the
Union Steamboat Company and the Anchor Line, for the purpose of
giving more efficient and stable transportation to the Lake Superior
region. The company runs ten steamers between Buffalo and Duluth,
and intermediate points. The boats are the largest on the lakes, and are
first-class in all respects. The president is John Allen, Jr., and E. T.
Evans is general manager.
The Western Transportation Company was incorporated in 1855,
making it one of the oldest organizations of the kind ; it owns thirteen
passenger and freight vessels, which run in connection with the New
York Central & Hudson River railroad. John Allen, Jr., is president
and manager of the company, and John L. Williams, secretary and
treasurer.
The Anchor Line has its headquarters at Philadelphia. Its corporate
name is the Erie & Western Transportation Company. It runs in con-
nection with the Pennsylvania railroad at Erie, and with the Buffalo,
New York & Philadelphia railroad at Buffalo.
The Commercial Line of Steamers runs six propellers, doing almost
an exclusively freight business.
The Lumber Interest.
The lumber interest of Buffalo has grown from a small beginning to
its present enormous proportions chiefly during the past forty years.
Down to about the year 1850, the lumber trade here, while sufficient for
1.6
200 History of Buffalo.
the requirements of the place, had not assumed a degree of importance
demanding especial attention. At that lime the wholesale trade was con-
fined to three or four firms. Among them were J. Thistlewort, who was
located at the foot of Genesee street ; William Hawkins, on the Ohio
Basin ; J. S. & J. L. Newton, on Court street. In 1852 S. D. Colie and
J. S. Noyes established themselves in the business here, and both still
remain in it and are among the heaviest dealers in the city.
Previous to 1850 the lumber supply was near at hand in Canada
whence it was shipped across in small schooners, in cargoes of about sixty
thousand feet; hemlock was brought in then and for many years after
chiefly from the surrounding country on this side. Between the years
1855 and i860, as the supply of Canada lumber became gradually reduced
and the superior excellence of the Michigan pine became better kuown,
shipments from that region increased, vessels bringing it down the lakes.
In 1857-58 John S. Noyes, S. D. Colie, John Leighton, Joseph Van-
Vleck, and, perhaps, others attempted to make a success of rafting
timber down the lake from Saginaw ; but the enterprise was soon aban-
doned ; several rafts were lost and those which came through were a
good deal damaged and their value depreciated. Since that time the
shipments down the lakes have vastly increased from year to year, and
cargoes have swelled in proportion with the increasing tonnage of ves-
sels ; two hundred thousand feet have often been shipped on vessels,
while the great lumber barges that were introduced about 1862, are loaded
with as much as six hundred thousand feet.
About the year 1859, ^^ ^^^ supply of hemlock lumber became some-
what reduced in this vicinity, the valuable forests of Pennsylvania were
drawn upon for this market. Mr. Colie claims the credit of having first
brought hemlock lumber from Pennsylvania by rail ; it came over the
Erie road. The hemlock from that region is superior in quality and is
handled here now in immense quantities.
The supply of black walnut formerly came principally from Ohio and
Indiana, but the enormous quantity used in recent years has caused a
scarcity and high prices, resulting in the shipment of much of the pres-
ent supply from the southern states. The hardwood lumber trade of
Buffalo is largely in the hands of Taylor & Crats, 269 Elk street, who
have been in the business since 1864; and Scatcherd & Son, who have
yards on Ohio Basin, Miami and Louisiana streets, and also on the oppo-
site comer.
The wholesale lumber trade of Buffalo is now mainly conducted by
the following individuals and firms in addition to those already men-
tioned : —
E. & B. Holmes, 187 Michigan street; this business was established
in 1852, when a small planing mill was put in ; it was one of the first in
Buffalo. In the manufacture of sash, doors, boxes and other wood work,
^J/lc^.
w
/
The Coal Trade. 201
and the sale of lumber, this establishment ranks as one of the largest
in the State.
C. P. Hazard, established in 1868, has now two yards, one at 92 River
street and the other at 343 Louisiana street.
Haines & Co., established in 1861, as E. & G. R. Haines. They were
then located on West Genesee street; since on Erie street, Nos. 253 and
255. Alfred Haines became a partner in the business in 1867.
Cooper & Haines, Ohio Basin and Louisiana street, established about
1879. ^' ^* Hazard, 9^ River street established in 1864. Benson & Lock,
Michigan street near Ganson, established 1876. W. W. Tyler, Ganson
street, near Michigan. Taylor & Betts, 199 Louisiana street. Mixer &
Co., 60 Main street. Lee, Holland & Co., Court, corner of Wilkeson.
John Laycock & Son, corner Main and Seneca streets. Hurd & Hauen-
stein, Elk street, corner of Michigan. W. B. Hazard & Co., Ganson
street, and 253, 255 Erie street. Frank H. Goodyear, 62 Pearl street.
Joseph Dart, Chicago street, corner Miami. George M. Cole & Co., 58
Main street. W. R. Burt, Ganson street Adams, Moulton & Co., 257
Washington street. David Whitney, Jr., Ganson street and Black-
well canal.
Besides these representatives of the wholesale lumber trade, there are
about forty retailers who distribute the imports to the consumers of
Buffalo and vicinity.
The Coal Trade.*
Previous to the year 1852, the coal trade of Buffalo was confined to
a few thousand tons of soft coal, which went to supply the foundries and
shops of the place ; only sixty thousand tons of this kind of fuel were
brought here in 1852. From this insignificant import the receipts of coal
in 1868 advanced to 299,914 tons, while now the total receipts over-run
3,000,000 tons. It was about the year i860 or 1861, that anthracite coal
was brought to this city in any considerable quantity ; it is believed to
have been first brought here by Jason Parker & Co., who were then
located on Norton street During the season of 1861, it was found diffi-
cult to dispose of 25,000 tons in the city. In that year, what was known
as the Anthracite Coal Association, was formed, its object being mainly
to market coal here at less expense to the producing interest and on a
regular basis of prices. It was formed by the Delaware, Lackawanna &
Western Co., J. Langdon and the Pittston & Elmira Coal Co. The lat-
ter company went out of existence, when the other two continued -the
Association until about 1870, when the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co.,
was made a member of the organization. In 1879 ^^^ Delaware, Lacka-
wanna & Western withdrew, and the association continued as thus left
* Much of this able reriew of the Buffalo coal interest is taken from an exhaustive article which
was printed in the Buffalo E^^nss^ in August, 1883.
202 History of Buffalo.
until May, 1883. J- Langdon, referred to above, was in the coal business
here as early as 1858 ; he is now succeeded by the firm of J. Langdon &
Co., which is composed of J. Langdon, J. D. F. Slee and C M.
Underbill.
As manufacturing increased in Buffalo, and the city grew, a lack of
transportation facilities from the coal regions was seriously felt ; this was
especially the case during the five years succeeding i860. The great
bulk of the hard coal then brought to Buffalo, came over the Central
railroad ; but as the demand increased, other lines were opened, giving
more direct communication with the coal districts. The Erie (then called
the Buffalo, New York & Erie,) then brought the coal of the Pittston &
Elmira Coal Co., to the city. In 1865 the Buffalo, New York & Phila.
delphia railroad was chartered and opened in 1873. It has largely trans-
ported soft coal to this market since that time. Coal was first handled
by chuets in this city, in 1^70, by Langdon & Co. Their trestle was on
the Erie Basin, foot oi Genesee street.
Regarding the present extent of the consumption of anthracite coal
in this city, it .has been estimated that 285,000 tons were used here in
1882. Add to this 1,000,000 tons shipped by lake and take this sum from
i»933>ooo tons estimated as last year's hard coal receipts and it will give
the rail shipments from Buffalo at 648,000 tons, which is probably much
below the fact. The receipts of soft coal of all grades is given at 1,100,-
000 tons taking round numbers. A shipper estimates that i,ooo,ocx>
tons of soft coal passes through Buffalo annually without breaking bulk.
This leaves but 100,000 tons for city consumption, while at least 400,000
tons are annually used. Putting the soft and hard coal aggregates
together and dropping off quite a large fraction for the sake of round
numbers the sum is 3,000,000 tons for last year.
Following is given a list of the leading local coal shippers, compiled
as carefully as possible. The effort has been made to mention wholesale
dealers who are more or less directly interested in the mines. Just where
to stop is hard to tell, but the list given below is thought to fairly rep-
resent the coal trade of Buffalo, and a noble list it is. Upwards of 4,000,-
000 tons of hard coal, it is figured, will be handled in Buffalo this year,
and over 1,500,000 tons of soft coal. This is an enormous increase
over last year as figured above, which is considered low.
It is claimed, and with apparent reason, that the pioneer of the hard
coal trade in the West was Jervis Langdon, who founded the house «till
bearing his name) in 1858. He died fifteen years ago, but lived to se6 the
trade grown from nothing to an already large factor in business. The
coal handled by the company is called Shamokin coal, which indicates a
district of the anthracite belt. The product of half a dozen collieries in
this district is handled by the company, part of which it owns. Of the
coal brought to Buffalo and the Niagara bridges, J, Langdon & Co. ban
The Coal Trade. 203
die about 200,000 tons yearly. The firm's Buffalo shipping wharves are
situated at the foot of Genesee Street, and the company also lease
wharves on the East side. No changes have been made in the company
for some time except the reception of Mr. C. M. Underhill, formerly
shipping agent into full membership.
The Butler Colliery Company at first a fixture in Corning and later
in Elmira where the office is still kept, has, through an agent, done busi-
ness in Buffalo since the first opening of its mines. Of these, five are
located at Pittston and one at Carbondale. The annual capacity of these
mines is about 1,000,000 tons of anthracite coal. They are only worked
to half their capacity. This coal comes to Buffalo for re-shipment by
lake, over the Erie road, and is handled over that company's extensive
trestle on Buffalo Creek. The city agent is Mr. E. S. Hubbell. About
100,000 tons are handled here annually, though a much larger amount is
promised soon. As is the case with other hard coal companies, points
best reached by lake are supplied by that route and others by rail. The
company has been in existence about twenty years.
The advent of the Lackawanna Coal Company to Buffalo dates
back to 1 861, when an office and a small yard were opened at the foot of
Genesee Street. These are still in use by the company though long
become too small to meet the wants of the trade. In 1868 the nucleus
of the present plant at the foot of Erie street was bought as a sort of
blind venture, and was not brought into use until 1876, when the present
trestle and office were put up. The first coal was shipped from that
point in 1880. Westward shipments were begun in 1861 by canal,
though for the past three or four years the coal has come largely by
the Central Railroad. With the completion of the company's road
last winter it began bringing its own coal. The trestle fronting on
the creek has thirty-nine pockets with a capacity of 4,000 tons. The
coal comes from Scranton, where the company own a large num-
ber of collieries, mining nearly 5,000,000 tons yearly. About 1,500,000
tons of this comes to Buffalo. Besides the large lake trade much is
sent West by rail and a large wholesale and retail business is done in
the city.
The Lehigh Valley Company, which, with a railroad of its own at
its back and ample trestles for shipment by lake, has been able to take a
leading part in lake shipments, especially since the establishment of its
line of steamers, which now numbers six steam barges of large size. For
some time the company had no direct position in Buffalo, but sold its coal
to Mr. E. L. Hedstrom. About five years ago, however, an agency was
established under Mr. Peter C. Doyle, which remains unchanged. The
old trestle, which stood fronting the creek near the Ohio Basin, was
last year abandoned and a new one built opposite on the BlackwelL
This new trestle has sixty-four pockets, capable of holding 5,000 tons
204 History of Buffalo.
and having a frontage of seven hundred and fifty feet on the canal.
There is no stocking room here, but on the TifiFt farm, where extensive
canals are being dug by the company, a large area for storage is
reserved. The company has mines both in the Wilkes-Barrc and Lehigh
districts, with an annual out-put of above 1,200,000 tons. The western
trade is large. No retail business is done in Buffalo. The Lehigh runs
its own trains into the city over the Erie tracks from Waverly and
brings here this year about 1,000,000 tons.
The firm generally known as Moser, Hoole & Co., was formed in 1878.
Mr. Hoole had formerly been in the same business in connection with E.
L. Hedstrom. Since the death of Mr. Moser in April, 1883, the firm
name has been A. J. Hooie & Co., though the older name is more often
seen. The lirm does only a wholesale business, handling its coal over
the Erie wharves and shipping by the Erie railroad. The coal handled
by the firm is of the Pittston variety of anthracite, and comes from their
own mine, known as the Eagle shaft. Upwards of 100,000 tons were
handled last year.
The Pennsylvania CoaI Company came to Bu&lo in March, 1876,
and established an office at No. 10 Ohio street. The general western
superintendent is Thomas Hodgson, whose headquarters are at Buffalo.
The company has about seven hundred feet frontage on the BlackwcH canal
and three hundred and twenty feet not yet in use. Shipping is made easy
and rapid by a trestle containing twenty-five pockets holding one hundred
tons each. The Pennsylvania Company^s coal is anthracite, coming from
Pittston and vicinity, where it has sixteen collieries. These produce,
when working full time, at least six thousand tons a day of which from one
thousand to one thousand five hundred tons are just now sent to Buffalo
and the West daily, mostly by rail. It is estimated that they bring
here annually upwards of three hundred thousand tons. The coal is
brought to Buffalo by the Erie road, where it is distributed westward.
The Delaware & Hudson Canal Company has done business in hard
coal here since 1865, beginning with a general wholesale and retail traf-
fic, but confining its efforts to wholesale alone since March last. The
company owns thirty-four mines in the Wyoming Valley of Pennsyl-
vania. The coal is brought westward by the Erie. The company has
regular agencies both in Buffalo and Cleveland. The business here is
in charge of Mr. J. E. Mc Williams, under the official title of "Western
sales and shipping agent." The company has wharves and trestles on
the Buffalo creek. The company brings to Buffalo about three hundred
thousand tons this year.
Three years ago Andrew Langdon, well known as a member of the
coal ship^ping firm of Langdon, Richardson & Co., of Chicago, and also
from his business connections in Washington and elsewhere, came to
Buffalo and established himself in the same business. Mr. Langdon rep-
The Coal Trade. 205
resents the coal interests of the Erie in Buffalo, and is the owner of the
Enterprise and Grassy Island mines in the Pittston and Wilkes-Barre
districts of the Wyoming Valley. In soft coal he handles the Blossbur^
and Daguscahonda varieties for the Erie company. His sales for last
season were a fraction above two hundred and sixty thousand tons, about
fifty thousand tons of which was consumed in Buffalo.
The firm name of G. R. Wilson & Co., has descended from the father
of the present members Messrs. W. T. and G. R. Wilson, who began
business here in 1842. The coal trade was then in its infancy, and much
more than now was represented by Blossburg coal. Gradually the com-
pany worked into the hard coal trade as the consumption warranted.
Blossburg coal comes from the Fall Brook and Morris Run mines to
Buffalo by the Erie, and both hard and Blossburg coal are handled at the
Erie trestles on the island.
In hard coal G. R. Wilson & Co. handle the product of the mines in
the vicinity of Pittston. Their business this year will reach about one
hundred thousand tons.
Until its alliance with the New York Central Railroad last year the
Philadelphia & Reading Company made no particular effort to ship coal
in this direction. For some years the company brought in the neigh-
borhood of seventy-five thousand tons to Buffalo by canal, and this trade
is continued. Since the completion of the Pine Creek Cross-cut railroad
the coal has been coming in much larger quantities. The authorized
agents of the company here are Albright & Co., who have for a long
time managed the Reacfmg's Southern trade. Their establishment in
Buffalo dates from last year. The canal traffic is in charge of Mr. R. R.
Hefford as shipping agent.
Mir. E. L. Hedstrom has been in the coal-shipping business about
eighteen 3'ears, and deals largely in both hard and soft coal, though he
is mostly interested in anthracite. This is of the Scranton variety and
comes to the city by the Lackawanna road, over whose trestles it is han-
dled. The soft coal handled by him is from the Falls Creek mines of the
Reynoldsville district. His sales for Buffalo consumption will reach
seventy-five thousand tons, while Western traflBc closely approximates
three hundred thousand tons yearly.
The firm of W. H. Davis & Co., was organized in the spring of 1882,
though both the members have long been in the business. Mr. Davis
was for some time at Suspension Bridge, and came to Buffalo about two
years ago where he engaged in business as a middleman. Mr. Howard
M. Smith has been identified with the trade for some fourteen years,
for the last four years in Buffalo. For a number of years he was con-
nected with the Pennsylvania Company. When the interests of the two
were consolidated they became miners and shippers and have already
built up a large and prosperous business. They own the Fairmount
2o6 History of Buffalo.
colliery at Pittston, which has a capacity of from eighty thousand to one
hundred thousand tons. The firm has also a large trade in Lehigh and
ships West by both rail and water.
The firm of W. L. Scott & Co., though not miners, handle the out-put
of several collieries, which would not, without including them, be reck-
oned with Buffalo's coal traffic. They are established at Erie and
have no office here ; still, about two hundred thousand tons of their coal
is shipped yearly by lake from the B., N. Y. & P. R. R. trestles on the lake
side of the Blackwell. The handling is in charge of William Berryman.
The coal is from the Mahanoy district of the Philadelphia & Reading's
mines. As the firm buys the whole out-put of several collieries it does
not go under the name of Reading coal. The trestle used is a very good
one, having thirty-eight pockets. The firm has been doing business in
Buffalo about six years.
The product of the Excelsior colliery is turned over by W. L. Scott
& Co. to F. H. Goodyear, who handles one hundred thousand tons a
year, shipping entirely by rail, and selling to local dealers. His trestle
for the city trade, situated at Eagle and Emslie streets, is one of the best
of its kind. Besides this amount of hard coal not included in other esti-
mates, Mr. Goodyear buys the whole out-put of the Cameron Coal Com-
pany's mine, in Cameron county, Pennsylvania. This is soft coal and
amounts to about thirty-five thousand tons, nearly all of which is brought
to Buffalo. The business has been in existence about twelve years.
The soft coal interest has been much affected of late by the fast
growing importance of the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia Railroad,
as an owner of coal land as well as in its capacity as a carrier of the
product of outside mines. The recent purchase of the Fairmount Coal
Company's mines in Clarion and Jefferson counties, Pennsylvania,
brought the road two collieries in operation, and 5,000 acres of unde-
veloped coal land. The Northwestern Coal & Iron Company, organ-
ized in July, 1882, in the interest of the road, has from 2,000 to 3,000
acres under lease in Venango aud Butler counties. The road has also
bought the Long Run Coal & Iron Company's interest in Clarion
county, Pennsylvania, which has one colliery of a daily capacity of forty
cars. There is, lastly, the Buffalo Coal Company with 16,000 acres of
coal lands in McKean county, Pennsylvania. A glance at these com-
binations, ali of which are composed of stockholders of the B., N. Y.
& P. R. R., will be sufficient to indicate the importance and rapid
advancement of the road as a factor in the soft coal field. Of this coal
the Fairmount is the best, being in great demand by gas companies as
well as for steam purposes. Mr. Ensign Bennett, who built the Genesee
Valley Canal branch of the road, has now settled down in Buffalo as
general agent for the company and general manager of its coal interests.
One hundred thousand tons will be brought here this year.
The Coal Trade. 207
The Rochester mines, owned by Bell, Lewis & Yates, are among the
best-known in the Reynoldsville coal district, both in amount of out-put
and quality of coal. Of the two hundred coke-ovens in this district,
fifty-six belong to this firm. The monthly production is about 35,000
tons. Last year these mines sent 250,ocx> tons of coal to BufiFalo, and
25,000 tons of coke. During the present season the firm has made a con-
tract for furnishing a large amount of its coal to the Canada Pacific Rail-
way at Fort Arthur, on Lake Superior, The shipments are to be made
by lake.
The Hamilton Coal Company came to Buffalo five years ago, and is
now one of the most important of those represented here. Last season
it brought 100,000 tons of soft coal here. Perhaps one-half of this
amount is consumed here, while the rest goes east war<t and into Canada.
The mines are situated at Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania, whence shipments
are made by the Erie, and B., N. Y. & P. R. R., with the* Rochester &
Pittsburg already bidding for a share ot the trade. The Company have
a transfer dock near the Coatsworth elevator in the Erie Basin. The
Buffalo office is under the management of Mr. A. V. Armstrong, general
western agent.
The history of the Sandy Lick Coal company goes back to the open-
ing of the old Sandy Lick mine near Dubois, Clearfield county, Penn-
sylvania, in 1875, which proved a failure. The enterprise was abandoned
for a more promising claim near by, which on working developed into
the Hildrup mine, which produced one hundred and twenty-five
thousand tons last year. The property is owned by the proprietors of
the Harrisburg Car Manufacturing company, and the Buffalo office is in
charge of Mr. E. M. Ashley, who became the company's agent hereabout
two years and a half ago. At least two-thirds of the coal brought here
by the company is sold in the city. Probably one hundred thousand
tons for Buffalo would be a fair estimate.
The well-known soft-coal firm of Smith, Cant & Co., was changed
into the more representative name of Powers, Brown & Co., in March
1880. The Buffalo interests are managed by Mr. Andrew Cant, while
Mr. L Craig Smith is manager of the mines. These are known as the
Sprague and Soldier^Run collieries, situated at Reynoldsville, Jefferson
county, Pennaylvania. The company is a stock concern, and gets its
name from Messrs. Joseph H. Brown, president, and Abram Powers,
vice-president, of Youngstown, Ohio. Mr. Cant has spent twenty years
in the soft-coal business in Cleveland, but came here in April, 1880. The
mines have a capacity of from one thousand two hundred to one thou-
sand four hundred tons a day. The coal reaches here by the Erie (South-
western) and B., N. Y., & P. R. R.
Frank Williams & Co., entered the wholesale soft-coal trade in 1873,
and are proprietors of the Oak Ridge and Washington mines, beside
2o8 History of Buffalo.
part of the Pancoast mine, which are situated in the edge of the Rej-
noldsville district near Fairmount station on the Allegheny Low Grade
Railroad. Last year's trade was a little more than one hundred thou-
sand tons, of which, perhaps, eighty-five thousand tons came to Buffalo.
The Clearfield Coal company derives its name from Clearfield county,
Pennsylvania, which is in the Reynoldsville region. Its mines are acces-
sible by^the Rochester & Pittsburg lines connected with the Buffalo,
New York & Philadelphia railroads. Although these mines have but
two openings, the company owns a tract of twenty-two thousand acres
in connection with them. The Buffalo agent is Mr. H. C. Springer, who
also has the agency of the Snowshoe mines, located in Center county.
Mr. Springer has been in the business in Buffalo seven years, and handles
about sixty thousand tons of soft coal a year. He also sells largely of
hard coal, which he buys from the Butler Colliery company.
The firm of G. Elias & Bro. is among the new comers, having begun
busmess here February 15, 1873. The hard coal handled is the Excelsior
anthracite, from the Mahanoy field of the Shamokin region, and the soft
coal from the Cascade mints of St Mary's, in Elk County. The busi-
ness was removed to this city from Cameron, Pa.
The firm of Bright, Dowdell & Co., located in Buffalo in March
last and is represented by Mr. Dowdell, Mr. Bright being in the hard
coal business in Philadelphia and seldom coming here. The company's
supplies are drawn from the Ormsby and Hickory mines at Jackson Cen-
tre, Mercer County, Pa., and are shipped over the Lake Shore and the
Nickle-plate as well as the B., N. Y. & P. R. R. The two mines now
have a capacity of seven hundred and twenty-five tons a day. The firm
will have nearly one hundred thousand tons in 1883.
There are seven coal trestles for lake shipment in Buffalo^ each
having a water frontage oi from 600 to 1,000 feet — ^the Pennsylvania,
Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia, Lackawanna, Delaware & Hudson, J.
Langdon & Co., Lehigh, and Erie. The sum of $2,000,000 is a very low
estimate of the value of these properties. The Lehigh Company owns
six propellers of the largest size. Their names and value as gfiven by
Lloyds, are as follows: — Cfyde, $90,000; Fred Murcur, $85,000; Oce-
anica, $95,000; /f. E. Packer, $85,000; R, A, Packer, $58,000; Tacotna
$119,000. This gives a total of $532,000 invested by this one company
in tonnage. Forty-five other vessels are engaged in carrying coal when
any is to be had. Their aggregate value as given by Lloyds is $1,450,-
000, giving a total with the Lehigh of nearly $2,000,000 worth of prop-
erty engaged in carrying the product of the coal fields from this port.
Then there is the rolling stock.
As to the capital invested in the business, each ton of hard coal
costs for handling alone, from $3 to $5. Taking an even 4,500,000 tons,
therefore, as the receipts, $18,000,000 is expended. Soft coal costs, per-
The Live Stock Trade.
209
haps, $2 a ton on an average, making an outlay for handling the million
and a half of $3,000,000 — ^a total of both hard and soft coal of $21,000,000.
Below are given two tables showing the estimated number of tons
of hard and soft coal handled in Buffalo in the season of 1883 : —
HARD COAL.
LLangdon & Co 200,000
tier CoUiery Ca 100,000
Lackawanna Coal Co 1,500,000
Lehigh Valley Co 1,000,000
A. J. Hoole & Co 100,000
Pennsylvania Goal Co 300,000
Delaware and Hudson Canul Co 300,000
Andrew Langdon loo^ooo
G. R. Wilson & Co 100,000
Philadelphia & Reading Ca 75)O0O
E. Lw Hedstrom-. 375»ooo
W. H. DftTis & Co 80,000
W. L. Scott aoo,ooo
F. H. Goodyear..... 100,000
SOFT COAL.
Buffalo, New York, & Philadelphia 100,000
Bell, Lewis & Yates 400,000
The Hamilton Co 150,000
The Sandy Lick Co 100,000
Powers, Brown & Co 300,000
F. Williams & Co 100,000
The Clear6eld Co 60,000
G. Elias& Brother 50,000
Bright, Dowdell&Co 100,000
Total •. 1,260,000
GRAND TOTAL.
Hard coal 4»530,ooo
Soft coal 1,360,000
Total.., 4i53<>>ooo Total 5i790.ooo
The retail coal business of Bu£Falo is conducted by over a hundred
dealers, distributed in different parts of the city.
Live Stock Trade.
To attempt to give the exact date when Buffalo first became a point
where dealers bought and sold live stock, is an impossible task. The
" oldest inhabitant " in the live stock trade cannot remember when there
was not some traffic in this branch of the city's trade, which has now
assumed such proportions that it is an undisputed fact that more actual
money transactions are made at the live stock yards, than in any other
special branch of Buffalo's business. Such facts as have been accessible
from some of the older dealers in the trade are here given.
About the first prominent point in the city used for marketing live
stock was what was known as "Joslyn's Yard's," which were opened in
the year 1852 at a point nearly a mile below what is known as the
"Junction," where Swan and Seneca streets unite. The principal
feeder was the old Buffalo & State Line railroad company ; a great deal
of the stock coming to the city was also brought in by lake, and it
was no uncommon sight in those days to see a drove of hogs, cattle and
sheep over a mile in length reaching from the foot of Main street out
towards the stock pens ; many a fine " porker" found his way from these
droves under the bams or into the yards of residents along the road
and was never claimed by the owner. A shortage of a few head in
every drove was in those days not an unusual thing.
Shortly after Joslyn's Yards were started, yards were used for the
same purpose at a point where the Lake Shore and Erie railroads
exchange freight or at what is known as the Elk Street Junction, by a
Mr. Lowry, who was succeeded by Mr. James Metcalfe, who was for
2IO History of Buffalo.
years afterwards president of the First National Bank of Buffalo, and
who also for years carried on the business of dealing in hogs at the pres-
ent yards with Mr. Thomas Gushing, the firm being the well-known one
of Metcalfe & Gushing. Mr. Metcalfe at the same time kept the " Drover's
Home." The house is still standing and at present is occupied as a
family residence. At the same time that " Joslyn's " and "Metcalfe's"
were running, Mr. Gushing, the father of Mr. T. W. Gushing, of the firm
of Metcalfe & Gushing, and since the death of Mr. Metcalfe, of the firm of
Gibbs & Gushing, rented a large tract of land on the lake shore, about
two miles outside of the present city limits, where hogs were yarded,
fed and dealt in, the growing trade demanding more extensive quarters
than the other yards afforded.
About the year 1856, W. V. Woods, then a prominent dealer, opened
yards on Seneca street, about a half-mile below " Joslyn's," where quite
a traffic was carried on for about two years. There were also smaller
yards or pens in different parts of the city on Hamburg street, Seneca
street near Kinney's Alley, and Sw^n street.
In the year 1855, Mr. B. Dickey rented what is known as the Tifft
farm, which became the central point of trade. In 1856, Mr. Scott pur-
chased Mr. Dickey's interest in the business, which he disposed of in
1857 to Mr. Grocker, the father of the present superintendent of the
New York Gentral yards. These were built in the year 1864, Mr^
Grocker gave up his Elk Street yards and took the management of the
present yards, which he continued up to the time of his death in 187^^
when Mr. L. L. Grocker assumed the management. The business shortly
after became greatly centralized, and other pens gave way to the march
of improvement and to the present extensive yards which are second in
size only to the largest in the world — those at Ghicago.
The Erie yards, situated opposite the New York Gentral yards, were
built in 1865, by a company composed of Mr. E. Swope, T. L. Kerr and
W. V. Woods, under the general supervision of Mr. John Hugbee, of
the firm oi Swope, Hugbee & Waltz, where, for a time, quite an extensive
business was carried on. The greatest drawback to the trade at that
time was the condition of the streets, which were not paved.
The business at the yards has steadily increased. Many of the firms
doing business there have been long established and are of undoubted
standing, and the prospects were never brighter than at the present
time, with new roads centering in the city and running through the rich,
est country on the globe. With the added facilities for handling stock,
and the great and steady increase of population, Buffalo's live stock trade
must make rapid strides in the near future.
The reader who has given the foregoing items even a cursory study,
will have gained a good idea of the steady and rapid growth of the com-
mercial and navigation interests of Buffalo. That such growth will con.
The Board of Trade. 211
tinue with the farther development ol the great West and the general
increased wealth and prosperity of the country, no observing person
can doubt.
It is probable that Mr. Ball little knew what a prophecy he was
uttering wfaea he wrote in his pamphlet of 1825 : —
" When we contemplate the progress of the settlements in Ohio, the
western parts of Pennsylvania and New York', for the last twenty years ;
when we view the daily increasing current of emigration, the immense
prostration of the forests yielding to the industry of the husbandman,
the hardihood and intelligence of those who are making the ' wilderness
blossom/ we can hardly limit the imagination to the extent of the wealth
and population which will ultimate^ be comprehended within those
vastly fertile regions. But that their surplus products will be wafted to
this place and bartered for other commodities, or re-shipped on board
canal boats for an eastern market, there can be no doubt ; and there can
be as little doubt that upon the extent and profits of this commerce is
based the future prosperity and opulence of this village."
Buffalo Board of Trade.
Although for many years after the completion of the Erie canal the
trade and commerce of Buffalo had given earnest of future great-
ness and promised that the city was to become an important market,
yet there seemed to be no call for the formation of a body which might
expedite the labor and afford conveniences for shippers until the year
1844. In the winter of that year the growing need of such a body was
felt which led to the incorporation of the Buffalo Board of Trade. It was
the seventh society of its kind on the Western continent. R. H. Hay-
wood seemed to be one of the leaders in the movement. In pursuance
of his suggestion, and his offer to build a suitable room for the transac-
tion of the business of the proposed Board, a meeting was held on Janu-
ary 16, 1844, in the oflBce of Joy & Webster, then located in the Web*
ster Block, where, after considering the propriety and possibility of
organizing a Board of Trade, the gentlemen appointed a committee com-
prising J. L. Kimberly, S. Purdy, Philo Durfee, R. C. Palmer, William
Williams, (druggist), who drew up a constitution and by-laws. These
were adopted at the second meeting held on. January 30, 1844. At the
next meeting on March nth, R. H. Haywood was honored with the first
presidency of the new society. The remaining offices were distributed
as follows : George B. Webster, first vice-president ; William Williams,
second vice-president ; Philo Durfee, A. H. Caryl, James HoUister, H.
M. Kinne, J. C. Evans, Sidney Shepard, N. Hayden, J. L. Kimberly and
George Palmer, directors; John R. Lee, treasurer; Giles K. Coats, sec-
retary. In fulfillment of his promise to furnish a " Change," Mr. Hay.
wood erected a building between September, 1844, and the following
May, on the comer of Hanover and Prime streets, and designated it the
Merchant's Exchange. On the loth of March, 1845, ^he first officers
212 History of Buffalo.
were re-elected. The Board first occupied the new building June
5, 1845. Since that date the following have been the successive
presidents-elect : —
March 10, 1846, R. H. Haywood; March 13, 1847, Henry Daw;
March 13, 1848, Philo Durfee; March 13, 1849, George B. Walbridge ;
March 13, 1850, H. E. Howard; March 10, 185 1, H. E. Howard; March
8, 1852, S. H. Fish; March 13. 1853, Samuel J. Holley ; March 13, 1854,
H. Niles ; March 12, 1855, G. S. Hazard ; May 6, 1856, M. 8. Hawley ;
March 7, 1857, G. S. Hazard; April 12, 1858, J. R. Bentley ; April 12,
1859, A. Sherwood ; April 12. i860, C. J. Mann ; April 16, 1861, J. Parker ;
April 14, 1862, G. S. Hazard; April 12, 1863, G. S. Hazard; April 12,
1864, G. S. Hazard; April 11, 1865, S. H. Fish; April 11, 1866, P. S.
Marsh ; April 9, 1867, P. S. Marsh ; April 15, 1868 ; J. H. Vought ; April
I3» 1869, 8. 8. Guthrie; April 13, 1870, Charles G. Curtis; April 13,
1871, James G. Sawyer; April 13, 1872, Alfred P. Wright; April 13,
1873, Charles A. Sweet; April 13, 1874, E. P. Dorr; April 13, 1875,
Cyrus Clarke; April 13, 1876, Cyrus Clarke; April 13, 1877, Alonzo
Richmond; April 13, 1878, William H. Abell ; April 13, 1879, J^wett M.
Richmond; April 13.1880, George Sandrock; April 13, 1 881, John B.
Manning; April 13, 1882, Jacob F. Schoellkopf.
So far as the records reveal the names of the several secretaries,
they are given as follows : In i844-'45, Giles K. Coats ; 1867, J. J. Hen-
derson ; 1859, T. C. Boynton, 1860,-62, H. Wilcox; 1863, William
Thurstone. It it is much to Mr. Thurstone's credit that from 1863 to
the present time, he has been in the office of secretary without interrup-
tion, and without any solicitation on his part.
On the 3d of March, 1857, a new charter was obtained and a new
constitution and by-laws were adopted in adjustment to the growing
business of the city and Board. The Buffalo Board of Trade, though
avowedly organized for the promotion of convenience and expedition of
business, has been of great benefit to the city in other respects ; the
increase of business and the making of Buffalo a market for western
produce, constantly sought by the members of the Board, could not but
result in various advantages to the place. The Board has often been the
instrument, and not infrequently the chief or sole cause, of reforms
which have been of the greatest importance to Buffalo as a commercial
port. The tendency of the railroads seems to have been to reduce rates
from Chicago to the east without allowing a proportionate reduction
from Buffalo, thus making the latter a mere way station. The Board has
steadily resisted this tendency through the medium of municipal legis-
lation and through improvements on the Erie canal.
During the last war the Board was active in furnishing funds for the
prosecution of hostilities, providing for the maintenance of troops and
the relief of women who had devoted themselves to the cause.
The Merchants* Exchange. 213
In April, 1870, G. S. Hazard and Alonzo Richmond were commis-
sioned by the Board of Trade to appear before the Canal Board to advo-
cate a reduction in canal tolls in behalf of the State of New York. They
succeeded to the extent of reducing the tolls a fraction over three cents
a bushel for wheat, within a fraction of one cent on corn, a fraction over
six mills on oats, on coal fifty per cent., and a liberal reduction on salt,
lumber, staves, iron ore and many other articles. This was the final
victory after fifteen years of continual warfare for reduction.
The Board has worked hard for all enlargements and improvements
upon this channel of commerce, such as the abolition of tolls, weigh
locks, etc. Its exertions in bringing to light facts relative to canal navi-
gation led to discussions of the questions in New York and interior
towns, which resulted in large public meetings, the adoption of resolu-
tions, the appointment of committees, etc. ; and finally culminated in
1882, in the measures which made the canal free and abolished sinecure
offices.
After so honorable a history it is gratifying to record that the pros-
perity of the Buffalo Board of Trade is becoming more and more mani-
fest They now own and occupy a new building on Seneca street, cor-
ner of Pearl, built by them after the repeated agitations of years. The
Up-town Movement, as it was called, assumed definite shape in April,
1880, on the 17th of which month resolutions were adopted favoring the
project. Various committees were from time to time appointed, until
about May, 1882, when a call was issued for plans, and in July, Milton E.
Beebe, of Buffalo, furnished plans in competition with fifteen others,
which were accepted. In a few months the buildmg was in process of
construction and was ready for occupancy in the fall of 1883. It
extends one hundred and thirty-two feet on Seneca street, sixty-two
feet on Pearl, and is one hundred feet in hight It consists of seven
stories in addition to the basement. The Board occupy the fourth
floor and nearly all of the fifth for their own purposes, the rest being
used for offices. The building entire cost about $150,000, besides the
cost of the lot, viz : $100,000.
The active existence of the old organization has now in reality passed
away and is succeeded by a society of broader scope, the Merchants*
Exchange of Buffalo, which was chartered in the spring of 1882. The
object of the Merchants' Exchange is best expressed in the words of the
charter : —
" The corporation shall have power, in and by their corporate name,
to purchase, lease, hold and mortea^e real or lease-hold estate in the city
of Buffalo, and to erect thereon a Duilding for the purpose of a Merchants'
Exchange and such other purposes as may, in the opmion of the trustees
of said corporation, tend to carry out the design of such institution and
Sromote the convenient transaction of the business of dealers in grain,
our, provisions, oil, coal, lumber, iron, and all other kinds of property
214 History of Buffalo.
in the city of Buffalo ; and when said building shall have been obtained
or erected they shall have power to lease the same or parts thereof and
to receive the rents and profits arising from said rents and apply the
same as the board of trustees shall direct."
In the by-laws of the organization the objects are further stated to
be to provide and regulate a suitable room or rooms for the Merchants'
Exchange in the city of Buffalo ; to inculcate just and equitable principles
in trade; to establish and maintain uniformity in commercial usages ; to
acquire, preserve, and disseminate valuable business information ; and to
adjust controversies and misunderstandings between its members.
On the 2d of July, 1883, the following were elected trustees for the
year ending the second Wednesday in January, 1884: —
James N. Scatcherd, Alfred P. Wright, Pascal P. Pratt, Robert P.
Adam, Thomas Thornton, William Meadows, J. M. Richmond, Eric L.
Hedstrom, Edward B. Smith, Richard H. Lee, Jacob F. Schoellkopf,
Richard K. Noye, Charles A. Sweet.
On July i6th, at the first meeting, the following oflBcers were
elected : —
James N. Scatcherd, President; Eric L. Hedstrom, Vice-President;
Charles A. Sweet, Treasurer ; William Thurstone, Secretary.
CHAPTER VII.
THE ELEVATORS OF BUFFALD.
The First Steun Grain Elevator in the World — A High Honor for Buffalo — Old Methods of
Loading and Unloading Grain — Joseph Dart's Experiment — Its Pronounced Success —
The Fint Vessel Unloaded by Steam — Contrast Between Old and New Methods of
Handling Grain — Increase of Grain Receipts Incident upon the Establishment of Elevators
'— Rapid Building of Elevators — Consequent Competition in Elevator Charges — Organisa-
tion of the Western Elevating Company — Its Permanence and Success — Record of the
Building, Burning and Rebuilding of Buffalo Elevators.
IT is a high honor to the city of BufiFalo that on her wharves was
erected the first steam storage and transfer elevator in the world. Iti
the light of the intimate connection existing between her present
extensive elevator system and her large lake and commercial interests,
this fact becomes one of significant importance. When in the year 1841
the shipment of grain through Buffalo from the West had reached nearly
2,000,000 bushels, having quadrupled during the preceding five years, it
began to be apparent to observing men who foresaw the immense grain pro-
ducing capacity of the vast western territory, that even the heavy shipment
The Elevators of Buffalo. 215
of 1 84 1 would prove insignificant beside that of single years in the not
distant future. It at the same time became apparent that greatly increased
facilities would soofn be required at Buffalo for the accommodation of the
future grain shipments through the city. The 2,000,000 bushels handled
in 1 841 was not received and trans-shipped without many delays and
other vexations, owing chiefly to the slow methods then employed of
lifting g^in from the holds of vessels in barrels with a tackle, weighing
it with a hopper and scales swung over the hatchways of the craft and
then carrying it into the warehouses on men's shoulders. Only ten to
fifteen bushels were thus weighed at once and a day's work with a full
complement of hands, did not exceed 1,800 to 2,000 bushels; even this
small quantity could be handled only in fair weather, while in foul weather
the harbor was often filled with numerous craft, awaiting a change
in the skies.*
It was this condition of aflfairs relative to the storage and trans-ship-
ment of grain in Buffalo that led Joseph Dart, who was then in business
in the city, to determine in 1841 on attempting the use of steam power in
the work by applying it to the well known elevator and conveyor prin-
ciple invented by Oliver Evans more than fifty years previous to that
time. Mr. Dart, in the face of numerous obstacles and predictions of
failure, accordingly began the erection of an elevator building in the
autumn of 1842, on the banks of Buffalo creek at its junction with the
Evans ship canal, where now stands the imposing Bennett elevator.f
Mr. Dart's experiment was a pronounced success from the outset.
Within a month from the time his elevator was put in operation, one of
the leading forwarders of the port who had previously predicted that
forwarders would not pay the high charges demanded for steam eleva-
ting, offered Mr. Dart double his regular rates for accommodation in an
emergency. The great saving in time that is now so well understood
and appreciated, was apparent at once and the consequent benefits could
not be disguised. As evidence of the economy in time, even when using
Mr. Dart's modest establishment, he relates that the schooner John B.
* Mr. Levi Allen, the oldest lake captain now living in Buffalo, relates that when he commanded
the vessel named the UniUd States^ in i828-'29, he brought down a cargo of wheat of 6,000 bushels;
this was then considered a heavy caigo. It was unloaded by the old method and four or five days
were reqaiied to do the work. The UmUd Slates was one hundred and thirteen tons and was then
looked npon as a large vessel.
t Mahlon Kingman, then a forwarding merchant of Buffalo, attempted a few years earlier than
Mr. Dart inaugurated his enterprise to operate an elevator by horse power ; but his plans were not
successfnl. The venerable William Wells, who has been identified with the elevator interest since its
first inception, was in the employ of Mr. Dart when he built the first elevator. Mr. Kingman told
Mr. Wells and Mr. Dart that the steam elevator would not succeed and that '* Irishmen's backs
were the cheapest elevators." Mr. Lewis F. Allen and a Mr. Lord also built an elevator at
Black Rock in 1840, which ran by water power ; it had two marine legs, one of which was on the
river side and one in the harbor ; the machinery in this elevator was designed by Mr. Robert Dunbar^
proprietor of the Eagle Iron works, and was made by Jewett & Root.
2i6 History of Buffalo.
Skinner, loaded with 4,000 bushels of wheat, came into port early one
afternoon soon after his elevator was put in operation, was discharged
and received ballast of salt, leaving the same evening ; she made her trip
to Milan, Ohio, brought down a second cargo and discharged it and on
her return to Milan she went out in company with vessels which came in
with her on her first trip and which had just succeeded in getting their
cargoes unloaded by the old methods.
Joseph Dart's elevator when compared with many of the stately
and capacious structures of to-day was an insignificant affair ; its capac-
ity was only 55,000 bushels, but it was doubled three years after it was
built and another marine leg was added ; it had a slip under it for boats.
The machinery in this elevator was designed by Robert Dunbar, who
has done similar work for a large proportion of the elevators of Buffalo ;
it was made by Jewett & Root. The original Dart Elevator was burned,
a fate that has befallen many of its successors. The first vessel unloaded
by Mr. Dart's elevator, was the schooner Philadelphia, Captain Charles
Rogers; she was loaded with 4,515 bushels of wheat consigned to H.
M. Kinne and George Davis. The first cargo of corn unloaded by the
elevator was from the South America, Captain A. Bradley, 3,145 bushels,
June 22, 1843. Dart's elevator unloaded during the first year of its
existence 229,260 bushels of grain.
In the early years of the steam elevator, it was currently believed
that about eight hundred bushels a day was all the grain that could be
raised from a vessel and correctly weighed. Mr. Dart's* elevator was at
first built with the buckets holding about two quarts each and set twenty-
eight inches apart. With that arrangement he raised 1,000 bushels an
hour. A little later he placed his buckets twenty-two inches apart, and
still later sixteen inches, until he reached a capacity of 1,800 to 2,000
bushels an hour. But even these latter figures look insignificant when
contrasted with those representing the transfer capacity of some of the
great elevcrtors of to-day. The interested visitor may now stand beside
such a magnificent structure as the Connecting Terminal Railroad
Elevator, for example, and see a vessel moored at the wharf loaded with
60,000 bushels of wheat. Her hatchways are opened, the " legs "
of the two towers (one of which is movable for a distance of eighteen
feet) are dropped upon the great mass of grain in the hold of the vessel,
the machinery is started, and the buckets, holding twelve quarts each,
dip with marvellous rapidity down into the wheat and rush on upward
into the building, each carrying its load, and in from four to five hours
the entire cargo is safely stored in -the bins— a cargo which, by the old
method of " Irishmen's backs," would have required three or four weeks
to discharge. Into the capacious bins in such an elevator as the one
mentioned, about 1,000,000 bushels of grain can be stored, and over
• JoMpih Dart died September 27, 1879, aged eighty yetr».
^^/)^a.4...co
The Elevators of Buffalo. 217
19,000 bushels have been elevated into it in one hour, while at the same
time two or three canal boats and three trains of cars can be simultane-
ously loaded. These and accompanying figures show the magnitude of
the elevating business in Buffalo, without which the shipment eastward
of the immense crops of western grain, would be almost impossible.
The success of elevating grain by steam produced the usual effect
of active competition. The grain receipts at the Buffalo port increased
with astonishing rapidity, as the reader has already learned, from the
time when Joseph Dart unloaded the first vessel by steam. This made
buSy times and profitable work for elevators and they rapidly multiplied ;
faster, perhaps, than the immediate prospect warranted. As the number
of elevators increased their owners came into direct competition with
each other. As far. as advantages to the forwarder were concerned,
one elevator owner could offer very little over another, for there is noth-
ing in the process of elevating grain that improves the cargo wherein
one owner might excel another. As a consequence, the elevator that
handled grain at the lowest rates, even by a very small sum on a large
shipment, could secure the business. This state of things could not con-
tinue ; men engaged in the business saw that in spite of the fact that it
cost a large sum of money to build an elevator and that therefore their
number might not soon exceed the requirements of commerce, still a ruin-
ous competition was almost sure to be the final result. This led to the
formation in the year 1859 of ^^^ Western Elevating Company, an organ-
ization that has existed ever since that time,controlling and directing almost
the entire elevating interest of the port with a large measure of success, as
well as of satisfaction to elevator owners. The venerable Wm. Wells was
the first President of this company,* which office he held three years ;
he was succeeded by P. B. Sternberg, and he by James C. Harrison.
In the year 1866, William H. Abell was given the office and a year later
A. G. Williams took it. He occupied the position two years when Mr.
Abell was again made President and has held the office ever since. The
harmonious existence of this company during so many years is the best
evidence that it has been beneficial to elevator owners.
The entire elevating interest of this port is now substantially in the
control of the Western Elevating Company, and such has been the case
during its existence; when new elevators have been erected, such
arrangements have been made with their owners as to induce them to
place their elevating property in the hands of the company. It is but
* Mr. Wells is the oldest male resident of Buffalo who was born in the city and has ever since
lived here. His father, Joseph Wells, settled in Buffalo in i8o3. His first son bom here was the
late Aldricfa Wells, who was the first white male child bom in Buffalo; his birth occurred in August,
1803. William Wells was bom in 1806. When he was a young man he was in the employ of
Joseph Dart and aided in building the first steam elevator. Since that time he has been prominently
identified with the business. Chandler J. Welk, who lives in Buffalo at this time, is another son of
Joseph Wells and has also long been largely interested in the elevating business.
2i8 History of Buffalo.
natural, perhaps, that such a policy, no matter how liberally and impar-
tially carried out, should give rise to charges by those interested that the
Western Elevating Company is a monopoly and inimical to shippers and
the best interests of the commerce of the city. It has been argued that
the storage and trans-shipment of the grain received at the port could
be accomplished with a much smaller number of elevators than have
been built and consequently at lower rates. This is, on the other hand,
disputed, from the fact that on some occasions the receipts vary a million
bushels within twenty -four hours and that breaks occur in the canal,
preventing eastward shipments and demanding enormous storage capac-
ity. This agitation and controversy * led to an attempt in the winter of
1882-83, to regulate and control the elevating business bylaw; the act
that was introduced failed of passage in the Senate. As matter of history
relative to the present profits of the elevating business, even when skill-
fully conducted by a powerful company, the following figures are
pertinent : —
According to the figures for the year 1882, the receipts of grain
were about 52,000,000 bushels ; for handling and storing this the elevators
received $560,000, as follows : —
For elevating and five days' storage $455)000
For steam shoveling 65,000
For additional storage 40,000
$560,000
The expenses were as follows : —
Taxes, certified to by the comptroller $ 81,500
Insurance • 60,000
Repairs, labor, fuel, etc 270,000
Paid for dredging 5,000
$416,500
This statement leaves a balance of $153,500 with which to pay the
interest on over $7,000,000 investment. There are other features of the
elevating business that have contributed to this agitation and attempted
legislation, but it would be out of place to discuss them here.
The item of $60,000 charged up to insurance in the above state-
ment indicates that elevator owners are compelled to pay the insurance
companies heavy rates. But if this is true, the losses to the companies
by the burning of elevator buildings have been enormous.
* Much has been said and written against these Buffalo elevators, but the fact that they furnish
such excellent facilities to carriers and shippers, insuring quick dispatch and freedom from costly
delays, is an advantage that can be scarcely overestimated. These elevators are owned by private indi-
viduals, excepting that the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad corporation owns two of
the largest, and the New York & Western Railroad one. Several of these elevators have machinery
attached, whereby 60,000 to 70,000 bushels of wet or damaged grain can be dried every twenty-four
hours.^ WilHam Tkunionis Pampkiei om the Commirte ofBuffah.
The Elevators of Buffalo. 219
The grain products of the great west are handled at Buffalo more
largely than at any other point on the lakes. In 1880 the Western Elevat-
ing Company handled about 99,000,000 bushels; in 1881 about 49,000,000
bushels, and in 1882 50,934,922 bushels. Now, when it is remembered
that the fickle winds may any day bring into the harbor a whole fleet of
grain-laden craft, or a break in the canal to the eastward may detain
large consignments in port for days together^ then the inestimable use-
fulness and paramount necessity of the present vast elevating and stor-
age system becomes apparent. Three and one-half million bushels of
grain can be received and transferred in one day, by the combined
elevators of Buffalo, at the present time.
The following statement gives the names of all of the elevators that
have ever been built in Buffalo, the dates when they were erected, when
burned and re-built, and their capacity, as far as it has been possible to
obtain them : —
Dart Elevator^ capacity 50,000 bushels, built 1842-43 ; enlarged 1846;
first machinery put in by G. W. Schwartz; machinery put in the second
leg by Jewett & Root ; designed by Robert Dunbar ; burned about
1862-63.
Evans^ built from old ware-houses in 1847 ! machinery put in by R.
Dunbar; burned in 1863 and rebuilt, the machinery put in by B. Clark;
again burned in 1864 and rebuilt, the machinery put in by John
Stutz and made at the Eagle Iron Works ; now owned by the C. W.
Evans and the George W. Tifft estate. Storage capacity, 300,000 bushels ;
transfer capacity, 97,000 bushels.
Watson, built in 1862 ; designed by R. Dunbar, and machinery made
at the Eagle Iron Works ; owned by Mrs. Watson and Dr. Gary. Stor-
age capacity, 600,000 bushels ; transfer capacity, 288,000.
Merchants (tower) built in 1862; designed and machinery put in by
R. Dunbar and Brad. Clark ; made at the Eagle Iron Works. Storage
capacity, 30,000 bushels ; transfer capacity, 96,000 bushels.
Reed, built in 1847 ; burned and rebuilt in i859-'62 ; machinery
designed by R. Dunbar, and made by G. W. Tifft & Co. Storage capac-
ity, 200,000; transfer capacity, 96,000. Again burned August 25, 1874.
Wilkeson, built in 1861 ; burned September 9, 1862 and rebuilt in
1863; designed by R. Dunbar and machinery made at the Eagle Iron
Works and put in by R. Dunbar and Brad. Clark. Storage capacity,
280,000 bushels; transfer capacity, 96,000 bushels.
Bennett, (formerly Dart) built in 1864; machinery designed by R.
Dunbar and Brad. Clark, made at the Eagle Iron Works and put in by
Brad. Clark. Storage capacity, 600,000 bushels ; transfer capacity,
96,000 bushels.
Coburn, built in 1861 ; burned September 9, 1862, and rebuilt as the
C. J. Wells, in 1863; machinery designed and put in by R. Dunbar and
220 History of Buffalo.
Brad. Clark, and made at the Eagle Iron Works. Storage capacity,
350»ooo bushels; transfer capacity, 96,000 bushels.
Richtnond, built in 1863 ; designed by R. Dunbar and Brad. Clark,
and machinery put in by Clark ; made at the Eagle Iron Works. Stor-
age capacity, 280,000 bushels ; transfer capacity, 96,000 bushels.
Hatchy built in 1848; burned and rebuilt as*the Marine. Storage
capacity, 1 50,000 bushels.
Lyon^ built in 1881 ;* machinery made at Eagle Iron Works and put
in by Mr. Hamble. Storage capacity, 100,000 bushels ; transfer capacity,
96,000 bushels. First built as the Main Street elevator and burned in
1865 ; rebuilt as the Hazard in 1867.
Excelsior^ designed and built by R. Dunbar and Brad. Clark in
1 862. Storage capacity, 30.000 bushels ; transfer capacity, 96,000 bushels ;
burned in 1876.
SturgeSy built in 1862; burned July 30, 1866 and rebuilt in 1867;
designed by R. Dunbar and machinery made at the Eagle Iron Works
and put in by R. Dunbar and Brad. Clark. Storage capacity, 300,000
bushels ; transfer capacity, 100,000 bushels. Fulton (tower) built at the
same time by the same parties.
Marine^ first built as the Hatch^ by R. Dunbar ; burned and after-
wards rebuilt in 1881 ; designed by R. Dunbar, machinery made at the
Eagle Iron Works and put in by Paul Kingston. Storage capacity, 150,.
000 bushels ; transfer capacity, 96,000.
City Elevator y first built by O. Bugbee in 1846, and machinery put in
by R. Dunbar; burned November 8, 1859, ^"^ rebuilt; machinery by
R. Dunbar and Brad. Clark; again burned in 1863 and rebuilt;
machinery made at the Eagle Iron Works and put in by B. Clark. Stor-
age capacity, 600,000 bushels ; transfer capacity, 130,000 bushels.
Swi/tsure, first Kingman's, built about 1840; afterwards Sterling's,
built in 1847 ; rebuilt in 1862 ; machinery made at the Eagle Iron Works
and put in by G. Milsom. Storage capacity, 200,000 bushels ; transfer
capacity, 96,000 bushels.
Sternberg (A) first built by Smith Brothers ; machinery put in by R.
Dunbar and Brad. Clark in 1847 ; burned and rebuilt in 1862, by R. Dunbar
and Brad. Clark. Sternberg (B) built in 1861 by R. Dunbar and Bfad.
Clark ; machinery all made at the Eagle Iron Works, Storage capacity,
350,000 bushels ; transfer capacity, 96,000 bushels. Burned in 1883.
Commercial built in 1879, machinery put in by John Stutz, and made
at the Howard Iron Works; burned February 3, 1882.
W/ueler, (formerly Wells) built in 1861 ; machinery made at the
Eagle Iron Works and put in by Brad. Clark. Storage capacity, 200,-
000 bushels ; transfer capacity, 72,000 bushels.
Niagara (A) built in 1867; designed by Mr. Johnston; machinery
made at the Eagle Iron Works. Niagara (B) built in 188 1 on the site of
The Elevators of Buffalo. 221
the New York & Erie elevator, which was built in 1862 ; the machinery
made by Tifft & Co., and put in by R. Dunbar and Brad. Clark. The
machinery of Niagara (A) was put in by Brigham Clark and made at
the Eagle Iron Works. Storage capacity, (A) 800,000 bushels; of
Niagara (B) 1,200,000 bushels ; transfer capacity, 130,000 bushels each.
Tijf^tf (formerly Plympton), designed by Mr. Johnston and built in
1868 ; machinerj- made by TiflFt & Co. Storage capacity, 350,000 bushels ;
transfer capacity, 96,000 bushels.
HollisteTy built in 1847 ; burned May 22, 1858; machinery put in by
Abram Schwartz.
Erie Basin, machinery put in by Brad. Clark, made at Tifft &
Company's. Storap'e capacity, 200,000 bushels ; transfer capacity,
96,000 bushels.
Exchange, built in 1863 ; machinery put in by Brad. Clark, and made
at the Eagle Iron Works. Storage capacity, 250,000 bushels ; transfer
capacity, 96,000 bushels.
Erie,hu\\tm 1879; burned August 23, 1882, and rebuilt in 1883;
machinery made at the Howard Iron Works. Storage capacity, 650,000
bushels; transfer capacity, 130,000 bushels.
Empire, biiilt in 1861 ; machinery put in by Brad. Clark, and made
at the Eagle Iron Works. Storage capacity was 200,000 bushels, and
transfer capacity 96,000 bushels ; since burned.
Ohio Basin, {?\g'&ioot)b\n\t in 1863-64; designed by R. Dunbar,
and machinery put in by John Stutz ; built by G. W. Tifft ; burned in
1866-^67.
Buffalo^ built in 1846, by H. M. Kinne ; storage capacity, 125,000
bushels; transfer capacity, ijlS,ocx> bushels ; burned about 1870.
Connecting Terminal Railroad Company Elevator, built in 1882;
designed by R. Dunbar, and machinery put in by Brigham Clark ; made
at the Eagle Iron Works. Storage capacity, 1,000,000 bushels; transfer
capacity, 250,000 bushels.
Union, machinery put in by Brad. Clark, and made at the Eagle
Iron Works. Storage capacity, 90,000 bushels; transfer capacity^
70,000 bushels.
Coatswortk,{^T?LnsitT) hmitin 1863; machinery made at the Eagle
Iron Works, and put in by R. Dunbar and Brad. Clark. Storage capacity,
40,000 bushels ; transfer capacity, 96,000 bushels.
In addition to these, there have been burned the Corn Dock eleva-
tor, September 17, 1865 ; the Grain Dock, in 1861 ; the Wadsworth, June
14, 1878 ; the Excelsior, (tower) and the Hazard elevator; the Kinne &
Wadham, (Buffalo) and the Rust & Co. ; the American Giant (floater)
was destroyed by storm in 1882.
Besides the elevators mentioned in the foregoing list, there are now
in operation here the Brown, storage capacity 250,000 bushels ; the C.
222 History of Buffalo.
J. Wells, capacity 350,000 bushels ; the National Mills, capacity 100,000
bushels ; the William Wells, (formerly Williams) capacity 200,000 bush-
els ; and Schreck*s, capacity 100,000 bushels. There are also the follow-
ing named transfer towers : the Chicago, capacity 20,000 bushels ; the
Fulton, capacity 30,000 bushels ; the Northwest, capacity 40,000 bushels;
the Horton, and the Kellogg & McDougall, capacity 70,000 bushels.
There are also the following named floaters : the Free Trade, Free Canal,
Marquette, Ira Y. Munn, Niagara, and the Buffalo.
Prominent among the men who have been conspicuous in Buffalo
in connection with the building of elevators, it will be proper to mention
the names of H. M. Kinne, who built the third elevator in the harbor,
(the Buffalo) and later built the first Wilkeson and the first Sturges ; I.
T. Hatch, who built the Hatch and the first Marine ; George W- Tifft,
builder of the New York & Erie and the Tifft ; Dean Richmond, John
Wilkeson, D. S. Bennett, William and C. J. Wells, and Captain Hazard.
CHAPTER VIII.
FINANCIAL INTERESTS DF BITrrALD.
The First Bank in Buffalo ~ The Bank of Niagara and its Officers— Its Early Reverses^ A Second
Bank Projected — The U. S. Bank and its Directors— Opening of Sut)scription Books for
the Bank of Buffalo — An Injunction upon the Project — Its Removal —The First Board of
Directors — A Speculative Mania in i835-*36 — Marvellous transactions in Land — The Final
Crash and its Disastrous Effects — The Banks Involved — Injunctions against the Banks —
A Panic Meeting— The Era of ** Hard Times "— Benjamin Rathbun*s Career — The
Panics of t8 57 and 1873**74 — Htstuiy of the Banks of Buffalo — Savings Aid Associations
IN the Buffalo Gazette of November 23, 18 15, appeared the announce-
ment that Jonas Harrison, Ebenezer Walden, Augustus Porter, Charles
Townsend, S. H. Salisbury, Jonas Williams, Samuel Tupper, Benja-
min Caryl and Oliver Forward would apply to the Legislature at its
next session, for an act of incorporation of a bank in the village of Buf-
falo. This bank was organized in July of the following year(i8i6) and
named the Bank of Niagara ; it was the first Bank in Erie county. The
capital of the bank was fixed at what was then a very large sum — five
hundred thousand dollars, but the amount to be paid in on each share of
one hundred dollars, was only six dollars and twenty-five cents. The
directors were from a wide range of country ; they were — Augustus
Porter, of Niagara Falls ; James Brisbane, of Batavia ; A. S Clarke, of
MOSES SMITH.
The First Bank in Buffalo. 223
Clarence ; Jonas Williams and Benjamin Caryl, of Williamsville ; Isaac
Kibbe, of Hamburg ; Martin Prendergast, of Chautauqua county ;
Samuel Russell and Chauncey Loomis (exact residence unknown), and
Ebenezer F. Norton, Jonas Harrison, Ebenezer Walden and John G.
Camp, of Buffalo. On Tuesday, July 16, i8i6,the directors elected Isaac
Kibbe president of the bank, and Isaac Q. Leake, cashier.
This may be said to have been the first financial movement of a pub-
lic nature that occurred in the village of Buffalo. The Bank of Niagara
was chartered for sixteen years ; it continued to do a satisfactory busi-
ness until July, 1818, at which time and during the following month, it
suffered " a vexatious run ;" but it withstood the onslaught. In January,
1 8 19, Benjamin EUicott, Jonas Williams and William Peacock, of the
Board of Directors elected late in the preceding year, resigned and
Charles Townsend, Oliver Forward and S. Wilkeson were elected to fill
the vacancies. The Niagara Bank was located in a brick building front-
ing on Washington street, on the corner of North Division street.
In the Buffalo Patriot of March, 23, 1819I, was printed an editorial in
which the editor expressed himself as " happy to learn that the opposi-
tion [to the bank] which has so long existed, has ceased and the directors
are adopting measures to resume business.*' Further reverses also attend-
ed the institution during that summer, as indicated by the following
notice which appeared in the Emporium of August 12, 1826: —
•' Bank of Niagara. — Notwithstanding the reverses of fortune which
this institution has had to encounter, we have ever been its friends.
Under such circumstances it is a matter of gratulation to us that its bills
are redeemed in specie, ' counted and well told.' We understand that
the direction of the bank is to be exclusively in the hands of the president,
C. Van Antwerp, late sheriff of Albany, and William Williams, cashier,
(late teller of the bank.")
The lack of support and confidence in the bank, as indicated by the
above quotation, was followed by a more prosperous period. Mr. Van
Antwerp acquired a majority of the stock, came on to Buffalo and so
directed the affairs of the institution as to inspire confidence in it, and it
continued in business until the expiration of its charter.
During the last half of the year 1826, the subject of a second bank in
Buffalo was discussed and a commission was appointed to ascertain what
amount of cash would be necessary to properly facilitate business. A meet-
ing was held on the i6th of December to hear the report of this commis-
sion ; this consideration of the subject was prompted by a growing desire
on the part of the citizens of the place to have a branch of the U. S. Bank
established in Buffalo. Nothing came of the agitation, however, until
the latter part of 1829 ; on the 15th of September, of that year, a com-
mittee of the directors of the U. S. Bank made a report in favor of the
project, which report was confirmed and the following Board of Direct-
ors appointed : William B. Rochester, Charles Townsend, R. B. Hea-
224 History of Buffalo.
cock, Joseph Stocking, Albert H. Tracy, Sheldon Thompson, David
Burt,Wm. A. Bird, Augustus Porter, David E. Evans, Wm. Peacock, James
Wadsworth and Lyman A. Spalding. Wm. B. Rochester was made presi-
dent of the bank. The first meeting of the Board of Directors was held on
Monday, October 26, 1829, at which John R. Carpenter was appointed
cashier, Joseph Salter, teller, and Charles Taintor, clerk. H. B. Potter
was soon after added to the Board of Directors. The bank was on the
northeast corner of South Division and Main streets.
On the 1 6th day of May, 1830, subscription books were opened for
three days at the Eagle tavern, for the establishment of the Bank of
Buffalo. James McKnight, David £. Evans, I. T. Hatch, Benjamin
Rathbun, G H. Goodrich, S. G. Austin and Pierre A. Barker were
named as the bank commissioners. The capital of the bank was fixed
at $200,000, and $1,654,250 were subscribed. The distribution of the
shares created some dissatisfaction and opposition, the result of which
was the granting of an injunction by Judge Gardner, vice-Chancellor,
stopping further proceedings in the matter. This injunction was removed
by mutual consent, a few days before it was to have been argued, and
the following Board of Directors of the new bank were elected: —
Guy H. Goodrich, Hiram Pratt, Benjamin Rathbun, Major A. Andrews,
Joseph Stocking, George Burt, William Ketchum, Henry Hamilton,
Henry Root, George B. Webster, Noah P. Sprague, Stephen G. Austin^
and Russell Haywood. Guy H. Goodrich was elected president ;
Hiram Pratt, cashier, and S. G. Austin, teller. This bank b^;an business
on Tuesday, September 6, 1831.
In the disastrous financial revulsion and panic that swept the entire
country in i835-'36, Buffalo siiffered as severely as most places similarin
size and character, and much more so than many. The inhabitants had
raised themselves and their city to a high financial and speculative alti-
tude, and the fall was proportionately destructive in its effects; the city
recovered from the horrors of the cholera epidemic of 1832, and from
destructive fire, only to plunge into an abyss of financial ruin.
Early in the year 1836 the speculative fever which had been gaining
headway during the two preceding years, rose to its highest pitch. The
city had increased in population from 8,653 in 1830, to 15,661 in 1835, which
fact aided in strengthening confidence in the minds of citizens,that the rapid
advance in prices of real estate and the general inflation in all other
directions, was founded upon substantial and permanent groundwork.
It has been estimated that during the period of speculation, more
than 25,000 conveyances of land were made here, a large proportion of
which were for city property ; and that the entire amount involved in
the transactions was nearly or quite $25,000,000; several single pur-
chases amounting to $100,000 and some to $200,000. The buildings
erected in the city during 1835 ^nd 1836 were estimated to have cost
$2,830,000.
The Speculative Mania in 1836. 225
That was a time when ** to be sane was seeming madness, when to
be mad was common sanity." The year 1836 dawned with prospects of
brilliant promise, with dazzling visions of easily-acquired wealth and all
the pleasures and blessings that are usually attributed to its influence ;
it closed under a cloud of almost universal bankruptcy. We need not
here attempt to speak of the causes of the great revulsion ; they have
often been discussed and all persons of intelligence have their own
opinion on the subject ; it is sufficient to say that they had their origin
in the very financial foundation of the government, as developed in the
policy of President Jackson and in antagonism to that policy by the
United States Bank and its connections. But whatever the cause of
that era of splendid anticipations and lamentable disappointments, the
tide swept over the land and Buffalo felt its effects to as great a degree,
perhaps, as any other section of the country ; its position at that time
rendered such a result certain. But a few years before she had put on
the garb of a city, and she was just beginning to realize the benefits flow-
ing from her growing commerce, as stimulated by the construction of
the Erie caiial, while her growth during the preceding five years had
been rapid. These facts, with the plenitude of an expanded currency,
were sufficient to turn Buffalo into a hot-bed of wild speculation and
extravagant anticipation. While the tide was rising, banks multiplied
and their managers who had thus become able to control large resources
in depreciated currency, engaged heavily in real estate and other si>ecu-
lations, bought liberally of luxuries and thus aided in turning the heads
of their more conservative neighbors. Prices of lands and goods oi all
kinds were greatly advanced, money was plenty, easily got and as readily
spent. Usurious rates of interest prevailed, money commanding from
three to five per cent, a month, with an unusual demand at those figures*
This apparent anomaly is explained by the fact that many persons were
led into borrowing money at enormous rates of interest, in the hope th^t
with it the same large profits that were being made by their neighbors,
might also be realized by them ; thus almost the entire community was
drawn into the whirlpool. It was a general carnival for the usurers;
everybody wanted money and there was little thought of what was td
be paid for its use. Broker's offices multiplied and many of the smaller
fry conducted a profitable business on the street.
The crash that followed was precipitated by the issue of President
Jackson's " specie circular," which required all payments for public lands,
which had been eagerly located and absorbed throughout the west, to be
made in specie. This circular seemed to suddenly awaken men to their
senses ; they began to realize that there were some things in the universe,
(one of which was the solid ground) that could not be purchased at
depreciated prices with a depreciated currency ; their extravagant antic-
ipations received a death blow, and the lofty, glittering castles, founded
226 History of Buffalo.
only upon credit, fell to the ground. Banks contracted around the vic-
tims, a general suspension of specie payments followed and general panic
prevailed everywhere. All through the year 1837, the general depre-
ciation in value in everything that had a value, inaugurated an era of
" hard times " from which recovery was a slow process.* As the tide of
speculation reached its climax in the city of Buffalo, so the reaction here
was greatest. Fortunes disappeared more rapidly than they had been
acquired; mortgages were foreclosed on all sides, and land that had
been eagerly sought at thirty or forty dollars per foot, would scarcely
bring as much per acre. Land is known in the city, which sold early in
1835 at $2 a foot — ^about $500 an acre. It was sold and resold in parcels
during the excitement, until twelve months after it sold at the rate of
$10,000 an acre. In 1865 the same land was worth but $18 a foot
One of the principal moving spirits in the rising tide of speculation
in Buffalo in those days, one who for a brief period rode high on the
wave of apparent prosperity, only to go down overwhelmed in his own
ruin and disgrace, was Benjamin Rathbun. The following account of his
career in this city is from Johnson's History of Erie county : —
" Having begun as a hotel-keeper previous to 1825, he had eminently
succeeded in that vocation, and had made the name of' Rathbun's Eagle '
synonymous with comfort and good cheer. When the flush times came
on he plunged into business and speculation with a boldness and an
apparent success which made him the envy of thousands. He built the
American hotel. He built and managed a grand store on the east side
of Main street. He entered into contracts of every description and
gave employment to thousands of workmen. He bought and sold land,
not only in Buffalo, but throughout the whole section of the country.
His ideas were of the grandest kind. He laid the foundation of an
immense hotel and exchange opposite ' the churches/ which was designed
to occupy the whole square between Main, North Division, South
Division and Washington streets. The rotunda was to be two hundred
and sixtv feet high.
"Although prices began to dra^in the summer of 1836, yet Rathbun
still ur^ed forward his gigantic projects. He bought land and laid out
a j^rand city at Niagara Falls, and advertised an auction of lots to come
off on the 2d of Augi:rst, to extend as many days as might be necessary.
On the appointed day a great number of bidders from all parts of the
compass were present. During the forenoon the bidding was spirited
and sales were numerous. At the dinner table Rathbun sat opposite Mr.
G. R. Babcock, the junior member of the law firm of Potter & Babcock
who, like almost everybody else, combined the land business with that
of their regular profession.
' ' I observe, Mr. Babcock,' said Rathbun, • that you made no bids this
forenoon.
• With the general crash, prices of Buffalo real estate fell from a figure which they did not again
reach in thirty years—in some instances have not reached yet. In i86a Mr. G. H. Salisboiy com-
pared the prices of fifty unimproved lots on thirty-seven different city streets, as they were sold in
1836, with their estimated value in the year first named, and found that the transfer price of 1836 was
more than double the value of the same property in z86a.
Benjamin Rathbun's Career. 227
'''No/ replied the young man, 'the lots were not in what I thought
the most desirable locality.'
" 'Ah, well/ replied the great speculator, ' come with me after dinner
and show me some lots you would like to buy, and I will have them
put up.'
"Accordingly, after dinner the two strolled out over the ground of
the future city, and Rathbun appeared to be in the best of spirits. He
chatted, laughed, told stories, discoursed of his plans, and seemed to
look forward to a future as prosperous as his past was supposed to have
been. As they returned to the hotel, Mr. Babcock observed a carnage
at the door. Some one called to Mr. Rathbun to hurry up. He did so,
entered the carriage with one or two others and drove off toward Buffalo.
" Yet, while he was thus jesting with his companions and talking of
his future achievements, he knci w that his forgeries to a large amount nad
been discovered, that the country was flooded with his forced paper, and
that the gentlemen with whom he rode off had got everything arranged
for him to make an assignment of all his property. On his arrival at
Buffalo he was arrested. The forgeries haa been discovered in Philadel-
phia by David E. Evans, whose name Rathbun had forged as endorser
on notes to a large amount, which he had deposited as security in a bank
in thiEit city. Returning to Buffalo, Evans confronted Ratnbun, who
confessed that this was but a tithe of the spurious paper he had set afloat*
An assignment was arranged, but in the mean time Rathbun allowed the
sale at the Falls to take place, and kept up appearances to the very last.
" The arrest of Rathbun hastened, so far as Buffalo and vicinity was
concerned, the financial catastrophe impending over the whole country.
Work was stopped on all his numerous enterprises. The workmen clam-
ored for their pay and almost broke out in mob violence. The assignees
paid them off, though it required nearly all the assets of the estate. The
millionaires of the •day turned pale witn consternation. If Rathbun had
failed who was safe? His forgeries amounted to more than a million
dollars. It was found that he had been committing them for several
years, takine up the old notes as they became due, with money obtained
by means ofnew notes, also forged.
" His brother. Col. Lyman Rathbun, and his nephew, Rathbun
Allen, were implicated with him, and the latter turned State's evidence.
He was' the one who actually wrote the forged names, under the direc-
tion of his uncle."
Rathbun's trial opened at Batavia on the 29th of March, 1837 » he was
found guilty and sentenced to State prison for a term of five years. After
serving his time he tried his old business of hotel keeping in different
localities, the last of which was a boarding house in New York city,
where he finally died at the age of about eighty years.
The panic did not come upon Buffalo entirely without warning;
During the year 1835, or earlier, men of foresight and financial sagacity
saw the approaching storm, and fortunate were those whose affairs were
so well in hand that they were enabled to safely weather it. On the
evening of May 3, 1837, a "panic meeting" was held in the city, of
which John Lay was chairman. The meeting was addressed by Millard
Fillmore and others and resolutions were adopted, but it does not
228 History of Buffalo.
appear that any especial good resulted. Another meeting was held on
Thursday, March 22, 1837, to get an expression of the citizens for or
against a general banking law. A committee of eight was named, com-
prising P. A. Barker, S. C. Hawley, M. Fillmore, H. R. Smith, Ebenezer
Johnson, E. VanBuren, Wm. Ketchum and Moses Baker, to draw a
series of resolutions, and the subject was ably and thoroughly discussed ;
more extended banking facilities were demanded, as the only means for
the future successful transaction of business.
The banks of Buffalo had, it appears, caught the general infection
to some extent, and their methods and condition was brought tp the
notice of the State banking authorities. On Saturday, May 6, 1837, the
banks were served with injunctions by the Chancellor, at the instance
of the Bank Commissioners. This action was looked upon in Buffalo
as an act of great injustice, as the banks were considered solvent Par-
tiality was charged against the Commissioners by many citizens, who
anticipated still more serious impairment of credit in the city on account
of the action of the Chancellor. To quiet this feeling the Commissioners
publicly stated that the banks were not proceeded against on account of
fears of their insolvency ; the fact was, complaints had been made that
the banks had violated their charters in their methods of business. In
order to partially restore confidence, the Chancellor issued a circular
stating that the notes of the Buffalo banks would be received at the
offices of all collectors of State revenues.
The first movement that promised substantial relief in the crisis,
was the resumption of specie payments in New York city, which was
announced about the middle of May, 1837, and was followed by similar
action in this city. In June the injunctions against the banks were
removed. In 1838 the banking law was passed, which exerted a pow-
erful influence in restoring confidence and facilitating business.
Following the tardy recovery from the financial crash described
above, was inaugurated an era of prosperity for the city of Buffalo,
which was not interrupted until 1857. During the twelve or fifteen
years preceding that date, the commerce of the growing West poured
its profitable business into the city, giving it a wide reputation for pros-
pective growth and thus attracting to its population accessions which
insured that growth. The surrounding country bad reached a position
of tolerable independence ; the farming community had in most cases
wholly or in large part paid for their lands ; plank roads extended from
Buffalo and its ready market, directly to the doors of the farms and over
them were drawn the products which were turned into money in the
city. But, as has so often been the case, this very tide of prosperity
brought its own destruction ; business of all kinds gradually became
excessively overdone ; railroads and other great undertakings were reck-
lessly projected in all parts of the country ; the banks in many States
}^^/?'n€^
/^. ^^TLoA/ud^crru
The Banks of Buffalo. 229
inflated the currency beyond necessity or prudence, and another crash
followed. The climax was reached in the fall of 1857 and was precipi-
tated by the suspension of specie payments in New York. The money
market had become more and more stringent and it is believed by those
most competent to judge, that if the New York banks had postponed
their suspension a little longer, the failures in Buffalo would have been
much more numerous than they were. As it was, two or three banks
succumbed and prices of real estate sank to a mere tithe of what they
had been. In the language of one of our oldest bankers, " It seemed as
if the whole town was not worth a dollar."
But the crash of 1857, serious as it was, was less injurious by far, in
its results, and recovery was much more rapid, than was the case in
i836-'7- In the second revulsion, speculation and inflation had not been
carried to such an extent as before, and, as the people were generally
possessed of more means, and were more firmly established in different
branches of trade and manufactures, the city was better ablfe to with-
stand the effects of the crisis ; still, the " hard times " continued through
i858-'9, only to be overwhelmed in the excitement of approaching war.
Since that epoch, financial affairs in Buffalo do not need especial
review. There was another dark period in i873-'74» ending like its pred-
ecessors, in a general depreciation of values, failures and stringency in
all financial affairs ; but compared with the earlier crises referred to, it
was unimportant. During the last ten years, nothing has occurred here
to obstruct the machinery of business in any of its various details. A
good deal of local uneasiness was occasioned in 1875, by the discovery
of a loss to the city treasury of about $150,000, through the malfea-
sance of a city official ; but aside from that, a general feeling of financial
security has prevailed and prosperity has reigned.
Banking Interests.
The banking interest of Buffalo is at the present time in a condition
that is eminently satisfactory to the business public of the city, giving
amplie facilities for the financial requirements of the community and
inspiring confidence in its stability. The gross amount of capita)
invested in the banking houses of the city exceeds $3,000,000.
When the panic of 1836 swept over Buffalo, there were but two
banks in existence here ; these were the United States Branch Bank,
established in 1829, of which William B. Rochester was president, and
the Bank of Buffalo, which was established in 1831. The following is a
brief sketch of the banks now in existence.
Bank of Attica, — Of the banks now doing business in Buffalo, the
Bank of Attica is the oldest, dating from its first organization. It was
established in 1836, in the village of Attica, N. Y., and was removed to
Buffalo six years later, chiefly upon the recommendation of Mr. E* G.
230 History of Buffalo.
Spaulding, who was the son-in-law of Mr. G. B. Rich» the proprietor of
the bank at that time ; the institution was first located in Spaulding's
Exchange, where it remained until 1861. The bank was reorganized and
incorporated under the banking laws of the State in 1850, with a capital
of $160,000; this amount was necessarily increased June i, 1856, to
$200,000, and, to accommodate a greatly augmented business, was again
increased October 24, 1856, to $250,000, at which time a surplus fund of
$80,000 was created. The first dfficers of the bank after its incorpora*
tion of 1850, were: — Gaius B. Rich, President; Directors, G. B. Rich,
Andrew J. Rich, John S, Ganson, Horace White, Hamilton White.
The inspectors of this election were E. G. Spaulding, John S. Ganson,
Alexander W. Harvey. G. B. Rich resigned the presidency of the bank
in 1852, on account of ill health, and his son, the late A. J. Rich, suc-
ceeded to the office. The present officers of the bank are : — G. B. Rich,
President ; F. L. Danforth, Cashier ; J. W. Smith, Assistant Cashier.
Directors :— E. G. Spaulding, P. P. Pratt, George S. Hazard, F. L. Dan-
forth and G. B. Rich. The latter named gentleman is grandson of
the founder of the bank and was made its president in 1880.
The Manufacturers and Traders' Bank, — This is the leading financial
institution in Buffalo in point of capital, which is $900,000. The bank was
incorporated under the State laws, on the 24th of March, 1856, and has
remained a State bank since. It was opened for business on the 29th of
August, 1856, with a capital of 200,000. The bank was organized with
the especial purpose of giving the manufacturers and tradesmen of the
city more extensive and liberal banking facilities than they had before
enjoyed ; its success from the outset was extraordinary and the demands
made upon its capital were so heavy, that in 1859 ^^ ^^^^ increased to
$500yOOO, which was again raised in 187010^900,000, making it the largest
bank in tlie State outside of New York city. The average deposits in
this bank amount to $2,409,545.31, and its earnings $193,808.57, while its
entire resources are $3,503,353.88. This bank has never suspended
specie payments. Its first president was Henry Martin, and its first
vice-president was Pascal P. Pratt, both of whom have filled their offices
ever since. The first officers were: — Henry Martin, President: Pascal
P. Pratt, Vice-President ; D. F. Frazell, Cashier. Directors :— G. R. Wil-
son, Sidney Shepard, M. P. Bush, Stephen V. R. Watson, P. P. Pratt,
Bronson C. Rumsey, F. H. Root, Alexander H. Anderson, William H.
Glenny, Wells D. Walbridge, George Truscott and John Wilkeson. Mr.
Wilkeson resigned May 9, 1856, when Mr. Martin was elected in his
place, and at the same time was made president. The bank was first
located at No. 2 East Swan street, whence it was moved to 273 Main
street, in December, 1856. In 1861 it removed to No. 22 West Seneca
street. In April, 1880, it occupied the handsome iron building on the
corner of Main and West Seneca streets. The bank holds its elegant
'^ \
^^ i^y^i '^yio'^^'^nty'na.
The Banks of Buffalo. 231
offices under a twenty year's lease. The present officers are: —
Henry Martin, President; Pascal P. Pratt, Vice-President; James
H. Madison, Cashier; Henry Conover, Assistant Cashier. The pres-
ent Directors are a» follows:— Henry Martin, Pascal P. Pratt, Sher-
man S. Jewett, Francis H. Root, William H. Glenny, Bronson C. Rum-
sey, Gibson T. Williams, Myron P. Bush, Richard Bullymore, John D.
HiU, George B. Hayes, Franklin D. Locke, James H. Madison.
The Marine Bank of Buffalo. — This bank was organized on the 8th
of July, 1850, by the following named gentlemen: — George Palmer and
James M. Ganson, of Buffalo, James S. Wadsworth of Geneseo, J. P.
Beekman, of Kinderhook, John Amot, of Elmira, John Mayer and Con-
stant Cook, of Bath, and William P. Grimm, of Medina; these gen-
tlemen were the only stockholders and they were all made directors.
George Palmer was elected President and James M. Ganson, Cashier.
The bank has had six presidents — George Palmer, fourteen years ; Ever-
ard Palmer, two years ; Charles Ensign, one year ; Jewett M. Richmond,
two years ; Myron P. Bush, eleven years, and S. M. Clement, who was
elected December 31, 1879. 1° ^^^ y^^ '^SS the capital was increased
from $170,000 to $255,000, and again in 1854 to $300,000; in 1859 ^^ ^^s
reduced to $200,000, which it has since remained. Previous to 1855 the
bank was located at 79 Main street; it was removed thence to 112 Main
street, and then to its present offices, 220 Main street The present
officers are S. M. Clement, President ; J. M. Richmond, Vice-President ;
W. K. Allen, Cashier. Directors — S. M. Clement, J. M. Richmond,
Sherman S. Jewett, J. M. Hutchinson, Alonzo Richmond, G. T. Williams,
B. C. Rumsey, John W. Bush.
WhiUs Bank of Buffalo, — This bank was organized on the 4th of
April, 1853, by George C. White and William Williams, who had con-
stituted the private banking firm of White & Williams for many years
previous. These two gentlemen were the first board of directors ; Mr.
White was the first president of the bank and Mr. Williams the first
cashier. The capital stock paid in was $100,000, which was increased
to $200,000 on the 1st of March, 1854. The succeeding board of direc-
tors consisted of George C. White, William Williams, John M. Hutch-
inson, Fred K. Gridley, Mathew Johnson, Dr. Josiah Barnes and James
M. Smith. The successive presidents of this bank have been George C.
White, Rufus C. Palmer, John B. GriflFin, James D. Sawyer, and James
D. Warren, the present incumbent. Following are the present officers
and directors : — ^James D. Warren, President ; Rufus L. Howard, Vice-
President; Elisha T. Smith, Cashier. Directors — James D. Warren,
Stephen O. Bamum, Jacob F. Schoellkopf, Rufus L. Howard, Nelson K.
Hopkins, Elisha T. Smith, George P. Sawyer. The bank is located at
16 West Seneca street.
XT
232 History op Buffalo.
The Third National Banh. — This institution was organized February
14, 1865, with a cash capital of $250,000; it began business the following
month. The first president was A. T. Blackmar, who was succeeded in
1869 by Abraham Altman and he on August 25, 1881, by the present
incumbent, Charles A. Sweet. The first board of directors was com-
posed of A. T. Blackmar, Robert G. Stewart, Thomas Chester, Abra-
ham Altman, Henry Cone, Horace Utley, D. H. Winans, Nathan C.
Simons, and Edson G. Shoemaker. The first cashier was Elisha T.
Smith ; he was succeeded September i, 1876, by Samuel A. Provoost, Jr.;
December 23, r88i, he was succeeded by the present incumbent. The
present officials of the bank are as follows : — Charles A. Sweet, President ;
Jacob F. Schoellkopf, Vice-President ; B. B. Hamilton, Cashier. Direc-
tors— ^Jacob F. Schoellkopf, Pascal P. Pratt, Emanuel Levi, L. L. Lewis,
Jacob Dold, Charles G. Curtiss, Robert Keating, John D. Hill, Charles A.
Sweet. The bank is located at 275 Main street
Thi Farmers' and Mechanics National Banh. — ^This is one of the oldest
financial institutious in Buffalo. It was established in Batavia about 1840
and was removed to this city under a special act of the Legislature in
1852, at which time E. G. Spauldmg was elected its president He has
filled the office ever since. John S. Ganson was the first president.
Previous to May 28, 1864, this was a State bank ; on that date it was organ-
ized as a National bank, the second in Buffalo. The first board of trus-
tees were E. G. Spaulding, Rufus L. King, John S. Ganson, William R.
Gwinn, H. Pompelly. The capital of the bank was $100,000, which has
since been increased to $200,000. Cornelius R. Ganson was the first
cashier of the bank; he was succeeded by Edward Pierson when the
institution was made a National bank, in 1864; at that time the trustees
were E. G. Spaulding, Samuel F. Pratt, Edward Pierson, S. K. Worth-
ington, Philip Dorsheimer, H. M. Kinne. H. G. Nolton was assistant
cashier, and was elected cashier January 10, 1865. On the 8th of Janu-
ary, 1867, Franklin Sid way was made assistant cashier; S. F. Pratt was
elected vice-president on the 12th of January, 1869. January 14, 1873,
Mr. Sidway was elected vice-president, and S. S. Spaulding was made
assistant cashier. June 26, 1873, H. G. Nolton tendered his resignation
as cashier, to take effect July ist. January 13, 1874, at the annual election,
E. G. Spaulding was elected president ; Franklin Sidway, cashier; S. S.
Spaulding, assistant cashier. January 12, 1875, E. R. Spaulding was
added to the bank officials as assistant cashier. These gentlemen last
named formed the board of directors of the bank and have remained as
such until the present time. The institution is located in Spaulding's
Exchange ; it does a heavy business and enjoys the confidence of the
business community.
The Merchants' Bank of Buffalc^-^his bank was incorporated May
3, 1 88 1, and opened for business on the 9th of the same month, with a cap-
.jsf^^^^
The Banks of Buffalo, 233
ital of $300,000. The first officers were— Alfred P. Wright, President;
James R. Smith, Vice-President ; J, W. Bridgman, Cashier ; Henry S.
Sprague, Assistant Cashier. Directors— Alfred P. Wright, James R.
Smith, John B. Manning, Charles W. McCune, Washington BuUard, J.
F. Schoellkopf, Robert B. Adam, William H. Walker, William H. Grat-
wick, J. Fir menich and J. R. Stewart. This Board still remains, with
the exception of Messrs. Firmenich, Stewart and Bullard, who are
replaced by George W. Miller and Geoi^ Urban, Jr. W. H. D. Barr
is now Assistant Cashier. This is a State bank ; it made its first divi-
dend of four per cent, in January, 1883, and another of the same per
cent, in July.
Bank of Comm€rct.—T\i\9^ institution was incorporated under the
State laws of 1873, beginning business July 28th the same year, with a
capital of $200,000. The first officers of this bank were — R. G. Stewart,
President ; Thomas Thornton, Vice-President ; H. G. Nolton, Cashier.
Directors — George H. Preston, E. T. Evans, N. C. Scoville, James R.
Smith, John White, John M. Gilbert and H. G. Nolton. In 1875, Thomas
Thornton was elected President ; H. G. Nolton, Vice-President ; and E.
W. Hayes, Cashier. The present Board of Directors are — Thomas
Thornton, James R. Smith, W. H. Gratwick, E. L. Hedstroro, N. C.
Scoville, John White, H. G. Nolton, E? R. Jewett, E. W. Hayes. This
bank has accumulated a large surplus fund and paid dividends of ten per
cent per annum since its organization. It is located at 188 Main street.
The Bank of Buffalo.— This institution was incorporated January 2$,
1873, ^^^ opened for business on the 26th of May following ; its capital
was $300,000 ; it has since remained the same. The first officers were —
Sherman S. Jewett, President ; George B. Gates, Vice-President ; Albert
L. Bennett, Cashier. The first Board of Directors comprised Sherman
S. Jewett, Francis H. Root, Gibson T. Williams, George B. Gates, P. P.
Pratt, Sherman S. Rogers and Edward Stevenson. The present officers
of the bank are Sherman S. Jewett, President ; Josiah Jewett, Vice-Pres-
ident ; William C. Comwell, Cashier. The Directors remain the same
as above g^ven, except the substitution of Josiah Jewett for George B.
Gates. The bank is located at 236 and 238 Main street
The German Bank of Buffalo. — This bank was organized under the
State laws in May, 1871, with a capital of $100,000. The incorporators
of the bank were F. Augustus Georger, Philip Becker, J. F. Schoellkopf,
Jacob Dold, Philip Houck, Rudolph Hoffeld and Francis Brunck. The
first cashier was S. W. Warren. The only changes that have taken
place in this management are the withdrawal of Philip Becker and Fran-
cis Brunck, who were succeeded by John Hauenstein and Albert Ziegelcs
The present bank officers are F^ Augustus Georger, President ; Philip
Houck, Vice-President ; Eugene A. Georger, Cashier. The bank occu-
pies commodious offices in the German Insurance Building, comer of
Main and Lafayette streets.
234 History of Buffalo.
Th€ German Atfurican Bank.—T\k\% institution was organized May
lo, 1882, and began business at 424 Main street, comer of Court, on the
22d of the same month, with a capital of $100,000, which is fully paid in.
Its business has rapidly increased and now reaches half a million dollars.
The officers of the bank are Henry Hellriegel, President; Alexander
Martin, Vice-President ; Henry W. Burt, Cashier. Directors— Henry
Hellriegel, Charles Greiner, John P. Diehl, Alexander Martin, L. L.
Lewis, John Schaefer, Francis Handel, Joseph Timmerman, Henry
Breitweiser.
Erie County Savings Bank,—T\i\^ institution was incorporated April
10, 1854, and opened for business September i, of the same year. It then
occupied a small part of a store owned by William C. White, on the cor-
ner of North Division and Main streets. The first officers of the bank
were William A. Bird, President; Gibson T. Williams, Vice-President;
Stephen V. R. Watson, Second Vice-President; Cyrus T. Lee, Secretary
and Treasurer. Mr. Bird held the office of president up to the time of
his death in August, 1878, at which time James C. Harrison, (then vice-
president) was made president ; John Allen, Jr., was at the same time
made first vice-president and Dexter P. Rumsey, second vice-president
The original trustees were William A. Bird, Gibson T. Williams, Stephen
V. R. Watson, Henry Roop, Stephen W. Howell, Richard Bullymore,
Jacob Krettner, Michael Danner, William C. Sherwood, William Wilke-
son, Augustus Georger, James Wadsworth, Noah P. Sprague, C. J. Wells,
Myron P. Bush, James C. Harrison, Noah H. Gardner, William Fiske,
John R. Evans, Bradford A. Manchester. In June, 1857, the bank
removed to the corner of Main and Erie streets, iii what was known as
the old Buffalo banking building ; at that time the deposits amounted to
about $^00,000. In 1865 the site for a new building was secured on the
corner of Court and Main streets, and the handsome and substantial
stone structure, the first floor of which the bank now occupies, was erec-
ted ; it was finished and occupied August i, 1867. The amount of depos-
its on the first of April, 1883, was $11,165,166.17. The present officers
and trustees are as follows: — Gibson T. Williams, President; John
Allen, Jr., Vice-President; Cyrus P. Lee, Secretary and Treasurer.
Trustees — John Allen, Jr., Dexter P. Rumsey, Gibson T. Williams,
William C. Sherwood, Alexander Brush, Henry M. Kent, George W.
Townsend, F. Augustus Georger, Ethan H. Howard, George Howard,
Cyrus P. Lee, Alonzo Richmond, David R. Morse, Alfred P. Wright.
The Buffalo Savings Bank, — This bank was chartered May 9, 1846
and began business on the 6th of July of the same year, in the stone
building on the comer of Main and Erie streets. Following are the
names of its first officers and trustees : — Charles Townsend, President :
Francis J. Handel, Vice-President ; Nathan K. Hall, Attorney ; Robert
Pomeroy, Secretary. Trustees— Albert H. Tracy, Millard Fillmore,
Jtn
'€rt4>*^
1U%t^'*m^^
The Banks of Buffalo. 23$
John L. Kimberly, Noah H. Gardner, Francis J. Handel, Frederick
Dellenbaugh, Jacob Seibold, Elijah D. Efner, Russell H. Heywood, War-
ren Bryant, Daniel Bowen, Isaac Sherman, William Tweedy, Hiram P.
Thayer, Benjamin Caryl; Charles Townsend, Francis C. Brunck, and
Ernst G. Grey. In July, 1831, a lot twenty-three feet fronton Main
street, chirty-eight feet south of Court, was purchased and a building
erected for the bank; the structure was destroyed by fire in January,
1865, when the tot on the comer of Washington and Lafayette streets
was purchased and the building now occupied by the bank erected ; it
was completed about May ist, 1867. The succession of presidents. of
this bank since the death of Charles Townsend, in September, 1847, ^s as
follows:— Russell H. Hey wood, Albert H. Tracy, Elijah D. Efner
Edward L. Stevenson, E. G. Grey, Warren Bryant. A resolution was
passed by the Board of Trustees in February, 1854, limiting accounts in
the bank to $1,000; in July, 1868, this amount was increased to $3,onrL
The amount of deposits on the ist of April, 1883, was $8,290,184.94. The
present oflBcers and trustees are as follows : — Warren Bryant, President,
E. G. Grey, First Vice-President ; E. L. Stevenson, Second Vice-Presi-
dent ; John U. Wayland, Secretary ; C* D. Marshall, Attorney. Trus*
tees — Warren Bryant, E. L. Stevenson, J. W. A. Meyer, C. ftodenback,
O. H. Marshall, Edward Bennett, John L. Kimberly, Jr., Ernst G.
Grey, Silas Kingsley, John D. Hill, Francis H. Root, Henry Hellriegel,
John P. Diehl, William H. Glenny, Jr., Edward P. Beals.
The Western Savings Bank^ of Buffalo. — This institution was incor-
porated dn the 9th of July, 185 1, with the following officers and
trustees : — Dean Richmond, President ; George W. Tifft, First Vice-Presi-
dent ; James Holhster, Second Vice-President ; Heman B. Potter, Attor-
ney. Trustees: — Geo. Palmer, Seth C. Hawley, Elijah Ford, Henry
K. Smith, Rufus C. Palmer, John R. Lee, Lucius H. Pratt> Israel T.
Hatch, Geo. C White, Wm. O. Brown, Philip Beyer, F. H. Tows, L. L.
Hodges, Henry Martin, Gains B. Rich, Geo. W. TiflFt, Nelson K. Hop-
kins ; James L. Barton, Secretary and Treasurer. In 1872, the' building
now occupied by the bank on the corner of Main and Court streets was
erected at a cost of $120,000; it is owned by the bank. The amount of
deposits on the ist of April, 1883, was $2,899,690.20. Following are the
names of the present officers and trustees: — Joel Wheeler, President;
Geo. Urban, First Vice-President ; Philip Houck, Second Vice-Presi^
dent; W. H. Beyer, Secretary and Treasurer. Triistees: — Philip
Beyer, Geo. Urban, Philip Houck, J. Weppner, Jacob Scheu, Gerhard
Lang, N. Ottenot, L. L. Hodges, H. Stillman, Geo. Fisher, M. Mesmer,
H. C. Persch, W. C. Bryant, Joel Wheeler. Wm. H. Abell.
The National Savings Bank. — This bank was organized in i8<$7,
with the following officials: — Stephen G. Austin, President; Daniel C.
Beard, Vice-President;' Edward S. Dann, Secretary and Treasurer:
236 History of Buffalo.
Hon. A. L. Baker, Attorney. Trustees : — Stephen G. Austin, Myron
P. Bush,. Seth Clark, Erastus Scoville, Peter Rechtenwalt, Laurens Enos,
Frederick W. Breed, Peter J. Ferris, Jacob Weppner, Charles E. Young,
Joseph Churchyard, John S. Fosdick, William H. H. Newman, Geo.
Zimmerman, Geo. W. Tifft, Clifford A. Baker, Daniel C. Beard, Geo.
Pugeot, Hugh Webster, Peter Emslie, Geo. Jones, Reuben G. Snow,
James E. Ford, James D. Sawyer, James Miller, James A. Chase, Michael
Lettau, Philo A. Balcom. Mr. Austin died in 1872 and was succeeded
in the office of President by Daniel C. Beard, the present incumbent.
The deposits in this bank on the ist of April, 1883, amounted to $1,079,-
792.79. The bank is located on the corner of Main and Erie streets.
Following are the names of the present officials: — Daniel C. Beard,
President ; James McCredie, First Vice-President ; R. L. Burrows, Sec
ond Vice-President; Edward S. Dann, Secretary and Treasurer. Trust-
ees:—Daniel C. Beard, Peter J. Ferris, Hugh Webster, Peter Emslie,
Paul Goembel, Jno. C. Harvey, Jas. McCredie, R. L. Burrows, Geo. R.
Potter, Robert N. Brown, Jno. Wilkeson, Frederick W. Breed, James F.
Trott, Thos. Chester, Gtfo. T. Enos, Wm. B. Flint, Thos- B. French.
The Buffalo Lpan^ Trust and Safe Deposit Company, — This institution
was chartered May 12, 1881, and began active business January 14, 1883.
Its paid up capital is $137,000, which it has authority to increase to
$2,000,000. It is the only trust company in the city, and has on deposit
$318,000. The officers are: R. V. Pierce, President; Geo. Urban, Jr.,
First Vice-President; James H. DeGraff, Second Vice-President; C. E.
Clark, Secretary. Trustees : — Ray V. Pierce, George Urban, Jr., James
H. DeGraff, George H. VanVleck, John A. Miller, Thomas Lothrop,
Daniel E. Bailey, W. C. Russell, John Esser, James A. Roberts, H. G.
Nolton, Joseph Timmerman, August Beck, Jacob Uebelhoer, Louis
Pfeiffer, Philip Bachert, Adam J. Benzing.
Since the financial revulsion of 1836, the following list of banking
institutions were established in Buffalo, but closed their business after
periods varying from one to ten years, about in the order in which they
are given : —
Merchants' Exchange Bank, the United States Bank, Erie County
Bank of Buffalo, The Bank of America, Bank of Commerce (1839,)
Mechanics' Bank of Buffalo, The Western Agency Bank, the Merchants^
Bank, Farmers' and Drovers' Bank, Commercial Bank of Buffalo, The
State Bank of New York, the Union Bank, the Phoenix Bank, The
Patchen Bank, Oliver Lee & Co.'s Bank, The Exchange Bank of Buffalo,
The Pratt Bank, The Bank of Lake Erie, Walter Joy's Bank of Buffalo,
the Hollister Bank, the Merchants' Bank of Erie County, the Buffalo
City Bank, the Sacketts Harbor Bank, the Buffalo Trust Company, the
Queen City Bank, the New York and Erie Bank, the International Bank,
the Clinton Bank, the Emigrant Savings Bank, E. S. Rich's Bank of
Advantages of Buffalo as a Manufacturing Center. 237
Exchange, the Mechanics' Savings Bank of Buffalo, the Security
Savings Bank, the City Bank of Buffalo, the Commercial Bank of
Buffalo, the First National Bank.
Saving and Aid Associations.
About the year 1866 was inaugurated in Buffalo what are known as
saving and aid associations. These have rapidly multiplied, until there
are now about sixty of them in the city ; they are all based on a similar
plan, though differing more or less in details. Their principal objects
are to assist the poorer class of people in securing homes ; this is accom-
plished by the members paying into the associations a small weekly sum,
thus accumulating a fund which is devoted to the purchase of real
estate, the erection of buildings and making other improvements ; or to
aid the members, by the use of the accumulations, in the purchase of
homes, and further, to accumulate a fund to be returned to the members
who do not desire to make real estate investments. Many of these
associations have been converted into Land Associations, of which there
are now eight in the city, owning at least three hundred acres of land
within the city limits ; their general plans and purposes are similar to
those of the aid associations. Nearly all of these associations are made
up of Germans, and they have accomplished much good.
CHAPTER IX.
MANnPACTITRIND AND WHOLESALE INTERESTS DP BITFFALD,
AdTanftages of Buffalo as a Manofacttiring Onter-~ Development of Manufacturing Interests — The
" Association for the Encouragement of Manufacturing in the City of Buffalo " — The Iron
Industry — Early Iron Works — Review of the Industry — Furniture Manufacturing— The
Leather Industry-^ The Brewing Interest — Malting in Buffalo —The Milling Interests-
Manufacture of Boots and Shoes — Miscellaneous Manufactures — The Wholesale Trade of
Buffalo — Growth of Trade in the City.
AS a location for the rapid and profitable development of general
manufacturing interests, the city of Buffalo possesses advantages
vastly superior to most cities. Previous to about the year 1855,
or less than thirty years ago, Buffalo was essentially a maritime city ;
the railroad system westward had not then reached a position where it
could materially affect the lake commerce, and almost all the products
of the growing West were wafted down the waters of the great inland
seas and, of necessity, were emptied directly upon the wharves of Buffalo,
238 History of Buffalo.
or were transferred to the long lines of boats that were continually start-
ing on their slow voyages through the Erie canal to tide- water. The Queen
City sat at the foot of the great chain of lakes, secure in her commercial
position and at rest in the belief that energy in other directions was
almost unnecessary to her future solid growth and permanent prosperity.
But the financial revulsion of 1857, with other gradually progressing
changes, dispelled this illusion ; railroads to the west were built and, by
their quicker means of transportation, drew away the lake passenger
traffic to a large extent, while they attacked the freight business through
their capacity for winter shipment at a time when lake navigation was
impossible. These things and their immediate consequences, awakened
the people of Buffalo to a realization that there were other material
interests to which they not oAly might, but should direct a portion at
least of their energies and capital. Buffalo recovered from her period
of partial commercial prostration within the five years following 1857,
and assumed a condition ot healthful growth and prosperity which yet
continues; but a lesson had been learned and its teachings were, fortun-
ately, heeded. Men of means and foriesight began to study and then to
realize more clearly than they yet had done, the advantages possessed
by the city as a manufacturing center ; they did not lose faith in her
future commercial supremacy, but they saw that the city needed per-
manent industrial interests that could stand independent of the fluctua-
tions of commercial matters and their regular intermissions in the winter
seasons. This conviction in the minds of many of the foremost men of
the city, resulted in the organization in i860 of the "Association for the
Encouragement of Manufactures in the City of BuflFalo.'* While this
Association did not, perhaps, directly extend the manufactures of the
city, it did encourage general manufacturing, chiefly through a system
of extensive advertising of Buffalo as a desirable point for the establish-
ment of manufacturing enterprises. The association sent circulars to all
parts of the country containing statements that real estate in the city
was cheap, living economical, rents low for a city of eighty thousand
inhabitants, having fifty-two miles of paved streets, forty-eight miles of
sewerage, two hundred and sixty miles of streets, gas everywhere and
pure water; that the city was a center for marketing, etc. This thor-
ough advertising by the association gave an impetus to manufacturing
in the city, the results of which can scarcely be overestimated and are
felt down to the present time.*
Iron Manufacturers.
The iron interest has always been a prominent one in this city and
will so continue; ore from the best mines is cheaply transported hither,
* In i879-'8o, according to the census reports, Buffalo stood as high as eleventh in the country
in the number tad rank of her manufacturing establishments. Their number is given u x,i37, and
the value of their products $40,000,000.
:-i^Vit.r ■'•■■•■.^- •■•■••:■'•
^. ^. ^l^^^tZ't^-
Iron Manufacturers. ^39
while the facilities for obtaining coal are unrivaled. This industry was
one of the first to feel the stimulus of i860 and the few succeeding years*
although it reached respectable proportions before that time, and by 1865
the number of iron-working establishments in the city had reached about
twenty. Among them were the Union Iron Works, which comprise the
establishments originally started by Palmer & Wadsworth and Warren,
Thompson and others; Pratt & Co/s rolling mill and nail works, the
Shepard Iron Works, Geoi^e W. Tifft, Sons & Co., the Eagle Iron
Works, the Niagara Steam Forge, the Vulcan Works, the Franklin Steam
Forge, Farrar, Trefts & Knight, John T. Noye & Co., Jewett & Root,
George Jones & Son, J. & N. C. Scoville, and others. David Bell had
then just begun locomotive building. Many of these early iron manufac-
turing establishments are still in existence, and some ol them have
attained enormous proportions. To them and others that have since
been established, further reference may be made.
George W. Tifft ^ Sons & Co, — This establishment builds steam engines,
boilers, machinery and architectural iron work. The house was founded
May 15, 1841, under the name of the Buffalo Steam Engine Works, which
title was changed to the present one in 1857. The buildings extend
over about two acres of ground and from one hundred and seventy-five
to two hundred men are employed. In 1882 Mr. George W. Tifft died ;
the firm is now composed of John V. Tifft and Charles L. Whiting.
The Howard Iron Works.— These works were established in 1849, by
Rufus L. Howard, the present proprietor. The plant covers more than
an acre of ground. Two hundred and fifty men are employed and the
capital invested is over $200,000.
The King Iron Works, — The King Iron Works were established in
1848, under the name of the Shepard Iron Works, the change to its pres-
ent form being made in 1871. William J. King, Jr., the present proprie-
tor, at that time bought out the interest of Sidney Shepard. The works
now cover an entire block and about two hundred hands are employed.
Their special line is marine and stationary engines.
Eagle Iron Works. — This establishment was organized in July, 1853,
under the name of Eagle Iron Works Company. It was then a joint stock
company, the stockholders being Sherman S. Jewett, F. H. Root, O.
FoUett, J. E. Follett and R. Dunbar. The business was begun in the
same building now occupied, on the corner of Mississippi and Perry
streets. In February, i860, Robert Dunbar and S. W. Howell bought
the interest of the other stockholders and conducted the business under
the firm name of Dunbar & Howell. On the ist of January, 1875, Mr.
Howell left the firm, and Mr. Dunbar took in his son, George H. Dun-
bar; Dunbar & Son has been the name of the firm since. They are
largely engaged in building elevators, manufacturing general machinery,
making a specialty of Gardner's Patent Three Cylinder Engine, etc.
240 History of Buffalo.
DeLaney Forge and Iron Company. — This company was established in
185 1, by C. D. DeLaney, with a small capital. The works front thirty-
five feet on Perry street, and are two hundred and thirty feet deep.
There are at present four partners in the company— C. D. DeLaney, C.
A. DeLaney, John Slote and Joseph Howard. About one hundred and
twenty hands are employed.
Washington Iron Works, — These works were established by the pres-
ent proprietor, Jacob Ginther, on the site now occupied by them, corner
of Washington and Chippewa streets. From thirty to forty men are
employed. In 1882, Mr. Ginther erected a new building next to the old
one, for the accommodation of the growing business.
/. & N. C. Scoville, — This establishment is located at 534 Louisiana
street, and is known as the Buffalo Car Wheel Works. It has been in
operation since 1853. The lot on whi^h the four buildings stand is two
hundred by four hundred feet in extent. As indicated above, J. & N.C.
Scoville are the proprietors.
George H. Jones' Sons. — In 1848 George Jones, grandfather of the
present proprietors of these works, established a manufactory on Eagle
street, near the site of the present city hall ; he subsequently removed to
Pearl street, near Eagle, and in 1857, to the present location. The plant
covers an area extending one hundred and seventy-two feet front on the
Terrace and one hundred and eighty-eight feet in depth. The members
of the firm are Henry L. Jones, and Frank R. Jones. Bank vaults, stairs,
railings, etc., are the principal products of these works.
F. Collignon, — Mr. CoUignon established his brass works in 1844 on
what was then known as Lake street (now Canal) between Main and Lloyd
streets. His beginning was small. In 1850, he bought the lot now occu-
pied by him, and soon after erected the buildings at present standing.
They cover an area of ninety-six by one hundred and five feet on the
corner of Ferry and Washington.
Bingham & Morgan. — This establishment is located on Church, Jack-
son and Genesee streets. In about the year 1848, R. M. Eddy and R.
M. Bingham started a small foundry on Church street. During the war
Mr. Bingham bought Mr. Eddy's interest in the business and took in his
son. This partnership continued until 1870 when R. M. Bingham
went out and A. M. Morgan entered into partnership with the son,
Charles F. Bingham. They now employ about sixty hands.
George B. Hayes. — This business was founded in 1868, under the firm
name of DruUard & Hayes, on the present site on Exchange street. The
firm was then composed of Frank O. Drullard and George B. Hayes.
In about sixteen years, F. O. Drullard died and his father, Solomon Drul-
lard, entered the firm in his place. In February, 1883, ^^i too, died, and
George B. Hayes now has entire control of the business. He employs
at present one hundred and fifty men, his specialty being cast iron pipes
Iron Manufacturers. 241
for gas and water. The works cover about two hundred and sixty feet
square.
Farrar & Trefts. — Location 54 to 66 Perry street. From the time
of its foundation in 1864, until 1869, this house was known as Farrar,
Trefts & Knight. They have sold 5,000 engines of one style in the last
ten years. The premises cover nearly an acre on both sides of Perry
street. The members of the firm are Chillion M. Farrar and John Trefts.
About two hundred and thirty-five men are employed.
Union Iron Company.— TvfO blast furnaces built about i860, at the
foot of Hamburg street, where the Union Iron Company are now estab-
lished, one by Warren & Thompson, and the other by Palmer & Wads-
worth, were the origin of the above works. In 1863 these two compa-
nies combined their interests under the name of Palmer & Co., and built
a rolling mill. In 1866 a stock company was organized called the BuflFalo
Iron Works, afterwards changed to the Wadsworth Iron Works. In
1872 the works were purchased by the present proprietors, the Union Iron
Company. At present these works are virtually discontinued, the prem-
ises being leased to the Central Bridge Company. Their specialty was
pig iron, bar iron, plate iron, etc.
/. W. Ruger & Co.^ Corner Chicago and Perry streets. — This firm are
manufacturers of bread, cracker and biscuit machinery, etc., and were
first established in 1850, in Rochester ; they removed to BuflFalo in i860.
The capital at first was about $300; in 1880 about $80,000; at pres-
ent, about $125,000. The main building on Chicago and Perry streets is
125 by 127 feet, three stories high with a basement. About one hundred
and thirty-five men are now employed. A fitty horse-power boiler and
thirty-five horse-power engine move the machinery. The members of
the firm are J. W. Ruger and Augustus Ruger.
Harris Iron Works. — These works were established in 1868, in a small
way, in the furnace business. In 1875, ^^' Harris occupied the Vulcan
Foundry on Water street, in connection with R. R. Cornell, where they
remained till 1879. ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ separated and Mr. Harris rented on
his own account, the foundry portion of the King Iron Works. In 1882
he built the present building, covering one hundred and thirty feet
front on Perry street, and three hundred and eighty feet deep. The
present proprietors of the Harris Iron Works are W. H. Harris and J.
B. Parker ; the latter gentleman came into the firm in the spring oi 1883.
About two hundred men are employed.
One of the most important establishments in BuflFalo, in connection
with the iron industry, is the Niagara Bridge Works, corner of Niagara
street and Forest Avenue. These works were established in their present
location and by the present proprietors, in 1873; their building covers
six hundred by fifty feet, and from one hundred to three hundred men are
employed. G. C. Bell and S. J. Fields are the proprietors.
242 History of Buffalo.
The Central Bridge Works, at the foot of Hamburg street, and the
International Bridge Company, 377 Main street, are also extensively
engaged in this branch of manufacturing.
While the above list of iron-working establishments does not, of
course, embrace every establishment in the city, it gives a record of
the prominent works, and enables the reader to form an intelligent idea
of the magnitude of the iron industry in Buffalo ; an industry that is
rapidly extending and destined to be one of vast importance.
Furniture Manufacturers.
A. Cutler dr Son, Pearl Street. — The manufacture ot furniture is one
of the leading industries in Buffalo, and dates back almost to the begin-
ning of manufacturing in this city. The oldest and one of the largest
houses in the business in Buffalo, is that of A. Cutler & Son. On the
5th of September, 1824, Abner Cutler came from near Rochester to
Black Rock, and began at once to build up a business in cabinet-making.
On the 7th of September he made his first sale — a breakfast table of his
own make. On the 25th of September, 1829, he removed to Main street,
between South Division and Swan streets. After being thrice burned
out he again moved in 1857, ^o Batavia street, and thence shortly after
to his present quarters, No. 94 Pearl street. It is said that he has car-
ried on the business longer than any other person in the entire country.
He was in the business a short time before he came to Black Rock, in
Chittenango, Madison county, N. Y. He now, in company with his son,
Fred. H. Cutler, conducts the business ; they employ about one hundred
hands.
Edwin Sikes & Co., {Buffalo Chair Works).— In 1859, S. D. Sikes,
brother of the present senior partner in this firm, started a furniture fac-
tory on the site now occupied by his successors, (500 Clinton street). In
1861, Edwin Sikes was taken into the business, which was carried on
under the style of S. D. Sikes & Brother until February, 1875, when the
present form was adopted. About seventy-five men are now employed and
the business rests upon an invested capital of about $40,000. E. Sikes,
Mrs. S. D. Sikes and W. F. Sikes constitute the partnership.
L. Granacher. — Mr. Granacher began the manufacture of furniture
alone in 1853, on the site which he now occupies, (215 Genesee street).
His only partnership since that time was formed with Clinton Faust in
1880 and was dissolved in 1882. His works cover an area measuring
eighty by one hundred and twenty feet. He employs about forty-five
men and* has an invested capital of about $16,000.
Colie 6r Son — This firm began business in 1866, on Seneca street,
between Washington and Ellicott. In 1869, they removed to Washing-
ton street, comer of Hamburg canal. In the fall of 1873, they removed,
to their present quarters on Exchange street, opposite the Central depot.
i^v5^
^QM>m^t^ (3.^'Cotlt
eA^
Furniture Manufacturers. 243
They had from the beginning until 1874, a factory on Genesee street;
then it was removed to Connecticut street, and again in 1879 to Pearl
street. They employ about seventy-five hands, and have an invested
capital of $40,000. The individual members of the firm are Mrs. O. S.
Colie and George W. Colie.
Frederick Bensler^ (141 Seneca Street^ — The present proprietor of this
business, with the assistance of a partner, Andrew Diedrich, founded the
establishment in 1868, at 145 Swan street In about four years, Mr.
Bensler took his brother Herman into the firm and Mr. Diedrich retired ;
the new firm removed to the present place and built the structure now
occupied by him. It is five stories in height, covers 8,600 square feet and
cost, with the land on which it stands, $35,000. About fifty men are
employed and the invested capital is $35,000.
Schlund & Doll. — This firm began business at their present quarters.
No. 472 Main street, in 1871. They have a factory corner of Mohawk and
Pearl streets ; they employ about twenty-five men and the invested cap-
ital is between $20,000 and $30,000.
Hersee & Co. — In 1872, Hersee & Co. began their business on their
present site, Ellicott street, foot of Mohawk. The firm consisted first of
Thompson Hersee, Jr., William M. Hersee and Jacob Gramlich, the two
former having previously been of the firm of T. Hersee & Sons. Mr.
Gramlich was in the employ of the old firm until 1871. T. Hersee, Jr.,
died in November, 1875 ! George Coit was admitted to the business in
1878, and is still a member. The building occupied is a six story brick
structure, one hundred feet front by forty feet deep, with a four story
brick building thirty-two by one hundred feet attached in the rear for a
factory. They employ from sixty to one hundred hands, and have an
invested capital of about $75,000.
Jacob J. WelUr, — The business now carried on at 391 Main Street
by Jacob J. Weller, was established by Hersee & Timmerman in 1836.
Mr. Weller became a member of the firm about 1863 or 1864. In 1871
Messrs. Weller, Brown & Mesmer bought out the concern, and in 1882,
Mr. Weller took it entirelv into his own hands.
Guenther & Faust. — In about 1858 John Streicher started the works
now run by Guenther & Faust. After his death in 1868, the business
was conducted by bis widow and son until 1878. Then the firm name
was changed to the Streicher Furniture Company. In 1880 the present
proprietor came into possession. Their factory on Genesee street, is a
three story building' fifty by one hundred and fifty feet reaching through
to Elm street. About thirty men are kept at work. The invested cap-
ital is represented as $12,000. The individual members of the firm are
Anthony Guenther and Rudolph Faust.
The Tifft Furniture Company. — The firm is composed of John V.
TifiFt, C. L. Whiting, M. A. Plimpton and S. A. Gray ; a large wholesale
business is carried on at 477 and 479 Washington street.
244 History of Buffalo.
Sautr & Hanbach, iS and 20 Ellicott streeL — Adam Sauer came
from Rochester to Buffalo in 1865, and founded an establishment on
Washington street for the manufacture of cigar boxes, under the name
of '' The Adam Sauer Furniture Company/' John C. Hanbach from
Rochester joined Mr. Sauer in 1866. In 1868 a general furniture factory
was founded in addition to the cigar box department, and was removed
to the present site. The building is brick, four stones high, measuring
about tbirty-six by one hundred and forty-five feet. From forty to forty-
five men are employed. The invested capital is $25xxxx
In this industry there were invested in Buffalo in 1880. $578,200;
the value of the product was $773,091. A great deal of furniture is
manufactured in the city, in connection with the retail trade, which can-
not be further referred to here.
The Leather Industry.
Of the early history of tanning in Buffalo there are few available
records, and information on this subject is difficult to acquire except
through conversation with those pioneers whose memories extend back
over a period of over half a century or more.
Gfo. Palmer & Co. — Probably the first tannery in this city was the
one established by Geo. Palmer ft Co., some time about the year 1820,
or possibly previous to that. In 1837 there were three tanneries in the
city — the one just mentioned, the old " City Tannery " (built by Joseph
Hoyt and purchased subsequently by Rumsey & Howard), which was
located on Exchange street, opposite the present site of the Central
Depot, and the Gardiner Tannery in that part of the city known as ^ the
Hydraulics.*' From that time the trade rapidly developed.
A. Rumsey & Co. — One of the oldest, as well as one of the best
known tanning firms in the city is that of A. Rumsey & Co. It
was founded in the year 1836 by Mr. Aaron Rumsey, now deceased.
At that time the firm incas Rumsey ft Howard, operating the "City Tan-
nery. '' In 1840 this partnership was dissolved and subsequently Mr.
Rumsey's two sons were united with him in the firm of A. Rumsey ft
Co. In 1844 the tannery near Louisiana street, on the canal, which they
now occupy, was built. It has several times been enlarged since then.
The firm make hemlock sole leather exclusively. The city tannery has
some six hundred vats, and uses slaughter hides ; and one at Hcdland
run by the same firm has about six hundred vats, and works on dry
hides. The united capacity of the two yards is placed at about aoo,oou
sides per year.
Bush & Howard are also an old firm, their business having been
established by Myron P. Bush and Geo. Howard in Ihe year 1844.
Besides the original members, the firm is now composed of J. W. Bush
and Jas. H. Smith. Their yard in this city tans something like 75,000
.S^^aAyC^'n/ ^..M!^^/md^e^^
■-^?yC^97J^??2 i$. tyu^^-^^ry^x
The Leather Industry. 245
sides of hemlock slaughter sole leather per year. All of this is sold in
the market west of Buffalo.
Root & A><i/i«^, although operating no tannery in the city, are among
Buffalo's most prominent leather manufacturers, as the entire product of
their large tanneries is sold from their warehouse in this city. Their yards
are located at Olean, N. Y., and Port Allegheny, Pa., and both tan sole
leather. The tannery at Port Allegheny is one of the largest tanning
establishments in the country, and has a capacity of seven hundred sides
of dry sole per day. That at Olean runs on Texas slaughter hides and
tans some three hundred sides per day. The firm have built a ware-
house on the corner of Wells and Carroll streets, of brick, one hundred
and forty-five by one hundred and seventy-five feet, and five stories
high, which they now occupy. The business of the firm of Root &
Keating was established in 1864 by Jewett & Shaw. In 1866, Robert
Keating was admitted, the firm becoming Jewett, Shaw & Keating and
subsequently, January i, 1878, Francis H. Root entered the firm and the
present style of Root & Keating was adopted.
Martin & Co,, in their tannery at Smith's Mills, Chautauqua county,
tan out from six hundred to nine hnndred sides of sole leather per week,
which is sold from their warehouse, 103 Main street. They run on dry
hides. The firm was established in 1863 by Mr. Martin and his two
sons, one of whom is now dead.
5. L, Mason & Co,, tan sheepskins and rough and harness leather at
no Scott Street. They tan about 14,000 sides of rough and harness
leather annually, and pull, tan and pickle about two hundred dozens of
sheepskins per week. This tannery was originally run by John Bush &
Co., and was purchased by S. L. Mason on the death of Mr. Bush, in
1873. In 1875 his brother was admitted to the firm and the present style
adopted.
Moffat Brothers, — This firm was established in 1869 by James and
Henry C. Moffat, and operate two tSlnneries, one in this city and one at
Alden, N. Y. All their products are sold from the warehouse, No. 70
Exchange street. At their yard in Buffalo they tan about 200,000 sheep
skins per year, while their Alden yard tans about 50,000 sides of upper
and kip.
/. F. Schoellkopf's Sons, (Louis, Alfred and John Russ Schoellkopf)
operate two large tanneries, one of which is located in this city, corner
of Hudson and Efiier streets, and one at Sheffield, Pa. The tannery
here has a capacity of about 1,300 sides of sole and 1,200 of harness,
upper and kip per week from slaughter hides. The business was estab-
lished about twenty-five years ago by J. F. Schoellkopf. J. F. Schoell-
kopf A: Co., (J. F. and Alfred Schoellkopf,) also run a large sheepskin
tannery at the corner of Mississippi and Scott streets, puUmg about two
hundred dozens sheepskins per day.
246 History of Buffalo.
Siegel Brothers xxxn a tannery at Hamburg, whose products are sold
at their warehouse, No. 82 Main Street. They are tanning about 10,000
sides of hemlock, dry and slaughter sole per year.
Laub & Zeller. — This firm at 76 Pearl Street, was established in
1865 succeeding in that year to the firm of Laub Brothers. Their tan-
nery in this city contains one hundred and seventy-five liquor vats and
runs from six hundred to eight hundred sides per week. They make
principally harness leather, with some kip and calf.
George Z. Williams runs a tannery at Salamanca, and has a warehouse
at No. 50 Exchange Street. The business was established in 1863 by the
firm of Deming, Curtiss & Williams. This tannery runs on hemlock sole
and tans out over 50,000 sides per year.
M, Strauss commenced business in Buffalo in 1862. His tannery at
367 Chicago Street, has a capacity of about 200,000 sheepskins per year.
Hoffeld & (7/ijj/^ established a tannery at Lancaster, in 1861, but
did not commence business in Buffalo until 1864. They tan out over
50,000 sides of hemlock sole per year, running on both dry and slaughter
hides.
M. Sttffaris Sons (Michael F., George L., and Jacob P. Steffan) run a
tannery at Boston, Erie county, and sell its products at their warehouse,
813 Main Street, Buffalo. The business was established in 1851 by M.
Steffan.
Bickford Sr Curtiss beganr the manufacture of belting and hose at 53
and 55 Exchange Street, in 1867, where they have since carried on the
business. In 1868 they took into the firm Frederick Deming, who
remained with them five or six years, since which time Messrs. Bickford
& Curtiss have continued the business. About twenty hands are employed
in the establishment ; the individual names of the firm are R. H. Bickford
and Fred B. Curtiss.
N, H. Gardner & Co.^ began the manufacture of belting and hose at
127 and 129 Washington Street, about twenty years ago. In 1874G. D.
Barr succeeded that firm in the establishment. In the spring of 1879
the buildings were burned and immediately rebuilt ; in 1881 Mr. Barr
removed to his present quarters ; he employs about thirty hands.
The capital invested in Buffalo in the production of leather in 1880
was $93,000 in curried, and in tanned leather, $1,077,000. The total value
of the product was a little over $2,000,000.
Brewing and Malting Interests.
The business of brewing and malting forms one of the most impor-
tant interests in Buffalo, as it is also one of the oldest. The reader has
already learned something of Mr. Baer, the third German settler in the
city, who gave the Buffalonians of 1827 to 1830 their first taste of home-
brewed beer. It was only five or six years later when business rivals
The Brewing and Malting Interest. 247
sprang up around him at Cold Spring. James McLeisch began brewing
there as early as 1836; in the year 1833, the Moffat brewery was estab-
lished on Mohawk and Morgan streets. Since that time the manufacture
of these light beverages, ale, lager, porter, and like drinks, has grown
rapidly. Buffalo is a central point in a remarkable barley-growing dis-
trict, extending far on both the American and the Canadian sides of the
lakes, while the large German element in the city and vicinity help to
create a heavy demand for the products of the numerous great brew-
eries and malt-houses that are now in existence here ; these products
have a reputation over a wide extent of territory, of which Buffalo
brewers at large may well be proud.
The Moffat & Service brewery, corner of Mohawk and Morgan
streets, is the oldest establishment of the kind in the city. It was founded
in its present location by James Moffat, in 1833. James Moffat was the
father of the present senior partner in the brewery. After the founder's
death, the brewery was leased by his executors to Arthur W. Fox, and
the business was conducted for a time under the firm name of Fox &
Williams. Schumaker & Noble subsequently bought out the effects, but
after about a year, they left and for a few months the concern was idle.
In 1876 the present proprietors, Henry C. Moffat and William Ser-
vice, took possession. The works extend about two hundred feet on
Mohawk by a little more than three hundred on Morgan street. This
is^the only brewery in Buffalo that brews ale, porter and stout. The
malt-house run in connection with the brewery, has a capacity of about
180,000 bushels ; the brewing capacity, as shown by the annual sales,
will exceed 10,000 barrels.
McLeisch Brothers, malsters, Main and Ferry streets, (Cold Spring)
are proprietors of one of the oldest establishments of this character in
the city, if it does not antedate them all. James McLeisch, the father of
the present proprietor, started a brewery on a part of the ground now
occupied by his sons, in the year 1836. He subsequently added a dis-
tillery; from the beginning he made his own malt. In 1857 Mr.
McLeisch stopped brewing, and with A. T. Blackman, established a
malt-house. They were succeeded in 1865 by Mr. McLeisch's three
sons — A. McLeisch, James McLeisch and C. G. McLeisch. The malting
capacity of the concern is now about 200,000 bushels annually. The
buildings extend one hundred and sixty-five feet on Main street, and
three hundred and fifty feet on Ferry street ; they employ about
fifty men.
Another of the older brewing establishments of Buffalo, is that now
conducted by Joseph L. Haberstro, No. 11 High street. Mr. Haberstro
came into possession of the brewery in September, 1859, ^7 purchase
from his father-in-law, Philip Scheu. The origin of the brewery dates
back to 1849. T^^^ years earlier than that Mr. Scheu had conducted a
±m
248 History of Buffalo.
brewery on Main street, just above St. Louis church. He built the
present structure, or a part of it, in 1849, ^^ stated. When Mr. Haberstro
took the establishment he added the vaults, ice-houses and a new
brewery. The buildings now extend from Washington to Main street,
one hundred and sixty-five by one hundred and nineteen feet ; eleven
men are employed. Jacob Roos, one of the early German settlers,
began brewing in the year 1837, on the site now occupied by his son,
on Hickory street, near Broadway. He finally conducted an exten-
sive establishment, through repeated additions. The present proprie-
tor, George Roos, came into possession about 1859. The malt-house
connected with the brewery, has a capacity of nearly 55,000 bushels
annually ; the buildings cover three hundred and seventy-one by two
hundred and eighty-six feet, and forty-seven men are employed.
The brewing and malting business now coAducted by Mr. Gerhard
Lang, was founded in 1842, by his father-in-law, Philip Born. After Mr.
Bom's death, his wife and her brother took the establishment and con-
ducted it until 1863, when Mr. Lang bought it. The malt-house at 581
Genesee street, covers about three acres of ground. The brewery on
the comer of Best and Jefiferson streets, was built in 1876 and is two
hundred and eighty-five by six hundred feet, standing on a lot of thirty-
four acres. Mr. Lang employs ten men in the malt-house and fifty in
the brewery.
Albert Ziegele & Co., carry on an extensive brewing and malting
business at 831 to 841 Main street. The origin of this establishment dates
back to the year 1850, when it was founded by Albert Ziegele. The
beginning was made in a leased building on Genesee street. In 1855 he
had completed his present brewery and moved into it. Besides the
brewery and ice house, the firm own a malt house on the east side of
Washington street, directly across from the former. Since 1879 Albert
Ziegele, Sr., has retired from active business, leaving the charge of the
establishment in the hands of Albert Ziegele, Jr., Herman H. Grau and
William Ziegele. It is estimated that in 1883 not less than 25,000 bushels
of barley will be malted, the capacity having been increased from 40,000
bushels to 80,000. Thirty men are employed.
In 1877, C. G. Voltz and his brother, J. S. Voltz, present proprietors
of the International Brewery, entered into partnership and began busi-
ness asmalsters, leasing for a time a building on Georgia and Sixth streets.
In 1880 they erected their present buildings, 17 10 to 1714 Niagara street
The stracture extends sixty by one hundred feet and is six stories high.
Its malting capacity is 115,000 bushels. C. G. Voltz was engaged in
the malting business fourteen years prior to the establishment of this
house.
F. X. Kaltenbach began a brewing business on thejcomer of Walnut
and Lutheran streets in 1852 ; his malt bouse still remains there. In 1876
The Brewing and Malting Interest. 249
he removed his brewery to its present site 438 Eagle street. The build-
ing is one hundred and fifty by three hundred feet, and about twenty-five
men are employed.
In 1853 John Schusler started a brewery on Broadway. In 1859 ^^
removed to No. 147 Emslie street, and rebuilt the structure which he
purchased. He again repaired and enlarged the building in 1873 and a
third time in 1883. The malt-house adjoining the brewery was erected
by him in 1873, ^"d his ice-houses in 1875 ; about twenty-five men are
employed in his business.
Magnus Beck first began brewing in 1856, on Oak street near Tup-
per. About 1867 he removed to his present location, 467 North Divi-
sion street, and erected a new establishment. Mr. Beck died in May,
1883, since which time the business has been continued in his name by A.
J. Benzing, as executor. The works extend from Eagle street nearly to
North Division. The brewery proper is now about two hundred and
sixty by two hundred and seventy feet, three stories high. The malt-
house is fifty by one hundred and eighty feet ; the brewing capacity is
40,000 barrels annually, and forty men are employed.
J. M. Luippold conducts a brewery employing eight men, at 298
Emslie street. He began business in 1867, with William Fitch, which
partnership was dissolved in 1870; the buildings were erected in 1867
and rebuilt in 1878.
In 1870, Jacob F. Kuhn began the brewing business at his present
location, 648 Broadway. He has since enlarged his establishment,
adding cellars and ice-houses.
Julius Binz, No. 815 Broadway, began brewing in 1879, ^"^ enjoys
a growing business.
In the spring of 1880 the Buffalo Co-Operative Brewing Company, a
stock organization, was formed, the first president being Jacob Manhard.
The old Hoeffler brewery was purchased and used about a year, when
the present buildings, corner of Michigan and High streets, were erec-
ted; about twenty men are now employed. The present officers of the
company are Peter Mergenhagen, president; Celestin Baecher, vice-
president; Andrew Kraus, secretary; Charles Kamper, treasurer, and
Charles R. Ranch, Charles Hoeffler, John Ebling, Nicholas Meizig,
directors.
George Roche vot began brewing in 1856, on the corner of Spring
and Cherry streets. In 1871 he built his present brewery at 1033 JeflFer-
son street. His buildings cover about one and one-half acres and their
capacity is one hundred barrels daily.
Jacob Scheu established a brewery on Genesee street as early as
1837, whence he removed to his present location, 1088 Niagara street, in
August, 1866. His entire establishment covers about four acres of
ground and has a capacity of 50,000 barrels annually.
250 History of Buffalo.
Other breweries in BufiFalo are those of Christian Weyand, 703 Main
street, established in 1866; The Clinton Co-Operative Brewing Co.,
10 to 20 Bennett street, and Charles Gerber, 821 Main street.
Buffalo leads most other similar cities as a malting center. The
malting capacity of the city is not less than 4,000,000 bushels. The prox-
imity of the city to the barley fields of Canada and the no less prolific
section on this side, and its importance as a receiving and distributing
market, with the peculiar adaptability of the climate for the malting pro-
cess, sufficiently explain the causes of the magnitude which this interest
has attained in Buffalo. The largest malting establishment in the city
is owned and controlled by John B. Manning, the present Mayor of
Buffalo ; indeed, he claims an undisputed title to the leadership in this
interest over the world. -He established his business in 1859, beginning
as a commission malster. In 1863, he bought the malt-house on the Ter-
race, which still remains in his hands ; its capacity is 80,000 bushels. In
1873 he built his largest malt house, the ''Frontier Canada Malt
House," at Black Rock, which he enlarged in 188 1. It is situated at the
foot of Auburn avenue, next to the canal and river ; it covers three hund-
red and sixty by sixty feet and is nine stories high ; it has a capacity of
about 920,000 bushels. In connection with the malt-house are two eleva-
tors of 175,000 bushels capacity each. About eighty men are employed
by Mr. Manning.
Joel Wheeler and his son, A. J. Wheeler, began malting in Buffalo in
1870, in their present location, 283 Perry street, where they put up a
building one hundred and sixteen by one hundred and forty-one feet ;
their malting capacity is about 125,000 bushels. The original proprietors
still conduct the establishment.
Schaefer & Brother, 42 and 44 Lloyd street, began dealing in seeds
and grains in 1863. In 1871 they first confined their business to hand-
ling barley exclusively and assumed control of a heavy malting interest.
In 1880 they built a malt house on the corner of Seventh and Jersey
streets, upon a novel and improved plan. The floors, which are arched,
are composed of two layers of brick separated by several inches of mortar ;
this plan preserves an even temperature throughout. Steam pipes are also
used for the same purpose. The building has a capacity of over 100,000
bushels per season of eight months; it has four malting floors, a cellar and
storage floor ; an elevator is connected with it. The firm are Gustavus
A. and Henry L. Schaefer.
John Kam built a malt-house on Pratt and Genesee streets in 1869,
and is now about to become associated with another on Pratt street^
which is in course of construction. The total malting capacity of these
two houses will be about 100,000 bushels ; sixteen men arc employed.
Fisher Bros. & Co., are malsters at 285 Genesee streit and Fourth
street, comer of Carolina. The business was founded in i862,l^y George
The Milling Interest. 251
Fisher, the present senior member of the firm. In 1865 he associated
with himself his brother, Jacob P. Fisher, and Phihp Houck. The works
comprise three brick buildings, covering areas of forty by one hundred and
thirty, one hundred by one hundred and forty and one hundred and five
by forty feet respectively, with a total capacity of 200,000 bushels.
The establishment is known as the " Genesee and City Malt Houses."
The malting house of White & Crafts, comer of Lake View avenue
and Jersey street, was founded in 1875, the present proprietors then
buying the old malt house of Marvin Cline. In 1882 they built a new
house ad jacent ; the total malting capacity is now 22$fiOO bushels and
thirty -four men are employed. The firm comprises John White and John
W. Crafts, the former of whom has been identified with the malting
interest of Buffalo for thirty-six years.
Solomon Scheu is proprietor of the Canada malt-house, Hudson,
comer of Fourth street, where he beg^n business in i860. In 1870, he
built a brewery in connection 'with his malt-house ; he also has an inter-
est in a malt-house on St Paul street, and for a number of years has leased
the Niagara malt-house on Ohio street ; he is also a member of the Lan-
caster malting firm of Scheu Brothers. The establishment on Hudson
street covers about one hundred by two hundred feet ; the Niagara
house sixty by one hundred and fifty feet, and the one on St. Paul street
fifty by one hundred and eighty feet. From sixty to seventy men are
employed in the entire business.
Besides the malt-houses already mentioned, there are in Buffalo sev-
eral others of considerable importance. C. G. Curtiss, 38 Central Wharf,
malts from 80,000 to 100,000 bushels annually ; Meidenbauer & Co., 992
Michigan street ; John O. Meyer, corner of Eagle and Emslie streets ;
August F. Scheu, 36 St. Paul street ; William W. Sloan, corner of Car-
roll and Van Rensselaer streets; Henry Diehl, 406 Niagara street,
are quite largely engaged in the business, with a few others of less
importance.
The census reports of 1880 give the amount of capital invested in the
production of malt-liquors in Buffalo as $1,859,975, and the value of
products as $1,636,020.39.
The Milling Interest.
The milling interest of Buffalo, which is now a very important indus-
try, came into existence mainly between 1830 and 1840, at Black Rock,
where ample water-power existed in the swift current of the river ; that
was the natural location for factories of any kind in which water-power
could be made available. Probably the first mills built in or near
Buffalo, were the old Frontier Mills, which were erected in 1832, by
Stephen W. Howells, who is still a resident of Black Rock. Then fol-
lowed, in 1834 or 1835, the Globe Mills (which originally stood nearer
252 History of Buffalo.
the canal than at present), and another mill built by Mr. Enos. This lat*
ter mill was used first for com drying purposes, but was subsequently
converted into a flouring-mill. These three mills are still standing. The
Black Rock mill was built between 1834 and 1837, in which latter
year it burned. The Erie Mills were erected in 1838, and about
the same time was built the Queen City Mill ; this was followed by the
erection of the Clinton and the North BufiFalo Mills ; the latter was
erected in 1857. A steam-mill once stood where the city elevator is now
located. Mr. O. Bugbee ran it about i844-'45. The Wadsworth Mill,
on Ohio street, the Buffalo City Mill and the Swan Street Mill are of a
later date, and the National Mills, of Thornton & Chester, the Urban
and the Banner Mills, are of comparatively recent construction.
One of the oldest mills in the county is run by Leonard Dodge and
Henry W. Dodge, and is located at Williamsville. The former gentle-
man has owned the mill since 1864. It has a capacity of one hundred
and fifty barrels a day. The city office is at 72 Main street.
The heavy milling firm of Thornton & Chester established their
business about 1850, by the purchase of what are now the Globe Mills,
from Harry Thompson. They built the National Mills, on Erie street,
in 1868, and enlarged them in 1881. The Globe Mills were burned in
December, 1878, but the brand is still used by the firm. The National
Mills capacity is about seven hundred barrels a day. The n^embers of
the firm are Thomas Thornton and Thomas Chester.
In 1856 Jacob F. Schoellkopf began the milhng business which is now
in his hands. In 1857 he built the North Buffalo Mills at Lower Black
Rock. In 1870 he bought the Frontier Mills, at Upper Black Rock.
From 1866 to 1875, in association with Thornton & Chester, he ran the
North Buffalo Mills, the business being conducted in bis name. He
joined with his present partner, G. B. Mathews, in 1875, and the firm now
run both the above mentioned mills. The total capacity of the two is
from 70,000 to 80,000 barrels annually. Schoellkopf & Mathews also own
and run a very large mill at Niagara Falls, having a capacity of about
300,000 barrels annually.
The Banner Milling Company began business in 1878, operating the
North Buffalo Mills, owned by J. F. Schoellkopf; they gave up that
interest in August, 1883, having in the previous year erected the Banner
Mills, on Ohio street, opposite the Niagara Elevator. The capacity of
these mills is eight hundred barrels per day. The individual members of
the firm are J. Esser, H. C. Zimmerman, F. Ogden and H. F. Shuttle-
worth. Their office is 204 and 206 Main street.
The Buffalo City Flouring Mills were established as early as 1853.
They came into possession of H. D. Harvey in 1867, who associated with
himself Mr. F* J. Henry in 1870. This firm remodelled the mills, chang-
ing them to the •' new process " and increasing their capacity from two
hundred to six hundred barrels a day.
Boots and Shoes — Clothing. 253
George Urban & Co., established their mills, 324 and 326 Oak street
in 1846, Mr. Urban conducting the business alone for a time. The firm
is now composed of G. Urban, G. Urban, Jr., E. G. S. Miller and
W.C. Miller.
The Atlas Milling Company, office comer Fourth and Wilkeson
streets, succeeded the Farina Milling Company April 15, 1883; the latter
company was established about 1858. The company's capacity is one
hundred and seventy-five barrels daily. The officers of the company are
J. L. Ring, president ; Frank Noel, vice-president ; George L. Taylor,
secretary ; W. H. Beyer, treasurer.
The Queen City Milling company, 20 Central Wharf, (formerly the
firm of J. B. Griffin & Co.,) is a corporation that received its charter in
1880 ; the present officers had run the mills, the Queen City and the Erie
since 1863. The capacity of the two mills is about six hundred and fifty
barrels a day. J. B. Griffin is the president of the company, and C. C.
McDonald is secretary and treasurer; both mills are located at
Black Rock.
The capital invested in the milling interests of the city is nearly
1,000,000, and the products have a value of nearly $2,500,000.
Boots and Shoes.
The five years beginning with i860, mark the period when the man-
ufacture of boots and shoes in Buffalo, in common with most of the other
manufacturing interests, began to assume the dignity of an independent
industry. In i860 there were only three wholesale establishments of
this kind west of Buffalo. This city had, however, since 1853, been the
home of one factory which lives and prospers to-day, viz : — Forbush &
Brown, 103 and 105 Main street. This was the first factory of the kind
in Buffalo. They now employ about one hundred and thirty hands.
The individual members of the firm are J. G. Forbush and N. Brown.
J. Blocher & Sons were established in 1863, on the present site over
64 to 72 Exchange street, one of the present proprietors, John Blocher,
being the projector. His son, Nelson W. Blocher came into the firm in
1870. About two hundred hands are kept at work here.
There are several other boot and shoe manufactories here now, includ-
ing those of Emsfield & Emig. 50 and 52 Exchange street ; Dorschell &
Co., 379 EUicott street ; Bommer & Son, corner Swan and Washington ;
William Kugler, 106 Seneca ; Strootman Bros., 293 Washington ; John
Strootman & Co., 58 and 60 Pearl street ; B. Taber & Co., 72 and 74
Lloyd street.
The Manufacture of Clothing.
The manufacture of clothing in BufiFalo, to an extent that is worthy
of mention, dates from about the year i8S4» since which time it has
254 History of Buffalo.
developed into a large and profitable interest One of the first estab-
lishments here in this business, was that of Leopold Warner, Joseph
Warner and John Warner, who began in 1854, at 41 and 43 Main street.
In a short time they were forced, by reason of lack of room, to remove
to Exchange street. In 1878 they again moved, this time to their present
building, on the northwest comer of Pearl and Swan streets. The firm
is now composed of John Warner, one of the original members, Lewis
E. Warner, John R. Warner, Edward Warner, K. Greenberg and S.
Kempner. About one thousand hands are employed by the firm.
L. Marcus & Son.- — The present managers of this enterprise, estab-
lished themselves on Exchange street, in 1873, and first occupied the
present building, 183 Washington street, in 1878. They employ about
one hundred and fifty hands. Leopold Marcus and M. M. Marcus com-
prise the firm membership.
Altfnan & Company. — The business ot manufacturing clothing now
conducted under the name of Altman & Company was established on
Pearl street in 1856, by Jacob Altman. They removed to Washington
street in 1866, and in the fall of 1883, to the present quarters, in Jewett
M. Richmond's new building, on the site of the old Franklin House. At
his death, in 1881, his three sons and a son-in-law, succeeded him, and
are now the proprietors. They employ about eight hundred bands. The
firm consists of Isaac Altman, Julius Altman, D. Rosenau and Henry
Altman.
The clothing manufacturing business of Brock & Weiner, 64 and 66
Exchange street, was established in 1865, at 188 and 190 Washington
street. More than two hundred and fifty employees are now engaged
by them. The firm moved to their present location in 1880.
There is a large amount of clothing made in Buffalo, but aside from
the establishments mentioned, it is chiefly connected with the retail
clothing trade.
Miscellaneous Manufactures.
In addition to the large manufacturing interests which we have
already described, there are in Bu£Falo numerous single establishments
devoted to special manuiactures, some of which are of paramount
importance and deserving of notice as forming a portion of the growing
industries of the city.
In the year 1849 John C. Jewett began business on what i& now 31
Main street, with a store at what is now 271 Main street. In 1864 he erected
the building now occupied by himself and sons, as manufacturers of
refrigerators, etc., Nos. 323, 325, 327, 329 and 331 Washington street. In 1871
the buildings were extended through to EUicott street ; in 1 88 1 they bought
the lot on the comer of North Division and Ellicott streets. The pres-
ent firm relations date from 1873 ; the individuals arc John C. Jewett and
his sons, Edgar B., and Frederick A. Jewett. The products of this
industry are known throughout the country.
^/Ci^d^^e^i^ i^^ocy^/r?z^em.^cc^
Miscellaneous Manufactures. 255
The glucose manufacture of Buffalo is one of the most important
single interests in the city, although its principal development has been
within a comparatively short period of time. The business was started
in the spring of 1867, by J. Firmenich,* and Fox & Williams, two sepa-
rate firms. On the ist of January, 1874, the Buffalo Grape Sugar Com-
pany succeeded Fox & Williams ; this was changed to the American
Grape Sugar Company in 1878. In the spring of 1883 these were alLcon-
solidatcd as the American Glucose Company, with works at Leaven-
worth, Kansas ; Tippecanoe City, Ohio ; Iowa City, Iowa ; and Peoria,
Illinois, besides the great establishment in this city ; the works here are
located partly on Scott street, where they occupy an eight-story build-
ing, one hundred and sixty by two hundred and ten feet, with two other
large structures, one at the foot of Court street, corner Fourth, and one
on Jefferson street. About one thousand men are employed m the works in
this city. The company's offices are at 19, 21 and 23 West Swan street
The officers of the company are C. J. Hamlin, President ; J. Firmenich,
First Vice-President ; Harry Hamlin, Second Vice-President ; William
Hamlin, Treasurer ; William H. Almy, Secretary.
There are two very large soap manufactories in Buffalo, the earliest
one being established by William Lautz in 1853, upon the somewhat lim-
ited capital of five dollars. Since that small beginning was made, the
business has steadily grown and the present plant on Hanover street,
extends one hundred and seventy by one hundred feet ; the building is
five stories high. There are nine tanks for boiling purposes, each hav-
ing a capacity of 150,000 pounds and five of the same dimensions
for tallow. Two hundred employees and six teams are kept at work.
Three branch offices are connected with the business, one iu Phila-
delphia, one in New York and one in Chicago. The individual mem-
bers of the firm are J. A. Lautz, C. Lautz, F. C. M. Lautz and
Mrs. E. Lautz. The other large soap manufactory is that of R. W.
Bell & Co., whose business was founded 1865, on State street, succeeding
John M. Gilbert The works were removed to the present location in
1875, when the buildings now used were erected. The building is one
hundred and thirty by one hundred and twenty-four feet and five stories
high ; the capacity is about 1,000 boxes daily ; one hundred and fifty
hands are employed. In the manufacture of soap ; one half a million
dollars are invested in Buffalo.
It is an interesting fact in connection with the manufactures of.
Buffalo, that the first billiard table made in the State west of New York
was made here in 1825, by Jeremiah Staats ; he was then located on
Niagara street near Main, where he was burned out in 1830. He is now
located at 32 Staats street. Other billiard table manufacturers here are
H. W. Kruse, 187 Main street, Adam Braun, 203 Genesee street, and
* See biognphical sketch in sabtequent pages.
256 History of Buffalo.
John Strycher, ii Seneca street. The J. M. Brunswick & Balke Co.
have an establishment at 597 Main street.
The firm of Pratt & Letchworth, 52 Terrace, is one of the foremost
in the country in the manufacture of saddlery hardware. The company
was formed in 1850 and is composed of P. P. Pratt and Josiah Letchworth.
They are proprietors of the Buffalo Malleable Iron Works on Tonawanda
street, where 500 hands are employed, and also manufacture largely in
the penitentiary, under contract.
Harvey D. Blakeslee Began the same business in 1879, ^^ Washing-
ton street, and is now located at 135 and 137 Main street.
The Buffalo Scale Works is an important manufacturing establish*
ment, which was founded in i860, as an incorporated company and was
located where it now is. Edward S. Rich was the first president and
John R. Linen the first secretary. The business has grown until now
their products are shipped to all parts of the world and their scales arc
made to weigh accurately the standards^ of all nations ; the Buffalo
scales have also been adopted by the United States Government. Fif-
teen to twenty thousand scales are now made annually. From one
hundred and fifty to two hundred hands are employed. The present
officers of the company are John R. Linen, President ; L. Chestnutwood,
Treasurer ; A. A. Houghton, Secretary ; J. H. Usher, Mechanical Super-
intendent.
The Niagara Stamping and Tool Company, 147 Elm street, was
established in 1879, by the present proprietors, Adam Heinz, Michael J.
Stark and George J. Munschauer; they employ about sixty hands and
manufacture tools and machinery for making tin cans and canning outfits,
and stamp tin and other metals.
On the ist of September. 1878. the Buffalo Wire Fence Company
began business on Hanover Street. Two years later the works passed
to the hands of H. B. Scutt & Co., who located the business on the cor-
ner of Michigan and Folsom Streets, where it has remained since.
When the business was commenced, the capacity of the works was only
2,500 pounds daily ; this has been increased to 25,000 pounds. The firm
of H. B. Scutt & Co. was dissolved in 1883 ^^^ ^he incorporated com-
pany was organized, known as the H. B. Scutt Company. About
twenty-five men are employed and the industry is rapidly growing. B.
A. Lynde is secretary and treasurer of the company.
The planing mill and general wood-working industry in Buffalo is
one of importance and one of the oldest in the city. The business now
conducted on a very large scale by Lee, Holland & Co., on the comer
of Court, Wilkeson and Fourth Streets, was established in about the
year 1832, by P. L. & L. L. Eaton ; it was for years known as the Eaton
planing mill. James H. Brown, who had been a silent partner from the
beginning, was given a place in the firm name in 1858, the style being
^.^"TYyg^iz^c^^z^ ^j:7u?^?z^.
0yCOCCH2/^^ '^LO'f^
^€^)
Miscellaneous Manufactures. 257
Eaton, Brown & Co. In 1868 the name was again changed to Clarke, Hol-
land & Co ; in that year Chas. S. Clarke and Henry Montgomer}' came in.
The present firm name was assumed in 1881. The members of the firm
are J. H. Lee, Franklin Lee, N. Holland, H. Montgomery. About two
hundred men are employed. In the large buildings occupied by the firm
are also H. J. Comstock, lounge manufacturers, and Weir Bros., stair
manufacturers, employing together sixty to seventy men.
The planing mill plant of E. & B. Holmes is located on Michigan
street and the canal. The firm was established in 1852 and the business
has grown to vast dimensions, covering the whole field of manufactured
lumber for building purposes. The members of the firm are E. Holmes,*
B. Holmes> J. B. Holmes and J. Deitz. The firm of E. & B. Holmes,
(composed of E. Holmes, B. Holmes* and J. B. Holmes,) also conduct a
large barrel factory and iron works at 59 Chicago street, from which a
product of great value is turned out and shipped to all parts of the
world.
Boiler & Recktenwalt established a planing mill at their present loca-
tion in 1862. Nicholas Schreiner, now running a similar establishment
on Ash street, was then a member of the firm. Their location is on the
comer of Chicago and Carroll streets. The individuals of the firm are
C. Boiler and N. C. Recktenwalt. Among the other representatives of
this interest in Buffalo are Burt & Mead, Ganson street, near South
Michigan; Hoefiler Brothers, 151 Elm street; Joseph Churchyard, 650
Clinton street ; R. H. Thayer & Co., foot of Church street ; J. R. Mun-
roe, 260 Bryant street; Jacob Jaeckle, 915 Genesee street; Jacob Has-
selbeck, 585 to 591 Jefferson street; Chas. J. Hamilton, Erie street, cor-
ner of Terrace; Fisher & Klause, 920 Seneca street; Jacob Uebelhoer,
200 Cherry street, and some others of less importance.
The Clark Manufacturing Company, 41 8 to 428 Niagara street The
business now conducted under the above name, was begun in Mount
Pleasant, Iowa, in 1864, by J. K. Clark and his brother, C. B. Clark, the
former gentleman being still at the head of the establishment. In 1868,
they came to Buffalo and established themselves in the well-known " Bee
Hive" building, on the corner of Niagara and Virginia streets. At this
time E. L. Ferguson and H. R. Clark, brother-in-law and brother of the
original proprietors, were admitted to the partnership. In 1872 they
erected the buildings which they now occupy. In 1880, C. B. Clark, by
reason of ill health, retired from the firm. In March, 1882, he died in
Philadelphia. The buildings used by this company extend one hun-
dred and thirty-five feet square ; about one hundred and fifty hands are
employed. They manufacture builders' hardware.
Thomas F. Griffin & Sons manufacture car-wheels, etc., on Forest
avenue, near Niagara street. The business was established in March,
* See biographical sketch in subsequent pages.
258 History of Buffalo.
1883. The firm is composed ot Thomas F. Griffin, Thomas A. Griffin
and P. A. Griffin. The building covers about six hundred by seventy feet.
The Pitts Agricultural Works, Fourth street, corner of Carolina,
were founded in 185 1, on the site still occupied by John A. Pitts,
who was at that time proprietor of a similar establishment in Rochester.
In 1859, ^r* Pi^^s di^^ ^^^ ^^^ business was then conducted under the
management of James Brayley and John B. Pitts, son-in-law and*son
of the first proprietor. After the death of John B. Pitts in 1866, Mr.
Brayley remained at the head of the concern until its incorporation in
IJ877. The incumbent officers are Mrs. M. A. Brayley, president ; Carle-
tbn Sprague, vice-president; Thomas Sully, secretary and treasurer.
Portable and traction farm engines, the apron thresher, vibrating thresh-
ers, etc., are the products of this important industry. John A. Pitts was
the inventor of the apron thresher, the Pitts mounted horse-power and the
vibrating threshers. It is stated that they manufacture about three hun-
dred engines and seven hundred separators annually. The works cover
an area in three plats, as follows : — office and factory, three hundred and
thirteen by two hundred and ten feet ; lumber yard, three hundred and thir-
teen by one hundred and sixty-four feet ; store-house, one hundred by one
hundred and sixty-four feet. In July, 1879, ^^^ buildings were burned to
the ground, but new ones were completed on the old foundations before
the following January. About three hundred men, including salesmen
and office employees, are kept in pay.
The Shepard Hardware Company are proprietors of an establishment
on Forest avenue, Erie cahal and Black Rock harbor, that was founded
by Mr. John D. Shepard, who also founded the business now known as
the King Iron Works, in 1845; the King Iron Works were formerly
known as the Shepard Iron Works. The present works of the Shepard
Hardware Company were established in 1866, and were first carried on
at the corner of Chicago and Miami streets. January i, 1883, Mr. Shep-
ard*s sons and successors moved to their present quarters at the junction
of Forest avenue and the Erie canal. The buildings cover about three
and one-half acres of ground, the foundry alone being five hundred and
fifty feet in length. About two hundred hands are employed. Although
for years the business had been conducted chiefly by the sons of the pro-
prietor, viz: Charles G. Shepard and Walter J. Shepard, the father
remained the nominal head until January, 1878 ; since then the sons have
been sole proprietors. The products of the establishment are hardware
specialties of almost every description.
The firm of J. B. Sweet & Son have been engaged in the manufac-
ture of children's carriages in this city since 1865 ; it is the only estab-
lishment of the kind in the city, and is now located at 297, 299 and 301^
Niagara street. J. B. Sweet went into the business in 1866, and the
present firm was formed in 1871 ; they mrere formerly located on the cor^
'.^^: eye.-, zyuty^-e-
Miscellaneous Manufactures. 259
ner of Scott and Michigan streets, and have occupied their present loca*
tion for ten years past ; about forty men are employed.
L. & I. J. White are largely engaged in the manufacture of edge-
tools and machine knives at 310, 312 and 314 Exchange street ; they came
here from Munroe, Mich., about 1838, and located first at Black Rock;
they removed to Ohio street, where they were burned out, locating
immediately after where they now are. It is an important industry.
The manufacture of illuminating and lubricating oils is carried on here
on a large scale by F. S. Pease at 65 and 67 Main street, and 82, 84 and 86
Washington street. Mr. Pease founded the business in 1848 and has
made it an important industry. The Buffalo Lubricating Oil Company,
55 Main street, is also largely interested in this industry. There are sev-
eral large refineries of illuminating oils.
There are three or four large starch works in the city. C. Gilbert
established himself in the business in 1864, near the present site, at
the foot of Hamilton street, where his son now conducts the works.
About twenty-five tons are turned out here daily ; the works comprise
three large buildings, besides commodious out-buildings. Wesp, Lautz
Bros., & Co., began starch manufacture at Black Rock in 1877 ; in the
following year they erected their present buildings at the junction of
Oneida, Bond, Addison and Lord streets. In this factory about one
hundred and fifty hands are employed. The individual members of the
firm are, Phillip Wesp, George Wesp, J. Adam Lautz, Fred, C. M.
Lautz and Martin F. Lautz. The International Starch Works is another
large establishment which was opened for business in 1877, at Black Rock,
by the present proprietors. The works comprise several commodious
buildings and employ fifty hands. Their capacity is four hundred bush-
els of corn daily. The same firm also run a barrel heading manufactory
at the same location, which turns out 2,000 headings per day.
The Riverview Pickle and Vinegar Works, established in 1868, by
John L. Kimberly, Jr., on Hanover street, is now one of the largest
concerns of the kind. A few years after it was established, he removed
to Chicago street and from there in the fall of 1882, to the present loca-
tion on Fourth street, near Maryland. About 12,000 barrels of vinegar and
6,ooo]barrels of pickles are made annually, employing ten to fifteen men .
Carriage and wagon making is extensively carried on in Buffalo,
more than fifty men and firms being engaged in it in some of its branches.
Wares unsurpassed for style and workmanship are turned out, rendering
it one of the^important industries of the place.
The wall-paper manufactory of M. H. Birge & Sons, which was
established in 1834, is one of the older and more important industries of
the city, and the only one of the kind here.
The wire works of Scheeler & Baer, 145 Main street, were established
about twenty-five years ago by Mr. Scheeler. They manufacture wire
cloth largely, employing twenty to twenty-five hands.
26o History of Buffalo.
As long ago as 1835, N. Lyman established himself in Buffalo as a
type-founder, and the business has been made to prosper ever since ; the
foundry is located at No. 36 West Seneca street. About thirty hands
are employed ; the members of the firm are W. E., C. B. and P. S. Lyman,
sons of the founder of the establishment.
Other manufactures of Buffalo embrace file makers, jewelry manu-
facturers, trunk makers, pump makers, piano and organ manufacturers,
marble workers, harness makers, and many other interests of minor
importance.
The general growth of the manufacturing interests of Buffalo will'be
better understood by the comparison of a few figures from the last census
(1880), with others taken from the census of i860. In 1880 the sum of
$341,500 was invested in the manufacture of agricultural implements in
the city alone; twenty years before but $132400 was invested in the
same branch in the whole county, and the vahie of the products in the
latter year was only $379,600, against $423,500 in 1880. In the last men-
tioned year $295,900 were invested in the manufacture of carriages and
wagons, in Buffalo, and the product was valued at $410,631 ; in i860 the
figures representing the same industry were respectively $126,000 and
199,330. In clothing there were invested in i860 in the entire county,
only $130,350, turning out stock worth $336,952 ; this industry increased
in the twenty years so that in 1880 the capital in use in the business in
the city was $1,000,000 and the products were valued at nearly $3,000,-
000. In i860, the capital invested in the iron industries of the county
was placed at $387,800, producing wares valued at $798,605 : while in
1880 the foundries and machine shops, the iron and steel works and the
iron forges of the city employed a capital of over $5,000,000 and
turned out a product worth more than $4,000,000. The glucose
industry has entirely developed since the earlier year under consideration,
and turns out an annual product of over $3,000,000. There are invested
now in the maufacture of drugs and chemicals in the city over $300,000,
and in patent medicines and compounds over $1,000,000. In i860 the
capital invested in the county in printing and publishing was $144,650,
and the product was valued at $275,241. In 1880 the figures were increased
to $819,000 and the product had a value of $975,022.53, in the city alone.
In the edge-tool manufactories of the city were invested in 1880 a cap-
ital of $98,400, with a production of stock valued at $115,100. In the
manufacture of tobacco, cigars and cigarettes there was invested in the
city in 1880 the sum ot $196,929, and the product had a value of $464,.
964.66. These figures have an encouraging look for all who seek the wcl-
fare of the city.
The Wholesale Trade of Buffalo.
Although the city of Buffalo cannot be said to occupy a very promi-
nent position in respect to its wholesale trade, yet it is true that at the
The Wholesale Trade. 261
present time this feature of the city's business is in a growin^^, healthy
condition. The wholesale trade of the place was developed in a small
way at an early period. For a number of years between the time when
the city had reached a stage of growth enabling it to carry on a success*
ful wholesale business in staple goods* down to the date of railroad con-
struction in this vicinity, the trade flourished here and much of the capi-
tal and business energy of the community was turned in the direction of
wholesaling; between 1830 and 1840, for example, the wholesale business
of Buffalo in some lines of goods was greater, it is claimed by good
authority, than it is at the present time. During that period the country
merchants over a wide extent of territory immediately surrounding the
city, as well as the early business men of what was then considered the
far west, and of portions of Canada, looked to Buffalo for a large share of
their goods. Many of the older business men here to-day will remember
when every store on Main street below the canal bridge was a wholesale
establishment. Country retail merchants came to the city from long dis-
tances with teams, and thus transported their goods home ; at the same
time shipments of goods to still more distant points by lake were heavy.
The building of railroads created a change that was temporarily against
the development of the wholesale business of Buffalo ; connections were
thus formed with other important interior business centers; country
merchants who had hitherto purchased their stocks in this city, found
themselves enabled to reach New York, a privilege they were not slow
to avail themselves of, all of which served to withdraw an important
percentage of the wholesale business of Buffalo to other points. The
effects of this change continued in some degree for ten or fifteen years,
after which a healthy reaction began and wholesale trade has since
increased continuously in most lines of goods proportionately with the
growth of the city. During the past ten or twelve years, the develop-
ment in this direction has been most encouraging.
In the foregoing pages devoted to the manufacturing interests of the
city, much has been said having a bearing upon the wholesale trade of
Buffalo, since the products of many large manufactories must be sold at
wholesale by the proprietors who produce them ; therefore, what follows
should not be accepted as representing the entire wholesale interest of
the city ; there are, moreover, hundreds of thousands of dollars in goods
sold here annually at wholesale, by retailers, which cannot manifestly
be noted in this work, the purpose being merely to refer to the inception
and growth of some of the leading houses in different lines.
The wholesale trade in drugs and medicines in Buffalo, although
not one of the heaviest interests, is still one of the oldest in which a job-
bing business was developed here. In the City Directory of 1832, we
find the advertisement of Williams & Co., dealers in American and
imported drugs, medicines, groceries, etc. ; their location was " No. i
262 History of Buffalo.
Cheapside." This firm undoubtedly sold drugs at wholesale, but not in
very large quantities. Williams & Co. had a drug store and sold at
wholesale on the southeast corner of Main and Seneca streets, as early
as 1829, Robert HoUister being a member of the firm. In 1835, Mr. Hoi-
lister went into the business for himself, on the southwest corner of the
same streets, Mr. Williams continuing at the old location. In 1840,
William Laverack engaged in the business with Mr. Hollister ; this firm
continued until 1864, when Mr. Hollister retired from it;. Since that
date the firm has been William Laverack & Co. ; it is now composed of
William Laverack and George Laverack ; their location is 230 Washing-
ton street. The senior member of this firm and William Coleman are
the oldest druggists now in business in Buffalo. Mr. Coleman has been
in the trade for fifty years ; he succeeded his father, who had a store on
the corner of Main and Swan streets, where the United States Express
office is now located; he afterwards moved to the northeast corner.
The firm is now Coleman & Chapin, their location being No. 16 Swan
street. Powell & Plimpton do an extensive business in jobbing drugs,
in connection with their wholesale grocery business ; they are located at
Nos.497 to 501 Washington street. Harries & Bullymore began whole-
saling drugs and medicines in April, 1882. On September 1, 1883, Mr.
Bullymore retired and the business is now conducted by Oscar L. Har-
ries at No. 263 Washington street. Lyman & Jeffrey, 311 Main street,
wholesale in connection with their retail establishment, and doubtless
other retailers do so to some extent.
The jobbing trade of the city in dry goods (strictly) is almost entirely
confined to three or four firms and is generally carried on in connection
with a large retail business. It had not reached a very important posi-
tion until as late as 1866 or 1867 ; since 1870 it has developed rapidly. The
firm of Barnes, Bancroft & Co., 260 to 268 Main street, is one of the
largest wholesale houses in the city in dry goods. The firm is descended
through several changes from one of the oldest dry goods establishments
in Buffalo, and is now composed of J. C. Barnes, William Hengerer, J.
K. Bancroft, J. C. Nagel and C. O. Howard. The firm own the splendid
building which they occupy, extending from Main to Pearl street ; their
trade has reached three million dollars a year.
The dry goods house of Adam, Meldrum ft Anderson, was founded
in 1867, by R. B. Adam and Alexander Meldrum ; in 1875 William Ander-
son became interested in the business. The house does a heavy whole-
sale trade in connection with their retail business, all reaching $3,000,000
annually.
J. N. Adam ft Co., 292 to 298 Main street, and 16 to 22 Erie street, is
composed of J. N. Adam, W. Paterson and W. H. Hotchldss. They do
a large wholesale business, and began here in October, 1881, coming
from New Haven, where a branch establishment is still conducted.
The Wholesale Trade. 263
While by far the larger portion of the dry goods jobbing trade of the
city is in the hands of the three establishments to which we have
referred, there are many other firms who wholesale to some extent in
lines of goods that might, perhaps, be classed as dry goods, such as
furnishing goods and the like.
Closely related to this line of business is the sale of fancy goods and
notions. The oldest house in this business and one of the oldest jobbing
houses of any kind in the city, is that of S. O. Bamum, Son & Co., 265
and 267 Main street. The house was founded by S. O. Bamum, in the
year 1845. Mr. Bamum subsequently took into the firm his son, Theo-
dore D. Barnum and Edward J. Chatfield. The business has developed
from a small retail and wholesale trade, until it now embraces the
whole field of foreign and domestic fancy goods, and what are termed
"notions." The establishment occupies six floors, two hundred by
thirty-one feet.
Wahl, Ansteth & Snaith, 332, 334and 336 Washington street, though
established in 1882, occupy a prominent position in jobbing fancy goods
and notions. Besides these there are a large number of individuals and
firms engaged in this line, most of which depend mainly upon their
retail trade, but nearly all of whom wholesale to a limited extent ; it is,
of course, unnecessary to make further reference to such here.
Some idea of the wholesale iron and hardware trade has already
been conveyed in what has been said of the iron manufacturing indus-
tries of the city. The wholesale trade in hardware in its many different
forms, is distributed through the hands of a large number of dealers,
nearly all of whom do a retail business also, and many of whom depend
mainly upon that feature ot their business. The firm, of Pratt & Co., is
one of the oldest as well as one of the strongest in Buffalo engaged in
the sale of iron and general hardware. It was formed in 1842, being
then composed of S. F. Pratt, Pascal P. Pratt and E. P. Beals. The
founder of the house was the late S. F. Pratt, who began business here
in 1828. After the formation of the firm of Pratt & Co., in 1842, no
change occurred in its composition until 1880, when S. F. Pratt died and
his interest was absorbed by the remaining partners. The firm was
largely engaged in the manufacture of iron until 1879, since which time
their energies have been devoted to the sale of merchant iron and gen-
eral hardware ; their business has reached $1,500,000 in a year.
In the year 18 18 a hardware store was kept on the comer of Main
and Swan streets, by G. & T. Weed, in the same location now occupied
by Weed & Co., of which firm Hobart Weed is the senior. They do a
large wholesale trade in general hardware.
Charles E. Walbridge conducts a large jobbing business in hardware
and stoves at 317 and 319 Washington street; he established himself in
1869 on Main street below Seneca, and removed to 297, 299 and 301
X9
264 History of Buffalo.
Washington street In the spring of 1879 ^he building now occupied by
the business was finished and taken.
In wholesaling iron, E. L. Hedstroro, White Building; G. R. Wilson
& Co., 12 Sencca'street ; Palen & Bums, 229 Washington street; A. J.
Packard, 200 Washington street ; Kish & Co., 156 Washington street; W.
H. H. Newman, 76 Main street; A. Ormsby, 24 West Eagle street, and
a few others control the trade in Buffalo.
In a city like Buffalo the wholesale trade in groceries must always
be large ; there are fourteen or fifteen houses in this branch of trade here
which are entitled to the distinction of wholesale establishments, while
there are undoubtedly scores more that do something in this direction.
One of the oldest wholesale grocery houses in the city is that of the
Fuchs Brothers, 502 to 506 Main street, which was established in 1849;
they were first located at 250 Genesee street. The firm is composed of
A. and J. Fuchs. In addition to their trade in groceries the firm also
import liquors and wines which they wholesale, and carry on a large
cigar manufactory. Since the establishment of this house, and even
earlier than that, the grocery and provision trade of the city has steadily
grown to its present important position.
Philip Becker began wholesale trade in groceries at 390 Main street,
in 1854; about the year 1858 he took in a partner, Mr. Geo. Goetz, and
the firm has since been Philip Becker ft Co. ; they do a large trade at
468 Main street.
The wholesale grocery house of Miller, Greiner ft Co. was founded
in 1834, by the present senior member of the firm. This is a prominent
establishment ; the firm is composed of Chas. Greiner, A. D. A. Miller,
A. C. Miller, J. Greiner and C. Greiner. Their location is 341 to 347
Washington street.
James M. Henderson began the grocery business at wholesale in
1868 ; he is now located at 102 Seneca street.
The house of Smith ft Weber. 96 Seneca street, was established by
Smith ft Lapham in 1863 at the corner of Seneca & Michigan streets;
they remained together until 1880. The firm is now composed of Avery
L. Smith and John B. Weber.
Powell ft Plimpton do a large wholesale grocery trade at 297 to 301
Washington street; as do Wm. Laverack ft Co., 230 Washington street.
Other dealers are Keller & Boiler, 475 Main street, Granger ft Co., 86
Seneca street, John W. Lewis ft Co.. 321 Washington street, Adam
Boeckel, 685 Clinton street, Chas. E. Selkirk, 69 Seneca street. There
are, of course, many other grocers who make wholesaling a portion of
their business, to all of whom it is impossible to refer in this connection.
The wholesale trade in boots and shoes is principally in the hands
of four or five dealers here:— Wm. H. Walker, O. P. Ramsdell, Sweet
& Co., Taber, Hogan ft Co., Alfred B. Chapin and T. H. ft G. W.
C/Aytcn. <^ K^Uz^vn^/^/C'
r
The Wholesale Trade. 265
Graves. Th© manufacturers, who sell the products of their own facto-
ries at wholesale, have been elsewhere referred to. The firm of O. P.
Ramsdell, Sweet & Co., is the successor of the business formerly car-
ried on by Mr. Ramsdell who was first located on Main street, the sec-
ond door above Weed & Co.'s hardware store. W. H. Walker, who
now conducts a very large wholesale trade at Nos. 210 and 212 Main
street, was a clerk in Mr. Ramsdell's store, and was afterwards his part-
ner for about twenty-five years. In 1876 the firm dissolved and |Mr.
Walker began business for himself. The firm of O. P. Ramsdell, Sweet
& Co., is now located at Nos. 215 Washington street, and is comi>osed
of O. P. Ramsdell, T. T. Ramsdell, Wm. C. Sweet, Geo. W. Sweet, Sid-
ney M. Sweet.
Robert Forsyth, 63 Seneca street, established in 1853, does consid-
erable wholesale trade and Alfred B. Chapin, 47 Exchange street, began
jobbing boots and shoes in June, 1883.
The wholesale paper warehouse of Young, Lockwood & Co., was
started in 1839 ^7 Francis Young, brother of C. E. Young, whose name
appears at the head of the present firm name. In 1840 C. E. Young
joined his partner and continued the business until his death in Septem-
ber, 1882. The present proprietorship was begun in 1872, though John
A. Lockwood 's connection with the business dates back as far as 1859.
John C. Adams entered the firm in 1872. The location of the house has
always been within a block of the present establishment, 209 Main
street, where they have been since i860.
The Courier Company is also prominent m the wholesale paper
trade. This company was organized January ist., 1869, with the follow-
ing oflftcers: Joseph Warren, president; James M. Johnson, vice-
president; Milo Stevens, secretary and treasurer. The present officers
and directors are: Chas. W. M'Cune, president and treasurer;
Lucius N. Bangs, vice-president ; James Tillinghast, secretary. Direc-
tors (in addition to the above) Henry Martin and Geo. Bleistine. The
management of the company's affairs is entirely in the hands of Mr.
M'Cune. The company is proprietor of the Daily Courier, the Evening
Republic, and the Weekly Courier. In addition to this business every-
thing known to the art of printing, except steel engraving, is done by
the company, embracing the largest show-printing establishment in the
world. Their wholesale trade in paper stock of all kinds is very large.
About six hundred men are employed in all departments of the estab-
lishment, and three large buildings, all six stories in height, are occupied
by the company.
In this connection it is proper to mention the large lithographing,
engraving and printing establishments of Gies & Co., 338 and 340 Wash-
ington street, Clay & Richmond, 24 Swan street, and Cosack & Co.,
206 to 210 Exchange street. These are all houses of National reputa-
tion, doing the finest work known in the art.
266 History of Buffalo.
The wholesale trade in crockery is an important interest in BufiFalo
though it is confined to a very limited number of establishments. By far
the most prominent house in the business here, and one of the largest in
the State, is that of W. H. Glenny, Sons & Co., who occupy one of the
finest business blocks in Buffalo, Nos. 253, 255 and 257 Main street, and a
large warehouse on Pearl street. This house was founded by W. H.
Glenny * in 1840, before which time there was very little wholesale trade '
in crockery in the city. The firm was changed to its present style in
1865, the individual members being W. H. Glenny, Bryant B. Glenny,
John C. Glenny and Irwin R. Brayton. Their Main and Washing^n
street establishment is one of the most conspicuous and successful busi-
ness houses in Buffalo.
Matthew O'Neil, 270 and 272 Main street, carries on a large wholesale
trade in crockery ; his business was established in 1862. George E.
Newman, 444 Main street, and E. S. Ferland, 407 Main street, are also
engaged in this line.
The wholesale trade of the city in tobacco and cigars is large as is
also the manufacture of these goods; but the interest is distributed
among so many different hands, especially the manufacture of cigars, that
detailed reference to them is impossible. The wholesale trade is large-
ly in the hands of ten or twelve dealers, prominent among whom are
Henry Breitweiser & Bro., 454 Seneca street who began the manufac-
ture of cigars in 1862 ; the firm of Fuchs Brothers, to whom reference
has already been made in connection with their other business: Granger
& Co., 86 Seneca street ; W. E. Geyer, 198 Pearl street ; Robbins &
EUicott, 178 Seneca street; Upper &. Donavan 92 Commercial street;
Frederick Riehl, 166 Seneca street ; George McLeod, 75 Seneca street,
and others.
The manufacture of and wholesale trade in confectionery is a large
interest in Quffalo and dates back to 1845, when James Heth was the
only manufacturer of any importance here ; he was located on Com-
mercial street, near the liberty pole. John Benson began candy making
about 1849 on Main street, opposite the liberty pole. In those days, and
for some time after, only the common kinds of confectionery were made
here. In Benson's employ at an early day was a young man named Henry
Heame, who, when he had mastered all the details of the business,
started for himself in 1864. He first located in the Tifft block; from
there he removed to Seneca street, opposite the old Franklin House, and
in 1869 built the structure in which he now carries on a large business at
no Seneca street; he was the first to employ steam in confectionery
manufacture in the city.
The firm of Sibley & Holmwood began manufacturing confection-
ery on a large scale at 117 and 119 Seneca street, in 1873 ; they employ
• See biognphicml sketch of the late W. H. Glenny in tubtequent pages.
The Wholesale Trade. 267
steam. James Lutted and O. Gimmer manufactured confectionery as
early as 1856. The firm subsequently dissolved and Mr. Lutted now
carries on the business at 301 Main street.
The firm of Barnes & Swift, 78 Seneca street, do a wholesale trade
in confectionery. The firm was formerly Menker & Barnes. H. A.
Menker withdrew from it and established himself in the same trade at
No. 565 Main street. In January, 1883, his brother came into the busi-
ness, and the firm is now H. A. & J. C. Menker. E. Menker, Son & Co.,
also carry on the manufacture of confectionery in connection with a job-
bing business at 450 Main street. This comprises most of the wholesale
business of the city in this line except what is done in a small way by
the principal retail dealers.
The wholesale liquor interest of Buffalo is an important one and is
mainly the growth of the past twenty years. It is chiefly distributed
through the hands of about a dozen leading dealers, though there are
more than fifty who sell liquors or wines at wholesale to some extent,
many of them in connection with the wholesale grocery or drug trade ;
some of these have already been mentioned. There is not now very
much distilling of spirits in the city outside of the establishment of E. N.
Cook & Co., 32 Main street. Their business was begun in the spring ot
1876 by Gustav Fleischman, now a member of the firm ; the distillery is
on Spring street near Broadway. The firm was made E. N. Cook & Co.,
in 1879 2ind the Main street store opened. The distillery formerly man-
aged by G. & T. Farthing was purchased, increasing the capacity from
four hundred bushels to one thousand two hundred bushels per day.
The house makes a specialty of straight rye whiskies and g^n. Thomas
Clark,* (deceased,) founded the Red Jacket distillery in 1848 and began
the manufacture of alcohol and cologne spirits. The office and rectify-
ing department of this establishment are on the comer of Washington
and Perry streets ; the distillery, malt-house, store-house, etc., are on
Seneca street. In distilling, rectifying and compounding liquors are also
engaged Jay Pettibone & Co., 50 Lloyd street ; Henry T. Gillett & Sonst
26 Lloyd street, and one or two others. Among the principal whole-
salers of liquors are John R. Fero, 7 and 9 Quay street; Charles F.
Nagel & Co., 10 Pearl street, established in 1864, — this firm is now com-
posed of Charles F. Nagel, Jacob Dilcher and Louis Nagel ; Charles L.
Abel, 16 Ohio street, one of the oldest houses in the city in this business ;
A. T. Kerr& Co., 99 Seneca street, established in 1859 1 Charles Person,
392 Elm street; E. C. Cochrane, 474 Main street, established in 1863;
August Baetzhold, 567 to 571 Michigan street; John C. Eagan, 81 Sen-
eca street; S. F. Eagan, 133 Seneca street and others.
The wholesale hat, cap and fur trade of Buffalo is in the hands of
a half dozen dealers and dates back to 1830 or earlier. We find in the
*See biographicml sketch in later page.
268 History of Buffalo.
city directory of 1832, the announcement of Tweedy & Ketchum, who
have "opened a hat store at No. 177 Main street, three doors below the
BufiFalo House, where they will ofiFer a general assortment of hats of their
own manufacture at wholesale and retail." Mr. Tweedy is still in the
same business in the city, at 217 Main street. His partner in the first
store was Lewis Ketchum. C. Georger began the business on Genesee
street, in 1845 ; since 1866 this firm has been C. & F. Georger; their
location is now 508 Main street. The house of Chase & Comstock is
descended from one of the oldest firms in this line of business in the city ;
the firm is now composed of John L. Chase and George W. Comstock ;
they are located at 249 Main street. The business of Stafford, Faul & Co.,
271 Main street, was established by Sirret & Stafford in 1871 and was
changed to its present form in 1878. The firm is now comi>osed of R.
Stafford, C. Faul and W. J. Mann. J. E. Pergtold and L. Israel also do
some wholesale trade in this line ; the former is at 293 Main street, and
the latter at 26 Union street.
Buffalo Hotels.
The business interests of the city would not be adequately described
without some reference to the hotels, which are intimately associated
with the prosperity of the place. There are about forty hotels of all kinds
in the city, among them being several that compare favorably in all re-
spects with the best in the country, in cities the size of Buffalo. Such are
the Tifft House, the Genesee, the Mansion House and others. The Tifft
House was erected in 1863, by the late George W. Tifft, and has been
under the proprietorship of Messrs. E. D. Tuthill & Son since 1873. The
Mansion House has often been referred to in this work as the successor of
Landon's Tavern, one of the oldest hostelries in the city. It has recently
been greatly enlarged and has been under the management of R. F.
Stafford and H. P. Whitaker since March ist, 1882. " The Genesee" was
built by Dr. Charles Cary and was finished and opened in the fall of 1882.
The proprietors are Harris & Losekam, who also conduct the Clarendon
Hotel, at Saratoga Springs. The Genesee is one of the largest and best
appointed hotels in Western New York : it is kept on both the European
and American plans.
The Continental Hotel was first opened about 1850, under the name
of the Wadsworth House. The part known as the Exchange Hotel was
burned and rebuilt in the spring of 1867, when it was opened as the Con-
tinental. The present proprietor of the house took it in January, 1874.
The Broezel House was built by John Broezel in 1875 who has con-
• ducted It, either alone or with his son, John Broezel, Jr., since.
Among the more prominent other public houses are the United
States Hotel on the Terrace ; the Bonney House, corner of Washington
and Carroll streets; the National Hotel, opposite the Central depot;
Graener's Hotel, 20 East Huron street.
^ ^-^ f-^ c/^ ^-^ ^5^
^
Y^^ -'/z;^^
'^>
The Insurance Interest. 269
CHAPTER X.
INSITRANCE CDMPANIES DF BUFFALO.
Magnitude of the Insmanoe Business — The First Company in Boffalo — Its Officers and Changes —
Some of iU First Policies — The '* Mutual Insurance Company of Bu£falo " — The Second
Local Company — The *' Western Insurance Company of Buffalo" — Companies Organised
in Buffalo and now in ]£zistence — The German Insurance Compuiy — Its Unqualified Suc-
cess— Its Magnificent Building — The '* Union Fire Insurance Company of Buffalo " —The
"Erie County Mutual Insurance Company" — The "Buffalo Insurance Company" — Gen-
eral Insurance Interests of the City.
THE business of insurance of property against destruction by the
elements, forms one of the most gigantic financial interests in the
country. From almost the first settlement of Buffalo, after the
burning of the village in i8i3-'i4, down to the present time, this great
interest has been honorably and efficiently represented in the city.
In the year 18 19, the Legislature of the State granted a charter to
the Western Insurance Company of the village of Buffalo, for fire and
marine insurance. Owing to the stringency in all financial matters dur-
ing that and the few succeeding years, nothing was done under this
charter until 1825, when Jacob Barker, of the city of New York, pur-
chased the charter and opened the first insurance office in Buffalo.
Isaac S. Smith was the first secretary of the company, and Captain Will-
iam P. Miller was first president. In April, 1827, Mr. Smith resigned
the office of secretary, and Lewis F. Allen,* who now resides in the city,
came on from New York city and accepted the position. In 1828, Cap-
tain Miller also resigned the presidency, and Charles Townsend was
elected to the office. The capital of this company was $100,000, and it
did a good business during its existence, considering the size of the
place. The charter of this company expired in 1830 and its affairs were
wound up.
In the legislative session of the winter of 1 829-* 30, was granted a
charter which was prepared by Lewis F. Allen, for The Buffalo Fire
and Marine Insurance Company, with a capital of $100,000. This
company was incorporated April i, 1830. Charles Townsend was made
its president. The capital stock was mostly taken by the citizens of
Buffalo.
The first policy issued by this company was upon the furniture of
William Ruxton, for $500 ; its cost to him for one year was $4.25. Other
policies followed to Manly Colton, on a two-story house on Main street ;
on a bam on the comer of Pearl and Tupper streets, to Wray S. Little-
field ; to Seth Grosvenor, on a two-story dwelling occupied by S. K.
* See biographical sketch in sabseqaent pages.
270 History of Buffalo.
Grosvenor, on the west side of Pearl street ; to William Ketcbum, on a
two-story house on the north side of Seneca street ; to William Ketchum
& Co., on a stock of hats and caps in a store on Main street ; to Bryant
Bur well, on a two-story house on the west side of Pearl street, '' near the
Episcopal church ; " to Nathaniel Wilgus, on a two-story dwelling on the
east side of Washington street, near the comer of Eagle street; to
Horatio Shumway, Simeon Francis, Guy H. Goodrich, Pierre A. Bar--
ker, Russell H. Heywood, on cargoes and vessels.
R. H. Heywood and Horatio Shumway were presidents of this com-
pany at difiPerent periods, and Lucius Storrs was its secretary for a
number of years. A large business was done and its losses were always
paid promptly and satisfactorily. In 1844 an efiPort was made to engratt
upon the stock plan the mutual insurance principle ; this e£Fort failed of
success and other companies, vigorously and successfully managed, were
organized, which came into direct competition with the BufiPalo Insur-
ance Company. It closed business in April, 1849, having ceased marine
insurance the previous year.
In the year 1842, Lewis F. Allen, who appears to have been chiefly
instrumental in the formation of the early insurance companies of the
city, obtained a charter for the Mutual Insurance Company of Buffalo.
G. B. Rich was made president of the company, and Walter Joy, vice-
president; Oliver Lee was given the office of treasurer, while the
secretaryship was tendered to Mr. Allen ; but he declined it and Samuel
T. Atwater accepted the position. The trustees were Philo Durfee,
Heman B. Potter, Rufus C. Palmer, E. G. Spaulding, James C. Evans,
Walter Joy, S. S. Jewett, O. G. Steele, Samuel W. Hawes, Gains B.
Rich, John D. Shepard, S. F. Pratt, Jason Sexton, Thomas J. Dudley,
William A. Bird, Ralph Plumb, Henry M. Kinne, George Coit, A. R.
Cobb, Robert Hollister, Harry B. Ransom, Harry Thompson, Richard
L. Allen and Carlos Emmons.
This company was organized without capital ; the books were to be
opened for business and when approved applications for insurance were
received to the amount of $100,000, the organization was to be perfected.
Applications on hulls of vessels were promptly made for the stipulated
amount, and the company was accordingly organized. The first twelve
policies issued were to John Aublett, E. G. Spaulding (2), Gains B. Rich,
Henry Wells, Robert Hatfield, Thomas M. Foote, Philo Durfee, Smed-
ley & Marcy, Baker & Pease, Judson Harmon, O. G. Steele.
Some doubt having been expressed as to the company being able to
pay possible losses, eight of the directors loaned their notes for $5,000
each, secured by bond and mortgage, at five per cent, interest This
indebtedness was cancelled by payment of the notes, with five per cent,
interest the first year, and three per cent, the two following years. The
company was very successful and enjoyed a high reputation in all of the
towns along the lakes for prompt payment and fair dealing.
Local Insurance Companies. 271
Mr. Rich resigned the presidency of this company in 1847 and A.
A. Eustaphieve took the office. He resigned in the spring of 1863, and
was succeeded by J. S. Weatherly. This company changed its character
to a stock company and its name to the Buffalo Fire and Marine Insur-
ance Company. It suspended business through heavy losses incurred in
the Chicago fire of 1871.
In April, 1842, a charter similar to that of the Mutual Insurance Com-
pany of Buffalo, was granted to the Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company
of New York City. It is mentioned here from the fact that it immediately
solicited business in Buffalo and other interior cities, and was immensely
successful. Its career has been referred to by excellent authority as
" unparalleled in marine underwriting in the world."
The next local insurance company was the Farmers* Mutual Insur-
ance Company of Erie county. This company was incorporated May
14, 1845 ; Thomas C. Love was the first president, and Richard L. Allen,
secretary. The company did a comparatively small, but a safe business.
The Merchants' Mutual Insurance Company was organized under
the State law in i849-'5o, beginning business in the latter year. It was
prosperous for a short period, but suffered heavy losses and finally sus-
pended.
The Western Insurance Company of Buffalo was organized under
the general law in 1862. Its corporators were : John L. Kimberly, Henry
Martin, A. J. Rich, Geo. C. White. H. E. Howard, P. L. Sternberg,
Wm. O. Brown, Oscar Cobb, John G. Deshler, Jason Parker, Thomas
Clark, Dean Richmond, Elijah P. Williams, Wm. G. Fargo, David N.
Tuttle and S. V. R. Watson. Dean Richmond was made president
of the company, Gibson T. Williams, vice-president, and Joseph String-
ham, secretary. The capital of the company was placed at $150,000,
which was subsequently increased to $200,000 and again to 300,000.
This was probably the most successful and strongest insurance com-
pany, all things considered, that was ever organized in Buffalo. The
premium receipts grew from 50,000 in 1862, to 563,000 in 1868. During
its operations of nine years, it received nearly $4,000,000, while it paid
out for losses and expenses about $3,000,000. It did a very large fire
and inland marine business.
The Buffalo City Insurance Company began business on the ist of
May, 1867. The officers of the company were: Wm. G. Fargo, Presi-
dent ; A. Reynolds, Vice-President ; Henry T. Smith, Secretary, with a
board of twenty-eight directors. The capital of the company was
$200,000, which was afterwards increased to $300,000. The business of
this institution seems to have been largely under the control of Mr.
Reynolds during the first four years and to have been successfully man-
aged. During that period forty-five per cent, of the capital was paid
in dividends and it was then a very prosperous organization. Mr. Rey-
272 History of Buffalo.
nolds left the company in the spring of 1871 ; there was then a surplus
of about $100,000. Mr. P. S. Marsh was elected in place of Mr, Rey-
nolds, and in the fall of 1871, owing chiefly to heavy losses in the great
Chicago fire, the . company suspended. The first policy issued by the
BufiFalo City Insurance Company, was for $5,000, on the Central Presby-
terian church ; it was dated May i, 1867.
There are four insurance companies now doing business in Buffalo
which were organized here, all of which have had successful and hon-
orable careers. The Buffalo German Insurance Company is one of the
most successful institutions of the kind in the whole country. It was
chartered and incorporated on the 15th of February, 1867, with $100,-
000 capital. The first officers of the company were : E. G. Grey, Presi-
dent ; Philip Becker, Vice-President ; Alexander Martin, Secretary.
The first board of directors were Philip Becker, E. G. Grey, F. C.
Brunck, Jacob Dold, Julius Fuchs, Solomon Scheu, Andrew Grass, F.
A. Georger, John Hauenstein, Wm. Hellriegel, Stephen Bettinger, O.
J. Eggert, H. Schanzlin, Paul Goembel, Jacob Hiemez, Philip Houck,
Nicholas Ottenot, Henrj- C. Persch, J. F. Schoellkopf, Albert Ziegele.
This is one of the few companies doing business in the State under
what is known as the surplus law. This law gives fire insurance com-
panies the privilege of limiting dividends to stockholders to seven per
cent, per annum on the capital and earned surplus. The profits in
excess of such dividend is divided into two funds known as the guar-
antee surplus fund and the special reserve fund. The first named fund
is liable, with the capital, for the payment of all losses by extraordinary
conflagrations, while the special reserve fund would be used for the
payment of other policy-holders who might suffer subsequent fire losses,
without tedious delay. This plan places the company upon a basis of
unquestioned security and has rendered it very popular with property
owners.
So great has been the success of the Buffalo German Insurance
Company that it found itself in position previous to the year 1876. to
erect one of the handsomest and costliest structures in the entire city —
the splendid building standing on the comer of Main street and Lafay-
ette Square. It is an iron structure of symmetrical design and elegant in
architecture, costing, with the ground on which it stands, $275,000. In
this building are located the offices of the company, the German Bank
of Buffalo, and many other offices. The present officers and directors
of the company are as follows: — Philip Becker, President; Julius
Fuchs, Vice-President ; Oliver J. Eggert, Secretary ; Frederick C. Haupt,
Assistant Secretary; George A. Reinhardt, General Agent; Chas. A,
Georger, Special Agent. Directors: — Louis P. Adolff, Philip Becker,
F. C. Brunck, Charles Boiler, Adam Cornelius, John P. Diehl, Jacob
Dold, Julius Fuchs, F. A. Georger, George Goetz, E. G. Grey, John
Local Insurance Companies. 273
Hauenstein, William Hellriegel, Jacob Hiemenz, Philip Houck, Michael
Mesmer, Nicholas Ottenot, Henry C. Persch, J. F. Schoellkopf, Albert
Ziegele.
The Union Fire Insurance Company was incorporated in Buffalo,
in 1874, with a capital of $100,000. The first board of directors were
as follows: — Joseph Churchyard, President; Joseph Bork, Vice-Presi-
dent; Simon Bergman, Michael Doll, Joseph A. Dingens, Jacob P.
Fisher, Jacob A. Gittere, Henry Garono, Henry Hellriegel, Joseph L.
Haberstro, Henry D. Keller, John Kelly, Jr., Pascal P. Pratt, John
Henry Smith, George Sandrock, E. G. Spaulding, William Scheu,
Joseph W. Smith, Arnold Weppner, George Zeiler, George W. Zink.
Alexander Martin has occupied the office of secretary since the incor-
poration of the company.
The capital of this company was paid in cash and business begun
by it as a stock company. It has met with excellent success in all
respects. The present officers of the company are : — Joseph Churchyard,
President; Henry Hellriegel, Vice-President; Alexander Martin, Sec-
retary. The directors are as follows: — Joseph Churchyard, President;
William Cochrane, Jacob P. Fisher, Charles Georger, Henry Garono, H.
Hellriegel, Jos. L. Haberstro, Edward Heron, Robert Keating, Alexan-
der Martin, Paiscal P. Pratt, Frederick Persch, George Sandrock,
Thomas P. Sears, E. G. Spaulding, William Scheu, Henry M. Watson,
Arnold Weppner, Dr. WiUiam Volker, George Zeiler. G. Frederick
Zeiler. The offices of this company are located at 426 Main street.
The Erie County Mutual Insurance Company Avas incorporated
March 14, 1874. John P. Einsfield was the first president; John G.
Lengner, the first vice-president, and M. Leo Ritt, the first secretary.
The capital was $100,000, with 20 per cent, paid in. The business of
the company is fire insurance only. The present officers are : — August
Beck, President; Wm. Henrich, Vice-President; Joseph Timmerman,
Secretary. Trustees: August Beck, Casper J. Drescher, Louis Freund,
Peter Frank, Emil Gentsch, Ambrose Hertkorn, Wm. Henrich, Chas.
Hammerschmidt, John A. Miller, Louis Rodenbach, Sebastian Schwabl,
Ambrose Spitzmiller, Pliilip Steingoetter, Frederick Wagner and G.
Frederick Zeiler.
The Buffalo Insurance Company was organized in July, 1874, and is
second in importance and business in the city only to the German Insur-
ance Company. Its first officers were: P. P. Pratt, President; James
D. Sawyer, Vice-President; Edward B. Smith, Secretary and Seneca A.
Clark, Assistant Secretary. The original board of directors were:
James G. Forsyth, Solomon Drullard, A. P. Wright, P. S. Marsh,
Edward L. Stevenson, S. K. Worthington, and Henry C. Winslow,
The capital of the company Avas placed at $200,000, and has remained
so since. The capital is invested entirely in United States government
274 History of Buffalo.
bonds and the balance of its assets consists principally of cash in banks.
The amount of premiums received by the company in 1874, the first
year of its existence, was $90,000. In 1882 the amount had increased to
$115,000. The total amount of premiums received is $1,318,000. Total
amount of losses, $917,700. The company has now about thirty agencies,
all located in this country. The present officers of the company are :
P. P. Pratt, President ; Jewett M. Richmond, Vice-President ; Edward
B. Smith, Secretary, ^nd Townsend Davis, Assistant Secretary. Office,
200 Main street.
The general insurance interests of Buffalo are well represented by
numerous agencies some of which are so extensive in their operations
and control the business of such strong companies that they may be
briefly referred to as a prominent feature of the business of the city.
The handsome offices of Smith & Davis are located at No. 200 Main
street. The reader has already learned that Mr. Smith is now and for
many years has been prominent in the insurance business of Buffalo.
The firm was formed in 1870 and besides doing a very heavy fire insur-
ance business, have also the largest lake business of any agency in the
United States.
The insurance firm of Fish & Armstrong, No. 56 Main street, was
formed in 1861 and does a very large business which extends from New
York to Chicago, on the canal and lakes. The firm has remained as it
now is since its first formation, with the exception of a short time in 1873,
when it was styled Fish, Armstrong & Co.; the present offices have
always been occupied by the firm. The individual members of the firm
are S. H. Fish and C B. Armstrong.
Worthington & Sill, No, 46 Main street, established in 1868, are one
of the leading insurance firms in the city ; they have offices also at 16
Central Wharf. They occupied their present commodious offices in the
spring of 1871, the offices having been fitted up by the Western Insure
ance Company ; they will soon remove to still more elegant quarters on
the ground floor of the new Board of Trade Building. The firm do both
fire and marine insurance. The firm is composed of Henry S. Sill and
C. G. Worthington.
Flint & Dorr are a strong firm which has existed in its present form
since 1881 ; but the business of the agency was formerly in the hands of
Captain E. P. Dorr, who died in March, 1881. He was one of the most
prominent men in the business here for many years.
There are many other insurance agencies in Buffalo that transact
considerable business, and over fifty agencies of all classes. Among those
who have been in the business for many years, besides those already
referred to, may be mentioned Nathaniel Hall, an insurance agent of
more than forty years experience in Buffalo ; O. T. Flint, of the firm of
Flint & Dorr, has been engaged in the business since 1852, and others.
The Churches of Buffalo. 275
On the 7th of October, 1856, a local Board of Underwriters was
organized in BufiFalo for the first time. Its officers were A. A. Eusta-
phieve, Presi,dent ; Edward Brewster, Vice-President ; William Lover-
ing, Jr., Secretary and Treasurer. Ten years later, a new board was
organized with E. P. Dorr as President ; E. B. Smith, Vice-President ;
D. V. Benedict, Secretary and Treasurer. From that time to the pres-
ent, except at comparatively brief intervals, a local board has been in
existence in the city.
The Buffalo Association of Fire Underwriters, as at present exist-
ing, was organized in the fall of 1879. Fo*" a period preceding that time,
losses by fire had been unusually heavy, not only in this city, but
throughout the country, and it became necessary to obtain higher rates
for insurance ; this organization was the result. The Association was
formally incorporated in 1881. The officers are: — C. B. Armstrong,
President (since organization) ; Alexander Martin, Vice-President ; C. H.
Woodworth, Secretary (since organization) ; L. T. Kimball, Treasurer.
CHAPTER XL
THE CHURCHES DF BITFFALD.
The First Preacherin Buffalo— Early Missionary Work — The First Buffalo Charch Society — The
First Church Building — Organization of the First Presbyterian Society — Names of the Mem-
bers— History of the Church — Other Presbyterian Churches — Their Pastors and Officers —
Episcopal Churches of Buffalo— -History of St. Paul's— Other societies of this Denomi-
nation—The First Baptist Church and its Successors — Separate Church Societies — Catholic
Churches ^ The Israelites and their Religious Societies.
THE first preacher in Buffalo was undoubtedly the Rev. Elkanah
Holmes, who was sent to the Seneca Indians by the New York
Missionary Society, and " preached to the inhabitants of New
Amsterdam." Meetings were held at irregular intervals in private
houses and in the school-house, after it was built in iSoS-'oq. A son of
Rev. Mr. Holmes married a daughter of Dr. Cyrenius Chapin, the con-
spicuous Buffalo pioneer. Other missionaries followed Rev. Mr. Holmes
to labor among the Indians, and occasionally preached in Buffalo.
Turner is authority for the statement that a Methodist church society
was founded in Buffalo in 1809, under direction of Rev. James Mitchell,
but "it had no permanent organization ;*' it was re-organized in i8i8, his
" primitive materials being eight persons who * called themselves Metho-
dists, mostly transient and poor.*" In January, 18 19, the society had
276 History of Buffalo.
erected a small church, twenty-five by thirty-five feet, on Pearl street,
nearly opposite the present site of the First Presbyterian church ; that
was the first church building erected in BufiFalo ; it was built in forty-
eight days and was dedicated January 24, 18 19, the Rev. Glezen Fill-
more officiating; he was one of the most conspicuous preachers in
BufiFalo in early days.
The best available authorities give the date of the formation of the
first permanent church Organization in BufiFalo as towards the last of the
year 1809; the society was composed of Congregationalists and Presby-
terians. The formation of this society is placed by some authorities as
late as 181 2 ; but it was undoubtedly earlier, being followed at the latter
date by the formation of the First Presbyterian society. The pioneer
society was organized by Rev. Thaddeus Osgood, an itinerant minister ;
the members were Mrs. Landon, Nathaniel Sill and wife, Mrs. Mather,
Mrs. Pratt and a young man whose name is not known.
The First Presbyterian Church Society was organized on the 2d day of
February, 1812. Its original membership numbered twenty-nine. Their
names were as follows : — Jabez B. Hyde and his wife Rusha Hyde, Saip-
uel Atkins and his wife Anna Atkins, John J. Seeley and his wife Eliza-
beth Seeley, Stephen Franklin and his wife Sarah Franklin, Amos
Callender (ruling elder) and his wife Rebecca Callender, Comfort Lan-
don, Esther Pratt, Jabez Goodell, (ruling elder), Nancy Hull, Ruth Fos-
ter, Keziah Cotton, Nathaniel Sill (ruling elder) and his wife Keziah
Sill, Keziah Holt, Nancy Mather, Sally Haddock, Henry Woodworth,
Nancy Harvey, Sophia Gillett, Sophia Bull, Mary Holbrook, Betsey
Atkins, Lois Curtiss, Sarah Hoisington. For nearly four years from its
start, it bore the title of the First Congregational and Presbyterian Church
of BufiFalo. At the end of that period, however, the name was changed by
the unanimous vote of the society to its present form. The infant church
sufiFered even more than others of its kind from the vicissitudes and perils
of the war then waging. After the burning of the village in December,
181 3, the meetings which had been theretofore held in the old court
house were interrupted for nearly three years. May 3, 18 16, in a
barn on the north-east corner of Main and Genesee street, the Rev. Miles
P. Squier, a young man from Vermont and student from Andover, was
installed in the pastorate of the first church, with a salary of $1,000.
Here services were held once a week or oftener until May, 1823, when a
building was erected on the site of the present structure at a cost of
$874. By 1828 the congregation had outgrown their house and it was
sold to the Methodists, who moved it to Niagara street ; they, in turn,
transferred it to a German congregation by whom it was removed to
Genesee street. Its religious usefulness having seemingly died out it was
finally made an ice-house for the supply of a brewery and was taken to
Walnut street where it remained until 1 882. During that year it was burned
The Churches of Buffalo. 277
to the gp'ound. The Presbyterians soon raised a fund sufficient to build
a new house ot worship and on the 28th day of March, 1827, a new
church edifice was dedicated, it having been constructed at an expense
of $i7i5oo. Mr. Squier relinquished his post January i, 1824, having
increased the membership of the society to 120. Experience had shown
that it was impracticable to pay any pastor a salary of $1,000 at that
time, and consequently the second pastor of the church, the Rev. Gilbert
Crawford, who succeeded Mr. Squier in May, 1824, was secured for |6oo.
In February, 1829, the Rev. Sylvester Eaton assumed the pastorate at a
salary of $800. The remaining pastors of the church up to the present
time have been as follows: — Asa T. Hopkins, installed February 17,
1836; M. L. R, Thompson, November, 1848; Walter Clarke, D. D.,
April, 1864; David R. Frasier, 1872; and the present incumbent, Rev.
Samuel S. Mitchell, D. D., November ist, 1880. Rev. Mr. Hopkins and
Dr. Clarke both continued their pastorates until they died, the former,
November 27, 1847, and the latter May 23, 1872. The building now
used by the congregation has undergone no material change since its
erection except that during Dr. Clarke^s administration the modern
style of pulpit was substituted for the high pulpit before used.
Lafayette Street Presbyterian Church, — The society of the Lafayette
Street Church was organized July 13, 1845, under the name of the Park
Church Society, by the election of the following named persons to con-
stitute a board of trustees : — Reuben B. Heacock, George Kibbe, N. B.
Palmer, C. A. Van Slyke, Orrin Edgarton, Lovel Kimball, George How-
ard and T.-J. Winslow. The board was organized August i, 1845, by
the election of the first three named respectively as president, clerk and
treasurer. This organization was Congregational in its polity. October
I, 1845, application was made through a committee to the presbytery to
constitute a church in the place of the Park Church, to be known as the
Lafayette Street Church, which was accordingly done on the i6th of the
same month. The original members numbered but thirty, although at
the first communion following, most of the members of the extinct Park
Church joined it by letter. Messrs. Abner Bryant and Dwight Needham
were the first elders. On the 19th of October, 1845, ^he Rev. Grosvenor
W- Heacock was installed in the pastorate at a salary of $600. Services
were then, and had been for about six months previously, held in the
building known as the Park church. This edifice burned March 11,
1850, but was immediately re-built. The lot fronting thirty-five feet on
Washington street was bought in the spring of 1861. The present struc-
ture was erected in 1862, at a cost of about $25,000, five feet having been
added to the lot facing Washington street. In February, 1868, a new
organ was purchased for $3,000. June 8, 1870, witnessed the celebra-
tion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of Dr. Heacock's pastorate. During
the twenty months intervening between November, 1872, and May, 1874,
2jt WlSZ^jK-i OF BVFTALO.
t'/e V.*rf. C P. H. Nason fc.Ied the Tacancr caused bj Dr. Heacock*s
avv^^>e ;r» Europe. In November, 1^76, after a ministerial career erf
tr,irty-orje jear%, devoted entirely to the veliare of the Lafayette Street
0,-.ircb, the Rev. Dr. Heacock relinquished active work. On the 6th
day of May^ 1^77, after a long and painful illness, he died. His life was
corripJetely identified with the history of the city. He was bom here
A'Jiitnt 3, tH2t ; he was the fifth son of Reuben B. and Abby P. Heacock,
t^ie latter being the sister of Seth Grosvenor, of New York, the founder
fA the Or'-z^venor Library. In 1840, he was graduated from the Western
R^.%crvt C^Ahgtf and in 1844 from Auburn Theological Seminary. His
fir%t V!rrmon wai^ preached in the old Park church June 8, 1845. On June
13, 1848^ he married Miss Nancy Rice Stone, daughter of Jesse Stone,
Uirmtrly of Brrx>klyn.
f .^n Sunday, October 7, 1877, the Rev. Henry M. Parsons, of Boston,
Ma%v, Slaving signified his acceptance of a call, began his engagement by
officiating in this church at communion service. He was installed Novem-
t/er t, and remained about a year and a half; he was dismissed November
I, 1880. From then until October, 1881, the pulpit was vacant. Septem-
ber 6, 1881, the Rev. Rufus S. Green was called from a pastorate in
Morristown, N. J., and having accepted, began his labors October 23,
1881. He was installed November ist Before Mr. Green's arrival about
tS/yx; was expended in improvements. There are now four hundred
and one members in the church and about two hundred and twenty-five
in the Sunday school, the latter being superintended by George L. Lewis.
The Milnor Street Sunday School, a branch of the work of this church,
and undoubtedly the largest Sunday school in the city, has now about
one thousand members. The average attendance for 1882 was six hun-
dred and seventy-seven. Its superintendent is John Gowans. The fol-
lowing are the present church officers: — pastor, Rev. Rufus S. Green,
I). I). ; ruling ciders, Charles H. Baker, Charles G. Brundige, James
W. Bixby, Samuel N. Lawrence, John Otto, George R. Stern ; dea-
cons, George L. Lewis, Leonard B. Perry, Albert W. Shaw, Byron H.
Westcott, Edward L. Chichester, Augustus M. Westfall; trustees,
Loren L. Lewis, Alexander Brush, Willard W. Brown, Joseph P. Dud-
ley, John Gowans, Cornelius M. Horton, Henry Childs, Alexander Mel-
drum, Edwin Sikes.
77// Central Presbyterian Church. — The Central Presbyterian Church
of Buffalo, was organized by the presbytery of Buffalo on the 14th day of
November, 1835, under the title of the Pearl Street Presbyterian Church,
its charter membership numbering thirty-three. The first officers were
Messrs. James L Baldwin, Reuben H. Heacock, Aldcn S. Sprague,
George Stowe, Daniel R. Hamlin, James Cooper, H. H. Reynolds and
W. G. Miller, none of whom are now living. They called to the pastor-
ate Rev. John C. Lord, of Geneseo, who, prior to his study of divin-
The Churches of Buffalo. 279
ity had been a prominent member of the bar of Buffalo, and had been
elected to judicial trusts. In 1836 they completed a church edifice at a
cost of $35,000 on the northwest corner of Pearl and Genesee streets. By
a unanimous resolution in 1842, they expressed their adherence to the
General Assembly of the Presbyterian church of the United States, then
designated as the " Old School." In 1848, the society reorganized under
the name of the Central Presbyterian Church, and determined to rebuild
on the opposite, (northeast) corner ; they erected a building with a seat-
ing capacity of two thousand. The dedication of the new structure took
place in 1852. In 1870 a co-pastorate was added and the Rev. A. L. Ben-
ton, of Lima, N. Y., was called. He remained until 1872, when he accept-
ed a call from the Presbyterian church of Fredonia, N. Y. Dr. Lord,
after nearly forty years of successful pastoral work, offered his resigna-
tion in September, 1873. He was succeeded by the Rev. Charles Wood,
of Princeton Seminary, who remained until 1878, when he decided
upon making a study, of the mission field by a trip around the world.
The Rev. James McLeod of Batavia, the present pastor, immediately
followed Mr. Wood. The church has always sustained a Sunday
school, the present attendance at which is about two hundred and
twenty-five.
The Westminster Presbyterian Church. — The Westminster Presby-
terian Church was organized September 3, 1854. The society was organ-
ized April II, 1853, the following persons constituting the board of trus-
tees : — Jesse Ketchum, Noyes Darrow, Isaac F. Bryant, James M. Gan-
son, Moses Bristol, Alanson Robinson, William S. Vanduzee, Benjamin
Hodge and Horace Parmelee. The chief projector of this church
was Jesse Ketchum, for a number of years a prominent member
of the First Presbyterian Church. In 1845 Mr. Ketchum bought the
lot on which the Westminster church now stands, at a cost of $1,000.
Two or three years later he built a chapel with another thousand. For
a considerable period all attempts at organization failed, owing to the
scarcity of population in that part of the city. Services were held in the
church until after August, 1850, by the Rev. John Germain Porter, stated
supply, to whom Mr. Ketchum personally paid a salar}^ of $800. In
August, 1850, also, was organized the Delaware Street Sunday school,
with an attendance of six teachers and thirty pupils. On the organ-
ization of the society in April, 1852, $400 was added to the pastor's sal-
ary, and the burden of payment removed from Mr. Ketchum's shoulders.
The church organization was composed of forty members. On June 7,
1857, Mr. Porter having accepted a call to the Union Presbyterian
church of St. Louis, preached his farewell sermon. Rev. James Leonard
Coming, of New York, was installed October, 1857, and remained until
1859. A new church edifice erected in i858-*S9 which cost the congre-
gation $19,200, was dedicated September 22, 1859. The Rev. Dr. Joseph
20
28o History of Buffalo.
H. Towne, from Rochester, began duty on a year's engagement as stated
supply, June i, i860, at a salary of $1,500. In October, 1861, the Rev.
Joel Foote Bingham was installed in the pastorate. His resignation was
accepted November 8, 1867. On the evening of Saturday, September 7,
1867, the church sustained an irreparable loss in the death of Mr.
Ketchum. The Rev. Albert T. Chester, D. D., filled the pulpit as stated
supply from July, 1867, to October, 1868. The next pastor, the Rev.
Erskine Norman Whittf, was installed October 28, 18(58, and was dis-
missed September 29, 1879. ^^ ^^^ ^ mission Sunday school was opened
on the corner of Uticaand Rogers streets (now Richmond Avenue) under
the superintendence of F. N. Jones, and a new chapel built at a cost of
$3,000. In 1873 1^ ^^s turned over to the German Church of St. Lucas
and the building sold to them. In 1874, the organ now in use in the
church was bought for $5,505.56. On September 23, 1874, Dr. White
sent in his resignation, which was accepted, and he was followed in Octo-
tober, 1875, by the Rev. Isaac Riley, who died October 23, 1878. The
present pastor, the Rev. T. Ralston Smith, D. D., was installed July
9, 1879. The trustees are: — George Howard, president; Augustus F.
Tripp,' vice-president; Burdett A. Lynde, secretary; William Perkins,
treasurer; Ralph Plumb, John W. Brush, James B. Holmes, Henry C.
French and Alfred Haynes.
NoriA Presbyterian Church. — In the year 1847 ^he population of Buf-
falo being then 50,000, it was seen that another Presbyterian church was
needed to meet the demands of the growing city. On the 25th of March
in that year, letters of dismission were granted to forty-three members
of the First Presbyterian Church. These were the projectors and organ-
izers of the North Church. The first pastor of the new church, the Rev.
Charles Rich, entered upon the performance of his duties October 3, 1847,
though he was not regularly installed pastor until the following January;
meantime, December 29th, the church edifice was dedicated. The elders
were Messrs. George B. Walbridge, Benjamin Hodge, and Chauncey D.
Cowles, all of whom are dead. The Rev. Mr. Rich remained in his
office but a year and a month. During the summer of 1849, through the
cholera season, the Rev. Joshua Cook filled the pulpit. On December 23,
1849, the Rev. A. T. Chester, D. D., became the regular pastor. An
interval of thirteen months occurred between the close of Dr. Chester's
pastorate in the fall of i860, and the opening of that of his successor,
the Rev. Henry Smith, D. D., February 4, 1862. No fewer than
eleven ministers filled the pulpit during this period. Dr. Smith closed
his labors in the church in September, 1865, and was followed in Novem-
ber, 1866, by the Rev. Wolcott Calkins, who continued in the office
until February 1,1880. On the 22d day of February, 1880, the new
Johnson organ was first used in worship. The present pastor, the Rev.
William S. Hubbell, was installed December i, 1881. The church has
The Churches of Buffalo. 281
established two missions, the Harbor mission, in Dr. Pierce's old dis-
pensary, on the Terrace, and the Eighth Ward mission. Its member-
ship now numbers about five hundred persons.
The Calvary Presbyterian Church. — On the 22d day of February,
i860, this church was organised with a membership of forty-one. The
first elders were Gustavus A. Rogers, M. S. Allen and William R. Allen.
The first deacons were Wm. E. Lyman and Lorenzo Sweet. For nearly
ja year the Rev. Dr. Reed acted as stated supply for the pulpit Then
the Rev. A. T. Chester, D. D., preached for two or three years. The
eiegant church building now used by the congregation was dedicated on
July 8, 1862, both it and the parsonage being a gift of the late George
Palmer. April 16, 1862, is the date pf the incorporation of the society,
under the following named trustees: — ^John McArthur, James Duthie,
John H. Selkirk, for one year ; George B. Ketchum, Lorenzo Sweet and
Alonzo Tanner, lor two years ; John B. Skinner, William E. Lyman and
Sherman S. Rogers, for three years. During the year 1864 the Rev. H.
M. Painter filled the pulpit as stated supply. In April of 1866, however,
the Rev. Alexander McLean was installed as the first pastor and
remained with the church eight years. Rev. William Reed officiated
from June, 1874, until 1881, since which time the church has been with-
out a pastor. There are about one hundred and sixty members in the
church at present. The present board of trustees is constituted of the
following members : — Hon.. Sherman S. Rogers, president ; E. J. Hall^
sccretvy ; John Walls, John J, McArthur, Alonzo Tanner, David S.
Bennett, George N. Prince, Merritt Brooks and Harlow Palmer.
Thi Breckenridge Street Presbyterian Church. — By means of a careful
scrutiny of the fragmentary records of this church the following facts
have been ascertained : It was organized September 18, 183 1, under the
name of the First Presbyterian Church of Black Rock, the meeting being
held in the building now used for worship. The first ruling elders of
the church were : Joseph Sill, James Gdrman and William Davis ; Joseph
Sill also acted as deacon. The names of the Revs. R. G. Murray, Hugh
Hamill and Sylvester Eaton, appear in the records as administering the
sacraments, etc., in 1832. The Rev. J. D. Moore was stated supply in
1840, and closed his labors in this church on March 19, 1843. ^^^ ^^^•
J. C. Lord occasionally administered the sacrament. The Rev. Smith
Sturges was called to the pastorate on December 3, 1845, ^^d was
installed within a month. He was dismissed October 17, 1848. The
Rev J. C. Knappis then mentioned several times as acting as moderator
j^o tern, April 19, 1854, Rev. A. T. Rankin was moderator and continued
his relations with the church until July 15, 1859. In the fall of 1861 the
Rev. William Hall was installed in the pastorate, but his connection with
the work here closed in six months. After Mr. Hall left the Rev. A. T.
Rankin was appointed by a committee of the presbytery to act as mod-
282 History of Buffalo.
erator of the session. An item dated February 9, 1864, states that E. P.
Marvin, who had then been preaching to this congregation for about
two years, was ordained and installed as pastor. In 1866 Rev. A. T.
Rankin is again referred to as pastor. From the early part of 1868 to
1869, the Rev. P. G. Cook held that position. For a brief period in 1870,
the Rev. Anson G. Chester was stated supply. Rev. Ansley D. White
was elected pastor on October 30, 1870. In the summer of 1871 the
property of the church, which had been previously held by a stock
company, was transferred to the congregation and the building was
repaired at a cost of $2,000. In 1871 or 1872, the name of the church
was changed to the Breckenridge Street Presbyterian Church of Buffalo.
On the I ith day of May, 1873, the Rev. William A. Gay, of Winnebago,
Illinois, assumed the duties of the pastorate at a salary of $1,500 a year.
In December, 1882, he resigned and went to Tonawanda. The present
pastor, the Rev. Giles H. Dunning, of Dryden, N. Y., began his labors
here on August i, 1883. There are now one hundred and seventy-two
communicants in the church. The Sunday school, under the superin-
tendence of Russell Weller, has attained a membership of about two
hundred and seventy-five pupils.
The East Presbyterian Church. — In 1864, under the pastorate of the
Rev. Henry Smith, D. D., the North Church employed Rev. Henry
Ward, then a student in the Auburn Theological Seminary, as a city
missionary. On the 29th of May in that year, a mission Sabbath school
was opened on Exchange street near VanRennsselaer street. When Mr.
Ward returned to the seminary A. R. Ketcham became superintendent
of the school and was ably assisted by teachers from the North Church.
On the 22d of February, 1865, a commodious chapel was completed and
occupied on Seneca street, under the supervision of Mr. Ketcham, of the
North Church. Rev. George LeBotilleur, from June to September, 1865;
Rev. Mr. Perry, from September to December, 1865 ; Rev. Robert Proc-
tor, from December, 1863, to December, 1866; and Rev. R. D. McCar-
thy from January, 1867, to May, 1867, were employed in the mission. In
July, 1867, Mr. Ward, upon the invitation of the North Church, again
took charge of the work. Up to this time, besides the Sabbath school, a
Sabbath evening service and a prayer-meeting in the week had been held.
Regular services were now begun and continued. The church was
organized by the presbytery of Buffalo on the 21st of July, 1869, with
sixty-five members, with Rev. Henry Ward as pastor, and Merritt
Brooks and Thomas Olver as elders. The society was organized May
31st, 1 87 1, with Alexander Brush, Joseph N. Mileham and Nicholas
Olver as trustees. The lot on South Division street, near Spring, now
occupied by the church, was purchased, and in September 1872, work
was begun on the building of a church edifice. In 1875, the Seneca
street chapel was sold and the building was completed. The present
The Churches of Buffalo. 283
bouse was first occupied the 14th of November, 1875, and from January,
1876, the church ceased to be a mission and assumed its own support. In
the first year after thfe present house was occupied one hundred and
thirty-nine members were added to this church. The present member-
ship is three hundred and fifty, with about four hundred in the Sabbath
school. A. R. Ketcham, Merritt Brooks, Nicholas Olver, Meyers Gar-
rett, D. W. Carney, with John Shaw, who is now in that position, have
been superintendents of the Sabbath school. Merritt Brooks, Thomas
Olver, Jonathan B. Williams, John Stuart, Duncan Colquhoun, Thomas
Shaw, Henry Thomas, Guy C. Martin, Charles E. Porter, David O. Por-
ter, have been elders, and of them the last six with the pastor, now con-
stitute the church session. The trustees of the society have been Alex-
ander Brush, Joseph N. Mileham. Nicholas Olver, Joseph W. Dennis,
Henry Thomas, John Stewart, Guy C. Martin, W. W. Buffum, Duncan
Colquhoun, C. K. Walrath, J. C. Post, Cyrus Nichols, Theodore R. Hen-
shaw, Frederick Johnson. The last six of these now constitute the board
of trustees.
The West Side Presbyterian CAurcA.— The West Side Presbyterian
Church was organized May 9, 1875, ^° ^ frame chapel on the corner of
Sixth and Maryland streets, which bad been bought several years before
by the First Church and used as a mission chapel. The original member-
ship of the chapel was thirty-three. The first pastor was the Rev. G. G.
Smith; the first elders were William L. Doyle, Edward J. Hingston,
John W. Danforth ; first deacons, George Preisch and John A. Bell.
The Rev. Herbert G. Lord, the present pastor, was called in the latter
part of the year 1877. During the year 1881, the society bought a lot on
the corner of Prospect avenue and Jersej' street, upon which they
subsequently erected a stone edifice worth nearly $20,000. The building
was dedicated Christmas day, 1882. Its present membership is one
hundred and fifty.
We/Is Street Chapel. — The Sunday school from which this body has
grown was organized in August, 1865, in a building called the Soldier's
Rest, on Exchange street. The first superintendent was the Rev. P. G.
Cook, who has up to the present time been the leading spirit in the
work. In 1870 the society removed the building in which they held
services to the southwest corner of Wells and Carroll streets. The
present building, on the northwest corner of Wells and Carroll streets,
was erected in 1872. In February, 1874, Mr. Cook received a written
request from a number of prominent members of the society, urging
the organization of a church, with Mr. Cook as pastor. In March of
the same year the church was organized with forty-five members. The
chapel and site originally cost about $22,000, though the rise in the
value of real property has increased its worth to $35,000. The church
is in a good part of the city to wield a beneficial influence, and has
284 History of Buffalo.
unquestionably contributed not a little to the cause of reformation
where reformation is much needed.
The First United Presbyterian Church. — An organization which might
be called the beginning of this church was effected here in 1835, the Rev.
M. McFinney being settled as pastor. It was then part of the Associ-
ate Reformed Church of America. The society, however, expired in
1840, owing probably to the want of a house of worship. In 1847 meas-
ures for a reorganization were set on foot and on February 28, 1848, the
Asssociate Reformed Church was represented in Buffalo. The first rul-
ing elders were David Boyd and James Duthie. There were thirty-six
charter members. The pulpit was filled by visiting pastors until May^
1850, when the Rev. Clark Kendall was secured and was installed by
the Presbytery of the Lakes, on the 27th of June following. Mr. Kendall
continued his pastorate for twenty-two years. In 1850 the property
now occupied by the church, previously used by a Dutch Reformed
congregation and a Lutheran society was bought for the sum of $5,000.
They immediately removed from the Young Men's Association building
into their new quarters. Some time in 1857 the church in connection
with the general body united with the Associate Church of America,
and was afterwards considered a component unit of the United Presby-
terian Church of North America. In 1867 the society was transferred
to the care of the presbytery of Caledonia. In 1869 a mission chapel
was erected on Hamburg street. The present pastor, the Rev. H. W.
Crabbe, began his labors as successor to Mr. Kendall, on the first Sab-
bath in April, 1873. The Sabbath school is co-eval with the second organ-
ization of the Church.
First Congregational Church, — The First Congregational Church of
Buffalo was organized in May 1880, being composed of a number of the
former members of the Lafayette Street Church. The organization
took place in McArthur's hall, with about ninety members. The first
board of trustees was composed as follows: L. H. Brown, H. D. Dem-
ond, W. M. Knight, R. K. Strickland and Mr. Ketchum. Worship was
held in this hall until about the middle of October, 1881, at which time
the church had increased its membership to about one hundred and fifty.
The church edifice on Niagara Square had just previously been boufi'ht
of the Niagara Square Baptist Society, for $15,250. The building was
also repaired and enlarged at an expense of about $11,000. The Rev.
George B. Stevens, the first pastor, was called about the ist of June, 1880.
He remained until December, 1882. Just before the contemplated dedi-
cation of the newly-purchased edifice, it was damaged by fire and the
dedication delayed until January, 1882. In January, 1883, the Rev.
Frank S. Fitch, the present pastor, was secured at a salary of $2,250.
The corporate society was organized in June, 1880, the first board of
trustees being Wm. G. Bancroft, since deceased, Geo. R. Haynes, Hon.
The Churches of Buffalo. 285
Wm. W. Hammond, Seth L. Mason, Edmund J. Plumley, and Howard
Winship. The only change since made in the board was occasioned by
the death of Mr. Bancroft, Emmor Haines being chosen to fill the
vacancy. The present membership of the Church is about two hundred,
St. Paufs Churchy (Episcopa/.)— This, the mother parish in Buffalo,
was organized February 10, 18 17, the Rev. Samuel Johnston, an Episco-
pal missionary for the district west of the Genesee river, officiating.
The first wardens were Erastus Granger, and Isaac Q. Leake ; the first
vestrymen, Samuel Tupper, Sheldon Thompson, Elias Ransom, John G.
Camp, Henry M. Campbell, John S. Larned, Jonas Harrison and Dr.
Josiah Trowbridge. The first missionary of the parish, the Rev. Wm. A.
Clark, was here in 1819 and 1820. The Rev. Deodatus Babcock fol-
lowed in 1820 to 1824, the Rev. Addison Searle from 1824 to 1828, and
the Rev. Everard Kearney in 1828. On September 13, 1829, the Rev,
Wm. Shelton, the first rector who derived no support from the mission-
ary fund, preached bis first sermon. The church edifice had been built
in 1 8 19. It was a frame building of gothic architecture, erected at a
cost of $5,000; the lot, a gift of the Holland Land Company, is situated
at the junction of Erie, Pearl and Church streets. The Holland Land
Company further granted as a gift to the parish, in 1820, one hundred
acres of land near Lower Black Rock, the proceeds of the sale of which
were used to purchase the lot on Pearl street on which the rectory was
built in 1846, at a cost of $8,000. In 1851, under the administration of
the already venerable Dr. Shelton^ the frame church building was
replaced by the present stone edifice, on the former site. St. Paul's is
considered the cathedral church of the diocese and contains the Bishop's
chair which faces the nave at the entrance of the chancel. The
consecration of this building took place under Bishop DeLancey, Octo-
ber 22, 1 85 1. It was not entirely finished, however, until about 1870.
Its cost has been over $100,000. Dr. Shelton resigned tbe rectorship,
and was made honorary rector on January 11, 1881, having acted as rec-
tor for this church over fifty-one years. He was at the time of his death,
October 1 1, 1883, the clergyman ot the longest standing of any in the city.
He was succeeded by the Rev. John W. Brown, D. D., March 31, 1882,
who assumed his labors on May 7th, following. St. Paul's parish is free
from debt.
5/ James Churchy {Episcopal), — This parish was organized and the
church incorporated April 17, 1854. The Rev. J. T. Eaton was chosen
rector. Nelson James and John Lewis were the first wardens. Mr.
Eaton remained in charge about two years. The Rev. L. S. Stevens
was called in July or August of 1856, and continued for about ten years.
The Rev. Geo. C. Pennel was called March i, 1857, and resigned
November 28, 1868. The Rev. Theodore M. Bishop was made rector
March i, 1869, and resigned in the early part of 1874. He was suc-
ceeded by the Rev. Henry S. Dennis in April, 1874, who resigned Octo-
286 History of Buffalo.
ber, 1875. The Rev. Chas. H. Smith, the present rector, took charge
January ist, 1876. A new house of worship is now building, on the site
of the old church, on the comer of Swan and Spring streets. The cost
of the new church will be about $18,000.
Trinity Church {Episcopal.) — Trinity church was organized on Wed-
nesday, October 12, 1836. The first wardens were : — Captain Samuel L.
Russell, U. S. A., killed in the Seminole war, and Henry Daw. The
latter remained warden until his death, in 1864. The first rector was the
Rev. Cicero Stevens Hawks. Land on the comer of Washington and
Mohawk streets was bought for $4,750, and what were at that time
regarded as modern plans were adopted. A financial crisis delayed the
completion of the building, the foundation of which, however, was laid
soon. The congregation worshiped first in rented rooms in the second
story of the old theatre on the comer of Washington and South
Division streets, afterwards in the church on Washington street, rented
from the Universalist society. In this building the [congregation
remained until December, 1842, when the building onginally begun was
completed in the plainest possible manner. The first rector was sue-
ceededin April, 1844, by the Rev. Edward Ingersoll, D. D. Dr. Inger-
soU was connected with Trinity church as rector and rector Emeritus,
until the day of his death, in 1883. Between 1845 ^^d 1848 the church
edifice was enlarged and a rectory annexed on the lot in the rear of the
church facing Mohawk street. In 1874 the Rev. Dr. Ingersoll, having
resigned, was succeeded by the present rector, the Rev. L. Van-
Bokkelen, D. D.
Christ Church {Episcopal.)— On the 4th of July, 1868, St. John's
church, Buffalo, was partly destroyed by fire, caused by the fall-
ing of a rocket on the roof of the tower. Owing to this accident a part
of the congregation determined to leave the old site and erect a new
building on Delaware avenue. Three lots were purchased on the avenue
between Tupper and Edward streets, at a cost of $40,000, on which were
to be erected a church, a chapel and rectory. The new parish was to be
known as Christ church, Buffalo ; and the rector of St. John's church,
the Rev. O. Witherspoon, was to be its rector. Plans for the edifice
were obtained, and preparations were begun for the buildings. The
plans, however, did not entirely succeed. The foundation for the church
was laid, but the rectory was not even begun. Only the beautiful little
building now known as Christ chapel was completed. It was begun in
1869, and, as a circular addressed to the parishioners in 1875 states, it
was " substantially completed "in 1871. The new parish went on for a
while successfully J but passed out of existence in 1875, in difficulty and
in debt. The lots were heavily mortgaged and the parish owed for
interest and other liabilities, over $10,000, while its revenue from pew-
rentals was not sufficient to meet the expenses. The chapel with all its
The Churches of Buffalo. 287
furniture, and the lot on which it stands, was to be sold at a sheriff's sale.
At this crisis some faithful women who, by their exertions had accumu-
lated a few hundred dollars for church purposes, stepped in and saved
the furniture of the chapel, while the building itself and the lot on
which it stands, wefe rescued by the bishop of the diocese, who bought
them in for $10,000, giving his own bond and mortgage for that sum and
taking the title to the property into his own hands. The lot on which
the foundation of the church was laid, came into the hands of the late
William G. Fargo, and the rectory lot reverted finally to its original
owner.
From 187s to 1879 ^^^ chapel was carried on by the bishop, assisted
by the Rev. M. C. Hyde, now rector of All Saints' church, Buffalo. It
had no vestry and was entirely under the bishop's control. April 14,
1879, ^^^^ ^^ consent of the bishop, a new parish was organized by the
congregation worshiping in the chapel, which » was to be known as
** Christ Church." The vestry elected was comprised of the following
gentlemen : — Hon. A. P. Nichols and Theodore Dennis, wardens ; Hon.
A. P. Laning, Hon William G. Fargo, A. S. Berais, J. C. Forsyth, H. B.
Loomis, S. D. Colie, Edwin C. Robbins and C. Valette Kasson, vestry-
men. The Rev. A. Sidney Dealey was called to be the first rector of the
new parish and began his work on November 30, 1879, ^^^ ^^^ Sunday
in Advent.
On the first of March, i88t, a decided move was made towards pay-
ing the mortgage held by the bishop so that the title to the parish might
be in the hands of the corporation. This was happily accomplished
and February 16, 1882, the church, free from debt, was consecrated.
St. JohfCs Church {Episcopal}^ — This parish was organized on the 19th
of February, 1845. The first wardens were : Selan Barnard and Gusta^
vus Denison ; the first vestrymen, L. D. Hibbard, Silas Heminway, Car-
los Cobb, W. A. Bird, H. Rainey, Charles Pickering, James P. White
and E. M. Martin. The first rector was undoubtedly the Rev. M.
Schuyler, who administered the rite of the first baptism which took place
in the new and hardly completed church edifice on January 30, 1848.
Mr. Schuyler's name, however, first appears under date of July 20, 1845.
The church building was begun in 1846, and finished in 1848, having cost
nearly $34,000. Mr. Schuyler resigned the rectorship September i,
1854. The next clergyman was the Rev. D. T. Warren, who officiated
from September 3, 1854, to January i, 1855. On the latter date appears
the name of the Rev. Samuel L. Southard, who was rector from that
time until December, 26, 1865. On April 19, 1857, the Rev. William
Bliss Ashley assumed the rectorship and remained until February 19,
i860. He was succeeded on July 17, i860, by the Rev. Orlando Wither-
spoon. Probably the most important event in the history of the parish
occurred at 10 clock on the night of July 4, 1868. A sky rocket lodged
288 History of Buffalo.
in the steeple of the church setting fire to it and causing a damage to the
building to the amount of $22,78940; all this loss was covered by insur-
ance. On the 28th of March, 1869, Bishop Coxe re-opened the church,
which had been closed since the fire, the congregation meanwhile wor-
shiping in Kremlin Hall, Trinity church and elsewhere. The Rev.
Joseph Cross was rector from June 6, 1869, to May 29, 1870. For nearly
a year there was no regular clergyman, excepting that Bishop Coxe offi-
ciated from January 13, 1871, until the September following. The Rev.
Charles Avery acted as rector from March 31, 1872, until August 19,
1875, followed November 10, 1875, by Rev. William M. Hughes. On
April 29, 1883, Mr. Hughes preached his farewell sermon and was suc-
ceeded May 6, 1883, by Rev. Samuel Richard Fuller. There are now in
the parish three hundred families or seven hundred individuals, four
hundred of whom are communicants. The officers are as follows : —
wardens, D. B. Waterman, A. Sutherland ; vestrymen, James N. Mat-
thews, Hon. Charles Daniels, Henry C. Fiske, C. W. Baldy, (treasurer,)
G. D. Barr, E. W. Hayes, Seth G. Cowles, Jonathan Sidway, (clerk,)
C. H. Daniels.
Church of the Ascension^ (Episcopal.) — The incorporation of this pai^
ish took place on April 9, 1855, Isaac A. Verplanck and George C. Web-
ster being on that day electeid- wardens, and the following being chosen
vestrymen : — Orrin B. Tjtus, Jacob S. Miller, Dyre Tillinghast, Fred-
erick P. Stevens, Jaoies G. Dudley, William Dickson, John Darrow and
Hugh VanDeventer. For one year the Rev. Daniel F. Warren was rec-
tor and was succeeded by the Rev. Orlando F. Starkey, who acted in
that capacity about four years. On April .12, i860, a call was extended
to the Rev. A. C. Patterson. His resignation was accepted April 25,
1 861. The present rector, the Rev. John M. Henderson, formerly of
Elizabethtown, N. J., received a call from this parish May 30, 1861, and
entered at once upon his labors. For several years the parish occupied
a wooden building erected as a mission chapel upon the site of the pres-
ent edifice on the comer of North street and Linwood avenue. In 1867
to meet the demands of the parish, the building was enlarged at an
expense of about $1,700. In the following year the rectory was com-
pleted, having cost about $3,500. In 1870 the parish decided to build a new
edifice. The corner stone of the present building was laid by the Right
Rev. A. Cleveland Coxe, Bishop of the diocese, May 9, 1872. The first
service was held on Easter Sunday, April 13, 1873. The cost of the whole
property is about $60,000. The accumulation of this property has been
effected during the last seventeen years and during the administration of
the present rector, the Rev. John M. Henderson, now passing his twenty-
second year in this parish, which has been his only charge as rector.
Grace Churchy {Episcopal.) — Grace Church was organized August io»
1824. Services were held at first in a school-house by the Rev. Addison
The Churches of Buffalo. 289
Searle, from 1825 to 1830; by the Rev. Dr. William Shelton from 1830
to 1840; and by the Rev. George Ogle from 1840 to 1842, the services by
the latter being held in the Union meeting-house. From the last date
until 1856 no services were held. In 1856 the Rev. R. I. Germain began
services. The Rev. Herman G. Wood was rector from April 26, 1859,
to November 10, 1863 ; the Rev. Geoige C. Pennell from March 20, 1864,
to March 20, 1867; the Rev. Charles G. Gilliat from May 31, 1867, to
December 31, 1870; and the Rev. Louis B. VanDyck from February 15,
1871 to the present time. In 1859 the church edifice was built at a cost
of about $3,500, and additions have from time to time been made. The
building was consecrated in i860. In 1876 a chapel known as St. Mark's
chapel was built at a cost of about $3,000, at lower Black Rock, in con-
nection with Grace church parish.
St. Mary' s-on-the-Hill^ (Episcopal^) — At a meeting held April i, 1872,
for the purpose of incorporating a church, the following were elected
the first officers: — James M. Smith and A. Porter Thompson, wardens;
Charles Gibbons, Edgar A. Pickering, W. Y. Warren, O. K. Judd,
Charles E. Bacon, Thomas Lothrop, Claude T. Hamilton and Richard
R. Cornell, vestrymen. On the 17th of September, 1872, the Rev. Will-
iam Baker was elected minister in charge, and Claude T. Hamilton clerk
of the vestry. On March 26, 1875, the Rev. Charles S. Hale was asked
to take charge of the parish. November 21, 1877, the Rev. C. F. A.
Bielb}^ the present rector, was elected. During the summer and fall
of 1882, the church edifice was enlarged and improved by the addition
of an aisle, a new organ being purchased at the same time. O. K. Judd
and B. B. Hamilton are the present wardens.
All Saints Church, {Episcopal,) — This church is situated on the corner
of Main and Utica streets, and was organized Easter Monday, 1879, ^s a
free church to be supported by the free-will offerings of the congrega-
tion. The corner stone of the edifice was laid on All-Saints* day, 1879.
From that time until Easter, 1882, the congregation worshiped in the
chapel adjoining the present church building. Through the liberality
of the church people of Buffalo and by much hard work and self-sacrifice
on the part of the rector and many members of the congregation, the
prosecution of the business went on until the present results were accom-
plished. The formal opening of the building was made on Easter Thurs-
day, 1879. The church property is valued at $20,000. The Rev. M. C.
Hyde has been rector of this parish from the first
St. Lukes Churchy {Episcopal.) — This church was incorporated July
20, 1857. The first rector was the Rev. William White, who began
Easter Sunday, April 4, 1858, and resigned December 30, 1861. The
Rev. John Kerfoot Lewis was rector from February 16, 1862, until July,
1865; the Rev. Charles C. Edmunds from September 24, 1865, until
Easter, April 17, 1870; the Rev. Edwin R. Bishop from October i, 1870,
290 History of Buffalo.
until Easter, 1873 ; the Rev. William F. Morrison, from August i, 1873,
until March 28, 1875. The Rev. Walter North, D. D., the present rector,
came on May 16, 1875. The church building now used was built on
Maryland street in 1859 ^^^ ^^ '^7^ removed to its present site on
Niagara street. It was then enlarged and somewhat altered.
5/. Philifs Churchy {Colored Episcopal^ — The house in which this con-
gregation worship was built in 1853, Dr. J. A. Prime, a Presbyterian
clergyman, being authorized to proceed with the work on September
28th of that year. It was used by the Presbyterians until 1863, Dr.
Prime and the Rev. E. J. Adams being the respective pastors. In 1863,
the building was bought from the Presbyterians and has since been used
for the worship of St Philip's church. The services are devoted entirely
to the colored congregation. The names of the several rectors who
have officiated in the church successively are as follows: — Revs. O.
Witherspoon, S. V. Berry, W. G. McKinney, J. R. Love, and the present
incumbent, the Rev. David S. Moir. Mr. Love left in 1878, and was
succeeded by Mr. Moir in February, 1879. Under the efforts of the lat-
ter gentleman the church will soon be consecrated. The present war-
dens are L. W. Blount and Mr. Gary. There are now eighty-six com-
municants in the parish and about fifty-eight pupils in the Sunday
school.
Washington Street Baptist Church, — The year 1822 witnessed the
organization of this church, the earliest of this denomination in Buffalo.
Through the efforts of Mr. John A. Lazelle, who came to Buffalo village
in 1818, a Baptist society was formed* which in 1822, requested the Rev.
Elon Galusha, then of Whitesboro, to come among them as a missionary.
He came on the i6th of February, 1822. At this time the Presbyterians
were worshiping in the old court house, while a school house was
opened to whomsoever might need it. The Rev. Miles P. Squier, of the
Presbyterian church, offered his Baptist brethren the use of the court
house and his offer was accepted. Owing to Mr. Galusha's able endeav-
ors, the Baptist Church of Christ in Buffalo as it was called, was organ-
ized April 3, 1822. Mr. Galusha remained only a few months and for
some time after his departure, the church was deprived of a regfular
minister. In July, 1823, Mr. John Newton Brown, a licentiate from the
Hamilton seminary, was sent to the church, with which he remained
until 1825. For two years afterwards the pulpit was vacant. The Rev.
Eli B. Smith was pastor from June, 1827, to June, 1829. During his pas-
torate the church built its first meeting house on the comer of Seneca
and Washington streets, afterwards sold to private parties and used by
the government as a post office. After Mr. Smith's resignation the
church was more than a year without a pastor. The Rev. Jairus Handy,
of Dunkirk, filled the pulpit from July 31, 1830 until May or June, 1831.
The Rev.Elisha Tucker, of Fredonia, was called to the pastorate in 1831,
The Churches of Buffalo. 291
and remained until 1836. In 1832, the name of the church was changed
to its present form. The present house of worship was built early in the
year 1836, at an expense of about $24,000. The church took possession
on Sunday, June 5, 1836. For a short period before Mr. Tucker's resig-
nation, the Rev. Asahel Chapin, of Ashtabula, Ohio, was employed as a
co-laborer with the pastor. Mr. Chapin succeeded in 1836, as pastor-
elect, and remained until May, 1837. From this date until February,
1838, there was no pastor. Then came the Rev. John O. Choules, who
continued until August, 1840. The church at Black Rock was formed
from this church in 1839, and in 1840 the beginning of the Niagara Square
Baptist Church was made. The Rev. Levi Tucker, of Cleveland,
labored in the pastorate from February, 1843 ^o December, 1848. A
German Baptist church of twenty-three members was organized from
this church, on February 14, 1840. The Rev. V. R. Hotchkiss officiated
as pastor from April, 1849, ^o May, 1854. After a vacancy of a year
the pulpit was again filled on May 6, 1855. until September, 1859, by
the Rev. J. Hyatt Smith, of Cleveland. During his pastorate in 1859,
the Cedar Street Baptist Church was formed with forty-nine members,
from the Washington Street Baptist Church. For more than seven
months after Mr. Smith's removal, the church was again without a pastor.
Then the Rev. David Moore, of LeRoy, assumed the pastorate in May,
i860, and stayed four years during which period a large portion of
the Niagara Square Baptist Church were received into the member-
ship of this church. Dr. V. R. Hotchkiss followed Mr. Moore in the
pastorate, entering on its full duties a second time on May i, 1865. In 1868
the Prospect Avenue Baptist Church was formed, eighty-seven persons
being dismissed by the parent church on June 10, to constitute the congre-
gation of the new church. Dr. Hotchkiss being in poor health,was granted
leave of absence for one year on April 28, 1869, which he accepted and
departed on a journey through Europe and Palestine. The Rev. H. H.
Peabody supplied the pulpit from July 2d until the pastor's return which
was in June, 1870. On the 3d of April, 1872, the church celebrated
the fiftieth anniversary of its organization. Dr. Hotchkiss resigned in
May, 1879, ^^^ died January 4, 1882. The present pastor. Rev. John
Gordon, D. D., began his labors with the church November i, 1876.
Owing to the rapid growth of the city and a desire to establish new
Baptist churches, a number of the members were dismissed in 1882 to
organize the Dearborn Street and Delaware Street Churches. The pres-
ent membership of the church numbers five hundred and of the Sunday
school two hundred and fifty.
Prospect Avenue Baptist Church. — The Prospect Avenue Baptist
Society which owes its existence to the missionary spirit of the Wash-
ington Street Baptist Church, was organized after considerable delibera-
tion on the 15th day of May, 1867. The first title of the society was
292 History of Buffalo.
the Ninth Street Baptist Society of Buffalo. The first trustees were S.
H. Fish, W. H. H. Newman and W. A. Dobinson. The name of the
society was changed to its present form in 1871. The church was
organized June 10, 1868, and was followed by the organization of the
Sunday school on February 11, 1868.
The lot now occupied by the church building was bought October
29, 1866, for $5,500. The building was first occupied February 27, 1868,
and was dedicated June 11, of the same year. The cost of its erection
and furnishing was about $20,000. During the early months of the
church work the pulpit was filled by supplies. The first regular pastor
ordained at the beginning of his pastoral career with this church, was
the Rev. Horace F. Barnes, of Charleston, Mass., a graduate of Newton
Theological Seminary. He assumed the duties of the pastorate on May
2, 1869, and left in February, 1871. The pulpit was again filled by sup-
plies until November i, 1872, when the Rev. E. E. Chi vers, the present
pastor, having accepted a call from the church, entered upon his labors.
For five months, including the summer of 1875, he was obliged on
account of impaired health and failing sight to suspend his labors.
Prof. A. J. Barrett, of Rochester, filled the pulpit in the interim. The
work of building a new church edifice was begun early in the year 1880.
The corner-stone was laid July 12, 1881. The building was dedicated
November 28, 1882., It cost, inclusive of organ, furniture, etc., $50,570.
There are about ninety members in communication with the church.
Hudson Street Baptist Church. — Meetings were held preliminary to
the establishment of this church, beginning in 1850, in the first Young
Men's Association hall on the corner of Washington and South Division
streets. On the first Sunday in September, 1850, they occupied the
church formerly known as Dr. Lord's church, on the comer of Pearl
and Genesee streets, and which they had bought for $5,000. The
church proper was organized on April 15, 1851, the Rev. Geo. H. Ball
D. D., being the first, only and present pastor. There were at the
beginning thirty-five members. The first officers were as follows : — dea-
cons, Silas Sweet, David N. Clark, Almeron Curtis, Eldrid Farewell,
Stephen Dudley. In April, 1864, they sold their church edifice to George
W. Tifft for $7,000 and on the same day bought the Niagara Square
church for $8,000. This was in turn sold to the Congregationalists
May I, 1882. The present lot on Hudson street was purchased on the .
same day tor $6,500. The building recently erected, which was dedi-
cated August 20, 1882, cost about $23,500. There are now two hundred
and fifty members in the church. They aref^the only Free Baptists in
the city. A mission is maintained by them on Jefferson street.
Delaware Avenue Baptist Church.— This promising young church is
an outgrowth of the Olivet Baptist Mission. It was organized on the
8th of December, 1882, with a constituent membership of seventy-five.
The Churches of Buffalo. 293
forty-seven of whom came from the Washington Street Baptist Church,
fourteen from the Cedar Street, three from the Prospect Avenue and
eleven were miscellaneous. The church building was dedicated Febru-
ary 15, 1883. The membership of the church on July i, 1883, was one
hundred ; that of the Sunday school one hundred and seventy-five. The
present pastor is the Rev. R. E. Burton. The trustees are Thos. Chester,
Sherman S. Jewett, E. L. Hedstrom, Peter J. Ferris, Robert Z. Mason;
deacons — Thomas Chester, E. L. Hedstrom, Peter J. Ferris, F. A.
Hodge ; clerk, James F. Chard ; treasurer, Peter J. Ferris.
The Cedar Street Baptist Church, — This church is located on the cor-
ner of Cedar and South Division streets and was organized March 25,
1859, being an oflfshoot of the Washington Street Baptist Church. Its
original membership numbered forty-nine. The first pastor, the Rev. B.
D. Marshall was installed in January, i860. He was succeeded by the
following pastors : — In January, 1873, by the Rev. J. C. Kurd ; in Novem-
ber, 1874, by the Rev. G. M. Peters; in the spring of 1 881, by the Rev.
George Whitman, the present incumbent. The chapel was dedicated
February, 2?, 1859, ^^ having cost $3400. Subsequent improvements and
additions have raised the expenditure on the entire property to $47,635.31,
all of which has been paid. The total church membership is now three
hundred and fifty.
Emanuel Baptist Church, — This church is the outgrowth of a mission
established in, the vicinity of Rhode Island street and Fargo avenue, by
the Prospect Avenue Baptist Church, March 31, 1871. On the 19th of
June following, the lot now in use was bought and the building com-
pleted in the latter part of January, 1872. On February 25th the dedi-
cation of the structure took place, and the name of " Prospect Chapel '*
bestowed upon it. E. C. Parker was the first superintendent, and W. A.
Dobinson his assistant. The first session of the Sunday school was held
March 3, 1871. In April, 1873, ^^ R^v. William Elgin, of Knowles-
viile, was called to the field as pastor of the mission. He resigned in
March, 1876, and was succeeded by the Rev. George C. Pratt, a student
of the Rochester Theological Seminary. Mr. Pratt remained one year
and resigned by reason of poor health. The Rev. R. H. Colby, of
Strykersville, was called to the field in May, 1877, and began his work
June I, 1877. Owing to the growth of the mission under Mr. Colby's
administration, the church, under its present name, was organized Octo-
ber 19, 1877. The original membership was eighty-three, fifty-seven of
whom came from the Prospect Avenue Church. E. C. Parker and W,
H. Case were chosen deacons, and W. H. Case, E. C. Parker, Robert F.
Hazell, R. H. Bickford, C. W. Reynolds and Joseph Shaw trustees. Mr.
Colby resigned in October, 1881, and the Rev. J. H. Langelle, the pres-
ent incumbent, succeeded to the pastorate in December of the same year.
There are now two hundred and twenty-eight members in the church,
and three hundred and forty-five in the Sunday school.
294 History of Buffalo.
Dearborn Street ChapeL — In 1839 a number of the members of the
Washington street church formed a society at Black Rock. The first
officers were Rev. J. Sharpe and Hector Cutter. In 1844 they erected a
chapel, the lot being donated by a Miss Porter, of Niagara Falls. The
Rev. George R. Burnside is now the pastor.
Michigan Street Baptist Churchy {Colored.) — The house in which this
congregation worship was built in 1845, ^he first trustees of the society
being William Quails, John Dandridge, James Thomas and Carr John-
son. The present oflScers are : — N. Storam, J. S. Granby. Frank S. Fos-
dick, E. L. Hedstrom, Thomas Chester and Ralph Dickens. Clergymen
supplied every Sunday by the Baptist Union, speak to a congregation of
twenty to thirty persons. There are about thirty children in the Sunday
school, and five teachers.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church. — We have already stated in the
beginning of this chapter, that the Methodists were among the first of
the pioneer religious societies in Buffalo, and that they built the first
church ever erected here. It was a small frame building standing on the
west side of Pearl street, near where the rink was built. It was after-
wards moved up the street to near where Miller's livery stable is located.
It was used by the Methodists until 1828. The locally celebrated Rev.
Glezen Fillmore, D. D., who officiated at the dedication of this church,
also organized the first Methodist Episcopal Sunday school in the city, on
the 2;^th of November, 1827. In the first board of managers are found
the familiar names of William Keene, Edward B. Smith, George Miller,
Joseph Alexander and Silas Burton. The treasurer, William Sloan,
having been sent from Buffalo to Batavia, remembered still the interests
of his former home. He set forth to Joseph Ellicott in the land office of
the Holland Land Company, the needs of the church in Buffalo. Mr.
Ellicott directed his clerk to examine the map of Buffalo for a suitable
location for a Methodist church. Mr. Fillmore soon discovered a lot on
the north side of Niagara street, extending from Pearl to Franklin, and
running back to an alley. The clerk filled out a deed for the lot and
thus was secured the site of the Niagara Street Methodist Church. The
structure was erected in 1832 and Mr. Fillmore was its pastor in
1834, having been, as far as we have been able to ascertain, the first reg-
ular pastor of the church. It was dedicated in 1835, at which time
Jonas Dodge was pastor and Michael Segar presiding elder. This church
which, as will be seen hereafter, was the parent of several of the other
Methodist churches of the city, was sold to Mr. Fargo about i860, who
transferred it to the Jewish society now occupying it. Available records
of the work and the government of this old church are very meagre and
little can ,be learned of it more than here given.
Grace Methodist Episcopal Church. — This church is a continuation of
the old Swan Street Methodist Episcopal Church which was orgtoized on
The Churches of Buffalo. 295
Friday, October 11, 1844. This was in turn an offshoot from the Niagara
Street Methodist Episcopal Church, to which reference has already been
made, which had theretofore held services in the building now occupied
by the congregation of Temple Beth Zion. The first pastor of the
Swan Street Church was the Rev. John Dennis, D. D., who remained
until 1846. He was succeeded by the following named pastors: — Revs.
Alpha Wright, i846-'48; James M. Fuller, 1848-50; S. Seager, D. D.,
i8so-'S2; A. D. Wilbor, D. D., 1852-54; R E. Brown, 1854-55. June 2,
1855, the society moved to the present place of worship ; Grace Metho-
dist Episcopal Church was dedicated on the same day by Bishop
Simpson. Since that time the following pastors have been appointed : —
Revs. W. H. DePuy, D. D., 1855-57; S. Hunt, D. D., 1857-59; A. D.
Wilbor, D. D., i859-'6i ; D. D. Lore, D. D., i86i-'63; S. Seager, D. D.,
1863-64; J. H. Knowles, 1863-67; George P. Porter, 1867-70; D. H.
MuUer, D, D., 1870-72; G. W. Paddock, 1872-74; R. C. Houghton, D.
D., 1874-76; D. H. MuUer, D. D., i876-*77; S. N. Lloyd, 1878-80; R.
N. Stratton, D. D., 1881. The present house of worship is valued at
$30,000, the parsonage at $7,000. The membership of the church has
increased to four hundred, and of the Sunday school to two hundred
and fifty.
Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, — The old Niagara Street Metho-
dist Episcopal Church was the parent of this as well as of the Swan
Street (Grace) Church. The first meeting with a view to the organiza-
tion of the new church was held in the Niagara Street Church by the
trustees thereof on Monday evening, March 22, 1847. The original
membership numbered sixty-eight. The lot on the corner of Pearl and
Chippewa streets was bought for $2,700. The first meeting in the new
building erected on this site was held June 16, 1848. The Rev. J. H.
Waldee was the first presiding officer of the society sent by the confer-
ence. Under his auspices a Sunday school was organized. In Septem-
ber, 1848, the Rev. Schuyler Seager, D. D., was appointed the first reg-
ular pastor of the infant church. The edifice was dedicated by him on
the 23d of the same month. Dr. Seager's successors have been as fol-
lows:— Revs. Eleazer Thomas, 1850 to 1852 ; H. K. Hines and L. Stiles,
1852 to 1854; J- B. Wentworth, D. D., 1854 to 1856; E. E. Chambers,
1856 to 1858 ; James Fuller, 1858 to 1859; W. H. DePuy, 1859 to 1861 ;
P. R. Stover, 1861 to 1863 ; D. D. Lore, D. D.,.1863 to 1864; J. Allison,
1864 to 1866 ; Allen Steele and D. H. MuUer, 1866 to 1869; A. D. Wilbor,
1869 to 1870; J. B. Wentworth, D. D., 1870 to 1873 ; W. V. Kelly, 1873
to 1874; George R. Strobridge, 1874 to 1876; C. A. Van Anda, D. D.,
1876 to 1877; T. J. Leak, 1877 to 1880; T. M. House, 1880 to 1882;
George C. Jones, 1882 to 1883. In 1850, at the beginning of the pas-
torate of Rev. Mr. Thomas, the name of the church was changed from
the Pearl Street Church to Asbury Church, in honor of the Bishop of that
ax
296 History of Buffalo.
name. At the same time a reorganization took place. In October, 1870,
a new church edifice was projected. The new edifice was consecrated
December 22, 1872, by Bishop Jones. The cost of the building Mas
$38,885.64; organ, furniture, etc., $6,155.37. The membership of the
church now numbers over four hundred. The present officers are : —
trustees, H. H. Otis, president; Abram Twitchell, treasurer; A. J.
Riegel, secretary; William Pooley, W. M. Citterly, Charles Nelson,
Isaac Holloway. The Sunday school has an average attendance of one
hundred and eighty.
The Riverside Methodist Episcopal Church, Black Rock, — This is one
of the oldest churches of this denomination in the city. The first
Methodist preacher in this vicinity was the Rev. Glezen Fillmore,
in 18 1 7. It became a regular appointment with a settled pastor in
1820. Its entire early history is that of a prolonged struggle with
poverty and discouragement. It seems to have entered upon a new life
in 1858, with Dr. Smith as pastor. The earliest records of the Riverside
Quarterly Conference now in existence reach back to the year 1863,
when the Rev. J. M. Fuller was presiding elder and the Rev. A. D. WiU
bor, pastor. The comer stone of the present elegant and commodious
edifice, corner of Bird and West avenues, was laid September t6, 1872,
and the dedication services were held on the 12th of April, 1874. The
church was erected at a cost of $33,000 and its property is now valued
at $35,000. It has a membership of over two hundred and twenty-five.
The present pastor is Rev. George W- Peck, LL. D. The present officers
of the church are as follows : — trustees, W. C. Earle, J. E. Rebstock, B.
Woodall, J. S. Carter, M. Tilson, W. A. Scarle, George SheriflF, Alfred
Bamett, Abner Adams ; stewards, J. E. Rebstock, C. W. Armstrong,
W. C. Earle, W. A. Searle, George S. Searle, J. F. SieflFert, W. J. Woodall,
J. S. Carter, Isaac Morris. The following have been pastors of River-
side Church since 1847 • — Revs. L. L. Rogers, B. F. McNeal, W. Barret,
W. Leak, S. H. Baker, H. Butlin, W. Luce, S. Parker, G. Smith, L.
Welch, E. L. Newman, W. H. DePuy, A. D. Wilbor, W. S. Tuttle, A. P.
Ripley, E. T. Green, O. S. Chamberlayne, G. W. Kittinger, J. S. Sim-
kins, E. H. Latimer, S. McGerald, George W. Peck.
Plymouth Methodist Episcopal Church, — This church had its origfin in
a "class" organized in the year 1857 by the Rev. E. E. Chambers. The
organization took place in what was known as the " Father Ketchum
building,*' which stood where the Normal school now is. In this place
the society continued to worship, without any regular pastor, but with
occasional preaching by the pastors of other churches, till May, 1859.
Then the meetings were moved to a chapel on North street, where a
Sunday school had been held for some time under the management of
members df the Niagara and Pearl Street Methodist Episcopal Churches.
In 1861 the class was formally organized into a church and named the
North Street Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1869 a church was built
The Churches of Buffalo. 297
under the pastorate of the Rev. R. E. Thomas, on the corner of Plymouth
avenue and Jersey streets, and named the Jersey Street Methodist Epis-
copal Church. January 25, 1873, iti the pastorate of the Rev. J. E. Bliss,
the church was burned to the ground. On the 12th of July in the same
year the corner stone of the present edifice was laid, on the opposite side
of Plymouth avenue from the old sit^. At the same time the name of
the society was changed to the Plymouth Methodist Episcopal Church.
Between the burning of the old church and the taking possession of the
new, the society worshiped in school-house No. 36. The chapel of the
new church was dedicated March ist, 1874, when the Rev. P. R. Stover
was pastor. The audience room was not completed till many months
after, in the pastorate of the Rev. E. E. Chambers. Plymouth Church
is now (in the year 1883) in a very prosperous condition. It has two
hundred and thirty members and a Sunday school of three hundred
pupils. It has no debt ; its congregations are large ; its revenues are
ample. The list of its regular pastors is as follows : — Revs. W. M. Shaw,
1862 ; DeBias Worthington, 1863 ; (no regular pastor from 1863 to 1865 ;)
William Magavern, 1865 ; R. E. Thomas, 1867; J. E. Bills, 1870; P. R.
Stover, 1873; C. C. Wilbor, 1874; E- E. Chambers, 1876; A. N. Fisher,
1879; ^"d C. W. Winchester, 1882.
5/. MarHs Methodist Episcopal Church. — The St. Mark's church was
organized February 24, 1857. The first trustees were: — ^John A. Ryder,
Caleb Coatsworth,John D. Roberts, John H. Bid well, Joseph McCIure,
James H. Scatcherd, Barton C. Niles, Oliver Bond and Tobias Faust
Services were for a short time held in a red school house which stood in
what is now known as Scatcherd's lumber yard. The ReV. Griffin
Smith, the first pastor, came in Jauuary, 1857, ^^^ ^b^ building in which
the congregation now worship, was dedicated on the following Thanks-
giving day. He was followed in 1859 by the Rev. W.'H. DbPuy, who
remained until i860. His successors were as follows :— Revs. Hunt,
Wilbor and Wentworth, the last of whom remained until October, 1864;
Revs. S. Y.Hammond, 1864-66} J. E. Bills, 1866-69; S. P. Dickinson,
1869-yi ; C.P. Clark, 1871 tospring of 1873 ; Hartley, to October
1873; G. W. Kittinger, 1874-77; J. N. Simpkins, 1877-80; C. P. Hard,
1880 to summer 1882 ; Rev. Mr. Cliff filled a three months' vacancy end-
ing October, 1882 ; T. E. Bell, the present pastor, came in October, 1882.
Delaware Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, — This church is situated
on the corner of Delaware avenue and Tupper streets. The lot has
a frontage on Delaware avenue of one hundred feet and on Tupper street
of one hundred and seventy-five feet. The church is a very substantial
edifice, built of brown sandstone. The corner stone of the chapel was
laid April 10, 1871, and of the main church May 21, 1874. The church
was dedicated September 10, 1876. The society was organized October
18, 1870, and reported at the close of the first conference year one hun-
298 History of Buffalo.
dred and six members; its present membership is about three hundred
and fifty. Its first board of trustees was elected November 22, 1870, and
consisted of James N. Scatcherd, John D. Hill, Charles A. Sweet, Fran-
cis H. Root, James Howells, John C. Jewett, Edwin A. Swan, Robert
Keating and George A. Preston. The Rev. Langford Hunt was the first
pastor ; the second was the Rev. John G. Adams ; third, Rev. Ira G.
Bidwell ; fourth. Rev. George W. Chandler; fifth and present. Rev. W.
S. Studley. Its present board of trustees are James N. Scatcherd, John
D. Hill, Charles A. Sweet, Francis H. Root, John C. Jewett, Robert
Keating, James Howells, Henry Martin and Samuel B. Parsons.
Eagle Street Methodist Episcopal Church, — This congregation owes its
origin as a church to the missionary spirit of Grace Church. During the
summer of 1871 the lot on which the church building now stands, having
been bought through the efforts of the members of the Young Men's
Association of the parent church, religious outdoor exercises were held
at that place. The present edifice was built during the fall and winter
of 1871 and '72. The Rev. D. H. Muller preached the dedicatory ser-
mon. At the conference of 1872 the Rev. A. F. Colburn was appointed
to the pastorate of the church. The church proper was organized
November 17, 1872, at which time seventeen persons united with it. The
first stewards were, Guy C. Martin, district steward ; Jabez Harris,
recording steward ; Benjamin Woodall, John S. Carter, Errick Errickson.
Mr. Colburn's successors to the pastorate have been as follows: Rev. L.
T. Foote, three years ; Rev. C. Millspaugh, three years and the present
pastor, the Rev. S. A. Morse, now (1883) in his second year. The pres-
ent board of trustees is composed as follows : Homer Sanderson, presi-
dent; Thomas Dark, Sr., W. H. Brush, George Lewis, John A. Miller,
John H. Usher, Monroe Wilder. The present full membership numbers
one hundred and fifty-five with about forty probationers. The Sunday-
school superintendent is Richard Olivey. The school has a membership
of three hundred.
Glewwood Methodist Episcopal Church. — October 28, 1875, * niccting of
fifteen was called at the residence of G. S. Rice, No. 13S Glen wood
avenue, to establish a Methodist society ; H. H. Otis presided. There-
after meetings were held in private houses in the neighborhood, the last
one being held on Thanksgiving evening, November 25, 1875. Worship
was subsequently conducted in a chapel on Glenwood avenue. For three
years there was no regular pastor. Every fourth Sabbath in the month,
services were provided by the Ladies' Temperance Union. A Sunday
school was organized December 12, 1875, with H. H. Otis as superintend-
ent. In October of 1876, the Rev. A. P. Ripley was appointed pastor
by the conference. On May 19, 1878, a meeting was held to close up the
society as an independent organization, whereupon it was adopted by
the Delaware Avenue Church as a mission. The first " class " was then
The Churches of Buffalo. 299
iormed July 7, 1878, by the Rev. Ira G. Bid well, and called the Glen-
wood Avenue Mission class. J. W. Wright was the first leader. In
November, 1878, the Rev. V. Copeland became the first resident pastor of
the mission and remained until the fall of 1880. The church edHfce was
formally dedicated on Sunday, September 28, 1879, by the Rev. D. W. C.
Huntington, D. D., presiding elder. The present pastor, the Rev. J. W.
Johns, was appointed in October, 1880. The church was independently
organized in November of the same year. The first trustees were as fol-
lows:— A. D.Jackson, John Osborne, A. H. Nye, R. C.Wilson, J. L.
Moore and A. H. Tracy. On November 22, 1880, the following named
persons were elected stewards : — A. D. Jackson, A. H. Tracy, G. W.
Smith, William A. McKay, Mrs. A. H. Nye, Mrs. John Osborne and Mrs.
John Beam. The present membership of the church is about seventy-
two and of the Sunday school about one hundred and sixty.
First Free Methodist Church. — The organization and incorporation of
this church took place on November 20, i860. Rev. B. T. Roberts offi-
ciating. There were twenty-four original members. The society bought
the old brick theatre on Pearl street near Eagle, and adapted it to the
purpose of religious worship at an expense of about $5,000. The Rev.
Loren Stiles, Jr., dedicated the building on the 19th of October, i860.
The following pastors served the church in succession : — Revs. D. M.
Sinclair, 1860^*62; Moses M. Downing, 1862-63; S. R. J. Chesbro,
i863-'64; James Matthews, J. G. White and A. G. Terry, 1864-66;
Epinetus Owen, i866-'67; occasional supplies, 1867-^68; A. F. Curry,
i868-'70; S. R. J. Chesbro, 1870-72; W. H. Trevise, part of 1872-73;
William Gould, 1873-74; G. W. Coleman, 1874-76; John T. James,
i876-'77; W. T. Hogg, 1877-79; William Jackson, 1 879-^8 1 ; A. H.
Bennett, 1881-^83. The old church edifice was sold in 1869 and the
present brick building erected on the corner of Virginia and Tenth
streets, at a cost of $10,000. The dedication of this structure was super-
vised by the Rev. B. T. Roberts. In February, 1861, a Sunday school
with about one hundred members was organized in the old Pearl Street
Church ; Thomas Sully was its superintendent for many years. The
present superintendent is George W. Johnston. A mission was begun at
Black Rock in 1873, under the pastorate of Rev. William Gould. In a
year a chapel, a small wooden structure, was built on Clinton avenue,
at an expense of $2,500. It was dedicated on April 22, 1875, ^7 the Rev.
William Gould, assisted by the Rev. B. T. Roberts and others. A Sun-
day school was started in this chapel on the 2d day of March, 1875, Mr.
George W. Johnston being its hrst superintendent. The mission, though
known under the name of the Second Free Methodist Church, is in reality
represented by the same officers as the parent society. The present
trustees of the society are Rev. B. T. Roberts, George W. Johnston,
James Wilcox, M. G. Cottrell, John A. Crane, W. J. Beyers, Thomas
300 History of Buffalo.
Sully. The present membership of the church is a little over one hun-
dred and twelve.
The African Methodist Episcopal Church,— T\v^ meetings which resulted
in the organization of this church were first held in 1835, i" ^ house on
what was then called Tom alley, now Carroll street. The meetings
were usually led by Rev. Mr. Walker, of New York. The first trustees
were : — Moses Burton, Charles Andrews and a Mr. Smith. Mr. Walker
remained about a year, after which the Rev. George Ware was sent by
the conference. They removed in i84i-*42 to Clinton street, near Elm,
into a house now occupied as a family residence. Here they remained
until the fall of 1843. In 1844 the Rev. Mr. Jackson was appointed to
the pastorate. The present church was dedicated about July, 1845,
having cost in the neighborhood of $3,000. After the expiration of Mr.
Jackson's term the following pastors were sent by the conference: —
Revs. Ware, 1845-46; C. Burch, (father of ex-Senator J. Henry Burch,
of Louisiana); J. B. Campbell, (now bishop,) 1847; Mr. Jackson, James
Morris Williams, Deacon Darrow, Mr. Pattison, William More, Francis
J. Peck, William T. Catto, Abram C. Cripen, J. G. Mowbrey, Abram C.
Cripen, Mr. Bailey, J. G.Mowbrey, (rejected by the congregation ;) Mr.
Dartis and the Rev. J. J. Lewis, the present pastor, now in his second
term. In 1882 the church edifice was remodeled and rebuilt at an
expense of about $3,800. The present trustees are : — Joseph Lane,
Alfred Keller, William Jackson, Frederick Wilson and John Johnson ;
stewards, William H: Lloyd and Lewis Smith.
Church of the Messiah,{Universalist^ — The First Universalist Church
of Buffalo was organized on the 6th day of December, 1831. The first
trustees were: Benjamin Caryl, Marvin Webster, Moses Baker, Ebe-
nezer Day, James Durick and A. C. Moore. The first pastor was the
Rev. Geo. W. Montgomery. A church structure was built on the east
side of Washington street, a little north of Swan street, at an expense
of $10,000. The second pastor, the Rev. William I. Reese, began duty
in May, 1883. He was succeeded in October, 1834, by the Rev. Russell
Tomlinson, who remained until the spring of 1837. The Rev. David
Pickering came in at once and staid one year. On May i, 1843, *^he
Rev. S. R* Smith became pastor and remained in that capacity until
May, 1849. I" May, 1849, ^^e Rev. A. G. Laurie, was secured as a pas-
tor. He was succeeded in May, 1854, by the Rev. Richard Eddy, who
remained about a year. His successor, the Rev. E. W. Reynolds was
pastor from May, 1855, to April, 1858, when he gave place to the Rev. J.
H. Hartzell. The corner-stone of a new church was laid August 2, 1864.
The edifice was consecrated on July 8, 1866, under the name of the
Church of the Messiah. The building cost, with an organ then pur-
chased, about $70,000. Mr. Hartzell resigned in March, 1870, after a
conspicuously successful pastorate. In June of the same year the Rev.
L. J. Fletcher assumed the pastoral duties of the church.
The Churches of Buffalo. 301
On Saturday night, October 29, 1870, the church building was
destroyed by fire. By the 24th of the following September, the church
was again ready for consecration. Mr. Fletcher left in April, 1879, ^"^
Mr. Hartzell returned in May of the same year, remaining two years.
On the 4th day of September, 1881, the Rev. William E. Gibbs, the pres-
ent pastor, came. About one hundred and forty families are connected
with the church, and the membership numbers a little over two hundred.
The Sunday school, of which the pastor is superintendent, has an attend-
ance of two hundred and twenty-five.
Church of Christ, — The Church of Christ in BuflFalo, the latest organ-
ized of the nine congregations which represent the Disciples in the wes-
tern district of New York, was established at a meeting held in the
French chapel on the corner of Ellicott and Tupper streets on February
20, 1870. There were thirty original members. For about two years
the society, though without a regular pastor, held services once a week
in the chapel. On April 13, 1872, A. J. Briggs, J. H. Grove and Bright-
man Taber were elected trustees. The lot on the corner of Cottage and
Maryland streets was immediatel}- bought and a chapel costing, with the
lot, about 6,000 erected. The dedication took place November 28, 1872.
The first pastor, F. M. Kibby of Kentucky, began his ministry in Feb-
ruary, 1872, and remained about three years. He was followed by O. G.
Hertzog. His pastorate lasted but a year. In June, 1876, G. L. Whar-
ton was called to the pastorate ; resigning July 1 5, 1882, he was succeeded
September i, 1882, by the present pastor, J. M. Trible. The member-
ship of the church is one hundred and seventy-five.
The First Unitarian Congregational Society, — This society was organ-
ized in 1 83 1. Religious services were first held in the old court house
on Washington street. The First Unitarian Church stood at the corner
of Franklin and Eagle streets. Its cornerstone was laid August 13,
1833. The Rev. William S. Brown, from Bridgewater, England, was
the first pastor of the society from 1832 to 1834. He was succeeded by
Rev. A. C. Patterson, who served from 1834 to 1836. The Rev. G. W.
Hosmer, D. D., was installed October 16, 1836, and in 1866, resigned his
pastorate. Rev. Frederick Frothingham was the next pastor from June,
1867 to 1874, and was succeeded by the Rev. M. K. Schermerhorn, from
1874 to 1876. The present minister. Rev. George W. Cutter, was
installed February 4, 1877. In 1845 the first church was enlarged and
remodeled. In 1859 it was damaged by fire but was at once refitted
and refurnished. The comer-stone of the present handsome house of
worship, the Church of Our Father, on Delaware avenue near Huron
street, was laid October, 16, 1879. I* was dedicated, free of debt, Oc-
tober 13, 1880. The Sunday school was organized in 1835. The society
includes about one hundred and fifty families.
The Friends, — The first meeting of " Friends" in BuflFalo was held in
1865, in the house of Mrs. Martha Ferris, whose hospitality they con-
302 History of Buffalo.
tinued to accept until 1868. In that year the present meeting house on
Allen street was built. The first trustees of the society were : — Elisha
Freeman and Andrew Varney. The property is held now by the East
Hamburg Friends. The society numbers between thirty and forty
members.
First Reformed Church of Buffalo^ {Holland). — The origin of this
church, as nearly as can be ascertained, dates back to the year 1850. The
first meetings were held in what is now called the Wood-market, on Gen-
esee street. The first pastor was the Rev. C. C. Wutz, who staid two
years and then removed to Rochester. In 1856 the place of worship
was removed to a place in Boston alley. Then came the Rev. A. R.
Kassen, under whose administration in 1863 the congregation moved
again, this time to Milnor street. Some time about May, 1869, they
bought a lot on Eagle street, near Cedar street, and built a church
thereon. The Rev. H. K. Boer came in 1874 and remained about three
years. Between the resignation or dismissal of one pastor and the
installment of his successor, there was often a considerable period in
which no pastor officiated and the weekly services consisted of the read-
ing of sermons by a layman, the singing of hymns, etc. The incorpora-
tion of the Dutch Reformed Church was not consummated until 1869 or
1870, In 1882 the Swedenborgians bought the church property of the
Dutch Reformed congregation, since which time the latter has become
practically extinct and there is now no church of that sect in the city.
Cold Spring Union Chapel. — In 1856 a small Sunday school was opened
in the old district school house on the ground now occupied by police
station No. 6. The room was furnished by William Tuton the superintend-
ent, William A. Coots and D. R. Morse. Two years later C. B. Hunn
became superintendent and was succeeded in i860 by Robert Johnson.
In 1866 a society was organized and incorporated under the name of
Cold Spring Sunday School Association. The first trustees and corpor-
ators were : — Robert Johnson, Frederick Scott, P. A. Balcom, J. L.
Alberger, J. E. Robinson and A. J. Holt. A lot on the corner of Ferry
and Michigan streets was deeded to the Association by Charles and
Malvina E. Barr, on which Cold Spring Union Chapel was erected in the
following year. The chapel was formally dedicated in October, 1867,
the Revs. Dr. John C. Lord and Dr. Hotchkiss officiating. Mr. Johnson
was succeeded in 1869, by J. L. Alberger, with J. E. Robinson as assist-
ant, who remained in office until 1878, when Mr. Robinson became super-
intendent with Mr. E. B. Eggert as assistant. This society is the pioneer
in religious work in this part of the city. The average attendance is
one hundred and fifty.
Catholic Churches.— Th^ diocese of Buffalo, established in 1847, com-
prise* the following counties, all in the State of New York :— Erie, Niag-
ara, Genesee, Orleans, Chautauqua, Wyoming, Cattaraugus, Steuben,
The Churches of Buffalo. 303
Chemung, Tioga, Allegany and Schuyler. Following are the officers
of the diocese : — Bishops Right Reverend Stephen B. Ryan, D. D., C.
M., consecrated November 6, 1868; Vicar General, the Very Reverend
William Gleason ; Chancellor and Secretary, Rev. P. Hoelscher, D. D. ;
Bishop's Counsel, the Very I^everend William Gleason, V.G., the Very
Reverend H. Behrens, S. J., Rev. F. N. Sester, Rev. Edward Kelly,
Rev. George Sniet, C. SS. R., Rev. P. Kavanagh, C. M. There are in
this diocese ninety-nine secular priests ; seventy -four priests of religious
orders; thirty priests engaged in educational institutions; one hundred
and thirty-five churches and chapels ; twenty-seven clerical students ;
eleven male religious houses ; thirty-nine female religious houses ; four
colleges for boys ; eight academies for girls ; eleven charitable institu-
tions and one hundred thousand catholic population.
St Joseph* s Catholic Church. — After Buffalo was erected into an Epis-
copal See in 1847, for three years there was but one English-speaking
Catholic church in the city. At the end of three years, or on February
6, 185 1, the corner stone of the St. Joseph's Cathedral was laid, the cer-
emonies being conducted by the Right Rev. John Timon, first Bishop of
Buffalo. Through the exertions of Bishop Timon, the cathedral was
dedicated to the worship of God, and its altars consecrated on the 6th
day of July» 1855. St. Joseph's Cathedral is one of the finest ecclesias-
tical structures in the United States. It is located on the western side of
Franklin street, near Swan. The south tower terminating in a graceful
spire, contains the finest chime of bells on the continent. It consists of
forty-three bells, from the foundry of M. Ernst Bollee, in Mains, France,
which took the prize at the Paris Exposition of 1867, and cost, including
duty, freight and expense of putting in place, more than $20,000. In
order to relieve the Catholics of Buffalo of the heavy debt brought
upon them by the erection of this cathedral Bishop Timon put forth
great efforts 'to obtain the aid of the brethren throughout this country,
Mexico, Cuba and all Europe. He succeeded and on the 30th of August,
1863, he once more gathered in his brother prelates around him for the
renewed consecration of the Cathedral. On November 8, 1868, the
Right Reverend Stephen Vincent Ryan, C. M., was consecrated and
installed as the successor of Bishop Timon. The vicinity of the cathe-
dral has been much altered of late. A large stone Episcopal residence
has been built on the site of the old Webster house, adjoining the cathe-
dral on the south. A winter chapel has also been erected in the rear of
the cathedral, connected with it and with the Bishop's house, by a
covered cloister. These buildings harmonize in material and style with
the cathedral, around which cluster St. Joseph's college and paro-
chial school for boys, Miss Nardin's academy and parochial school for
girls, the Young Men's Catholic Association building and St. Stephen's
hall. The Rector of St. Joseph's is the Rev. Edward Kelly.
304 History of Buffalo.
5/. Peter's French Catholic Church. — Efforts were made as far back as
1820 to establish a French church in Buffalo, several clergymen being
sent at various times by Bishop Dubois and Bishop Hughes. M. Louis
LeCouteulx de Caumont was one of the most zealous of the citizens in
this work. The French and Germans united in forming the St. Louis
church on the comer of Main and Edward streets, but after 1840 the
German membership had attained such a majority that their French
brethren determined upon secession and the establishment of a church
of their own. To this plan the pastor of St. Louis, Father Guth, lent
willing aid and encouragement, and in 1850 he was sent to Europe by
Bishop Timon to collect for the diocese. After his departure until 1857,
Father Chevalier and Father Morris officiated as pastors. Father Guth,
however, never returned and Father Morris was appointed his successor.
The act of incorporation of St. Peter's Church is dated January 8, 1857.
The first regular pastor of this church after its separate organization
was Father Klein, who, moreover, had succeeded Father Morris two
years before. He was succeeded in 1850 by Father Sester. In February,
1867, in obedience to the command of Bishop Timon, Father Sester
resigned and went to Lancaster, N. Y. His successor, the Rev. Joseph
Sorg, remained about a year, and the next pastor. Father LeBreton
remained two years. Father Zoegle came immediately after Father
LeBreton and stayed until 1871. Father Beckard, who followe'd, was
pastor for six years. In 1877, Father Uhrick came, but being too old to
continue his labors, was followed in 1880 by the Rev. John Caumer.
The present pastor, the Rev. R. Faure, D. D., succeeded Father Caumer
in November, 1882. Since his arrival the new parsonage next to the
church has been finished at a cost of $6,000. The parochial school is
under the direction of the ladies of the Immaculate Heart and one secu-
lar teacher.
St Patricks {Franciscan Friars,) — St. Patrick's Churc*h, Seymour
street, near Emslie, was organized in January, 1854, with an estimated
membership of four hundred families. The following are the names of
the successive pastors, with the dates of their arrivals: — Rev. Daniel
Moore, December, 1854; Rev. D. D. Deane, December, 1855 ; Rev. J. A-
Early, August 27, 1857; Rev. A. McConnell, December 26, 1857. In
1858 the Franciscan Fathers took charge of the church and have been
there ever since. They keep three priests in attendance. The church
was built in 1858 at an expense of $15,000. The present pastors are
Father Angelus O'Connor, O. S. F., Father Lewis, O. S. F., Father
Jerome, O. S. F. The parish now numbers about six hundred families.
A parochial school building and convent were erected in 1862 at a cost
of $20,000. There not being sufficient room in this school house, a
new One is now building, which is intended to accommodate eight
hundred pupils.
The Churches of Buffalo. 305
Church of the Holy Angels, — This church was organized in October,
1852, in the old house on what is now Porter avenue, near Fargo ave-
nue, formerly used as an asylum for the insane. The church bought o£
the estate for $13,000, eighteen acres of land comprising two blocks.
On this lot stood then the X)ld poor house and the insane asylum. A day
school was held in 1852 in the poor house and the asylum was fitted up
for a chapel. This school had been started two 3rears before in the old
St Joseph's cathedral. The first projectors of the church were Fath-
ers Chevalier, SuUiran, Corbett and Maloney. The old college and sem-
inary buildings were torn down in 1856. The present church was
begun in the fall of that year, and completed late in 1857. The transept
was added six or seven years ago. The adjacent parsonage was built in
about 1873. The parochial school was completed in November 1881.
It is conducted by the gray nuns. The total cost of these several build-
ings was about $81,000. The membership of the congregation has
increased from fifty families to four hundred. In about 1868 Father
SuUiran returned to France and was followed in 1871 by Father Cheva-
lier. Father Corbett left in 1857. Father Maloney is the only survivor
of the pastors originally with the church, although he was absent from
i860 to the fall of 1879. After Father Chevalier, Father Garrin had
charge, and he was succeeded by Father Salfas. Father Guillard, the
present pastor, has had charge for about ten years.
St. StephetCs Church, — The date of the organization of this parish is
December, 1875, at which time there were one hundred and fifteen in
attendance. The Rev. Father McDermott, the present pastor was the
first. The church edifice now used was built at once upon organization,
at a cost of $6,000. At present there are two hundred families in the
parish and two hundred and twenty-five children in the parochial school.
St, John the Baptist, — The church of St. John the Baptist was organ-
ized in the fall of the year 1867, the Rev. William McNab being the first
pastor. He was succeeded five or six months after by the Rev. P. Glen-
man, followed by Rev. P. Mazuret After a pastorate of a little more
than three years, he was succeeded in December, 1871, by the Rev. John
O'Donoghue. June 12, 1875, the Right Rev. Bishop Ryan appointed the
present pastor, the Rev. Peter Francis Donohue. After much effort the
new pastor succeeded in lifting a heavy mortgage which was resting on
the place, and in 1883 he erected a school house capable of providing
for the needs of two hundred and fifty children. The church is now free
from debt.
Si, Bridget's CAiir^A.— This church which is located on Louisiana street,
comer of Fulton, was organized late in the year 1852, under Father Mac
Mullen, pastor. There were about one ^hundred families then in the
parish. The present church structure was built in 1859, ^^ ^ cost of not
less than $15,000, by Father O'Connor, who took charge in February,
3o6 History of Buffalo.
1858, and died in December, 1870. The present pastor, the Rev. William
Gleason, came in January, 1871. There are now about six hundred
families in the parish, and a parochial school of nine hundred children.
Church of Our Lady of Mercy. — This organization was established
near the foot of Michigan street in the year 1874. The following pastors
have since ofHiciated : — Revs. Daniel Welch, Dr. Holschcr, who was
there seven years and William Morrison, the present pastor. The church
structure cost $2,000, and was dedicated by Right Rev. Bishop Ryan in
1875. There are now about one hundred and fifty families connected
with the church. The parochial school has nearly one hundred children
in attendance, who are taught by the ladies of the Sacred Heart, or
Sisters of Miss Nardin's academy.
Church of the Immaculate Conception. — The organization of this church
was effected in about 1849, under the name of St. Mary's of the Lake.
The first pastors were the Revs. Peter Brown and John Fitzpatrick. In
about 1856 the present church building was erected by Rev. James
M. Early, at a cost of about $30,000. Rev. M. Purcell followed
Father Early and was succeeded by the following : — Revs. Thomas Glea-
son, Edward Quigley, John O'Meara and the Rev. James Rogers, whose
pastorate dates from April, 1877. The school in connection with this
church was built and opened September i, 1882, with about two hundred
pupils and three teachers, under the charge of the Sisters of St.
Joseph's. The Sunday school in connection has about three hundred
and fifty pupils.
St. Stanislaus^ {Polish.) — The congregation of this church first assem-
bled as a corporate body in June, 1873, with the present pastor, the Rev.
John Pitass in office and Joseph I. Kaujwski and John Hordich as the
leading lay members. The Rev. Peter Chowvnic was ordained vicar in
the fall of 1882. Their first house of worship was erected immediately
upon organization, on the corner of Townsend and Peckham streets, at a
cost of about $1 1,000. The membership of the church has increased from
fifty to between three hundred and four hundred families or one thousand
five hundred members. A new church building of Lockport limestone
is now being built, the value of which, it is estimated, will be not less
than $100,000. The corner stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies
on May 27, 1883. The parochial school in connection with the church
has an attendance of about seven hundred pupils. On the completion of
the new church building, the old one will be used as a school house.
The Israelites and their Religious Societies. — The Israelites of Buffalo
have exerted an important influence upon the business interests of the
city and are a pacific and law^biding class. The first Israelite who
lived in Buffalo was a Mr. Flersheim, an instructor of German from
Frankfort-on-the-Main. He was here as early as 1835. Barnard
Lichtenstein, the second known Israelite resident here, was in the city
from 1838 to 1870, when he left for Waupun, Wisconsin.
The Churches of Buffalo. 307
The religious organizations of the Israelites, of course, stand alone,
imique and peculiar. According to their law and traditions, ten male
Israelites above the age of thirteen years, are alone competent to form
a congregation which may hold divine liturgical services.
The first public worship by Israelites, known to have been held in
Buffalo, took place in Concert Hall, subsequently called Townsend Hall,
on the southwest corner of Main and Swan streets, in the spring of 1847,
for the celebration of the passover feast. The early Israelites, feeling the
need of an incorporated body for the administration of rites in harmony
with their religious education and belief, organized on October 3, 1847,
into the Jacobsohn Society. There were eleven charter members as fol-
lows : — Louis Dahlman, president ; Hirsch Sinzheimer, Moritz Weil,
Emanuel Strauss, Joseph Mayer, Samuel Held, Jacob Loewenthal, Louis
Rindskopf, Samuel Desbecker, Abraham Strass and Joseph Strass. They
immediately bought and consecrated for burial purposes, a lot fronting
on what is now Fillmore avenue, near Broadway. This, however, was
abandoned July 19, 1861, for the present one on Pine Hill. The Jacob-
sohn Society was in existence about five years.
The old congregation, Beth Zion, was organized by the German
Israelites, (in contradistinction to the Polish Israelites of Beth El,)
November 27, 1850. There were eleven original members. The first
board of officers were: — E. J. Bernheimer, president; Albert Strauss,
vice-president and treasurer; Moritz Weil, secretary; Israel Drinker,
David Kurtz and Jacob Strauss, trustees.
The Rev. J. M. Slatky, who had been the first Rabbi of the congre-
gation of Beth El, but who had dissociated himself from them, was
engaged as minister for Beth Zion, at a salary, from ^December i, 1850,
of $5 a month, and from May i, 1851, of $100 a year. He was not
required to preach or teach, but simply to read the "Thora," or roll of
the law, and to attend to the procurement of meat according to the
scriptural and dietary laws. The congregation first worshiped in the
dwelling house of Mr. Sinzheimer, No. 55 Oak street. On the i8th of
November, 1857, long after the dissolution of the Jacobsohn Society,
the surviving members of that body deeded their burying ground on
Pine Hill, to Beth Zion.
The next minister was Mr. Daniel Shire, who began his labors Jan-
uary 6, 185 1. The congregation worshiped in various rented places,
the last Dne before the " Reform " being the house on the northeast cor-
ner of South Division and Elm streets.
In September, 1863, in obedience to a desire on the part of many
Israelites to conform their mode of worship more with the spirit of mod-
em times and new associations, a number of the leading members of
Beth Zion requested the Rev. Dr. Wise, of Cincinnati, to send them a
minister to preach before them and others on the high feasts of New
Year's day and the day of Atonement. Kremlin Hall was rented for
3o8 History of Buffalo.
the ceremonies ; this was the beginning of the reform movement — ^the
reform being not a change in creed, but in the mode of worship by the
introduction of modern service, choir singing, preaching in a known
language, etc. A meeting preliminary to reorganization was held in
Kremlin Hall on October 9, 1864. After some discussion and delibera-
tion, a fusion with the old Beth Zion was effected. The new society was
named Temple Beth Zion. The first officers were: — Siegmund Levyn,
president; Siegmund Hofeller, vice-president; Jacob Altman, treas-
urer ; David Rosenau, secretary ; Solomon Biesenthal, Leopold Keiser,
Joseph E. Strass and Leopold Strass, trustees. The first minister was
the Rev. L N. Cohen, who was succeeded November i, 1866, by the
present minister, the Rev. S. Falk.
The old Methodist Episcopal Church on Niagara street, just below
Eagle, where this congregation now worships, was bought at once from
William G. Fargo for $13,000, of which $7,000 was raised by immediate
subscription. The building was adapted to the religious worship of the
Je^s and dedicated by the Rev. Dr. Wise on Friday, May 25, 1865. In
the fall of 1876, a new organ was procured at a cost of $2,000, and dedi-
cated by two sacred concerts at the temple. The present officers of the
temple are as follows : — S. Bergman, president ; Leopold Warner, vice-
president ; Solomon Rosenau, secretary; Louis Weil, treasurer; Leo-
pold Keiser, Leopold Marcus, Marcus Spiegel, Louis Jellinek, trustees.
On December 23, 1877, an orphan asylum society was started here,
comprising Israelites of this and other synagogues. This society,
together with similar organizations in Rochester and Syracuse, have
formed the Jewish Orphan Asylum Association of Western New York,
and have an Orphan's Home in Rochester. They now have an accumu-
lated capital of $45,000.
The Hebrew Benevolent Society was originated in 1862. In March,
1880, a Young Men's Hebrew Association was organized for literary and
social purposes. They hold regular meetings at McArthur's Hall, and
are in possession of a valuable library.
In June, 1882, a heavy task devolved upon the Israelites of Buffalo,
caused by the arrival here of hundreds of Russian refugees. Funds were
at once collected, a suitable habitation was hired and shelter and food
were given to the sufferers until employment could be found for them.
Bethel Synagogue. — Bethel Synagogue was incorporated on the 13th
of June, 1848. The first meetings were held in the Kremlin Block. Sub-
sequently the society worshiped in a building on Pearl street, between
Eagle and Court streets. The present synagogue on Elm street, between
Eagle and North Division, was dedicated in August, 1874. The several
ministers who have officiated at this synagogue are as follows : The
Rev. J. M. Slatky, H. Rosenberg, J. Loewenthal (who came about i860),
I. Werinsky, Philip Bernstein, B. Cohen (who came some time in 1879
and remained until November, 1882), A. Bauer, and the present minister,
Educational Institutions of Buffalo. 309
the Rev. W. Berger. The present officers are I. N. Cohen, president ;
N. Hyman, vice-president ; Henry Brown, treasurer ; Emil Bernstein,
secretary ; A. F. Cohen, S. Dismon and J. Weisberg. A. F. Cohen was
president of the board for the eight years ending in April, 1883. There
are at present about thirty-fire voting members of the synagogue, though
the general attendance is considerably larger.
Britk Sholem. — Brith Sholem, or Berith Shalom, (Covenant of Peace)
on Elm street, bet wen Broadway and Clinton streets, was organized
about 1865. It is composed of Prussian Israelites. They lost their orig-
inal charter and were re-incorpqrated in December, 1882, having in the
meantime built and dedicated (August 24, 1873) a frame synagogue cost-
ing about $4,000 ; their entire property is valued at about $7,000. A
parochial school of twenty-six children is connected with the synagogue.
The first minister was the Rev. Mr. Sullfort, who was followed by Rev.
Mr. Worenski, and he, in 1869, by the Rev. D. W. Jacobson, who
remained seven years. Mr- Jacobson returned in May, 1883. During
his absence, the Revs. S. Poltoravitz and J. Broody officiated.
Beth Jacob. — The congregation Beth Jacob, an offshoot from Brith
Sholem, was organized on the first Sunday in October, 1881. The first
minister was the Rev. Jacob Meyerberg. A lot was bought on the cor-
ner of Clinton and Walnut streets and a synagogue erected thereon at a
total cost of $4,500. The second minister was the Rev. Jacob Saperston,
and the next, the Rev. Raphael Josephson, who came in April, 1882.*
Their burying ground, comprising two acres, is situated on Doat street,
About thirty-five families now belong to the congregation.
A complete history of the German Churches of Buffalo will be found
in the chapter devoted to the Germans of the city.
CHAPTER XII.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF BUFFALO.
The EmAf Scboc^s— Meagre Facilities for Obtaining Bdncatioii before the War of i8i3— Tbe Lite-
raiyand Scientific Academy — The First Public School Building— A Quaint Subscription
Paper — History of the Old School House — The First Teachers — A School Tax Roll of
1818 — DistiicU Na's z and 3 ^ The *' High School Association **— Reoiganisation of the
Cttj Schools — The Work of Oliver G. Steele, as Superintendent — Ward Coflamittees on
School Improrement — Success of the Plans Adopted ^- List of School Superintendents —
Description of Sdiools at the Present Time— The Normal School — Private and Parochial
Educational Insitatioiis.
THE wise policy of the American people in the early establishment
of ample educational facilities as fast as the country has been settled
and children have needed instruction, is acknowledged as one of the
Strongest elements of her growth and prosperity, as well as the promoter
3IO History of Buffalo.
of a high degree of general intelligence among the masses. There is now
in the city of Buffalo, an admirable and ample school system, comprising
over a hundred different institutions, public and private, which has grown
up with the place under the fostering care and unselfish labors of many
of her most public spirited men and women. The inception and growth
of this public school system and its contemporary educational institu-
tions we shall endeavor to describe in this chapter.
In the early days of Buffalo the youth of the place depended largely
upon private schools for their instruction, which for some years offered
better advantages probably than the common public schools ; the latter
were organized under the then imperfect school laws and received very
feeble support outside of local effort and liberality. A brief reference to
the private schools that were conducted through periods of varjring
lengths and with widely differing degrees of success, before the incor-
poration of Buffalo as a city, will not be uninteresting and is worthy of
place here. The greater portion of those private schools were taught by
ladies ; those which were not were, as a rule, conducted by men who
were partially engaged in other business.
Hiram Hanchett probably taught the first school in Buffalo, in the
" Middaugh House," in the winter of i8o6-'o7. In a paper on this sub-
ject which was read before the Historical Society January 23, 1863, Mr.
Oliver G. Steele stated that he was informed by Mr. Benjamin Hodge
that " about 1807, a Scotchman by the name of Sturgeon, bom in Ireland,
taught school on Main street. The house had but one window and that
without glass ; plenty of Ught, however, was admitted through the open-
ings between the logs. A small pine table and three benches made of
slabs constituted the whole furniture. Mr. Sturgeon at first taught only
reading, but afterwards at the urgent request of parents added spelling.
Some twenty scholars attended. George Lyon and Benjamin Hodge,
two of the older boys, acted as sub-teachers for the older scholars, while
Mr. Sturgeon taught the younger children and did the whipping for the
whole school. At that time there were about twelve houses between
North street and Granger's creek."
In 1810 or '11, Mr. Asaph Hall, at the request of Mr. Gamaliel St.
John, representing a number of the inhabitants, began a grammar school
in the court house. It was not continued very long. Miss Irene Leech
kept school at an early day in a stone building, comer of Main street and
the Terrace.
It is probable that there were other schools similar in character to
those mentioned, begun between 1807 and June i, 1812 ; but if such was
the case no records of them have reached us. On the lattei date Asa
Minor began a school '' in the front chamber of the brick building oppo-
site the court house, for the purpose of instructing the youth in reading,
writing, arithmetic, English grammar and the principles of elocution, if
Educational Institutions of Buffalo. 311
desired." In an advertisement dated May 30, 181 5, Miss Mary Kibbe
announced that she " proposes to open a school for the instruction of
children in the various branches, in the vicinity of the post-office."
Monday, October 2, 181 5, David Page began a grammar school in the
chamber of Mr. Folsom's house, on Genesee street. Deacon Amos Cal-
iender taught school winters at this time in rooms in different places in
the village, a portion of the time in the chamber of his own house on the
east side of Pearl street, between Swan and Seneca streets. Mr. Wyatt
Camp also taught a successful private school. He was a man of superior
qualifications. Miss A. Page opened a school in the Masonic Hall, which
was then located in John MuUett's house, sometime in March, 1820. On
the 17th of April, 1820, Miss H. Bennett began a school over N. Ben-
nett's store. Sometime during the year 1821, a Miss Georgen, from
Montreal, opened a boarding-school ; we find no record of where it was
located ; it was doubtless the first institution in Buffalo claiming the title
of a boarding school. It was also in the year 1821 that a Theological
Seminary was projected ; the Professors, as we are informed by a local
journal, were inaugurated October loth of that year at the Presbyterian
Church.
Early in April, 1823, Rev. J. Bradley rented a part of the theatre
which stood opposite the Eagle Tavern, and began an English and classi-
cal school there on the second Wednesday of May. Miss Terry began
a school in November, 1826, "in the school room recently occupied by
Mr. Peabody. Studies and tuition same as formerly.*' What was prob-
ably the first distinctive writing school in Buffalo, was kept by a Mr.
Rice in the summer of 1827. N. C. Brace conducted an academical
school in 1824-25, the seventh quarter of which closed February 12, of
the last named year. The Misses Radcliffe established a Young Ladies'
Seminary August 2, 1826. For information, pupils were instructed to
call at Mr. Ball's on the comer of Pearl and Court streets. Mr. J. Drew,
opened a school in September, 1826, **a few rods south of the Mansion
House, in a building erected for the purpose." The Misses Denison
conducted a Seminary in 1830, the closing exercises of which were held
at the Eagle Tavern; the second term closed April 15, 1832, and it was
afterwards conducted for a time by the Misses Lyman. B. B. Stark
began an elementary school over the office of Thomas C. Love, Exchange
Building, in the spring of 1830, and October 10, 183 1, he taught an even-
ing school *' in the school house on the Terrace." Miss Conklin kept an
infant school in Lyceum Hall, beginning in April, 1832. We find notice
in the local press of the founding of a somewhat pretentious " Literary
and Scientific Academy" in April, 1832, the prospectus of which was
first issued in July, 1829. It was first organized by James McKay and
afterwards opened by Silas Kingsley as a boarding and classical school,
commencing with one hundred and fifty pupils, then considered a great
312 History of Buffalo.
success. He continued the school until 1837, when the University of
Western New York was opened in which the school was merged. The
school was conducted in the brick building which formed a part of the
late Sisters of Charity hospital, on the west side of North Pearl street,
south of Virginia.
It will be rightly judged by the reader of the foregoing list that
Buffalo in her younger days, had little reason to complain of a lack of
school advantages, if numbers alone were considered, whatever may
have been the general character of the institutions.
The First School Building. — The first and the only building devoted
to school purposes (although it was undoubtedly often used for other
gatherings) erected in Buffalo before the village was burned in 1813,
was what was known as the "little red school house;" it stood on
the northwest corner of Pearl and Swan streets. This building was the
one that was built on the lot solicited from Joseph EUicott by Joseph
R. Palmer, in August 1801, as detailed in the early chapters of this vol-
ume. In the archives of the Historical Society is a little, coarse, memo-
randum book; perhaps the most interesting and valuable local relic in
existence) which gives an authentic account of the beginning of the little
school house and how the necessary funds were raised with which to
carry on the work. Following is a literal copy of the first page of the
memorandum :* —
" At a meeting of the inhabitance of the village of Buflaloe, meet on
the 29th day of Alarch, eighteen hundred and seven at Joseph Landon's
Inn by a vote of Sd meeting Zenas Barker in the Chair for the purpos
to arect a School Hous in Sd Village by a subscription of the Inhabi-
tanse.
"also Voted that Samuel Pratt, Joseph Landon & Joshua Gillett be
a committee to See that they are appropriated on the School House
above mentioned which subscriptions are to be paid in by the first day
of June next or such. part of it as Shall be wanted by that time. "
Following is a list of the subscribers as they appear in the book,
with the amount subscribed by each : —
Levi Strong $ 5.00
Sylvan us Maybee $20.00
Zenas Barker 10.00
Thomas Fourth 3.00
Joshua Gillett 15.00
Joseph Wells 7.00
John Johnson 10.00
Nathaniel W. Sever 10.00
Isaac H. Bennett 3.00
William Hull 10.00
Samuel Pratt 22.00
Richard Mann 5.00
Isabel Adkms 5.00
Samuel Andrews 1.00
Garret Freeland i.oo
Billa Sherman 87^^
In Mr. Steele's paper, before referred to, he said he had heard the
names of Dr. Cyrenius Chapin, Gamaliel St. John and Joseph Landon
*'* The memorandum book was presented to the Historical Society in 1866, by Joshua Gillettp
of Wyoming county, whom I presume to have been a son of the Joshua Gillett who was one of the
committee to raise funds and superintend the building. It was probably lying in a trunk in 1813,
and was carried out of town and thus escaped the destruction which involved so many documents
of that era." — Johnson* s History of Erie County.
Educational Institutions of Buffalo, 313
mentioned as subscribers to the school house fund. It is quite probable
that they were so, although for some cause their names do not appear in
the memorandum book ; th^y were all men who would have been most
likely to contribute to the support of the budding cause of education in
the village ; moreover in a litigation that occurred in after years, rela-
tive to the site of the school house, Dr. Chapin claimed to have been
one of the original proprietors. All of the subscriptions in the above
list were dated March 30, 1807, the next day after the meeting was held.
Each subscriber's name heads a page in the book ; below it is his sub-
scription, followed by the credits of cash, labor or materials. The car-
penter work was done by Levi Strong and George Kith, whose accounts
are also in the book. Their bills for work amounted to $68.50. The
building must have been begun very soon after the subscriptions were
made, as the credits for work are mostly given in April. Joshua Gillett
was credited with two and a half gallons of whisky April 13th ; from this
circumstance Mr. Johnson in his history, naturally concludes that the
** raising " must have occurred that day. The school house was not shingled
until November, 1808, when Mr. Pratt furnished 2,000 shingles for that
purpose ; whether the building was occupied at all before that date does
not appear. Most of the subscribers to the school fund as they appear
in the memorandum book paid their subscriptions in full; a few fell
short to some extent. The total amount of the subscriptions was one
hundred and one dollars. Five hundred dollars were allowed by the
commissioners to pay for the building. The first teacher in this first
school house was a Presbyterian minister named Samuel Whiting. Fol-
lowing him Amos Callender taught there. A son of " Father " Elkanah
Holmes, Hiram Hanchett and Mr. Tomlinson all taught there pre-
vious to the war.
Previous to 1840, the township included Black Rock, and down to
about 1836 Tonawanda* also ; the school district organization conse-
quently embraced all that territory. The first district embraced the village
with the same boundaries as the city had under the charter of 1832. A tax
roll is in existence which shows that a tax was levied in district No. i, in
1 81 8, by which it appears that it then embraced the whole village; it is dated
September 3, 18 18. The trustees were Heman B. Potter, Reuben B.
Heacock and Elias Ransom. This is supposed to have been the first
school tax ever levied in the village. The amount ordered to be raised
was $554.25 ; the total real and personal property in the whole village is
placed at $275,677.
In an old record book which was presented to O. G. Steele by Will-
iam Hodge before 1863, which dates back to 181 5, the territory about
Cold Spring is called district No. 2 ; after about 1820 it appears as dis-
* Buffalo, formed in 1810 from Clarence, included Tonawanda, Grand Island, Amherst , Cheek-
towaga, and part of West Seneca. Amherst, including Cheektowaga, was taken off in 1836. Buf-
falo city remained a part of the town of Buffalo until 1840.
314 History of Buffalo.
trict No. 3, probably on account of the formation of district No. 2
within the village boundaries about that time. This district (at Cold
Spring) was organized after considerable struggle in May, 18 16. Freder-
ick Miller, William Hodge and Alvin Dodge were the first trustees.
At a meeting in the district a motion was made to appropriate two
hundred silver dollars for the purchase of a site for a school house ; but
this was not agreed to. Another meeting was- held at the house of
WiHiam Hodgfi, where a motion was made " that the trustees go for-
ward at their own expense and repair the school house, and hire a teach-
er;" this indicates that a house had been begun and left unfinished.
This last meeting " dissolved without adjournment." In the following
December an order was made to purchase a lot for sixty dollars, and that
the district employ a teacher for another quarter; S. Fuller was employed
under this order.
To return to the first district of the village it appears that a school
house was built, probably with the proceeds of the tax levied in 1818;
but no lot was purchased then and consequently the school house was
moved from one location to another; it was located on the Kremlin
Block, then on the corner of Erie and Swan streets and afterwards on
Pearl street. Amos Callender, a Mr. Pease and Rev. Deodatus Babcock
taught in this school house. Among the pupils of the latter now living
in Buffalo, is the Hon. O. H. Marshall.
The second district in the village of Buffalo was organized probably
in the year 1821, and its school was kept for some time in rooms at
different points. In 1822 a school was kept on the west side of Main
street, between Mohawk and Genesee ; this was the school that Millard
Fillmore first taught in the village, afterward teaching in the Cold Spring
district. At a little later date district No. 2 through one of its trus-
tees, Mr. Moses Baker, " took up " the lot on the comer of Pearl and
Mohawk streets for school purposes and a building was erected therefor
the joint use of the district and the Universalist Church society the latter
occupying the upper story. Peter E. Miles was the first teacher in that
school. The building was abandoned a» a school about 1833 when
a brick building was erected on Franklin alley.
On the 22d of November, 1827, an educational institution was pro-
jected in Buffalo from which great results were expected. This was
known as the Buffalo High School Association. On the date above
mentioned a meeting was held at the Eagle Tavern, to consider the expe-
diency of establishing a " High School on the Monitorial and High School
system." After proper discussion a resolution was adopted favoring the
project and an act incorporating the Buffalo High School Association
was drawn up which authorized a board of trustees to procure sub-
scriptions to stock to the amount of not less than $10,000, and appointing
Nathan Sargeant, Charles Townsend, Peter B. Porter, Wray S. Littlefield,
Educational Institutions of Buffalo. 315
Millard Fillmore, William Mills, Job Bigelow and Uriel Torrey a com-
mittee to prepare and publish an address to the citizens in support of the
object. The prospectus, terms, etc., were issued January 8, 1820. The
first village directory in enumerating the public institutions of the
place, says : —
"Th« Buffalo High School, incorporated in 1827, capital not to
exceed $25,000, $10,000 of which is already subscribed and the school
commenced, in rooms temporarily fitted for the purpose, in January
last. The buildings of this institution are to be erected the coming
season."
A fine building was erected (which now forms a part of the Hospital
of the Sisters of Charity on Main street) ; the institution met with a fair
degree of success for some years, but it seemed not to reach the demands
of the time and died out. A military school was subsequently estab-
lished in the building on the system of Captain Partridge, and was very
popular for a time ; but it was too expensive to reach the body of the
people and it, too, was closed.
When the re-organization ot the city schools was effected in 1838,
there were six district school houses in the place, \n which schools where
taught as follows: — District No. 2, FY-anklin street (alley,); district No.
12, Hydraulics; district No. 15, Perry street; district No. 16, Goodell
street; district No. 17, South Division street; district No. 19, Louisiana
street.*
In the year 1835 a great University was projected in Buffalo, but it
never went farther than the Medical department, which became the basis
of the present Medical College.
In the winter of i836-*37, a law was. passed in response to discussion
over the general inefficiency of the school system, authorizing the appoint-
ment of a city superintendent of schools. Mr. R. W. Haskins was
appointed under the act; but the law was so imperfect and so hampered
the superintendent that he was unable to accomplish anything satisfac-
tory to himself and he resigned before a year had elapsed. With his resig-
nation Mr. Haskins recommended to the Common Council many needed
amendments to the law which were afterwards incorporated in it. Mr.
N. B. Sprague succeeded Mr. Haskins as superintendent, but declined
the office for the same reasons that induced Mr. Haskins to resign. The
Council then appointed Mr. O. G. Steele, who, at the earnest solicitation of
Judge Hall, chairman of the committee on schools, accepted the position.
This appointment was a most opportune one for the future good of the
schools of Buffalo. Mr. Steele immediately made himself thoroughly
familiar with the schools as they then existed, and his report of the sit-
uation in which he found them reveals clearly their utter inefficiency as
educational institutions. After a good deal of patient labor Mr. Steele
♦ The numbers were under the old town organization. — Afr. SUelis Paper read before the HiS'
iorical Society.
3i6 History of Buffalo.
completed a map which showed the boundaries of the different districts
and secured the necessary data upon which to write a report to the Coun-
cil ; this, with the map, was referred to the committee on schools and super-
intendent, with power to prepare a plan of organization. The prepara-
tion of the law under which the organization was effected devolved upon
Mr. Steele and Judge Hall. They did not venture to propose an entirely
free school system and the form of local organization was retained, with
a low rate of tuition. A slight amendment was made to the law in 1839,
which made the schools free, with the entire control placed in the hands
of the council and superintendent The re-organization of districts was
effected in 1838. The matter attracted a good deal of public attention
and a series of meetings was held in the old court-house, the first of
which was on the 31st of August. The late Hon. Albert H. Tracy pre-
sided and Mr. Horatio H. Shumway was secretary. A committee of
four from each ward was appointed, whose duty it was " to inquire into
the condition of the schools in Buffalo, both public and private ; ascer-
tain the number of children who attend school, the expense of their edu-
cation, and report the same, together with some plan for the improve-
ment of our schools, at a future meeting to be called for that purpose."
This committee did its work most thoroughly and on the 19th of
September made a full report, showing the inefficiency of the existing
school system and detailing a plan for the complete organization of the
city under an entirely free school system, under the authority of the
Common Council ; the expense, above the amount received from the
State, to be paid by a general tax upon the city property.
After considerable discussion and not a little opposition, with a varia-
tion in some of the details, this report was adopted and the following
winter the schools were made free by act of the Legislature.
The first school house erected under the new system was that on
Church street, district No. 8. That was the district which once embraced
the whole village. The lot was already in possession of the district but
the inhabitants had not been able for some years to agree upon the
erection of a building. A tax was levied and a handsome structure
built, which drew out a spirited controversy upon the subject of its mag-
nitude and extravagance. Excellent teachers were employed, the
accommodations were good, and the school was very successful, the
building being soon filled. It was afterwards enlarged to the full size of
the lot.
In the year 1839, houses were built in No. 11, on Vine street ; in No. 6
on South Division street; on Washington street No. 13, where Washing-
ton market now stands; No. 5 on Seneca street (Hydraulics); No. 12 on
Spruce street. The construction of all these new buildings and the
increased taxation caused thereby, created a great deal of dissatisfaction,
and Mr. Steele intimates in his paper, to which we have so often referred.
Educational Institutions of Buffalo. 317
that this dissatisfaction resulted, in the spring of 1840, in his failure to be
re-appointed as superintendent. His successor was Mr. Daniel Bowen ;
he was appointed against his desire, and resigned the office after a f^w
months. The vacancy was filled by Mr. Silas Kingsley, who efficiently
administered the duties of the office until 1842, in which year Mr. Samuel
Caldwell was appointed ; he held the office two years, and was succeeded
by Mr. Elias S. Hawley. In 1845 Mr. Steele was again appointed, hold-
ing the office one year. From 1839 down to 1845, ^^ ^^^ buildings had
been erected for school purposes. In 1845 ^ large school house was built
in district No. 3, on Erie street. That building was burned in 1852, and
the following year the large building on the Terrace, near Genesee street,
was erected. The present High School was established in 1852; a high
school department was conducted in district No. 7, in 1846, and con-
tinned until 1852. Since Mr. Steele's second retirement as superintend-
ent (1846), that office has been filled as follows: — Daniel Bowen, appointed
1846; Elias S. Hawley, appointed 1847; Daniel Bowen, appointed 1849 ;
Henry K. Viele, appointed 1850; O. G. Steele, appointed 1851 ; Victor
M. Rice, appointed 1852 ; £phraim Cook,* elected 1854; Joseph Warren,
elected 1858; Sanford B. Hunt, elected i860; John B. Sackett, elected
1862; Henry D.Garvin, elected 1864; John S. Fosdick, elected 1866;
Samuel Slade, elected 1868 ; Thomas Lothrop, elected 1870 ; J. N. Lamed»
elected 1872; William S. Rice, elected 1874; Christopher G. Fox, elected
1878 : James F. Crooker, elected i882-*83.
A large building was erected in district No. 14, on Franklin street,
in 1846. In 1847 the house on Delaware street, in No. 10, was built; dis-
tricts No.'s 9 and 10 had previously been united. In 1848 a colored school
was established on Vine street, and a new school house was built for dis-
trict No. II, on Elm street north of Eagle. In 1849 commodious school
buildings were erected in districts No. 4 and 12, the former on Elk street,
and the latter on Spruce street. In 1850 a new house was built on Perry
street, district No. 3, and the old house was abandoned the following
year. In 185 1 the school building on Erie street, was destroyed by fire
and the large structure erected on the Terrace near Genesee street, in
1853. That was the last school building erected under the old charter.
In 1 85 1 evening schools were first established. In 1854^ the new charter
went into eflfect which extended the city government over Black Rock
and the free school system was greatly enlarged at the same time.
The growth of the city schools between the years 1838 and 1853 is
shown in the fact that the number of scholars enrolled in the former year
was one hundred and seventy-nine ; in the latter year there were regis-
tered January i, 6,368, while the number of teachers had increased from
seven to ninety-four.
* Mr. 'Cook was the first superintendent who was elected to the office ; previous to 1854, the office
was filled by appointment by the Common Council. During Mr. Cook's administration, fourteen
school houses were erected.
3i8 History of Buffalo.
Following is a complete record of the schools in the city as they exist
at present, with brief /lescriptions of the buildings and the dates when
most of them were constructed : —
The city is divided into thirty-seven school districts. In each of the
districts there are one or more buildings owned by the district or leased
at its expense, used for school purposes.
Central SchooLSc\iOo\ lot on the triangle bounded by Franklin,
Genesee and Court streets ; main building constructed of brick, three
stories high, fronting on Franklin street ; in good repair. The old build-
ing in rear fronting Court street, purchased in 1852, is of brick, three
stories high. The basement under both buildings finished and used for
janitor's dwelling, wardrobes and other purposes. Valuation ot property,
$76,000.
District No. i. — School lot on Seventh street, between Maryland and
Hudson streets ; house three-story brick, in good condition, built in 1855.
Valuation $13,000; number of sittings, five hundred and twenty-nine.
District No. 2.'-'^^ocA lot on Terrace street near Genesee ; house
three-story brick, in fair condition ; rebuilt in 1852. Valuation of prop-
erty, $18,000: number of sittings, three hundred and forty-six.
District No. 3. — School lot on Perry street, between Illinois and Mis-
sissippi streets; three-story brick house, in fair condition, built in 1851.
Valuation, $10,500 ; number of sittings, three hundred and ninety-four.
District No. 4. — School on Elk street, near Louisiana, building con-
structed of brick, three stories high, in poor condition, built in 1849.
Valuation, $20,000 ; number of sittings, six hundred and sevcnty-hve.
District No. 5. — School lot on Seneca street, near New York Central
Railroad crossing ; house constructed of brick and three stories high,
built in 1839; additions made in i85oand 1856. Valuation'$io,ooo: num-
ber of sittings, three hundred and sixty-six.
District No. 6. — School lot on South Division street, near Chestnut ;
house constructed of brick, three stories high, with finished basement for
wardrobes, closets and janitor's dwelling, originally built in 1839, rebuilt
in 1868. Assessed valuation of property, $22,000; number of sittings,
eight hundred.
District No. 7.— School lot on South Division street, near Ellicott;
house constructed of brick, three stories, built in 1835. Valuation, $9,000 ;
number of sittings in all departments, three hundred and thirty.
District No. 8. — School lot on Church street, opposite City and
County Hall ; building constructed of brick, two stories, buiU in 1838.
Valuation, $7,500 ; number of sittings, one hundred and eighty-five. Con-
demned by Council in 1883.
District No. 9.— Formerly colored school on Vine street, discontin-
ued and territory added to districts eleven and thirteen.
Educational Istitutions of Buffalo. 319
District No, la — School lot on Delaware street, near Mohawk ; house
constructed of brick, three stories, built in 1847. Valuation, $10,000;
number of sittings in all departments, four hundred and sixty-seven.
District No. 11. — School lot on Elm street, near Clinton ; house con-
structed of brick, two stories, built in 1848. Valuation, $6,000; number
of sittings in both departments, two hundred and eighty-two.
District No. 12. — Main building on Spruce street, near Broadway ;
constructed of brick, three floors, in 1849. Valuation, $14,000. Pri-
mary school situated on Broadway at the comer of Spring street ; house
constructed of brick, two stories and finished basement, built in 1869.
Valuation, $16,000 ; number of sittings in both buildings, one thousand
two hundred and sixty-four.
District No. 13. — School lot on Oak street, between Genesee and
Huron; three-story building constructed of brick in 1856. Valuation
$16,000; number of sittings, five hundred and twenty-seven. An addi-
tion is being made to this school building, this year (1883).
District No. 14. — School lot on Franklin street, between Tupper and
Edward, house two stories high, constructed of brick» built in 1866.
Valuation $20,000 ; number of sittings five hundred and fifty.
District No. 1 5. — Main school building situated on Oak street,corner of
Burton Alley, constructed of brick, three stories with finished basement*
built in 1876. Valuation $25,000; number of sittings, one thousand and sixty.
Primary School, lot on Carlton street between Orange and Peach
street; brick building, two stories high, built 1869 ; six hundred and sixty-
eight sittings. Valuation $16,000.
District No. 16. — School lot on Delaware avenue, Extending to Lin-
wood avenue, near Bryant street ; house built in 1855, of brick; three
stories. Valuation $18,000 ; number of sittings, four hundred and eighty-
jive. A lot is purchased in the eastern end of this district and a new
building is ordered built
District No. 17. — This district has no school property excepting the
furniture in the building rented and occupied for school purposes.
District No. 18. — The school lot in this district in on School street,
between Fargo and West avenues. There are two brick buildings on
the lot New building, two-story brick, built 1874 ; number of sittings,
five hundred and forty-two. Valuation, $24,000, The first floor of the
old building is used as a primary ; number of sittings, two hundred
and twenty.
District No. 19. — School lot on West avenue, at the junction of Dela-
van avenue; house constructed of brick in 1857. Valuation, $17,000;
number of sittings, five hundred and eighty-seven.
District No. 20. — School lot on Amherst street, comcrof East street;
house constructed of brick, three stories, built in 1877; number of sit-
tings, nine hundred and six. A two-story brick building is being erected
to be used as a primary, located on Military road.
320 History of Buffalo.
District No. 21. — School lot on Bird street, near Delaware avenue ;
house constructed of wood in 1857. Valuation, $1,200; number of sit-
tings, forty.
District No. 22. — School lot on Main street nearly opposite Bird
street ; house two-story brick, built 1 882. Valuation, $7,000 ; number of
sittings, one hundred and ninety.
District No. 23.— School lot on Delavan avenue near railroad cross-
ing ; brick house, one story. Valuation, $400 ; number of sittings, forty.
District No. 24. — School lot on Fillmore parkway, comer of Best
street; house constructed of brick and two stories high; built 1857.
Valuation, $7,000.
District No. 25. — School lot on Lewis street near William street ;
main structure built in 1873, of brick and two stories high. Valuation,
$16,000 ; number of sittings, three hundred and fourteen. Another build-
ing situated on Churchyard farm ; one-story wood ; city purchased of
Mr. Joseph Churchyard in 1882, who built and sustained a school therein
for about one year previous to being purchased by the city. Another
of one-story wood, Broadway, near Erie Railroad.
District No. 26. — School lot on Dole street near Seneca street ; brick
house, one story high. Valuation, $1,700 ; number of sittings, eighty.
District No. 2f7. — School lot on Cazenovia street near the Aurora
plank road ; house one-story brick structure, built about 1872. Valuation*
$1,000 ; number of sittings, one hundred and twenty-two.
District No. 28. — School at the junction of Triangle street with the
Abbott's Comers plank road ; one-story wooden house. Valuation of
property, $1,800; number of sittings, eighty-two.
District No. 29. — School lot on White's Comers plank road near
Marilla street ; one-story brick building, built 1874. Valuation, $500;
number of sittings, forty^^o.
District No. 30. — No school property in this district, and a building
has been rented for school purposes.
District No. 31. — School lot on Emslie street, between Peckham and
William, and running through to Krettner street ; two brick buildings on
the lot ; one of three stories with department and recitation rooms ; the
other of two stories, built 1872, and a basement finished for janitors'
dwelling in good repair. Valuation, $28,000 ; number of sittings in both
buildings, eight hundred and eighty-eight. Three other buildings in
this district are rented for schools.
District No. 32. — School lot on Cedar street between William and
Clinton streets ; two brick buildings on lot ; one of three stories. The
other built 1872, two stories high with basement finished for janitor's
dwelling and other purposes. Valuation of both buildings, $30,000;
number of sittings in both buildings, one thousand one hundred and
fifty-four.
Educational Institutions of Buffalo, 321
District No. 33.— School lot on Elk street, near Smith street; house
built of brick, two stories high, built 1878. Valuation, $25,ocx>; num-
ber of sittings, six hundred and fourteen.
District No. 34. — School lot on Hamburgh street, corner of Sandusky
street ; house two stories high, constructed of brick, built 1864. Valua-
tion, $35,oco ; number of sittings, six hundred and fourteen.
District No. 35.— School lot on Swan street, near Spring street;
house three story brick with wings two stories high, built 1867. Valua-
tion, $35,000 ; number of ^ttings, seven hundred and fifty-nine.
District No. 36.— School lot on Norris Place, at the corner of Cottage
street; house two stories and constructed of brick; basement finished
and used for janitor's dwelling and other purposes ; built in 1858. Assess-
ors' valuation, $20,000 ; number of sittings, six hundred and fifty-six.
District No. 37. — Building Williamsville road, near Genesee street ;
built 1 88 1, one-stor)' wood.
School of Practice.— T\i^ School of Practice attached to the State
Normal School is maintained for the purpose of training members of
the graduating class and fitting them for teachers. It is also a public
school with an attendance of about two hundred pupils.
Buffalo Orphan Asylum School. — The building used for this school
is city property, and is located on the school lot situated on Virginia
street, at the point of its divergence towards the lake. The property is
in district No. 14 ; the house is a one-story wooden building,
St. John's Orphan Asylum School. — No. 280 Hickory street and Sul-
phur Springs. The school belonging to this asylum is maintained for
the benefit of the orphans cared for by this institution. The school room
is a part of the asylum building.
St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum School. — Corner Broadway and Elli-
cott street This school is composed of orphan inmates of the asylum,
the school room being furnished for the use of the school by the asylum
authorities.
Best Street R. C. Orphan Asylum. — Best street near Parade House.
The school maintained in this asylum is wholly composed of orphan
children, and the school room is furnished by the authorities of the
institution.
Church Charity Foundation School. — The pupils of this school are
inmates of the institution, and the school room is supplied by the trus-
tees of the Foundation.
Important changes for the better we: e nade in the course of study
in the graded schools in 1879 ^^^ \Vio^ which have resulted in a degree
of general benefit to the pupils.
In the year 1871 the "Jesse Ketchum Memorial Fund " was founded
and a deed of trust w^s executed on the 7tb of September of that year,
which conveyed to the city of Buffalo the sum of $10,000, with which to
322 History of Buffalo.
found a perpetual memorial fund in honor of Jesse Ketchum. During
the later years of his life especially, Mr. Ketchum was deeply interested
in the public schools. This fund was founded by Mr. B. H. Brennan, a
son-in-law of Mr. Ketchum. The basis upon which the fund is founded,
is thus expressed in the deed of trust : —
"The system of pubKc instruction has for its grand object and
design to make worthy citizens, and this implies the culture of the mind,
the morals and the manners, and the object and design of this trust is to
promote the threefold culture in just proportions. The medals and other
prizes are intended as incentives to oiligent study, correct deportment
and good behavior. They are intended to promote a faithful application
to prescribe studies, a cheerful obedience to all the rules and reflations
of the school, a respectful demeanor towards the teachers, a strict atten-
tion to the proprieties which distine^uish polite intercourse of refined
society, and a supreme regard for * whatsoever things are honest, what-
soever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good report. "
Medals, books and other prizes have been distributed under this
deed to the reported benefit of the cause of education in the city.
Following are the school officers for the year 1883 : —
Superintendent — ^James F. Crooker.
Clerk— G. Adolf Finck.
Teachers of Penmanship — Charles B. Knowlton and Carl A. Goehle.
Teachers of Music — Everett L. Baker and Charles Hager.
Teacher of Drawing— M^rk. M. May cock.
The nationality and color of the parents of the pupils registered as
members of the schools in 1882, are as follows: —
American 5460
German 10,301
Irish 2,633
Other nationalities 2,293
Total 20,687
Whites 20,574
Colored 113
Total 20,687
The whole number of pupils registered in the Grammar schools,
school of Practice, the Central school, and the schools connected with
charitable organizations for the term ending December 22, 1882, was
20,687, and the attendance 15,689.
The Normal School.— In September, 1871, a State Normal School was
opened in Buffalo ; it is located on Jersey street, between Thirteenth and
Fourteenth streets. This school was established under the State law and
is under the joint control of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
and the local Board of Trustees. The Board is composed at the pres-
ent time of Francis H. Root, Buffalo, President ; David Gray, Buffalo,
Educational Institutions of Buffalo. 323
Secretary ; Stephen M. Clement, Buffalo, Treasurer ; Thomas F. Roch
ester, Buffalo, Grover Cleveland, Buffalo, Henry Lapp, Clarence.
The first president of the local Board of Trustees was Hon. J. B.
Skinner ; he died before the school was opened, and was followed in the
office by Hon. N. K. Hall. Mr. O. G. Steele next assumed the duties of
the position, and he was succeeded by Francis H. Root, the present
incumbent. The principal is Professor Henry B. Buckham, A. M., who
has most efficiently filled the office since the school was opened. The
diplomas of this school are perpetual licenses to teach anywhere in the
State. The average number of pupils in attendance in the Normal
school is two hundred and twenty.
Connected with the Normal school is a School of Practice which is
a i5art of the public schools of the city, the teachers being paid by the
city ; they are nominated by the Normal board and appointed by the
city superintendent. Pupils are received upon application of parents to
the number of twenty from each of the ten grades in the public schools.
The School of Practice is of great benefit to pupils intending to make
teaching a profession. The number of graduates from the Normal school
is two hundred and sixty-nine.
Private Educational Institutions. — In addition to the public schools
already enumerated, there are now (1883) in the city the following private
educational institutions : —
The Buffalo Female Academy is situated between Johnson Place and
Park Place on Delaware avenue. This institution was incorporated in
185 1, and has been a very prosperous and successful school. The pres-
ent Board of Trustees are Thomas Farnham, president ; Albert T. Ches-
ter, secretary and treasurer ; Nelson Holland, Josiah Jewett, Charles
E. Walbridge, John R. Lee, Pascal P. Pratt, William P. Letch worth,
Richard K. Noye, Henry R. Howland, John B. Greene, George P. Saw-
yer, George B. Hayes, Franklin D. Locke, O. H. Marshall. The present
Board of Instruction is composed as follows: Rev. Albert T.Chester,
D. D., Principal ; Professor Albert H. Chester, Ph. D., Lecturer on
Chemistry ; Professor Carl Adam, Teacher of Instrumental and Vocal
Music; Madame Clemence Bouliau, Teacher of the French Language;
Rev. J. B. Kniest, Teacher of the German Language ; Mrs. I. H. Benson,
Teacher of Drawing and Painting ; Miss Mary Lovering, Teacher of
Dancing; Miss E. L. Hilliard, Teacher of Callisthenics; Miss Jeannie
M. Welch, Teacher of Composition and Rhetoric ; Miss Ellen K. Ches-
ter, Teacher of Literature and Elocution ; Mrs. Elizabeth A. Forbes,
Collegiate Department ; Miss Mary C. Cook, Assistant Collegiate Depart-
ment; Miss Harriet S. Kinney, First Academic Department; Mrs. I. H.
Benson, Second Academic Department ; Miss Louise Worthington,
Preparatory Department ; Miss Mary Lathrop, Teacher of Jar din des
Enfants; Miss Mabel Chester, Assistant oijardin.
324 History of Buffalo.
The Buffalo Classical School, 335 Franklin street, was established in
1863, by the present Principal, Horace Briggs. The school was founded
principally in the interest of the families of Pascal P. Pratt, E. B. Beals,
Bronson C. Rumsey, and James Ganson ; to these were added Andrew
J. Rich and Guilford Wilson. These six gentlemen are named as the
founders of the school. . The number of pupils was for several years
limited to twelve, but was afterwards enlarged to meet the desires of
others who wished to avail themselves of its advantages. Nearly fifty
students have been prepared in this school for different colleges and
universities, and about forty for business pursuits. The faculty now
includes, besides the principal, Lewis Rogers, William A. Frickand Mrs.
Dora B. North.
The Misses Hill's schotql for young ladies, located at 435 Delaware
avenue, was established in 1847.
Mrs. Williams' school for young ladies, located at 254 Franklin street,
was established in 1868. Mrs. Richard Williams is the principal. A
school formerly kept by Miss Sheldon, as early as 1855, ^i^d afterwards
by Misses Woolworth and Bissell, was incorporated in Mrs. Williams'
present school. An average of about ninety pupils, children, young
boys and young ladies attend the school.
The Bryant & Stratton Business College. — Among the private edu-
cational institutions of Buffalo, the Bryant & Stratton Business College
occupies a prominent and honorable position. This college was estab-
lished in 1854, and for twenty-eight years enjoyed a successful career in
rooms in Brown's Buildings, on the corner of Main and Seneca streets.
On the ist of January, 1883, to accommodate the regularly increas-
ing attendance and to furnish more perfect facilities, the proprietors
secured and occupied elegant and commodious rooms in the German
Insurance Company's building, the entire third floor being leased for the
purposes of the college.
Heathcote School, for boys, was established in 1865 ; it is now
located at 310 Pearl street. This school affords its patrons facilities for
acquiring a thorough academic education. It is unsectarian in character,
but is under the protection of the Episcopalian Church, the Right Rev.
A. Cleveland Coxe, D. D., LL. D., acting as president of the Board of
Trustees. Lester Wheeler, A. M., is the present head master and master
of the department of ancient and modern languages. Charles H. Gould
is master of the scientific department.
The Kindergarten and Training School, located at 623 Delaware
avenue, was established in May 1876, by the present principal, Mrs.
Amanda H. Hoffman. The course of instruction runs from the kinder-
garten to full academic. Miss Alice E. Hoffman is principal of the
young ladies' department, and Miss Mary W. Hoffman, teacher of the
preparatory department.
Educational Institutions of Buffalo. 325
St. Mary's Academy and Industrial School, Franklin street, near
Church. — This institution was incorporated April 29, 1865. It is devoted
to the education of young ladies only. Officers, Miss E. Nardin and Miss
E. Smyth. There are ten lady teachers in the school, which is highly
successful.
Williams Academy for Boys. — This institution was established ini87i,
and is located in the Hersee Building, corner of Main and Chippewa
streets. The school was founded by Mr. Howell C. Williams, who died
August 27, 1883. It has been attended by from thirty to forty students.
Catholic Colleges. — There are two Catholic colleges in Buffalo, the
most important of which is the Canisius College. This institution was
opened in September, 1870, and was incorporated in January, 1883, by
the Regents of the University of the State, with power to confer degrees
and academical honors. It is conducted by the Society of Jesus, and is
located on Washington street. Two courses are taught — a classical and
a commercial course. Boarding students are accommodated in the insti-
tution when desired. The present faculty is as follows : Rev. M. Port,
S. J., President and Prefect of Studies ; Rev. Fr. X. Delhez, S. J., Pre-
fect of Discipline for the boarders — Teacher of French ; Rev. Herm.
Kerckhoff, S. J., Prefect of Discipline for the day-scholars — Professor of
Mathematics : Rev. Guil. Truemper, S. J., Professor of Rhetoric ; Rev.
M. Bischoff, S. J., Professor of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry ;
Rev. Aem. Perrig, S. J., Class of Poetry ; Rev. Ant. Guggenberger, S.
J., Professor of History aiid German ; Rev. P. Mueller, S. J., Class of
Humanities; Rev. Th. Van Rossum, S. J., Class of Sj'ntax ; Rev. T.
Gaechter, S. J., Second Grammar Class ; Rev. Hub. Hartmann, S. J.,
First Grammar Class ; Rev. J. Mueller, S. J., Teacher of French and
German; Mr. Barth. Gmeiner, S. J., Preparatory Class; Mr. Ch. Flink,
S, J., Teacher of Drawing and Arithmetic ; Mr. Th. Ashton, Commer-
cial Law and English Literature ; Mr. H. Smith, Third Class Commercial
Course; Mr. Greg. Kiefer, Second Class Commercial Course; Rev. B.
Henke, S. J., Mr. G. Burkard, S. J., Mr. J. Zahm, S. J., Mr. Ch. Gretler,
S. J., Assistant Teachers and Prefects of Discipline ; Mr. Ch. Mischka,
Teacher of Music ; Mr. Ch. Buckelmueller, Teacher of Gymnastics.
St. Joseph's College, corner of Delaware avenue and Church street^
is under the care of the Christian Brothers. This institution was estab-
lished in 1 861, and has now two hundred and forty pupils. Its different
courses embrace, besides the regular English studies, the Greek, Latin,Ger.
man, Spanish and French languages ; chemistry, geology, astronomy and
natural philosphy (with adequate apparatus) ; the higher mathematics,
theoretical and analytical geometry, mensuration, plane and spherical
trigonometry, surveying, navigation, calculus, etc., logic, metaphysics
and ethics, special attention being directed to those branches involving
a thorough knowledge of mechanics, book-keeping, commercial law, cor-
respondence, phonography, drawing, and vocal and instrumental music.
326 History of Buffalo.
Parochial atid Otiur Church Sc/tools. — There arc in the city twenty-
two Catholic parochial schools in connection with the churches to which
sufficient reference is made in the chapter on the churches of Buffalo.
There are also schools connected with the following German churches.
St, Stephen's Evangelical Lutheran, St. John's German Lutheran, Trin-
ity, St. Marcus Evangelical, Evangelical Friedens, Church of Seven
Dolors, St, Mary's, St. Peter's Evangelical. These schools are further
described in the records of the German churches in the chapter devoted
to the German interests of Buffalo.
Convents. — St. Mary's Convent of the Redemptorists. — Pine street^
near Broadway.
Sacred Heart Convent of Sisters of St. Francis. — 749 Washington,
between Tupper and Goodell. Sister Cecilia, Superior. Kindergarten
attached.
Convent of St. Clare. — Under care of the Sisters of the Third Order
of St. Francis. Mother Margaret, Superior. A select and day school.
Convent of the Sisters of Notre Dame. — Broadway, near Pine. Sis-
ter Falconeria, Superior.
Mount St. Joseph Convent. — Main street, near Forest avenue. Sis-
ters of St. Joseph.
St. Joseph's Convent of Mercy. — Fulton street near Louisiana.
Under the Sisters of Mercy. Sister M. Joseph, Superior.
Boarding School and Academy of the Holy Angek. — Comer Porter
and Prospect Avenues. Under the direction of the Gray Nuns.
CHAPTER XIIL
JOURNALISM IN BUFFALO.
Influence of the Pre^s — The Fint Newspaper in Buffalo — Its Legitimate Successor the Gww i>r —
The Lai^gest Show Printing House in the World— The C^mmaxial Advertiser— DeUilt of its
Growth— The ^A^ij — Successive Owners, Editors and Managers — The First Successful
Sunday Newspaper in Buffalo — The Sunday News— Establishment of the DtdfyNews— The
Daiiy TeUirapk-^TYkt Sunday TVw/j — Establishment of the />«> TVuMf — The Sunday
7>u/A_ Religious, Medical and Temperance Journals — Literary Papers — The Mortuary
Record of Buffalo Newspapers.
IT is creditable to the Buffalo of seventy years ago when she could
scarcely assume the pretensions of a village, when her population
numbered but a few hundreds and when some of the principal streets
were still adorned with the stumps of primeval trees, that there were
among the inhabitants men possessed of sufficient enterprise and faith in
the future of the place, to establish a newspaper, and public spirit in the
Buffalo Journalism, 327
community to support it with such a degree of liberality as sufficed to
give it peripanent life. What Buffalo in its early days owed to the influ-
ence of its first newspaper, need not be dwelt upon here ; it is well known
that the advancement and growth of all young settlements, depend to a
great degree upon their pioneer journals which are seldom slow in mak-
ing known to the world the merits of their respective localities as
desirable points for settlement and holding up to the public their bright
prospects.
The press of the city of Buffalo, from the day of the first issue of the
Buffalo Gazette in 181 1, has occupied a conspicuous and honorable posi-
tion in the history of journalism in the Empire State, and its influence,
especially in later years, has been felt in an effective and gratifying
manner in political policy and the counsels of the nation. Men have con-
ducted and are conducting the leading newspapers of the city, who have
in such capacity and otherwise, won national reputations and left the
impress of their personalities upon the events of their time. To-day the
newspapers of Buffalo are second to none in the country in cities of
similar size.
In making the following historic record of the newspapers of Buffalo,
we shall first give an account of these journals that are now in existence,
¥'hich will also include all that have been consolidated with them ; as
far as available, after which will be found a larger number of the
papers in the list that have been started only to succumb to that fate
which seems to foredoom so many such enterprises to an early demise.
The first number of the first newspaper published in this city was
issued on the 3d day of October, 18 11. It was called the Buffalo Gazette
and was published by Smith H. Salisbury and his brother, Hezekiah A.
Salisbury. The Gazette was then the only newspaper in the State west
of Canandaigua, except a small sheet issued at Balavia. The two Salis-
bury brothers came to Buffalo from Canandaigua, where they had learned
the art of printing with James D. Bemis, who then published the Ontario
Repository. The Gazette was an unpretentious sheet when compared with
the modern newspaper; it was only about twenty by twenty-four inches
in size, and the paper was coarse and of a sort of bluish-yellow tint.
Reference has already been made to portions of the contents of some of
the early numbers of this pioneer in the newspaper field. The publishers
had bought a small stock of books and stationery, the advertisement of
which sufficed to fill a considerable portion of the early issues. In antici-
pation of an invasion of Buffalo by the British, the Gazette establishment
was removed to Harris Hill some weeks before the burning of Buffalo
in December, 1813, the last number previous to the removal being dated
December 14. The first Harris Hill issue being dated January 18. In
May, 1813, the Gazette establishment was enlarged and the subscription
price advanced from the original figure of $2.00; but so many complaints
328 History of Buffalo.
followed this action that the price was reduced in July of that year.
Smith H. Salisbury remained in editorial management of the Gazette
until January, 1818, when he sold his interest to Mr. William A. Carpen-
ter ; he remained in the firm but three months and sold his interest to
H. A. Salisbury in April 28, 1818, the latter thus becoming sole owner;
he changed the name of the.paper to the Niagara Patriot. Of the Gazette
during the first five or six years of its existence, a prominent citizen has
written : —
" It was the only chronicler of local events on the frontier. Its weekly
arrival in the back settlements was anxiously looked for and seldom has
a public journal been more useful and reliable. "
When the county of Erie was erected in 1820, Mr. Salisbury again
changed the name of his paper to the Buffalo Patriot, In 1826, Mr. Car-
penter repurchased an interest in the Patriot establishment, which he
retained until 1824, acting as assistant editor. Harvey Newcomb edited
the paper for about a year, in 1829. In the winter of i827~'28, Charles
Sentell and Billings Haywood started the Western Advertiser^ a paper
which was devoted to the cause of anti-masonry. Oliver Forward and
James Sheldon were active and forcible contributors to its columns.
After about three months of existence, this journal was merged into
the Patriot. While Mr. Carpenter was in the editorial chair of the
Patriot^ the columns of his paper were largely given up to the most
active support of the anti*masonic movement, which was then sweeping
over the State. On the 7th of January, 1834, the Buffalo Weekly Patriot
was issued as the Buffalo Patriot and Cofnmercial Advertiser^ published
every Tuesday. The first number of the Daily Commercial Advertiser
was issued January 1, 1835, with H. A. Salisbury as publisher, Guy H.
Salisbury as editor and Bradford A. Manchester printer. The office
was at that time located at 341 and 343 Main street, with an entrance
at 13 Ellicott Square. The Daily was enlarged at the end of six months
and again at the end of the year, at which time Mr. Manchester bought
an interest, the firm becoming Salisbury, Manchester & Co.* Dur-
ing the succeeding six months the paper was edited by Dr. Thomas M,
Foote, except for a short period by Theodore C. Peters. On the first of
July of that year H. A. Salisbury! retired from the establishment, when
Dr. Foote and Guy H. Salisbury associated themselves with Mr. Man-
chester and continued the publication until August, 1836, when Almon
M. Clapp who was publishing the Standard at Aurora, consolidated his
paper with the Weekly Patriot and became one of the editors of the Com-
mercial Advertiser and the Patriot. Mr. Manchester^: left the establish-
• It was in 1836 that Mr. Manchester introduced the Erst power printing press into Buffalo. It
is recorded that with the assistance of four feeders and a man at the wheel, five hundred imprcssioiu
per hour were made. It was an *• Adams, " press. Mr. Manchester subsequently introduced the
first cylinder press here on which the Piiot was printed.
t H. A. Salisbury died Mareh 14, 1856.
t Died May 3, 1863.
■^-r.'**
O.
Buffalo Journalism. 329
Rient at that time or a few weeks later and the remaining members of
the firm under the name of Salisbury, Foote & Co., continued the
publication until May, 1839, when Mr. Salisbury and Mr. Clapp sold their
interests to Dr. Foote and Elam R. Jewett ; the latter was then publish-
ing the Daily Journaly which he merged in the CommerciaL
1\\^ Journal was established in July, 181 5, by David M. Day : it was
called the Niagara Journal, which name was changed to Buffalo Journal
when Erie county was erected. Mr. Day was assisted in the editorial
work on this paper by prominent politicians until about 1822, from which
date to 1826 R. W. Haskins was the principal editor. In that year Oran
Follett purchased an interest in the Journal and took the editorial chair.
In 1827 Mr. Haskins became one of the proprietors and continued to
do a portion of the editorial labor. In 1830, Messrs. Follett & Haskins
retired from the establishment and the business was carried on by Mr.
Day until 1834, when it was sold to Elijah J. Roberts: this gentleman
began in the summer of that year the issue of a large daily paper, under
the name of the Daily Advertiser^ on which Colonel Morgan assisted in
the editorial work ; Comfort F. Butler soon after became one of the pub-
lishers : this Daily continued about six weeks.
In the early part of 1835 the Journal was suspended ; it had during
nearly twenty years enjoyed a large patronage, but its career was
shortened by the establishment in the previous winter, by Mr. Day, of the
Buffalo Whigy a new weekly, of which Mr. R. W. Haskins was editor.
Mr. Day's popularity and the excellence of his paper, won him the pat-
ronage of his large circle of friends, to the embarrassment of the Journal.
When the latter paper was suspended, Mr. Day bought its subscription
list and title, adding the name Journal to his new paper. January i,
1836, Mitchenor Cadwallader and Dr. Henry R. Stagg became partuers
with Mr. Day, and in February following began the publication of the
Buffalo Daily Journal^ which was edited by Messrs. Cadwallader and
Stagg. In 1837 Mr. Day retired from the establishment and the business
was continued by the two remaining partners until the fall of 1838, when
the entire establishment was purchased by Elam R. Jewett and Dr.
Daniel Lee ; J. B. Clarke was made editor. In May, 1839, ^^^ Journal
was merged with the Commercial Advertiser^ as before stated.
The firm in control of the Commercial vfSiS now E. R. Jewett & Co.,
the company being Dr. Foote, who edited the paper with the assistance
of Dr. Lee. This arrangement was continued until 1854, when the whole
establishment was sold to Calvin F. S. Thomas, Solon H. Lathrop and
Jedediah H. Lathrop. Theodore N. Parmalee, who is spoken of as a
versatile and able writer and enjoying an extensive acquaintance, was
made the editor. April 4, 1857, the establishment again passed into the
bands of Mr. Jewett and Dr. Foote, with the latter as editor. Dr. Foote
was sent to Bogota in 1849, ^s Charge d' Affaires; returning the follow-
330 History of Buffalo.
ing year he was appointed to the same oflBce at the Court of Vienna.
He returned in 1853 and resumed his editorial work, which he continued
until near his death : that event occurred on the 20th of February, 1858.
He was a scholarly and powerful writer and the paper reached an emi-
nent degree of strength and popularity while under his editorial control.
Dr. Foote was followed as editor of the Commercialhy E. Peshine Smith,
and he by Prof. Ivory Chamberlain, the latter a very able writer, who
afterwards died in the harness while engaged on the New York Herald.
Dr. Sanford B. Hunt, inlate years editor of the Newark, (N. J.) Adver-
tiser, was also editor of the Commercial after Mr. Chamberlain. April
9, 1 861, the establishment was purchased by Rufus Wheeler, Joseph
Candee and James D. Warren, the firm being styled R. Wheeler & Q>.,
with Anson G. Chester as editor of the paper. December 8, 1862, the
firm dissolved, Mr. Candee retiring ; his interest was bought by Mr.
Warren and at the same time James N. Matthews was taken into the
firm, the style being Wheeler, Matthews & Warren. April 29, 1865, Mr.
Wheeler retired from the firm ; he died on the 14th of May, 1865. Mr.
Matthews acted as editor-in-chief and was assisted by William E. Foster,
the present editor. The firm of Matthews & Warren dissolved October
29, 1877, the former gentleman withdrawing; since that date James D.
Warren has been the sole proprietor of the Commercial Advertiser, In
February, 1868, the establishment was removed from Main street to the
Adams Block, on Washington street, and on Monday evening, Septem-
ber 28, of that year, it was almost entirely destroyed by fire, the origin
of which is a mystery. Through the courtesy of the Express^ not a
number of the paper was missed, though it appeared as a half-sheet until
October 7. The counting-room and contents were saved, and the pub-
lication office was continued there, while the block was at once rebuilt
by Mr. Adams. The establishment remained at that location until April
10, 1882, when it was removed to the new building on the comer of
Washington and North Division streets. This structure was begun on
the 1st of May, 1881 ; it was a magnificent building, five stories in
height, and most admirably adapted to its purpose. The occupancy of
the new building was a source of congratulation to the owner of the
establishment, to all connected with it, as well as to the friends of the
paper everywhere. In an editorial published in the paper at the time of
its removal, we find the following expression :
" After all, what gives at this moment the keenest satisfaction to
those identified with its management, is the reflection that it hasthroufi^h
all its changes, through all its ups and downs, a firm hold upon the
friendship and esteem of the best portion of the community."
This general feeling of congratulation was destined to be short-
lived, for on the 21st of December, of the same year, when the estab-
lishment had been settled in its new home but about eight months, a
conflagration far more disastrous than the former one, laid the beautiful
Buffalo Journalism. 331
structure in ruins. This fire was one of the most destructive and rapid
in its work that ever visited Buffalo, and the surrounding circumstances
were such that every citizen seemed to feel its consequences as in some
sense a personal loss. But the blow to the owner of the building and
publisher of the Commercial Advertiser was wonderfully mitigated by
countless offers of assistance and sincere expressions of sympathy.
Through the courtesy of the Courier establishment, the Commercial was
issued from their presses for about ten days, by which time it was again
ready with its own resources, located in the large building on the cor-
ner of Ellicott and Swan streets. Arrangements were immediately made
for rebuilding the splendid printing-house upon the ruins of the burned
building and in February, 1883, the work was begun. The new struc-
ture is now occupied with one of the finest printing, engraving and pub-
lishing establishments in thi State. The building itself is a worthy suc-
cessor of the first one ; it is five stories in height and built in the most
substantial and attractive style of architecture, of iron, stone and brick ;
it is fire-proof as far as it was possible to make it so and its interior con-
struction is peculiarly adapted to the necessities of the business. Each
floor' is sustained by a number of composite, wrought-iron, transverse
girders, with the additional support of heavy cast-iron columns under the
center of each, wrought-iron rolled " I " beams, corrugated iron arches and
concrete filling, with sleepers bedded in concrete, and hard maple floors.
This includes the roof, which is of the same construction — iron and
concrete. The building is a remarkably strong one. Without any
deflection it will support on each of the first three floors five hundred
and seven tons; four hundred and forty tons each on the fourth and
fifth floors, and one hundred and seventy tons on the roof. The finest
French plate glass is used for the windows from the basement to the
roof. The building is heated by steam throughout. The counting-room
is elegantly finished off in mahogany. A commodious elevator runs
from the basement to the top story.
The building is somewhat higher than the former one, the first story
being seventeen feet, the second thirteen and one-half feet, the third
twelve and one-fourth feet, the fourth fifteen feet, /ind the fifth thirteen
feet. There are iron staircases and wrought-iron fire-escapes, extending
from the side-walk to the roof, with balconies at each story, on North
Division street front.
James D. Warren, now at the head of the Commercial Advertiser
establishment, is a native of Bennington, Vt, his father being the late
Orsamus Bv Warren, who settled in the town of Clarence, in this county,
and carried on a successful country store there for a number of years.
Before Mr. Warren reached his majority, he made a tour of the South
and finished his education by about a year and a half of study in the
city of Natchez. After his return to Clarence, his public life began with
332 History of Buffalo.
his election as supervisor of that town for several terms. In 1854, when
he was but thirty^ne years old, Mr. Warren was elected county treas-
urer for Erie county and held the office three years ; he was also clerk
of the board of supervisors several terms. In April, 1861, he became
associated with Rufus Wheeler and Joseph Candee in the purchase of
the establishment of which he is now the manager. Mr. Warren has
always been active and influential in directing and managing political
affairs ; has often served as a member of the Republican County Com-
mittee and the State Central Committee, and also as a delegate to State
and National nominating conventions. He is a successful business man
and a far-seeing politician, having made his journal the leading Republi-
can organ of Western New York.
In the spring of 1830, Horace Steele began the publication of a news-
paper in Buffalo, which was the first ancestor of the present Buffalo Courier ,
It was called the Buffalo Bulletin and was devoted to the interests of the
Working Men's party, which had sprung up in the political field and
was running Isaac S. Smith as its candidate for Governor. This party
did not long survive and the Bulletin was then made Democratic in pol-
itics. In the early part of 183 1, it was purchased by James Faxon, and
Mason Brayman was given its editorial control. In July of that year
Mr. Faxon issued the first daily newspaper in Buffalo, which he named
the Daily Star. It was announced as neutral in politics, but in Novem-
ber following entered the Democratic field. In the spring of 1835, the
establishment was sold to Charles Faxon, who united the Bulletin with
the Weekly Republican and continued the Star as a daily. The Buffalo
Republican just referred to was started in April, 1828, as a weekly Demo-
cratic journal, the first paper in Erie county of that shade of politics.
William P. M. Wood was the publisher until September, when the estab-
lishment was purchased by Smith H. Salisbury and William S. Snow.
In April, 1829, Mr. Snow sold his interest to his partner. In the spring
of 1830, the establishment was purchased by Henry L. Ball, who con-
trolled it until early in the following year, when he sold out to Charles
Faxon and James Stryker ; the latter gentleman had edited the paper
under Mr. Ball and he continued in that capacity until October, 1834,
when Mr. Faxon bought Mr. Stryker's interest and made Horatio Gates
the editor. Between 1831 and 1834, Israel T. Hatch and Henry K.
Smith acted as political editors at separate intervals. In the spring of
1835, Charles Faxon bought the Bulletin and the Star and the consolida-
tion before noted was effected, leaving the Republican as the weekly issue
and the Star as the daily.
In August, 1838, Mr. Gates retired from the editorial chair and was
succeeded by William L. Crandall. The establishment was burned in
December, 1838, and the paper was suspended until February, 1839, when
its publication wa^ resumed by Quartus Graves, Horatio Gates return-
Z^Oy^^t^e^Tt^
Buffalo Journalism. 333
ing to the editorial chair, and being assisted for a short time by J. W.
DwinelL In April, 1840, Mr. Gates again left his editorial position and
was succeeded by Stephen Albro, who was assisted for a few months by
J. C. Bunner. In April, 1841, Mr. Albro gave place to Samuel Caldwell,
who occupied the position but a few weeks. J. C. Bunner then assumed'
editorial control of the paper which he continued until January, 1842,
when Mr. Graves sold out to Tfieodotus Burwell, who changed the name
of the paper to Mercantile Courier and Democratic Economist y and placed
Henry White in editorial control. On the ist of October, 1842, Joseph
Stringham purchased the establishment and changed the name of the
daily is^ue to Mercantile Courier, which he edited in person. July i,
1%4/S, tht Daily National Pilot was consolidated with the Courier, The
Pilot was the legitimate successor of the Daily Gazette, which was started
in August 1842, by Charles Faxon, 2d ; a few weeks later the Old School
Jeffersonian a weekly paper published in support of President Tyler's
administration, was issued from the same establishment. This office
was on West Seneca street, between Main and Pearl. In February,
1843, these journals were discontinued, when the publication o( the
Buflfalo Gazette was begun from the same office, by H. A. Salisbury, B.
A. Manchester and James O. Brayman. The Gazette was continued two
years when Messrs. Manchester and Brayman started the National
Pilot daily and weekly. R. W. Haskins was associated with Mr.
Brayman in the editorial work. The aim of the Pilot was to fos-
ter the national feeling among Americans and render them "freer
from English influence in their literature, their science, their politi-
cal economy and their views of the political and social condition of
the world at large." Mr. Haskins retired from the editorship of the
Pilot in April, 1846, and in July, it was merged with the Courier, as
stated above, Messrs. Manchester and Brayman at the same time acquir-
ing an interest in the establishment. This arrangement continued until
November, 1846, when Mr. Stringham sold his interest to his partners and
Guy H. Salisbury was associated with Mr. Brayman in the editorial
management of the paper. At this time weekly and tri- weekly editions
were published. In i849-'50, W. A. Seaver purchased the establishment
and became the editor and publisher ; the office was then located in
Spaulding's Exchange. In 1852 it was removed to West Seneca street.
In 1857, James H. Sanford acquired an interest in the establishment and
assumed a share in the editorial work ; and about this time the office
was removed to No. 192 Washington street. In 1858, Joseph Warren
began his career in Buffalo journalism, in connection with the Courier
which lasted for over eighteen years and gave him a prominent position
among the leading newspaper men of the country. In the early portion
of Mr. Warren's connection with the paper he assisted the editor, Mr.
Seaver, but soon took entire editorial control and maintained his posi-
tion as editor-in-chief until the time of his death in 1876.
as
334 History of Buffalo.
In i860 the firm became Sanford, Warren & Harroun, which change
was effected by the purchase of Mr. Seavcr's interest by G- K. Harroun.
The next change which occurred not long after i860, resulted in the form-
ation of the firm of Joseph Warren & Co., the members of which were
Joseph Warren, Milo Stevens, Willixim C. Horan and David Gray. On
the I St of January, 1869, the firm of Joseph Warren & Co., and Howard
& Johnson were consolidated and the proprietors formed a joint stock
company under the firm name of the Courier Company, Warren, J'ohnson
& Co., proprietors. The directors of the company for the first year were :
Joseph Warren, Ethan H. Howard, James M. Johnson, William C. Horan
and Milo Stevens ; president, Joseph Warren ; vice-president, James M.
Johnson; treasurer, Ethan H. Howard; secretary, Milo Stevens. The
company at [this time were proprietors and publishers of the Buffalo
Daify Courier^ the Evening Courier and Republic and the Weekly Courier^
these papers remaining under the management of Joseph Warren, assisted
by David Gray, and the job printing department of the establishment
continuing under the superintendence of William C. Horan.
At a meeting of the directors of the Courier Company held March
8, 1875, it was determined that on and after April ist, of the same
year, the business of the firm should be transacted in the name of the
Courier Company, instead of Warren, Johnson & Co., as heretofore, and
about this time the following named gentlemen were elected officers of
the company : president, Joseph Warren : vice-president, William G.
Fargo; treasurer, Charles W. McCune. On the 4th of October, 1876,
Mr. Fargo was elected president of the compan}-, to till the vacancy
caused by the death of Mr. Warren.* March 3, 1880, Charles W.
McCune was elected president and is the chief executive officer at this
writing, with George B. Bleistein as secretary. Under Mr. McCune's
direction the establishment in all its various branches, has already
attained a degree of prosperity never before enjoyed by it. The differ-
ent journals issued from it are conducted with ability and vigor ; the
engraving and printing departments, embracing the largest show print-
ing establishments in the world, have been given a national reputation,
and the general business interests of the entire establishment have felt
the control of a master.f
On the I St of January, 1879, ^^e word " Buffalo*' was added to the
title of the newspaper, the Courier, and so continues. The name of
the Evening Courier and Republic had previously been changed to the
Ettening Republic. From 1861, when Joseph Warren & Co., came into
possession of it, until 1882, this paper had been sold for two cents per
copy, but in October, 1882, it was issued at one cent per copy and con^
tinues as a one cent paper. The Republic Was started in 1842, with Quartus
* See biography of Mr. Warren in later pages.
f For further reference to Mr. McOine, see biography in subsequent pages of this Yolume.
•'-c-^;^
)
Buffalo Journalism. 335
Graves as publisher. In 1848 Benjamin C. Welch became editor of the
paper and the establishment passed into the hands of E. A. Maynard &
Co. In 185 1, E. A. Maynard was the sole publisher and was associated
with Mr. Bristol as proprietor and editor, Mr. Welch retiring. About
1856, Henry W. Faxon, afterwards known as one of the best humorous
writers in the country, accepted the city editorship of the paper and held
the place until i860, when he retired from journalism. Mr. Salisbury
abandoned journalistic life in 1858, after having been for many years one
of the most industrious and influential newspaper writers in the city.
Thomas Kean became a contributor to the Republic in the fall of 1859
and was soon thereafter tendered a position as editorial writer and critic.
At this time the Republic had hoisted the name of Stephen A. Douglass
for President, and in the preliminary campaign Mr. Kean did good ser-
vice for the " Little Giant," for whom he had conceived the warmest
admiration, and in his efforts he was cordially seconded by the proprie-
tor, Mr. Bristol. The management of the paper devolved upon Mr.
Kean during the Lincoln-Douglass campaign in i860, and in the spring
of 1 861, Mr. Bristol disposed of his interest to Mr. Kean, and the latter
gentleman within a few months sold the Republic to Joseph Warren &
Co., since which time it has been published as a cheap evening paper,
by the Courier management.
David Gray, who has already been mentioned, entered the employ
of the Courier as a reporter in i860 ; was promoted to the city editorship
soon afterwards and filled that post till the fall of 1861, when he was
advanced to the associate editorship, Thomas Kean succeeding him in
charge of the city department. Upon the death of Joseph Warien in
1876, Mr. Gray, who had now been managing editor for some years, had
devolved upon him the duties of editor-in-chief and met the responsibil-
ities of the position with singular ability and fairness, until failing health
compelled him to retire in the fall of 1882. Mr. Gray has long been
recognized as one of the most brilliant journalists in the country and his
influence in behalf of fair, dignified and manly journalism has been wide-
spread and potent for good. At the date of this publication he is in
Europe with his family.
Thomas Kean became city editor and dramatic critic of the Courier
in the fall of 1861, after having done duty on the Republic for nearly two
years as editorial writer, critic and managing editor. He retained the
chair of the city editor until the summer of 1882, a period of twenty-one
years, when he was assigned to an associate position on the staff of the
editor-in-chief, still retaining his place as dramatic critic In the active
management of the paper, Mr. Kean was closely associated with Joseph
Warren and David Gray, and to his industry, ability and good judgment
are due much of the success of the Courier and the other publications of
the company.
336 History of Buffalo.
Joseph O'Connor became connected with the Courier in 1880. He
had been editorially connected with the Rochester Democrat^ the Indian-
apolis Sentinel^ and was for some time one of the editorial writers on the
New York World. Upon the retirement of Mr. Gray, the editorial man-
agement of the Courier devolved upon him, and he has maintained the
dignity, honesty and influence of the journal entrusted to bis charge as
but few men could have done. Mr. O'Connor is a ripe scholar, a brilliant
writer, and brings to the discharge of his duties a clear and comprehen-
sive knowledge of public afifairs. He is a believer in respectable jour-
nalism, and his associates, Mr. Kean and O. F. Albing, and the city edi-
tor, George Ferris, are in perfect accord with him.
On the morning of the 15th of January, 1845, A. M. Clapp & Com-
pany began the publication of the Buffalo Morning Express. Daily, weekly
and tri-weekly editions were issued. The firm was composed of A. M.
Clapp and Rufus Wheeler, and James McKay was associated with the
former as editor. In the editor's salutation, printed in the first number
of the new journal, he said :—
'' In presenting to our friends and the public the Morning Express, a,
becoming ingenuousness, as well as a proper regard for usage, demands
from us a brief but frank exposition of the grounds upon. which we
intend to stand in our new relations, as public journalists and members
of the ffreat university of the Press.
" The Morning Express is to be a political journal and by no means
a neutral one. We regard the strivmgs and activities of the political
parties into which the people are divided, as one of the great instru-
mentalities bv which the national life and civilization areto bcdeveloi>ed.
* * * No institution, no social regulation, no law, no political
action can be sound or really permanent, whose roots do not penetrate
and take a firm hold on the parties in history, and any Progression,
Democratic or other, that has not its beginnings in the national history
and character, will most certainly perish in the hour of trial. « « ♦
We believe the elements of a true Democracy and a real Progression to
be much more abundantly and clearly manifest in the principles and
Positions of the Whig party, than in those of the party styling itself
>emocratic. * ♦• * But more especially do we intend to
devote the columns of the Express to whatever may tend in any degree
to develop the resources or promote the interests of our own young,
vigorous and beautiful city. To do all in our power to foster its indus-
try, increase its commerce and manufactures and promote a knowledge
01 the arts by which its wealth and prosperity are produced, shall be
our peculiar care. Nor do we intend to neglect its higher interests, the
cultivation of the intellectual and spiritual nature of its people, by all the
means which are calculated to liberalize, enlighten and elevate its society.
But we will not boast ourselves of the future. We desire and expect
success to wait on desert."
These extracts outline a clearly-defined policy, and it is not, perhaps,
too much to say that while the Express remained under the editorial con-
trol of Mr. Clapp, that policy was consistently adhered to, as far as
possible. The office of the Express was at first located in the Exchange
Buffalo Journalism. 337
Building, Nos. 156 and 158 Main street. Down to the year 1866, the
paper, although ably conducted and well received by the public, had not
proved a very profitable venture. In that year the Express Printing
Company was formed. The new organization was composed of A. M.
Clapp, H. H. Clapp, J. N. Larned, G. H. Selkirk and Thomas Kennett,
who were equal shareholders in the establishment.
In the editorial of May 23, 1866, announcing the change consequent
upon the formation of the Express Printing Company, was published the
following interesting historical statements : —
" The senior editor and proprietor of the Express dtsxrcs to say to its
numerous readers and patrons that this number appears under the auspices
of an association of capital and talent that brings to its management, in
part, new names, additional means and fresh energies and enterprises,
which will attend its future management. It is also self^vident that it
appears in an enlarged form, clothed in new type from the well-known
foundry of Messrs. N. Lyman & Co., of this city. With these elements
we trust that its future, like its past, will be crowned with popular favor
and success.
*'In making this announcement it may not be improper to refer
briefly to the past of the Express. Its first number was issued on the
15th of January, 1846 — its history passing through a period of more
than twenty years. The original proprietors of the Express establish-
ment were A. M. Clapp and Kufus Wneeler — the writer of this article
having penned its prospectus and provided the first manuscript for its
columns, though James McKay, Esq., furnished its leading editorials.
Subsequently William E. Robinson, Esq., was connected with the con-
duct of the editorial department, Mr. Clapp and Mr. Wheeler devoting
themselves to the general management of their business. In 1848 John
M. Campbell purcnased an interest in the Express, but was forced by
failing health to retire after a few months. T. N. Parmelee, Esq., suc-
ceeded Mr. Robinson as editor-in-chief, which position he occupied with
marked ability until 185 1, when Hon. Seth C. Hawley became interested
in the establishment and took the editorial management of the paper for
about a year, when he retired and Mr. Clapp became editor-in-chief,
which place he has filled until the present hour. In the meantime Major
Anson G. Chester, George W. Haskins, David Wentworth, J. N. Larned,
Charles Stow and J. Flay have been in charge of the local and miscel-
laneous departments of the paper, and during 1853, R. W. Haskins, Esq.,
was editor-in-chief, while Mr. Clapp represented his district in the State
Legislature. In i860, Mr. Larnea assumed the duties of associate politi-
cal editor, a position which he has filled with proverbial fidelity and
ability down to the present moment ; and we are constrained by a simple
sense of justice to remark here that the later character and success of
the Express in its editorial conduct, are in a great degree attributable to
the sterling ability and untiring industry of this gentleman.
"In i860 Dr. S. B. Hunt became connected with the editorial man-
agement of the Express, a, position which he filled until he took the
field in the service of the United States against rebellion. On the
retirement of Mr. Wheeler, in i860, H. H. Clapp, who has been engaged
in the establishment since 1848, in various capacities, became one of the
proprietors and has since been identified with its business management.
338 History of Buffalo.
•* In thus briefly reviewing the past history of the Express^ we regard
its prosperity with feelings of pride and satisfaction. Seldom has a
newspaper enterprise met with more steady and certain success, than
has followed the efforts of those who have labored for the welfare of
this paper, a fact which we attribute as much to its undeviating devotion
to the great principles which underlie a free and just government, as to
any other cause, we look back through a career of twenty years of
political warfare with peculiar satisfaction. Whatever crises and revo-
lutions may have attended the politics and parties of the country during
that period, the record of the Express shows no variableness or shadow
of turning from a straightforward advocacy of the principles of free-
dom, human right, patriotism and philanthrophy, relating to the people
and government of the United States. » » » »
*' In enlarging our force and bringing tresh abilities and energies to
the future of the Express^ those who have labored so lon^in the harness
take this occasion to thank a generous and indulgent public for the lib-
eral patronage that has heretofore been bestowed upon it, by which its
1>rosperity has been promoted and its enterprise been rendered a satis-
actory success. » » » »
" Politically the Express will continue upon the course its has pur-
sued in the past, maintaining those principles of which it has always
been the consistent and faithful exponent. But while boldly and une-
quivocally pronouncing its views upon all public questions, it will not,
perhaps, bear as distinctly and prominently as heretofore the character
of a political organ, aiming ratner to make its distinguishing character
that of a newspaper. To the realization of this aim, every enerc^y of
those engaged upon the Journal will be devoted, with entire confidence
that success in their endeavors will be fully appreciated by the public
and amply rewarded.
" We shall rapidly organize systematic arrangements, as yet repre-
sented only in their beginning, to secure from original sources all possible
intelligence of the day that will interest our readers, by the help of able
correspondents in the leading cities and especially employed reporters in
all surrounding towns. It is our intention to devote especial attention
to all the business interests of Buffalo, determined to make better known
abroad the ^reat advantages of the city for the location of manufactur-
ing enterprises, and to stimulate our own citizens to active exertion in
every direction which lies open to them for the development, extension
and advancement of labor. In the commercial department of the paper
more effort will be made and more careful labor expended than hitherto
in any of our city journals, as we purpose to represent in our daily
market reviews every important element of trade in Buffalo.
" In procuring and publishing the earliest and fullest details of local
news, including as such every matter of interest in the whole region of
which Buffalo is the center, no expense or effort will be spared. It is our
intention to make the Express as immediately interesting to the inhabi-
tants of surrounding towns as to the citizens of Buffalo.
We give here the copious extracts above for the reason that they
embody the history of the Express down to the year 1866, incomplete
form, and also outline the intentions of the new firm who took control of
its affairs at that date — intentions that, it is but fair to record, were car-
ried out in all essential particulars. In 1866 the office of the Express was
located at No. 14 East Swan street.
Buffalo Journalism. 339
In the year 1869 or '70, Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain), bought
the interest of Thomas Kennett in the Express. His connection with
the paper lasted but a short time. In the spring of 1869, A. M. Clapp
and H. H. Clapp sold their interest in the establishment to the remain-
ing partners, the law prohibiting the public printer from being connected
with a private publishing house, and Mr. Clapp having been appointed
Public Printer.
In 1869 the Express was made the official paper of the city, and
about the same time the tri-weekly edition was cut ofF and an evening
edition, called for a time the Bee and Evening Express, was issued. This
was continued about five years.
Early in 1872 the firm of Matthews & Warren, proprietors of the
Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, purchased something more than two-
thirds of the shares of the Express Printing Company, and J. N. Mat-
thews was made president of the company, J. D. Warren vice-president
and George H. Selkirk treasurer. Matthews & Warren sold their shares
and retired from the concern in the fall of 1873, and the majority interest
was held by a number of prominent Republican politicians. In April,
1877, ^hc establishment passed into the hands of George H. Selkirk and
others. This management continued only about nine months, and on
the 7th of January, 1878, the first number of the paper was issued
under the ownership and editorial control of James N. Matthews. The
office was then located on Swan street, but was immediately removed to No
179 Washington street, in the Washington Block, owned bj' Mr. Matthews,
where it now is, with the exception of the editorial rooms, which were
removed in August, 1883, to the new building erected by Mr. Matthews
as an addition to the Washington Block on Exchange street.
Brief extracts from Mr. Matthews* salutations to his readers in the
first number of the Express, which he edited, will be interesting, as indi-
cating his contemplated policy.
After stating that the Express had been a newspaper success from
its earliest days, and that it was formerly devoted to what was known as
the " Woolyhead " branch of the Whig party, Mr. Matthews wrote : —
"As soon (however) as the ascendancy of the Republican party was
apparently secured beyond any dispute, the Express seemed to lose its
grip, so to speak. For its founders had separated in the meantime.
Ither elements of strength then quickly departed, one after another, as
honest men undertook to save the paper with means inadequate, until at
length it became a mere plaything for journalists and the mouthpiece of
a few scheming politicians who had fastened themselves to the Republi-
can party by the cohesive power of public plunder; in which sad pre-
dicament, where we but just found it, let us lor the moment leave it.
** In a preliminary announcement of the fact, we have given notice
that we took possession of the Express with a settled purpose that it
shall be the neatest and brightest, bravest, best and cheapest newspaper
ever published in Buffalo, steadfastly Republican as to political princi-
340 History of Buffalo.
pies, but absolutely independent in reference to our municipal govern-
ment— the ' organ ' of no man, or set of men, but in fact, worthy to be
styled 'The People's Paper.' » ♦ » » #
'* We do not conceive, however, that political principles have any-
thing whatever to do with municipal affairs; but we do most sincerely
believe, on the contrary, that municipal affairs should be absolutely
divorced from political manipulation, and taatit is just what we purpose
doing, so far as the Express can effect the separation."
It is quite clear that Mr. Matthews set up for himself a high ideal
for the newspaper which he had purchased, and purposed conducting its
editorial department on a plan that was in some of its features, at least,
something of an innovation upon past customs^ an innovation that is
becoming more and more popular with passing years. From the date
of the publication of Mr. Matthews' salutation, the Excess has enjoyed a
career of remarkable success, and its course as then marked out, has been
consistently followed. Since that time Mr. Matthews has been sole
proprietor and editor-in-chief of the paper, which by bis ability and
business sagacity has been brought into the very front •rank of the best
daily newspapers of the State. Its circulation and influence rapidly
increased after the establishment came into Mr. Matthews' hands, until
now it is believed that the Express has a greater circulation than any
other daily Buffalo paper of a large size.
Mr. Matthews came to America from England in 1846, when he was
seventeen years of age, and soon after took up his residence in Buffalo*
He began to learn the printer's trade in England and finished his appren-
ticeship in the office of the Commercial Advertiser. He is a master of the
practical part of the business in all its details, and as a journalist he occu-
pies a position the eminence of which is demonstrated by the columns of
his newspaper from day to day. His style is peculiarly forcible and con-
cise yet he writes fluently and with excellent diction. In sarcastic rep-
artee he is especially happy. Mr. Matthews is a Republican in politics
and, while his paper is absolutely independent in its dealings with prom-
inent men and measures, it is yet a powerful influence in the Republican
party.
The Weekly Express is published in connection with the daily, and is
largely circulated throughout Western New York.
Yielding to the demands of the times, a Sunday edition of the
Express was first issued on the 30th of September, 1883, which is in
all respects a credit to its proprietor and editors and is eagerly read by
a large constituency.
Mr. F. A. Crandall is now managing editor of the Express, with Mr.
Jay S. Butler as associate editor. Mr. Thomas J. Mosier is city editor
and Mr. Lucien G. Chaflin, dramatic and musical editor.
It is only forty-five years ago since the arrest of boys in New York
city was ordered for selling Sunday newspapers in the streets. Public
Buffalo Journalism. 341
sentiment has undergone many changes since that period and in no
direction, perhaps, is the change more noticeable than in the popular
appreciation and consequent multiplication and growth of Sunday news-
papers in all parts of the country. Cities of the size of BufFalo are every-
where supplied with two or three firmly established Sunday papers, many
of which are most ably conducted, in connection with the best daily
journals in the country, or as exclusively Sunday papers ; but the road
leading to the attainment of this position is strewn with numerous news-
paper wrecks, in Buffalo as well as in other cities ; the disastrous Sun-
day newspaper ventures in this city will be noted further on. The first
really successful Sunday journal in Bu£Falo was the Buffalo Sunday
Morning News.
*' Independent journalism and newspaper enterprise seemed to acquire
a new impetus in Buffalo about 1873, when this journal was quietly ush-
ered into existence. The Bantling did not meet with a very warm
reception from the rings and monopolies which were then sucking the
very life-blood of the city. Its manly independence and sympathy for
the masses went directly to the hearts of the people. Its circulation
increased very largely with each succeeding issue until its rivals in
the daily field very wisely concluded that the prosperity which
attended it and which created so much comment was by no means
ephemeral. The advertising patronage was so ereat, all the leading
Buffalo merchants being patrons of its columns, that after the first year
it was no longer necessary to employ a solicitor in the business depart-
ment, and only with great difficulty and crowding of news matter could
room be found at all times to accommodate its patrons. It continued to
frrow and prosper, was twice enlarged in size, till in 1876 it had a circu-
ation greater than the combined circulation of every daily and weekly
paper in the city of Buffalo, and a political influence that both parties
conceded strong enough to defeat or elect a candidate. In the political
contest of '75 the Sunday News presented a ticket composed of good men
of both parties and designating it the ' peoples ticket,* in opposition to
the stated choice of the Republicans and Democrats, elected lourteen of
its candidates and further strengthened its hold upon the masses.
" In 1880 Mr. E. H. Butler, proprietor and founder of the Sunday News,
carried into effect a long cherished project to establish a cheap afternoon
paper, and on October i ith the first issue of the Evening News, a twenty-
tour column quarto, price one cent, appeared from the Sunday Neivs press.
Two editions were issued daily, at 2 and 4 P. M., and afterwards increased
to four, covering the entire afternoon from noon to5 P. M. The expecta-
tions that a cheap, independent newspaper would be well received were
more than realized. On the first night of issue over 7,000 copies were
sold on the streets and the sales increased steadily till they passed 20,000
daily. The Evening NewSy as indicated, is independent politically, and
while advocating Republican ideas in National matters, it has disre-
farded party lines in several notable instances in the selection of candi-
ates. The election of Hon. Jonathan Scoville, a leading Democrat, to
Congress in 1880. has been largely attributed to the vigorous support of
his candidacy by the Sunday and Evening News. The Sunday News
boasts of the honor of first bringing forward Hon. Grover Cleveland as
a candidate for Governor in 1880. In other directions the Sunday and
342 History of Buffalo.
Evening News have exercised a potent influence on the affairs of this city
and many important local and otate movements have received impetus
through their columns. The News is published in its own buildmg. a
commodious and elegant newspaper establishment, and is printed on fast
Hoe presses adapted to its large and growing circulation. It enjoys
excellent news facilities, being the local agent for the United Press Assso-
ciation and having the direct wires of that company ia its editorial rooms.
'Mn 1879, the rapid growth o( the northern oil field o^ Pennsylvania
induced the proprietor of the Sunday Nmvs to branch out in that direc-
tion and the Bradford Sunday News was established at Bradford, Pa.
Like the parent sheet the Bradford News has prospered and become an
influential, popular paper throughout the oil country and the region
lying between the metropolis of the northern petroleunf field and
The Buffalo Sunday Times was established September 7, 1879, by
Norman E. Mack, who has owned and published^t ever since. There
have been no changes in the paper except in its form ; it is now an eight-
page journal, thirty-seven by fifty inches, is ably conducted and enjoys
an extended patronage. The Buffalo Morning Times was first issued
September 13, 1883, by Mr. Mack, publisher of the ^VLflzXo Sunday Times.
The Morning Times was established to supply the evident necessity for a
cheap and independent morning daily in the city. The paper is a hand-
some six-column sheet, is ably edited and gives ample promise of a- long
and successful career. The publication office is located at No. 191 Main
street
The Evening Telegraph is a daily newspaper, the first number of
which was issued October 30, 1880, by the Telegraph Publishing Company.
The paper is independent in politics. M. J. Dee was the first managing
editor. He was succeeded six months later by Henry Little, who was
followed in May, 1880, by Henry A. Griffin. The present managing
editor is John A. Creswell, who assumed control May 1, 1883. The
present officers of the company arc James E. Scripps, president ; James
A. Randall, vice-president and secretary; George H. Scripps, treasurer.
E. J. Fleury is business manager. The price of the paper is one cent
per copy.
The Daily Tramcript was established in 1877, by the McKillop Com-
mercial Agency, and was bought in January, 1882, by Clifton & Webster
(Edward Clifton and William G. Webster). On the ist of February,
Webster sold his interest to his partner who in turn sold a half-interest
to J. B. VanDuzee in March. September ist, Mr. Clifton bought back
the interest. The publication office is now at 81 and 83 Pearl street
The Transcript is devoted to business interests and legal matters, court
decisions, real estate transfers, mortgages, judgments, etc. It is a small
folio of twelve columns, but ably fulfills the design of the publishers.
The Sunday Truth was established in 1882, by the Truth Publishing
Company, which was organized on the 6th of August; the first number
* ContriDttted.
Buffalo Journalism. 343
of the paper was issu^ one week later. This is now the only exclusively
Sunday newspaper in the city. D. M. Payne is president of the com-
pany ; H. G. Rappold» treasurer ; F. N. Holzer, secretary, and G. M.
Hausauer, business manager. The paper was first edited by C. E.
Morse. Since December, 1882, Leslie Thorn has occupied the position
of managing editor. March 18, 1883 a branch of Truth was established
in Rochester by consolidation with the Advertiser and Mail.
George J. Bryan started the Daily Queen City in 1850, with the pub-
lication office on Washington street. In 1853 ^^ ^^^ changed to the
Evening Poit^ with Calvin J. Mills, proprietor, and Mr. Bryan as editor ;
the office was then located at No. 7 West Seneca street. In 1854 Mr. Bryan
again became proprietor of the paper, which he conducted through
various stages of success until 1878, when the name was again changed
to the Queen City^ andirthe paper was made a weekly. It was suspended
but soon revived in the beginning of 1883, and now appears to enjoy a
large measure of success.
The Buffalo Christian Advocate^ a Methodist weekly paper, was
established in the Exchange building, January i, 1850, by John E. Robie,
editor and publisher. In 1857 the establishment was removed to No. 4
West Seneca street, and in 1861 to the comer of Pearl and West Seneca.
In 1862, Rev. L. S. Church and Rev.W. H. DePuy bought the establish-
ment and conducted the paper until 1864, when Mr. Robie, associated
with Albert D. Wilbor, bought the paper and became its editors and
publishers; these gentlemen sold out to Rev.S. Halbert, in 1866. In 1869
Mr. Robie again took the paper and associated with himself Rev. A. P.
Ripley. In 1872 Rev. S. A. Morse was admitted to the firm ; he retired
in 1875, <^ncl Allen P. Ripley, Jr., was admitted to the firm. In 1881, L.
C. Miller purchased the establishment and soon afterwards sold an
interest to A. W. Ferrin. In 1882 Mr. Miller again took the entire
establishment, which he now owns. Rev. S. A. Morse and A. P.
Ripley, Jr., are the editors. The practical part of the labor on the
Advocate has for nearly the whole of its thirty-four years of existence,
been managed by C. A. Brosart.
In 1872, the Catholic Publishing Company began the issue of
the Buffalo Catholic Union, a weekly Catholic journal ; the office was
in the Chapin Block, West Swan street. This is an ably-conducted
journal, and is widely read by the class to whose interests it is devoted.
The publication office is now in the Young Men's Catholic Association
building, comer of Franklin and Swan streets.
In November, 1875, W. G. Webster began the publication of the
weekly Buffalo Live Stock Review. The publication was successfully con-
ducted until May, 1882, when its name was changed to the Mercantile
Revifiw and Live Stockjoumal^ reports of mercantile markets were includ-
ed in its contents and its general policy was otherwise extended. May
344 History of Buffalo.
7, 1883, the Journal was made a daily, which is now published by Web-
ster Brothers ; the establishment is located at 13 1-2 Swan street.
The Buffalo Index was a temperance organ started in 1875, by Dr.*
Clayton L. Hill. In December, 1878, its name was changed to the Royal
Templar, it is now the Standard and Royal Templar. Previous to May, 1 8^3,
it was published -as a weekly, at which time it was sold to Rev. Robert
Dick, who changed its name to the Law and Gospel Tribune ; under this
title and management the paper did not succeed and Dr. Hill again took
it in hand and continues it as above stated. The office is located at
No. 329 Main street.
C. A. Wenborne is publisher of the Milling Worlds started in Sep-
tember, 1879, ^s ^ monthly and changed in the fall of 1871 to a weekly ;
it is devoted to the flour milling interests. Mr. Wenborne also publishes
the Lumber World 2diA the American Tanner^ both monthly ; the former
devoted to the wood-working interests generally and circulating in
almost every country on the globe where the English language is spoken,
the latter is devoted to the tanning and leather interests. George B.
Douglass has edited the three papers during their existence.
The Fraternal Cemory an organ of the A. O U. W. order, was started
in January, 1878, by Willian M. Bennett; it was then called the United
Workman, In 1881, E. W. Beach bought the establishment aid has
since conducted the paper. It is published semi-monthly and is devoted
to the interests of co-operative insurance. Mr. Beach also edits the
United Friends, a small monthly which was started in October, 1882, and
is devoted to the order of the same name.
Buffalo has had her share of medical publications some of which
have been ably conducted, but few of which have found sufficient patron-
age to give them very long lives. The first medical paper in Buffalo
was the Buffalo Medical Journal and Monthly Review of Medical and Sur-
gical Science ; it was begun on the ist of June, 1845, by C. F. S. Thomas.
Dr. Austin Flint, acted as chief editor, and Dr. F. H. Hamilton, assist-
ant. The publication was an octavo of twenty-four pages. At the end
of a year it was enlarged to sixty-four pages. In 1854, Dr. Sanford B.
Hunt was associated with Dr. Flint in the editorship and in 1855 he
became sole editor and proprietor. In 1858, Austin Flint, Jr., was made
editor of the journal and it was removed to New York in i859-'6o.
This publication was as the names of its editors would suggest, con-
ducted with much ability and was widely read. It was succeeded here in
1862 by the present Buffalo Medical and Surgical Journal, which is now
published by the Medical Journal Association, No. 5 West Chippewa
street. The Journal has passed under the management of Dr. Herman
Mynter, (who was assisted by Dr. Brush,) Drs. Lothrop, Davidson, Myn-
ter, Howe and P. W. Van Peyma. In July, 1882, Dr. Howe retired from
the publication, which has since been most ably conducted by Drs.
Thomas Lothrop, A. R. Davidson and P. W. Van Peyma.
Buffalo Journalism. 345
The Physuiatis and Surgeon's Investigator is a monthly medical jour-
nal that was started in January, 1880. The editors were then Drs. S. W.
Wetmore and S. N. Brayton. Dr. Brayton is now sole editor and pub-
lisher of the paper, which is ably conducted.
Our Record is the name of a small monthly periodical that has been
published since 1871, by the managers of the Home for the Friendless,
on Seventh street, comer of Maryland.
The Bulletin is a scientific publication which is issued every two
months by the Naturalists* Field Club. It was begun in December, 1882,
and is edited by a committee from the club, at the head of which is Pro-
fessor D. S. Kellicott
The Modem Age^ a monthly magazine of sixty-four pages, was estab-
lished in January, 1883, by James S. Metcalfe, editor and proprietor. It
is published simultaneously in New York and Buffalo, and is ably con-
ducted.
The Guard of Honor is a monthly publication that was started in
October, 1872, in the interest of a Bible Class Society, organized for
religious work among young men, called the Guard of Honor.
As the village of Black Rock long ago became a part of the city
of Buffalo, the early efforts to supply that suburb with newspapers prop-
erly belong to this chapter ; and we can do no better in that connection
than to copy from Mr. Salisbury's paper on the Buffalo press, read before
the Historical Society, as follows : —
" The first paper published in our then rival village of Black Rock
was the Black Rock Beacon^ by Lewis G. Hoffman, which came out
some time in 1822. The late General Peter B. Porter was an able and
liberal contributor to its columns, during the bitter and protracted con-
troversy which at that period was carried on between the leading citizens
of Buffalo on the one side, and the * Rock * on the other, in relation to
the harbor question. The war bid fair to rival in duration the Punic
campaigns of ages a^o, until it was pretty satisfactorily demonstrated
that Black Rock — with all the artificial aids of the extensive works
erected by the State to furnish a capacious basin for the supply of the
canal and also to incidentally create a harbor that should attract all the
commerce of the lakes to that point— could not successfully compete with
the natural advantages of Buffalo. The Beacon at length ' paled its inef-
fectual fires' and went out in 1824. In the latter part of the same year
Bartemas Ferguson filled the vacancy with the Black Rock Gazette,
which he continued until August, 1825, when it was sold to Smith H.
Salisbury, and published at Black Rock until the fall of 1827, when, the
fortunes of that village continuing to decline, the establishment was
removed to Buffalo and published under the title of the Buffalo and Black
Rock Gazette until April, 1828, when the Gazette was discontinued and
the Buffalo Republican issued from the same office by William P. M.
Wood.
" No further attempt was made to furnish a paper to the Black
Rockers until the speculative era of 1836 opened their eyes to the pros-
pective value of the lands under their feet, and vistas of future opulence
24
346 History of Buffalo.
swam before the eyes of the real estate holders, who had been so loi
' looking up ' — on their backs. Then a paper was in demand, and D.
Adams issued the Black Rock Advocate, in February, 1836, edited by Dr.
M. G. Lewis. But the feverish impulses of that precocious period soon
subsided, and the reaction chanfi^ed the prospects of the Advocate, which
was discontinued at the end of the first year. Black Rock has since
looked to the Bnffalo press for its news and for the publication of its
local items."
Having completed the record of Buffalo newspapers now in existence
with those that have from time to time been consolidated with them, it
remains to give a brief account of those journals that either began their
careers at inopportune times, or were not conducted with a degree of
ability sufficient to insure them continued popularity and success, and
were consequently cut off in their youth — ^many of them in their extreme
youth. The newspaper death*roll in cities as large as Buffalo, is always
a long one : consequently, in referring to the many short-lived journals,
only the mere mention of names and dates can be given. As a news-
paper that only survives to celebrate its first or second birthday anni-
versary, cannot have exerted a very powerful influence upon the com-
munity at large, extended details will, it is presumed, be considered
unnecessary. Dates of publication are given as far as they are available
and as nearly correct as possible.
The first newspaper that properly belongs in this category is the
Buffalo Emporium, a weekly that was first issued in September, 1824, by
John A. Lazell and Simeon Francis. The semi-weekly issue of the
Emporium was the first newspaper in Buffalo published oftener than
once a week.
In August, 1835, the Transcript, daily and weekly, was started by
Henry Faxon, and edited for a time by Henry E. J. Roberts. In Decem-
ber, Edward H. Thompson was made editor. Thi* paper lived but
about six months. The same year the Daify Whig and the Daily Enquirer
were also launched, but they were wrecked within a few weeks.
In the winter of i835-'36, a small, racy weekly sheet called the
Loco-foco, was published for a few weeks, during which it gained consid-
erable local popularity. Sylvester Chamberlain was considered as the
responsible editor. In the winter of the patriot war (i836-'37) an
association of printers began the publication of the Buffalonian, which
was edited by " Mr. Anon." The sheet was spicy and became quite
notorious through its satire and invective directed at prominent men,
much of which was written by Charles D. Ferris. After a few weeks it
was issued as a daily. In the fall of the following year Mr. Thomas L.
Nichob started an opposition paper, which he called the Mercury. Mr.
Nichols bought the first named journal about two months after he had
started the Mercury and the two were consolidated. In the fall of 1839,
N. R. Stimpson took the paper and published it until the next spring.
Buffalo Journalism. 347
In the winter of i838-'39, a small daily and weekly paper was
started called the Sun, by " Governor " Dinsmore. It lived until about
i860. The Bu£Falo Sentinel, daily and weekly, was started in the spring
of i839-'40, by C. F. S. Thomas and Thomas Newell. It was edited by
Thomas L. Nichols, and was discontinued at the ^nd of six months.
The Morning Tattler was started in the summer of 1840, by Lang-
don, Fouchette & Shaefer; it was a daily and was first edited by George
W. Bungay, and afterwards for a short time by Thomas L. Nichols. John
S. Walker then published it during the last few months of its existence,
changing the name to the Morning Times. Honest Industry was the name
of a large weekly paper one number of which only was issued in the sum-
mer of 1840, with Dr. Daniel Lee in the editorial chair. In 1840 was
issued the first number of the Phalanx; daily and weekly ; this was the
first paper in America devoted to the schemes of social reform and the
association of labor, as taught by Fourier. The Phalanx was edited by
Charles D. Ferris, who conducted the paper with a great deal of ability ;
it lived six Weeks. Thomas Jefferson Sutherland, Patriot General of the
Western Division of the Liberating Army of Canada, issued in the win-
ter of i84i-'42 a few numbers of the Sublime Patriot. The BvAdXoAmer^
scan, a weekly sheet for the working classes, was started early in i&p,
by Thomas Foster and C. F. Butler, and edited by J. C. Bunner. It
lived through one volume only.
In the year 1847, Jewett, Thomas & Co., began the publication of
the Wool Grower and Monthly Review. T. C. Peters was editor and pro-
prietor of the paper.
The Youth's Casket was a monthly publication started in 1853, ^y
Beadle & Brother, in West Seneca street. The publication ceased in
i858-'59. In the year 1856, E. F. Beadle, and the following year Beadle
& Adams, published the Home Monthly, a literary periodical. In 1859
Gildersleeve & Avery took hold of the paper, but it closed its career
about a year later.
The Live Stock Journal was started in 1871, by H. C. Springer &
Co., and continued until 1876. In 1855, Michael Hagan began the issue
of the Buffalo Sentinel, at No. 24 East Seneca street. The publication
was suspended in 1865. The City News and Weekly Price Current were
published by the Express Printing Co., for about a year in 1867-8. Be-
tween the years 1862 and 1872, W. T. Horner launched several news-
paper craft, which all foundered before they had voyaged far. The first
was the Herald of Truth, a monthly which lived about five years. This
was soon followed by the Excelsior, another monthly, which followed its
predecessor in about two years. In 1872, Mr. Horner started the BuU
IdXo Journal and Railway Gazette monthly, and in 1873, Horner's Railway
and Business Guide, both of which expired in 1875. In 1866 the same
publisher began the issue of The Ladies' Friend, which lived less than
two years.
348 History of Buffalo.
Our Young Men's Paper, was issued by the Y. M» C. A., first in 1871,
and continued about a year; it was again started in 1876.
The School ^Journal, a monthly publication devoted to school inter-
ests, was started in 1877, by Alexander Gordon; it was suspended in
1879. The Kalendar, an organ of the Episcopal church, was printed by
R, M. Evans for about two years, beginning in 1879, after which it was
removed to Rochester ; it was a weekly paper. The first temperance organ
published in the city was The Young Men's Temperance Herald^ which
was started in 1835 and survived one year. It was conducted by Abel
M. Grosvenor and Ezra B. French. In 1845, the Western Cataract, an-
other devotee of temperance, was issued by Lyman P. Judson ; it after-
wards passed through several different hands. The Temperance Standi
ardy9Z& published in 1842, for one year, by H. A. Salisbury and A. M.
Clapp.
The first literary publication in Buffalo was the Literary Enquirer,
which was started by William Verrinder, January i, 1833 ; after sustaining
it for two years he removed it to Fredonia, Chautauqua county where it
was converted into a political newspaper. The Bethel Flag was a monthly
publication for the promotion of the moral and religious welfare of the
lake seamen ; it was commenced by the Bethel Society in i836-'7 and
was first called the Bethel Magazine. It was successfully conducted until
about 1845, when it was removed to New York and united with the
Sailor's Magazine.
The Literary Messenger was started by John S. Chadboume, in July,
1 841. It changed hands several times and suspended in 1857. I'be
Hygienic Advocate, a monthly medical publication, was started in 1869,
by H, P. Burdick, M. D., as publisher. It lived less than two years.
T\ic Journal of Progressive Medicine, was begun in 1870 by Drs. Coburn
and Freeman, but it survived but about a year. The Homeopathic Quar-
terly, RoUin R. Howard, M. D., publisher, was published during a short
period prior to 187 1, when it was discontinued.
The Buffalo catalogue of religious and semi-religious publications is
quite an extended one and the death-rate among them has been propor-
tionately large. The first paper of this character was started in 1822, by
Rev. Thomas Gross, who was both editor and proprietor ; the paper was
called the Gospel Advocate and supported Universalism. At the expira-
tion of the first year it passed into the hands of Simon Burton, who con-
ducted it for the ensuing three years, who then turned it over to Rev.
L. S. Everett, Rev. Theophilus Fiskand a gentleman named Tuttle ; they
published a paper here until 1828, when it was removed to Auburn; it
was finally united with the Evangelical Magazine, at Utica. In the year
1848, the Rev. Jabez B. Hyde issued a little sheet once in two weeks for
a short period. The Gospel Banner was a monthly periodical which was
issued for a time from this city, by Benjamin Clark, of Alden ; the date
Buffalo Journalism. 349
of its publication from Buffalo was 1832-33. In 1831, the BuSsloHera/d
a Presbyterian paper, was started by Rev. Randolph Stone ; two num-
bers only were issued. The Buffalo Spectator another Presbyterian pub-
lication, was established in 1836, by Messrs T. & M. Butler; it was
edited by Rev. Stephen Pect. This paper lived about two years. The
Western Evangelist was a weekly religious paper that was published for a
short time in 1846, commencing in June. L. S. Everett and Stephen Hall
were the publishers. When the Evangelist was suspended, another pub-
lication called the Ambassador^ was started by the same publishers and
continued into the year 1849. In 1841 the Rev. John C. Lord, D. D.,
began the publication of the Western Presbyterian^ which was suspended
at the end of a year. The Earnest Christian and Golden RuUy a monthly,
was established in 1863, with B. T. Roberts as publisher; it was con-
tinned about a year. In 1866, J. E. Gilbert began the publication of the
Sunday School Standard, monthly, at No. 185 Main street ; it lived less, than
two years. The Western New York Catholic Weekly was started in 1864
with D. M. Enright as publisher and Rev. D. Moore editor; it lived
about three years.
The list of Sunday newspapers that have passed out of existence, and
many of them out of memory, in Buffalo is a long one. The first Sunday
paper published in the city was the Buffalo Sunday Bulletin, which was
issued for about a year (i850-'5i)by W. F. Rogers. In 1874, the Sunday
Transcript was issued for about a year, by The George Brothers & Com-
pany, at 188 and 190 Main street. J. B. Adams began the publication of the
Sunday Independent Leader in West Seneca street in 1876; this paper also
died in less than two years. In 1877-78, the same publisher issued for
about a year the Sunday Morning Herald, The Sunday Morning Call
was started May 8, 1879, t>y William R. Lester; it was published from
the office of P. Eby, on Main street ; it lived less than a year.
In order to complete this newspaper mortuary record, we shall now
add the following list of journals that have been started in Buffalo during
the past forty years, of almost every possible appearance and character
and with almost every possible object and aim, or with no aim at all, all
of which passed away in their very early youth. A very few of them
reached two years of age and more of them one, while a large number
never celebrated a birthday. The list may begin with the Friend of
Youth, the name of which indicates its character ; it was published one.
year, in 1839, ^"^ ^^^ edited by Rev. A. T. Hopkins. In 1840, George
W. Bungay started the Buffalo Garland, a weekly literary pubhcation,
which faded in a very short time. Bannister s Life in Buffalo, a weekly,
edited by N. H. Bannister, was issued a few weeks in 1841. E. W.
Spaulding gave the Impetus a start in 1845, but it failed after six months.
The Philanthropist, a monthly publication, was conducted for about a
year in 1837-38, by Nathaniel Potter, Jr. The School Reader, a weekly
350 History of Buffalo.
publication, was started in 1842 by A. W. Wilgus, and edited by R. W.
Haskins. It lived but one quarter. The Buffalo Daify Ledger^ Thomas
Richardson, proprietor, and Franklin B. Hubbell, editor, closed its brief
accounts in about a year ; started in 1852. The same year a daily called
Rough Notes was started by George Reese & Company, publishers, with
M. Cadwallader, editor. It died in its second year. The United States
Mail Monthly^ started in 1852, was conducted for about a year. In that
year, ako, the Buffalo Pathfinder^ by Charles Faxon, failed to find the
path to success. In 1853, Thomas D. M'Gee began the publication of
the American Celt and Catholic Citizen^ weekly ; it lived about a year.
The Library and Garden^ weekly, was started the same year by D. S.
Manley & Company, editors and proprietors ; a year finished its career
of usefulness. In 1854, the Democracy Printing Association was formed
and began the publication of the Democracy^ daily and weekly, at the
comer of Main and Hanover streets. It was merged with the Express
after about a year. The Buffalo Gazette, weekly, Swigert & Company,
publishers, was started in April, 1867, and lived one year. The Fenian
Volunteer was started the same year for a very brief careen In 1869, the
United Irishmen, with Patrick 0*Day as publisher, was issued weekly
for about a year. In 1859, ^* P* Dunlap & Company began the publica-
tion of the Sunbeam, a weekly, with Dr. E. D. Griswold as editor ; its
career was brief. Our Leisure Moments, a monthly, was started and con-
ducted less than a year by Albert C. Ives and Fred. S. Dellenbaugh in
1870. The AfUuMonopolist was a very short-lived journal, started in
1874 by George & Company ; it lived thirteen weeks. The Daily Dis-
patch was started in 1875 by Charles Rogers. P. P. Josef was interested
in it for a time. The paper was stopped before the end of a year. A
French paper called Des Phar des Lacs was issued for nearly a year in
'875-76, by Claude Petit. The year 1876 produced its quota of new
publications that found themselves in a cold and uncongenial world.
There were Knawltoris Handbook of Business Education, a quarterly,
issued by C. B. Knowlton, M. D. The Scientific Commercial, published
by the Scientific Commercial Company, which lived twenty weeks, and
the Globe Magazine, published by the Globe Company. On the 16th of
September, 1876, the Agitator was started by George Kittridge, from
the office of P. Eby, who bought it after the issue of eleven numbers.
It died in June, 1878. The Farm, Garden and Fireside, a monthly, ran
about a year at that time, under the management of H. P. Hayes A
Company. In 1879, ^^ Buffalo School Journal, a monthly devoted to
school interests, was established and conducted for about a year by R.
M. Evans & Company, No. 194 Main street. The Saturday Sun was an
ephemeral publication that shone for a few months in 1882.
Besides these the Bohemian published by Bigelow Brothers, the
Knight of Labor, by C. E. Morse, Every Saturday, by Deshler Welch, and
Secret Societies in Erie County. 351
perhaps other ephemeral publications of which there is scarcely a trace
left, have seen the light of brief periods in Bu£Falo during the past ten or
twelve years.
The history of Buffalo journalism would be scarcely complete
without the record of the remarkable, though brief career in the city of
one, A. Lecras, which is thus given in a paper written by C. F. S. Thomas,
which is now in the rooms of the Historical Society : —
'' It was in the year 1838, I think, that a very worthy printer named
A Lecras, living on' the Isle of Jersey, thinking to enlighten the benighted
people of this region, discontinued a very respectable weekly paper he
then published, packed up all his presses, old types on which his paper
had been printea, and all his printing paraphernalia, brought all to Lon-
don and there purchased a few additional types and some paper,
freighted the whole from London to New York and from there up the
Erie canal to Buffalo. Arriving here he rented the building known as
the old Niagara Bank and set up his printing house in the basement, his
family occupying the' main portion of the Suildine as a dwelling. Mr.
Lecras was an educated Franco-Englishman with a fair share of the
prejudices of the natives of the fast-anchored isle, and could not conceive
of its being possible that away out in Bu£Falo such a thine^ could be as a
printing establishment equal to the one he had brought all the way from
jersey, in Great Britain. He was still more astonished wheii he found
his printing house on Washington street created no sensation ; in fact,
but few knew of his arrival. So, after remaining about a year, he became
disgusted with our want of appreciation, perhaps, and packed up all his
old types, presses and printing materials, sent tnem down the Erie canal
to New York, thence to Liverpool and thence back to Jersey, where the
material was soon again employed in printing the journal he had left."
CHAPTER XIV.
SECRET SOCIETIES IN ERIE CDUNTT.
FrecnMsonry— BegiDning of the Order among the Early Settkn — The First Lodge — Hbtory of
Western Star Lodge— lu first Officers — Records of Sacceeding Lodges ~ List of District
Deputy Grand Masters— History of Chapters, Councils, Commanderies, etc— Ceremonies in
which Masonic Organisations Hare Taken Part — Odd Fellows' Lodges — Other Secret
Societies of BuflFalo.
FREEMASONRY was transplanted into Erie county with the advent
of the early settlers. It was in the year 1807, when New Amster-
dam* was but a small village, that a sufficient number of Masons had
collected in the place who felt the necessity of founding for themselves
a Masonic home.
* Buffalo was called New Amsterdam from the year 1801 to 1811 or 1812.
352 History of Buffalo.
Western Star Lodge No. 239. — A petition dated New Amsterdam,
December, 1807, was drawn up and forwarded to the Grand Lodg^e of
the State of New York, asking for a warrant empowering the petitioners
to form a lodge, to be known as **^ Western Star Lodge," and to be
located in the village of New Amsterdam, in the town of Clarence, at
the house of Brother Zenas Barker. The petitioners stated in their
petition that it was extremely difficult for them to attend a lodges as the
nearest one to their home was sixty miles distant.
The petition was endorsed by Genesee Lodge, in the town ot Hart-
ford, in the county of Ontario, September, 1808.
Zenas Barker was to be the first Master of the lodge ; Cyrenius Cha-
pin,* S. W. and Frederick Miller.f J. W. In addition to these three
names, the following were attached to the petition : — Philp Andrews,
Apollos Hitchcock, Erastus Granger,:^ Joseph Landon,§ Benjamin Caryl
Edmund Raymond, Rowland Cotton and Benjamin Hodge.f
For unexplained reasons the effort to establish a lodge was not
crowned with success. Five years later, however, the attempt was
renewed. The second petition was dated New Amsterdam,^ January 6,
18 12. The new lodge was to bear the same name and be located, as
the document expresses it, " in the village of New Amsterdam, in the
township of Buffaloe, at the house of Brother Joseph Landon. '' With
the exception of Philo Andrews, Edmund Raymond and Rowland Cot-
ton, the names of the signers of the former petition are also attached to
the latter, and in addition thereto appear those of Daniel Bristol, Heman
B. Potter, Ralph M. Poroeroy, Raphael Cook, James Beard, Asa Stan-
ard, Nehemiah Seelye, James Atkins and A. M. Grosvenor.
In the second petition the petitioners stated that there was no lodge
within forty miles of their residence.** The petition bears the endorse-
ment of Olive Branch Lodge, held at Batavia at that time ; it is dated
January 16, 1812, and is signed by Richard Smith, Master and L Bab-
cock, Secretary.
The illustrious De Witt Clinton, who was Grand Master of the State
of New York for fourteen years, (from 1806 to 18 19 inclusive) granted
a dispensation for the lodge January 31, 181 2, endorsing his consent with
the following words: —
* Cyrenius Chapin, M. D., one of the earliest settlers and one of the most lesolute defenden
of Buffalo in the war with England. He was the leading spirit in captvring two vessels near Fort
Erie. October 9, 1813.
f Frederick Miller was the father of the late Captain William Ifiller, who was also a Masoo,
and grandfather of the late William F. Miller and Charles G. Miller.
X Erastoft Granger was the first postmaster and the first collector of cnstoms in the collection
district of Buffalo ; he died December ai, 1826.
gjoieph Landon kept a tavern on Exchange street, occupying a part of Uie site 00 which the
Mansion House now stands.
I Benjamin Hodge was the uncle of Hr. William Hodge, still residing in Buffalo.
Y It is estimated that the number of inhabitants had at that time increased to about l,6oa
** Batavia.
Secret Societies tn Erie County. 353
" The Grand Secretary is requested to make out a dispensation on
the above application for two years and to deliver it to Mr. Bassford."
It was issued February 6. On the same day the Grand Master
granted authority to Brother Heman B. Potter to institute the lodge,
which duty he performed March 10, 18 12,* by installing Brothers Zenas
Barker, Master; Cyrenius Chapin, S. W.; Frederick Miller, J. W; Abel
M. Grosvenor, treasurer; Charles To wnsend,t secretary ; Nehemiah
Seelye and Daniel Bristol, deacons ; Raphael Cook and Ralph M. Pom-
eroy, stewards; Rowland Cotton, tiler.
The petition to the Grand Lodge for a warrant is dated ** Village of
Buffalo, (late New Amsterdam), 15th day of June, 1813." It is stated
therein that several of the petitioners had sometime in the year 18 10
applied for authority to hold a lodge in the village, and had enclosed the
usual fee, but that unfortunately the letter and money miscarried and
bad not since been found ; that a dispensation had been granted by the
Grand Master on the 6th of February, 1812 ; that since that time they
had assembled at stated periods and conducted the business of Free-
masons according to the best of their abilities, etc., and that they now
wished to obtain a warrant ; that the officers mentioned declining to
serve a further term, the following names are proposed in their place :
Benjamin Caryl, Master ; Heman B. Potter, Senior Warden ; Oliver For-
ward,^ Junior Warden. The signers of the petition are Frederick Miller,
Heman B. Potter, Joshua Lovejoy, Thomas Atkins, Joseph Hershey,
Sylvester Clark, Asa P. Harris, Nehemiah Seelye, Benjamin Hodge,
Joseph Sill, Charles Townsend, J. Harrison, Josiah Trowbridge, Oliver
Forward, Benjamin Enos, Ralph M. Pomeroy, Cornelius Davenport,
Z. W. Barker, Joseph Landon, Willard Smith and Asa Coltrin.
The report accompanying the petition states that during the time
the lodge had worked under a dispensation, it had conferred the three
degrees of Masonry on the following persons : Jonas Harrison, Oliver
Forward, Thomas J. Atkins, Guy J. Atkins, Jonathan E. Chapman, Benja-
min Enos, Joseph Hershey, William Hodge, Sylvester Clark, Harvey G.
Morse, Joshua Lovejoy, Orange Dean, Silas Hopkins, Phipps W.
Hewitt, Zenas W. Barker, Joseph Sill, John W. Macomb, Josiah Trow-
bridge, Adam Hayes, William Pomeroy, Talbot Chambers, John W.
Smoot, Rufus Spaulding, Ebenezer Hovey and Thomas B. Randolph.
The lodge conferred the third degree on Asa Coltrin, Charles Tal-
madge, and Robert G. Hite, they having received the preceding degrees
in some other lodge. Samuel Pratt, Jr., received the second and third
* The Buffalo GoMitU of that date gives it as a news item, that the officers of Western Star
Lodge would be insuUed on the loth.
t The Charles Townsend mentioned as secretary was better known as Judge Townsend ; he was
a member of the old firm of Townsend & Coit
X OliTer Forward was one of the foremost men of Buffalo in his time. He was a lawyer by pro~
fession, one of the Jud^ of Niagaim county in 1617, Collector of the port in 18x7, member of the
Assembly in 1819, etc., and afterwards State Senator.
354 History of Buffalo.
degrees. The first and second degrees were conferred on Joseph John-
son and Asa P. Harris, and the first degree only on Ehsha Foster, Isaac
Davis, John Beach, Daniel Miller, Josiah Hovey, Jr., Robert W. Sever,
William C. Johnson, John McCall, and Christopher H. Tappan. The
following were admitted to membership: — Daniel McCleary, Erastus
Granger, Willard Smith, Elijah Doty, Cornelius Davenport, and Charles
Mudge.
The petition for a warrant was laid before the Grand Lodge Decem-
ber 7th, 1 8 14, by the Grand Master, M. W. Brother DeWitt Clinton,
who stated that he had been requested by the brethren who had on the
I St of March, 1809, and again on the 4tb of March, 18 12, applied for a
warrant to hold a lodge by the name of Western Star Lodge, in the vil-
lage of New Amsterdam in the town of Buffalo, (formerly Clarence) in
the county of Niagara, to renew their application for a warrant and to
pray that their dues under a dispensation, which they have for some
time been working under, might be relinquished in consequence of the
great losses the members have sustained by the destruction of that place
by the enemy duiing the' present war;* upon which it was unani-
mously : —
" Risolved^ That a warrant do issue to the said brethren and that all
dues under the dispensation be relinquished."
The lodge received its warrant which was dated December 24, i8i4»
and was numbered ''239" on the Grand Lodge register. Western Star
Lodge, No. 239, was, therefore, the first Masonic Lodge of Buffalo and
the county of Erie.
It is to be greatly regretted that all information in r^;ard to this
lodge subsequent to the time when it received its warrant is exceedingly
limited. Its records were either lost or destroyed during the Anti-
Masonic excitement, or fell a prey to the flames, November 15, 1832,
with the building comer of Main and Sene<^ streets, in which the lodge
held its commuhications. We are, therefore, forced, however unwillingly,
to content ourselves with such items as we are able to gather from vari-
ous sources. The following items are taken from the Gagette^ formerly
published in Buffalo:—
''September o, 1812, Captain William Brown shot himself accident-
ally in a boat on Buffalo creek and was buried with Masonic honors."
This was probably the first Masonic funeral that had ever taken
place in Erie county. April 21, 18 14, the following advertisement
appeared in the same paper : —
" Members of Western St^r Lodge are requested to meet at the
house of Brother Frederick Miller, Cold Springs, at noon on that day."
March 23, 181 5, the Gazette publishes a notice that the officers of
Western Star Lodge would be installed in the village of Buffalo.
* The Tillage of Buffalo was bamed by the Biitiah and Indians D^o. 30, 18x3.
Secret Societies in Erie County. 355
The petition of Blazing Star Lodge No. 294, to be held at Willink,
was recommended by Western Star Lodge No. 239, February 5, 1817, at
which time Daniel Bristol was its Master ; John Mullett, Senior War-
den ; and John E. Marshall,* Secretary.
In March, 1820, the Gazette reports that Western Star Lodge cele-
brated the anniversary of St. John and marched in procession from the
!odge room to the court house.
February 25, 1826, the Gazette has an advertisement that Western
Star Lodge was holding regular meetings. A July number of the Gazette
for 1828, has a notice ''that a lodge was holding its meetings at Black
Rock." The lodge referred to was Barton Lodge No. 442, an account
of which appears on another page.
The Masonic Record of May 31, 1828, (printed at Albany, N. Y.,) has
a notice dated May 19, 1828, stating that Niagara Chapter and Western-
Star Lodge would celebrate St. John's day June 24th. The committee
of arrangements consisted of Benjamin Caryl, Cyrenius Chapin, Bryant
Burwell, E. D. Efner, Nathaniel Vosburgh and William Kelly.
June 21, 1826, the lodge petitioned the Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer
to permit the dedication of the new hall of Western Star Lodge.
June I, 1827, Western Star Lodge petitioned the Grand Lodge to
remit its dues to that date, which was granted.
In 1822, Benjamin Caryl was master and John A. Lazell, secretary
of Western Star Lodge, and in 1824 Jacob A. Barker filled the office of
master.
West Orb of Light Lodge. — The next petition for a lodge to be held
in Erie county came from the town of Willink, then a part of Niagara
county .t The document is without date and is signed by John Carpen-
ter, Seth Abbott, Calvin Clifford, John Strong, John Cole, Fames Mer-
riam, Parmilee Allen and William Warren. The lodge was to be called
" West Orb of Light." Isaac Phelps, Jr., was to be its first Master,
Benjamin Ei.os, S. W., and James S. Stevens, J. W. The petition is
recommended by Western Star Lodge No. 205, at their lodge room in
Sheldon, (Genesee county,} January 20, 1815, of which Flitch Chipman
was Master, Benjamin Potter, S. W., James Ward, J. W., and Chauncey
Sadd, secretary. From the date of the endorsement it may be assumed
that the petition originated during the latter part of 18 14. The Grand
Lodge granted a warrant to the lodge December 6, 181 5, but it never
went mto operation. From the date of the warrant the lodge would
have ranked as the second in Erie county.
Blazing Star Lodge No. 294.— The warrant for the Lodge " West
Orb of Light," which was to have been located in the town of Willink,
being for some reason abandoned after being granted, a new petition for
* John E. Maishall was the father of the Hon. O. H. Marshall, now residing in Buffalo,
t Erie county formed a part of Niagara county at that time.
356 History of Buffalo.
a lodge to be located in that town, in the county of Niagara, (now Erie)
was drawn up. It bears date, Willink, May 19, i8i6y and recommends
Isaac Phelps, Jr., as its first Master ; Hawxhurst Addington, S. W. ; and
James M. Stevens, J. W. Among the signers of the petition appear
Benjamin McKay, Henry B. Stevens, William A. Burt, William Warren,
David Norton and Seth Abbott. Several of the names are identical with
those attached to the petition for the lodge, " West Orb of Light." The
petition was recommended by Western Star Lodge No. 239, February 5,
1 8 17, at which time Daniel Bristol was its Master, John MuUett, S. W.,
and John E. Marshall, Secretary.
Blazing Star Lodge received the number 294, and its warrant was
dated Jul}' 31, 18 17. An endorsement on the petition, made by the
Grand Secretary, explains why the warrant granted to the Lodge,
'' West Orb of Light ", was not taken out. It reads as follows : —
"This warrant was granted on a former petition on the 6th of
December, 18 16, but never taken out; $30 were then received by I.
Wells, Esq., who has paid the same to me.'*
The petition referred to upon which the $30 fee was paid and
endorsed as having been received, is without date. The lodge petitioned
for was to be held in the town of Willink, in the county of Niagara, and
be known as the Lodge, West Orb of Light.
Sardinia Lodge No. 342. — Was located in the town of Sardinia,
county of Erie. The Grand Lodge granted a warrant for that lodge
March 6, 1822. David Bigelow was its first Master: Elihu Rice, S.
W. ; Silas Parker, J. W. ; Bela H. Colegrove was Master of the Lodge in
1825. No other information of this lodge was attainable.
Concord Lodge No. 346. — The Grand Lodge granted a warrant on the
8th of June, 1822, to Comfort Knapp, Master ; Ira Hall, S. W.,and Arch-
ibald Griffiths, J. W, to hold a lodge in the town of Concord, in the
county of Erie, to be known by the name and style of Concord Lodge
No. 346.
Centre Lodge No. 356.— The petition for a dispensation to hold a
Lodge at Clarence is dated January 31, 1814. Among the signers of the
petition appear the names of Asa P. Harris, William K. Stewart and
others, recommending Archibald S. Clark to be the first Master; Jona.
than Hastings, S. W. ; and James Baldwin, J. W. The petition was
recommended by Olive Branch Lodge No. 215, at Batavia. By a mis-
apprehension the Grand Secretary supposed that this petition bad been
superseded by the warrant issued to Western Star Lodge No. 239,
December 24, 18 14. Waiting patiently for an answer until May 31, 18 17,
the petitioners despatched a letter of inquiry, the reply to which, stating
the above mentioned supposition, was forwarded to them June 9, 18 17,
which, however, does not seem to have reached its destination. The
petitioners were evidently models of patience and perseverance, for
again they waited until October 22, 1822, when another effort was made
Secret Societies in Erie County. 357
by them to ascertain the fate of their petition. An answer to this letter,
dated November i, 1822, advising them to petition anew, finally reached
them. On the new petition appeared the names of Benjamin Bevins>
Elisha Baldwin, Rhodes Stranahan, Ovid Pinney and others. It was
dated Clarence, November 16, 1822, and was recommended by Western
Star Lodge No. 239, of which at that time Benjamin Caryl was Master,
and John A. Lazell, Secretary.
The lodge, after a lapse of nearly nine years, was granted a warrant
at the quarterly communication of the Grand Lodge, March 6, 1823, and
was registered as Centre Lodge No. 356, to be located in the town of
Clarence, in the county of Erie. Frederick Sheldon, Master; Benjamin
Bevins, Senior Warden ; and Elisha Baldwin, Junior Warden. Amos
Wright was Master of the lodge in 1825, representing it in the Grand
Lodge.
Livingston Lodge ^ No. 416. — At the session of the Grand Lodge on the
ist of June, 1825, a warrant was granted to Comfort Knapp, Master;
John Brooks, Senior Warden ; and Hiram Knapp, Junior Warden, to
hold a lodge in the town of Boston, county of Erie, by the name of Liv-
ingston Lodge, No. 416.
Amherst Lodge, No. 429. — This lodge also received its warrant at the
session of the Grand Lodge, June i, 1825. The names entered in the
warrant were Frederick S. Sheldon, Master; Job Beston, Senior War-
den : and Ebenezer A. Lester, Junior Warden, who were authorized to
hold a lodge in the town of Amherst, county of Erie, to be known as
Amherst Lodge, No. 429.
Hamburg Union Store Lodge, No. 434.— This lodge also received a war-
rant at the sessions of the Grand Lodge, June i, 1825. It was issued to
Cushing Swift, Master; Edmund S. Stevens, Senior Warden ; and Mason
Young, Junior Warden, to hold a lodge in the town of Hamburg,
county of Erie, by the name of Hamburg Union Store Lodge, No. 434.
Porter Lodge. — A petition for a dispensation to hold a lodge at Black
Rock, to be known as Porter Lodge, and dated Black Rock, Erie county,
N. Y., November 12, 1823, is on file in the archives of the Grand Lodge.
James L. Barton was to be its first Master ; Nathaniel K. Olmstead, Sen-
ior Warden; and Nathaniel G. Reynolds, Junior Warden. The follow-
ing names are attached to the petition : — Lewis G. Hoffman, William
Burt, John D. Harty, Adam Gray, Ethan Allen and Donald Fraser. The
petition is recommended by Western Star Lodge, No. 239, of Buffalo, on
the 15th of November, 1823. The Grand Lodge seems to have taken no
action on this petition. Comparing the date of this petition with that of
Barton Lodge, No. 442, at Black Rock, it will be seen that the petition
of the latter antedates it about six months, while the endorsement of
Western Star Lodge, No. 239, on the petition of Porter Lodge antedates
that of Barton Lodge about the same length of time. The name of James
358 History of Buffalo.
L. Barton for Master appears on both petitions, and a number of the
names of the petitioners are identical.
Barton Lodge No. 442, Black Rock. — The petition for a dispensation to
form this lodge bears date, Black Rock, May 5, 1823, and recommends
James L. Barton to be its first Master; Nathaniel G. Reynolds, S. W.,
and James McKnight, J. W. The names of the petitioners were L.
G. Hoffman, John D. Harty, Ethan Allen, Henry Hanson, Henry
Potter, Sheldon Thompso.n, James Tisdale, D. S. Davison and Nathaniel
Fills. The petition was recommended by Western Star Lodge No. 239,
Buffalo, May 5, 1824, Jacob A. Barker, Master. A dispensation was
issued Octoi>er 16, 1824, and the Grand Lodge at its session of June
6, 1825, ordered a warrant to issue to Barton Lodge No. 442. Brother
Robert McPherson became secretary, and Sheldon Thompson, treas-
urer of the lodge.
With our well-paved, gas-lighted streets, street railroads, etc., the
reason advanced for the petition cannot well be appreciated by the pres-
ent generation. The petition states that the object in petitioning for a
lodge, while one was held at Buffalo, was as follows: —
" We have in this village and vicinity about twenty-five Master-
Masons ; the major part of them are men of families, and we have the
only alternative of either traveling a considerable part of the year on a
bad road, at unseasonable hours to our great inconvenience, or be
deprived the pleasure of participating in full communion with our
brethren."
The endorsement of Western Star Lodge attached to the petition of
Barton Lodge intimates, but does not fully explain the reason why no
action was taken by the Grand Lodge on the petition of Porter Lodge,
of which mention is made under that head. The following sentence is
contained in the recommendation of Western Star Lodge for the lodge
at Black Rock, to be called " Barton Lodge, and that all former recom-
mendations for a lodge at that place be recalled." The first candidate
initiated in Barton Lodge was Samuel Everett, farmer, December 22,
1824. In the list of those initiated are also found Benjamin Bidwell,
ship carpenter, December 22, 1824; Levi Allen, tavern keeper, February
21, 1826; Daniel Lockwood, lawyer, May 23, 1826; George McKnight,
merchant's clerk. May 23, 1826; William T. Pratt, silversmith. May 23,
1826; Abner Cutler, cabinet maker, May 30, 1826. James L. Barton,
after whom the lodge was named, was its master for 1825 ; Roger
Jones for 1826, and John D. Harty for 1827, '28 and '29; beyond the last
named year, during which Brother George McKnight was secretary,
our information does not extend. The lodge succumbed to the anti-
masonic blast which swept over the western part of the State of New
York, and was not revived again.
The lodges were progressing under favorable conditions. On their
rolls of membership were registered a large number of highly respect-
Secret Societies in Erie County. 559
able and intelligent citizens. This growth increased the jealousy and
enmity of the anti-Masons. The sudden disappearance, therefore, of the
notorious William Morgan on the 12th of September, 1826, who was
reported to have been drowned by the Masons in the Niagara river, led
to hostile demonstrations. Unfortunately for the Masonic tratemity,
nothing definite could be discovered of the fate of this individual. The
adversaries of Masonry under control of designing leaders, were not
slow in making use of the rumor of his murder to fan the spark into a
flame. Anti-Masonry swept over the land like a whirlwind, shaking the
institution to its foundation. Manipulated by skillful but unscruptilous
politicians, the anti-Masonic faction increased in strength and power and
forced many lodges to discontinue their labors. The Masonic fraternity
was subjected to every variety of indignity and persecution, and many
weak-kneed members were forced to renounce their membership. The
progress of Masonry received a check throughout the United States, and
it was only in the year 1843, ^^^^ ^^^ anti-Masonic party lost its political
power. Anti-Masonry died, but Masonry survived. All efforts to drag
it into the dust and to cast suspicion upon its aims, were in vain. It has
spread and developed and in the course of time has essentially aided
civilization. Founded upon an indellible necessity of human nature, it has
and is fulfilling its high mission.. It educates the members to practice
love and charity, imbues them with moral courage, with a devotion lo
truth, and enjoins upon them a faithful performance of duty. It offers
consolation to the afflicted, restores the erring to the path of virtue,
dries the tears of widows and orphans, and creates many institutions for
beneficent purposes. An institution resting upon such principles can
only receive a temporary check from prejudice and ignorance.
Among the lodges who had ceased their labors during the anti-
Masonic ascendency, were those of Erie county. The revival of Ma-
sonry imparted new life to its adherents here also and once more were
they permitted to gather around the altars which they had been forced
to abandon. The old members, with undiminished love for the institu-
tion in their hearts, ag^n met in council. A petition to the Grand Lodge
of the State of New York for a dispensation to form a new lodge, was
circulated in Buffalo in November, 1844, and eagerly signed. The thirty-
two brethren, true and trusty, who attached their signatures to the doc-
ument were Henry B. Myer, Selah Barnard, Nelson Randall, James For-
ristall, Horatio G. Gates, Orman Butler, Thomas J. Winslow, John A.
Weimer, Robert Russell, Charles S. Pierce, Miles Jones, Nehemiah Case,
Abner Cutler, Joseph A. Cameron, Daniel M. Seaver, Charles Radcliffe,
John McPherson, Solomon Drullard, Elijah D. Effner, Benjamin H. Aus-
tin, Thomas MuUer, George Case, Levi Allen, Christian Heistend, Cor-
nelius A. Waldrpn, Benjamin Bid well, Isaac W. Newkirk, Merlin Camp,
Stephen Powers, David C. Sou^h, Joseph Dorr and Darius Smith.
360 History of Buffalo.
Of these good men and true Nehemiah Case» Abner Cutler and Levi
Allen are still living at a good old age, honored by all Masons as well as
by their friends and neighbors.
The Grand Lodge granted a dispensation on the 31st of January,
1845, for the formation of Hiram Lodge; it was received with joy by
the brethren who had been called together to meet on Friday, February
14, 1845. Brother H. B. Myer, who had been named Master of the
lodge, presided on the occasion. At the first meeting of the lodge under
dispensation, February 28, 1845, a petition '^^ membership was presented
from Brother Horatio Warren, who subsequently filled the ofiice of Mas-
ter of Washington Lodge No. 240. At the same time petitions for initia-
tion were received from Ebenezer B, Putress and John W. Davock. At
the communication of the lodge March 7, 1845, the Master, Brother H.
B. Myer, reported that Brother Dr. Clark had placed in his hands the
jewels of the old lodge (Western Star Lodge No. 239) excepting the square
and compass. The latter having been lost, it was ordered tnat new ones
be procured in their place. Some years after that a Brother from Buffalo,
visiting a lodge in Detroit, found the two long lost jewels in that city.
They were returned to Hiram Lodge as will hereafter appear. The dis-
pensation, which expired by limitation with the session of the Grand
Lodge in June, was extended by the Grand Master to October 20, 1845.
At the communication of the lodge December 19, 1845, the Master an-
nounced that the warrant from the Grand Lodge had been received.
It is dated December 5, 1845. The lodge is registered on the rolls of the
Grand Lodge as Hiram Lodge No. 105.
Hiram Lodge No. 105. — At the communication of the lodge Decem-
ber 26, 1845, the following brethren were elected its officers: — Henry
B. Myer, Master; Nelson Randall, S. W. ; Charles S. Pierce, J. W. ; Rob-
ert Russell, treasurer ; Stephen Powers secretary. On the ist of Janu-
ary, 1846, the lodge was constituted and its officers installed by the follow-
ing brethren, who acted as Grand officers : ~ Brother Asher Torrance,
P. M., of Lockport Lodge No. 73, as G. M., assisted by Brothers Peter
P. Murphv, of the same place, as G. M. ; W. E. Cooper, Lockport Lodge
No. 73, as S. G. W. ; B. H. Fletcher, as J. G. W. ; Charles French, Hiram
Lodge No. 105, as Grand Treasurer ; G. Dennison, of the same lodge as
G. C. ; W. Harrison of Lockport Lodge No. 73, as S. G. D. ; A. H. East-
man, of the same lodge, as J. G. D., and A. Brush, of the same lodge, as
G. T. In addition to the elected officers, the following appointed officers
were duly installed : — Brother Carlos Cobb, S. D. ; James McCredie, J.
D. ; Miles Jones and Charles Pickering, S. ; and James A. Forristall, T.
The lodge held its meetings on the fourth floor of the building now known
as No. 219 Main street. Some ot the paper with which the walls of the
room were decorated (imitation marble blocks and columns) may still be
seen in its place at the present time. The owner of the building seems
Secret Societies in Erie County. 361
to have been a Mr. Dart.- The lodge adopted a resolution May i, 1846,
notifying him that it would continue to occupy the room for another
year, if properly repaired. Jhe annual rent paid was $75. Brother E.
S. Bamum, of Utica, was appointed proxy to represent the lodge at the
June session of the Grand Lodge in 1846. As the membership of the
lodge increased, it became evident that more extensive quarters were
required and on the 23d of October, 1846, a resolution was adopted to
rent the room on the third floor of Brother Case's building, on the corner
of Exchange and Washington streets, at $150.00 per annum. At the com-
munication of the lodge. May 21, 1847, ^ resolution was adopted that the
building committee, together with the tiler, take charge of the removal of
the furniture and fixtures of the lodge to the new lodge room. The expense
of moving and the preparation of the new hall had entailed a heavy out-
lay on the young lodge and that, together with frequent calls for charity,
kept its finances at alow ebb. At a communication of the lodge August
4, 1848, Brothers James Wenz, Ehrman and others requested the lodge
to recommend their petition to- the Grand Lodge to give its approval to
the formation of a German Lodge in Buffalo, with which the lodge
readily complied. Buffalo Chapter No 71, of Royal Arch Masons had
become the successor of Niagara Chapter No. 71, which had succumbed
to the force of circumstances. It became a tenant of the new hall under
Hiram Lodge in 1848.
The spirit of Masonry reviving throughout the western part ot the
State of New York, a request was presented to the lodge October 22,
^848, from Brother Budlong and others, for a recommendation of their,
petition to the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, for a dispensa^
tion to form Mount Moriah Lodge, at Jamestown, N. Y. The assent was
readily given;
The brethren above spoken of, who had petitioned the Grand Lodge
for a dispensation to establish a German Lodge, were successful in their
application. The members of Hiram Lodge rejoiced with them in their
success and adopted a resolution on the loth of November, i848,con.
gratulating the new sister lodge, Concordia, on the auspicious event and
expressing its good wishes for its welfare and prosperity. Concordia
Lodge also became an occupant of the new hall. The two lodges jointly
celebrated St. John's day on the 27th of December, 1848, by a supper at
Brother Dorsheimer's (Mansion House.)
On the 29th of December, 1848, Brother Nelson Randall, Master,
publicly installed the officers elect for the ensuing year, in the lodge
room, which wlis witnessed by a large and highly respectable audience.
Brother Horatio Gates delivered an able address on the occasion, which
was well received.
On the 27th of April, 1849, Hiram Lodge adopted a resolution
to celebrate the approaching St. John's day publicly, provided Concordia
362 History of Buffalo.
Lodge and Bu£FaIo Chapter approve of the same. Both gave their assent
readily ; but the 24th day of June falling upon Sunday, the celebration
occurred on the 25th.
The following address casting some light upon Masonic affairs at
that time, was issued by the fraternity soon after Concordia Lodge and
Buffalo Chapter* had approved the resolution : —
" The members of the Masonic fraternity composing Buffalo Chapter,
No. 715 Hiram Lodge, No. 105, and Concordia Lodge, believing the time
has now come when the interest of our beloved institution would there-
by be best promoted, have resolved to celebrate the next anniversary of
our ancient Brother, St. John the Baptist, and have, from their respective
bodies, appointed the undersigned a committee of arrangements, to carry
such resolutions into effect; with instructions to invite our brethren at a
distance to participate with us in the honors of the dav. Committee of
Buffalo Chapter, No. 71. C. H. Dibble, N. Case, M. Jones, G. W. Allen,
B. H. Austin, H. W. Rogers, P. Dorsheimer. Committee of Hiram
Lodge, No. 105. C. S. Pierce. F. S. Wheeler, B. Welch, Jr., B. Bidwell,
C. Cobb, J. McCredie, C. Pickering. Committee of Concordia Lodge,
U. D., J. Wenz, P. Ehrman, J. Weil, F. Atwicker, F. A. Georger, G.
Black, B. Weimar.
" This being the first public demonstration in this section, for many
years, it is desirable that the procession should be numerous and impos-
ing; so that the unenlightened may see and know that Masonry was * not
dead but sleeping.' * * * We rejoice in being able to say that the
prejudices which once existed against our order here have nearly passed
away, giving good reasons to hope that they will soon be numbered
among the things that were.
" The 24th of June being Sunday, the celebration will be on Monday,
the 25th. The procession will form precisely at 10 o'clock, at Masonic
Hall, on the corner of Washington and Exchange streets, and proceed
thence to one of the churches of the city, where an oration will be deliv-
ered and other appropriate exercises will take place according to ancient
usage.
" Your attendance is hereby cordially and earnestly solicited, either
in a body or individually. It is expected that chapters and lodges will
bring their jewels, and Brothers their regalia.
" Respectfully and fraternally yours,
" O. H. Dibble, (P. H. P.) Chairman.
" James McCredie, Secretary."
Besides the members of the lodges and the chapters a large number
of visiting brethren were present. The procession proceeded, according
to arrangement, to the Universalist Church on Washington street, where,
after appropriate services, the Rev. Brother Dolphus Skinner, from
Oneida county, delivered the address in the presence of a large audience.
At the communication of Hiram Lodge, June i. 1 849, a resolution
was adopted recommending to the Grand Lodge of the State the petition
* We are indebted for a copy of this address, to that ardent veteran Mason, Brother James Mc-
Credie. and we* take pleasure in acknowledging that he has placed us under obligations for much
other valuable information.
Secret Societies in Erie County. 363
of Brother Isaac Bloss and others for the revival of the charter of Han-
over Lodge at Forestville, Chautauqua county.
On the 15th of June, 1849, Brother Randall, Master, informed the
lodge that the Grand Lodge had remitted one-half of the Grand Lodge
dues for the past year, amounting to fifty-six dollars.
On the 2 1 St of December, 1849, ^^^ resolution was adopted, "That
this lodge recommend the petition of Brothers N. Randall, C. Cobb and
others to the Grand Lodge for a new lodge to be held in this city, to be
called Eric Lodge."
On the 31st of January, 185 1, the lodge appointed Brother Dibble
a delegate to attend a meeting of delegates to be held in Albany, N. Y.,
February 7th, for the purpose of discussing the propriety of building an
asylum for indigent Masons, their widows and orphans. And again, on
the 3d o( May of the same year, the same subject being again before the
lodge and its members desiring to testify their desire to carry out prac-
tically the greatest and noblest principle of the institution— charity —
adopted the resolution, " That our representative W. Brother Benja-
min H. Austin, be instructed to attend the convention of delegates to be
held in the city of New York June 3d next, for the purpose of erecting
a Masonic Asylum, and to support the object intended as far as he may
think proper."
Ot) a preceding page of this sketch, it is stated that at the communi-
cation of the lodge, March 7, 1845, ^^^ jewels of the old lodge (Western
Star No. 239) had been presented to Hiram Lodge, except the square
and compass, which were missing, but subsequently found in Detroit.
The fact coming to the knowledge of the lodge, the preamble and reso-
lutions were offered and adopted June 2, 1852 : —
Whereas, We have long cherished as inestimable tokens of remem«
brance of a distinc^uished and worthy brother of our order, the Hon.
DeWitt Clinton, tne jewels presented by him to Western Star Lodge
No. 23^, now the property of this lodge ; and,
Whereas, We have learned with the greatest pleasure that of
those jewels, the compass and square, which have for a long time been
missing, are now in the possession of Lodge No, — , at Detroit,
Mich. Therefore,
Resolved^ That the brethren of Lodge No. — , at Detroit,
be respectfully asked to deliver to the compass and square of
Western Star Lodge No. 239, of New York, for Hiram Lodge No. 105,
of New York.
Resolvedy That we will regard a compliance with the request con-
tained in the foregoing resolution, as a token of the high consideration
which the Freemasons have for their brethren.
Resolved^ That the secretary of this lodg:e be directed to send a
copy of the foregoins^ preamble and resolutions to the secretary of
Lodge, No. , at Detroit, Mich.''
The square and compass were surrendered by the lodge at Detroit
to Hiram Lodge, in whose possession the whole of the jewels have
364 History of Buffalo.
remained ever since. They bad a very narrow escape from being de-
stroyed at the fire in December, 1882, of which mention will be made
hereafter. The square, which still remains discolored from smoke, was
shown us a short time ago. It has the following inscription: ''Pre-
sented by the M. W. Grand Master DeWitt Clinton, to Western Star
Lodge No. 239." They are priceless jewels.
Hiram Lodge received an invitation from the building committee of
the German Evangelical Church at Lower Black Rock, to participate in
laying the corner-stone of said church, on Thursday, August 26, 1852,
which was accepted.
At the communication of February 25, 1853, a petition to the Grand
Lodge for a new lodge was presented, requesting the recommendation
of Hiram Lodge. The lodge was to be known as Parish Lodge, and to
be located at Black Rock. The following were the names of the breth-
ren attached to the petition : Brpthers Levi Love, Stephen W. Howell,
L. P. Dayton, John Rudy, John H. VanBenthusen, Reuben Justin, Alex-
ander McCloud, Hiram B. Lusk and William P. Sheldon. Hiram Lodge
recommended the petition.
At the suggestion of Erie Lodge No. 161, a committee was appointed
at the meeting of March 4, 1853, to take in consideration the propriety
and feasibility of erecting a Masonic Temple in the city of Buffalo.
A number of influential members of the fraternity throughout the
State, deeming it desirable that the Grand Lodge of the State of New
York should be divided. Hiram Lodge adopted a resolution August 191
1853, to attend by delegation a convention to be held at Rochester, Sep-
tember 2, to consider the propriety of carrying out the proposition.
The rapid increase of the German population of the city and the
favor with which Freemasonry was viewed as its principles became bet-
ter known and understood by the intelligent classes, brought a large
number of applications for admission to the lodges. A second German
Lodge became a necessity, and brother James Wenz, in connection with
other German Masons, petitioned the Grand Lodge for a dispensation for
a new lodge, which was endorsed by Hiram Lodge at its communication
of May 12, 1854.
The officers elect of Hiram Lodge for the year 1855, were publicly
installed in American Hall, which was filled on the occasion to its utmost
capacity. The applications for charity became more frequent and the
lodges of Buffalo found it necessary to establish in self-protection, a
central Board for that purpose, to which all applications were to be
referred. On the 22d of July, 1855, Hiram Lodgeappointed a committee
to act in conjunction with like committees for that purpose, from Erie,
Washington, Queen City and Ancient Landmarks Lodges, who agreed
upon '' Articles of Association of the Masonic Board of Relief of the
City of Buffalo." The first representatives of Hiram Lodge in the
Secret Societies in Erie County. 365
Board were Past Masters James H. Barton and William F. Rogers. The
necessary funds for charitable purposes were supplied by an assessment
of twelve per cent, on the receipts of the lodges who were associated in
the Board. Hiram Lodge, as well as the rest of the Masonic Lodges,
Chapters and Commanderies, were invited by the proper authorities to
participate in the laying of the corner-stone of the State Arsenal, on
Batavia street (now Broadway), in Buffalo. The ceremony was performed
by the Grand Lodge on the 5th of May, 1858.-
A number of brethren desirous of forming a new lodge, to be
called DeMolay Lodge, petitioned the Grand Lodge for a dispensation.
Hiram Lodge recommended the petition to the favorable consideration
of the Grand Lodge, at its communication of January 20, i860.
The lodge rooms heretofore occupied by a majority of the Masonic
bodies of Buffalo, on the corner of Washington and Exchange streets,,
having ceased to be convenient for their accommodation, it was deter-
mined to move to more suitable quarters. The upper floor of the building
on the comer of Main and Swan streets, known as Townsend Hall, was
selected and rented from its owners at an annual rent of $400, and suit-
ably fitted up and furnished by the lodges who had heretofofe met at the
comer of Washington and Exchange streets.
It was on the ist of August, 1861, that Hiram Lodge held its
first communication in the new hall, which was properly dedicated to
the use of Masonry, by the Grand Master of the State, M. W. Brother
Finlay M. King« on the 27th of December, of the same year.
On the 22d of January, 1864, Hiram Lodge received a communica-
tion from the president and secretary of the great Central Fair which
was to be held in Buffalo on the 22d of February, for the benefit of the
sick and wounded of the army and navy, to which the lodge responded
on the 5th of February by a donation of $200.
On the 2d of August, 1864, the lodge adopted a resolution to partic-
ipate in the laying of the comer-stone of the First Universalist Church,
in Buffalo, and on the 2d of September, resolved to appropriate $5 of the
amount received with each petition for degrees and membership, for the
hall and asylum fund.
The lodge deposited the remains of Brother Daniel D. Bidwell, with
masonic ceremonies, on the 30th of October, 1864. Brother Bid well had
during the war attained the rank of Brigadier-General in the volunteer
army of the United States, and died a hero's death at the battle of Cedar
Creek, West Virginia. With the destruction by fire of the American
Hotel and adjoining buildings in Buffalo on the 25th of January, 1865, two
Masonic balls fell a prey to the devastating element, making a number of
lodges homeless. Hiram Lodge immediately determined to offer to one
of the lodges the temporary use of their hall for every alternate Friday,
the regular nights of its meeting being on Friday of each week. A reso-
366 History of Buffalo.
lution was adopted at the same time to confer with the other Masonic
bodies to take in consideration the feasibility of erecting a Masonic Hall
for the use of the lodges in this city. The lodge at once subscribed
$1,500 to the capital stock of the Masonic Hall Association. The other
lodges and individual masons responded liberally to the call and the
amount subscribed reached the handsome sum of $30,000. Unfortu-
nately, however, the unsettled state of the financial affairs of the country
interfered with the carrying out of the project and the plan was reluc-
tantly abandoned.
The lodge accepted the invitation extended by the trustees of Forest
Lawn Cemetery to assist in the laying of a memorial stone September
26, 1866, and on the 8th of August, 1867, lent its aid in laying the comer-
stone of the State Normal School at Fredonia, N. Y.; participated in lay-
ing the comer-stone for the State Normal School in Buffalo, April 15,
1869, and of the monument of the Firemen's Benevolent Association in
Forest Lawn Cemetery, July 23, 1869; of Asbury Methodist Episcopal
Church, July 13, 1871 ; of the City and County Hall, June 24, 1872; of
the asylum for the insane, September 18, 1872 ; of the Soldier's monu-
ment. Forest Lawn, October 21, 1880, and of the corner-stone of the
Soldiers' and Sailors' monument, in LaFayette Square, July 4, 1882.
The petition bf Brothers Kiene, Juengling, Breitweiser and others
in November, 1869, to the Grand Lodge to grant a dispensation for a
third German lodge in this city, met the approval of Hiram Lodge. No
event of importance has occurred in the lodge for a number of years. In
1871-72, it contributed liberally to the hall and asylum fund and when
in 1873, the financial crisis by which the country was overtaken com-
pelled the Gramd Lodge of the State to raise $100,000, Hiram Lodge
advanced $500 towards it.
On the loth of December, 1875, Hiram Lodge joined the Masonic
Association formed for the purpose of leasing the fourth floor of Miller ft
Greiner's building, on the northeast comer of Washington and North
Division streets at the yearly rent of $1,500. The hall was fitted up in
magnificent style. Hiram Lodge held its last communication in the
old hall, comer of Main and Swan streets, on the 12th of March, 1876,
and its first communication in the new hall, northeast corner of Wash-
ington and North Division streets, on the 24th of June of the same year,
it being St. John's day, and set apart for the dedication of the new
Masonic Temple. The first regular communication of the lodge in the
new hall took place July 14, 1876.
Brother Charles H. Rathbune, Master of Hiram Lodge, died July 28,
1879. Hiram Lodge, joined by a larg6 number of members from other
lodges in this city, escorted by Lake Erie and Hugh de Payens Com-
manderies, accompanied the remains to Forest Lawn, where thev were
deposited according to ancient Masonic rite.
Secret Societies in Erik County. 367
The last meeting of Hiram Lodge in the new Masonic Hall was held
December 8, 1882. For six years had the lodges prospered in the new
hall, and nothing had occurred to disturb their peace and harmony,
when once more the devastating element deprived them of their Masonic
home. On the evening of December 21, 1882, the upper part in which
the lodge rooms were situated, were destroyed by fire. Fortunately
Hiram Lodge saved its records, although somewhat damaged by water.
Its next communication was held January 12, 1883, M. W., Brother
Flagler, Grand Master, having granted a dispensation to the lodge who
formerly met at the hall corner of Washington and North Division
streets, to hold their communications in the hall of the lodge of the
Ancient Landmarks, corner of Main and Court streets. The lodge hav-
ing also been prevented from electing its officers at the time prescribed
by the statutes of the Grand Lodge, was authorized to elect and install
them on the 12th of January, 1883.
At the date of this publication, the hall having been fully restored
and furnished anew, the lodge has resumed its communications in its
former quarters. The following is a list of the Masters who have pre-
sided over Hiram Lodge up to the present time, the numbers opposite
their respective names indicating the years during which each occupied
the chair: —
Brothers H. B. Meyers, 1845 and '46; Nelson Randall, 1847 and '48;
Charles S. Pierce, 1849, Benjamin H. Austin, 1850, '51 and '52; James
H. Barton, 1853, '54, '56, '57. '60 and '61 ; G. A. Scroggs. 1855 ; J. K. Tyler,
1858; Riley Hayford, 1859; Andrew S. Mason, 1862, '63 and '68; Haw-
ley Klein, 1864, '65 and •82; Henry Waters, 1866; Chillion M. Farrar,
1867 ; Henry Smith, 1869, '70 and '73 ; William F. Rogers, 1871 and *8ii
Theodore C. Knigtit, 1872; Solomon Taylor, 1874; George L. Reming-
ton, 1875 and '76; John Masters, Jr., 1877 and '78; Charles H. Rathbun,
1879; Burrall Spencer, Jr., 1880; William J. Donaldson, 1883.
On the 1st of May 1883, the lodge numbered two hundred and sev-
enty-six members.
Concordia Lodj^e, No. 143. — The new life infused into Freemasonry in
Buffalo b}* the success of Hiram Lodge, awakened a desire among the
brethren speaking the German tongue to establish a German Lodge in
the nity. For this purpose a number of them applied to the Grand
Master of the State for a dispensation which was granted. Upon the
receipt of it the petitioners assembled in the lodge room, corner of Wash-
ington and Exchange streets, on the 3d of October, for the purpose of
organizing Concordia Lodge, that being the name by which the lodge
was to be known.
The brethren authorized by the dispensation to act as officers were,
James Wenz, Master; Frederick Ehrman, S. W.; and Jacob Weil, J. W.
August Miller was appointed secretary. Of the petitioners the follow-
ae
368 History of Buffalo.
ing were present on the occasion: — Brothers Altwicker, Eschenbach,
Black, and a number of visitors from Hiram Lodge, No. 105. The first
candidate initiated was Adam Schlagter, October 17, 1848: the second,
F. Augustus Georger, October 3 1 , 1848 ; Philip Scheu and Henry Weisser,
November 21, 1848, and John Greiner, December 5, 1848. Of these
brethren, two are still living in Buffalo, F. Augustus Georger, who is
the president of the German Bank, of Buffalo, and John Greiner, one of
its most successful merchants, who still continue to take an active part
in Masonry.
Under the dispensation Concordia Lodge continued its labors until
June, 1849, when at the session of the Grand Lodge at that time, it received
its warrant, bearing date June 13, 1849, »" which James Wenz is named
as Master ; Frederick Ehrman, S. W.; and Jacob Weil, J. W. The lodge
was duly constituted and its officers installed on the occasion when Buf-
falo Chapter, No. 71, Hiram Lodge, No. 105, and Concordia Lodge, U.
D., celebrated St. John's day, on the 25th of June, 1849, in the First
Universalist Church, on Washington street.
The records of the lodge contain the following on the subject of its
installation : —
''The brethren assembled in the lod&^e room at 11 o'clock a. m.,
together with the members of Buffalo Chapter, Hiram Lodge, and a
number of visiting brethren from abroad. A procession being formed,
it proceeded to the First Universalist Church on Washin^on street. After
praver the Rev. Brother Dolphus Skinner, from Utica, delivered an
address. Brother O. H. Dibble, having received authority for that pur-
pose, from the Grand Master, duly constituted Concordia Lodge and
installed its officers. At the close of the solemnities, the procession was
re-formed and returned to the lodge room."
The first regular meeting of the lodge under its warrant, took place
July 3, 1849. On the 18th of December, of the same year, the follow-
ing officers were elected : James Wenz, M. ; Frederick Ehrman, S. W. ;
J. G. Ferdinand MuUer, J. W. ; F. Augustus Georger, Secretary ; F.
Altwicker, Treasurer ; J. Black, S. D. ; J. A. Weimer, J. D. ; Jacob Weil
and Philip Scheu, Masters of Ceremonies ; John Greiner and Herman
Wende, Stewards ; C. F. W. Ebenau, Orator.
On the 29th of August, 1852, the lodge took part in laying the corner-
stone of the Protestant Evangelical Church at Black Rock, and subse.
quently in all public proceedings in which the fraternity of the city par-
ticipated.
At the communication of the lodge May $, 1853, the following mem-
bers applied for dimits for the purpose of forming the Second German
Lodge in Buffalo, viz.: Brothers Greiner, Devening, Koenig, Scherf,
Weber, Keller, C. Lange, Drobisch and Birkenstock.
The lodge joined the Masonic Board of Relief of Buffalo in 1858,
and aside of that has always contributed liberally to the relief of the
needy.
Secret Societies in Erie County. 369
When in December, 1861, Hiram and Erie Lodges, Buffalo Chapter
and Lake Erie Commandery determined to abandon the premises occu-
pied by them on the northwest comer of Washington and Exchange
streets, and move to the hall prepared for them in the building on the
southwest comer of Main and Swan streets, Concordia Lodge joined in
the movement.
In 1868, the lodge erected a monument over the grave of Philip
Scheu, one of its members, and on the 24th of June, 1869, it assisted
Modestia Lodge in unveiling the monument erected by it over the grave
of its Master, who lost his life by a railroad accident near Erie, Pennsyl-
vania. In 1869 the following members dimitted from the lodge for the
purpose of establishing Harmonie Lodge, it being the third German
Lodge in Buffalo : — Brothers S. C. Kiene, Henry Breitweiser, Frederick
Traenkel, Henry Keller and Joseph Timmerman.
In the year 1872, one of those pleasant incidents occurred which
ought not to go unrecorded. Brother G. Scheffel who for over nineteen
years had faithfully served the lodge in the capacity of chaplain, was
to celebrate his golden wedding on the 13th of October. The mem-
bers, therefore, as an evidence of the high esteem in which they held the
brother, determined to celebrate the event. A committee consisting of
Past Masters Joseph L. Haberstro, George Brost, William Schmidt and
Frederick Held were appointed, who were to act with the Master of the
Lodge, Brother William C. Zimmerman, to make the necessary arrange-
ments. It was determined to celebrate the event on the anniversary of
the wedding day, October 13, by a banquet. Two hundred and twenty-
five members of the lodge, and invited brethren from other lodges, with
their families participated in the celebration, during which Brother
Scheffel was presented with a purse of $200 in gold. He died in 1880, at
the ripe old age of 83.
Concordia Lodge celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary on the 24th
of June, 1874. The seven members who in 1849, ^^^ applied for a war-
rant, had, during the quarter of a century, increased to two hundred.
When the Lodges and other Masonic bodies determined in 1876, to
leave the hall in which their meetings were held, Concordia Lodge also
joined in the movement It has since that time continued to hold its
meetings in the new hall (Miller & Greiner block), on the northeast comer
of Washington and North Division streets, up to December 21, 1882,
when the upper part of the building containing the hall was almost
entirely destroyed by firb. It was fortunate enough to save its records
from destruction.
On the 23d of December, 1882, the Grand Master of the State, M.
W., Brother Flagler, granted permission to the lodge to meet hereafter
in the hall of the Lodge of the Ancient Landmarks, over the Erie County
Savings Bank on the southwest comer of Main and Court streets. The
370 History of Buffalo.
lodge has, in October, 1883, returned to its former quarters, Miller &
Greiner block, the building having been fully restored and refurnished.
Concordia Lodge has pursued the even tenor of its way, being nei-
ther elated by favorable, nor depressed by adverse circumstances. The
lodge may be considered the mother lodge of German Masonry in
Buffalo, and has reason to feel proud of its offspring. On the istof May,
1883, the lodge numbered two hundred and thirteen members. The fol-
lowing brethren were masters of the lodge for the respective years
opposite to their names, viz. : James Wenz, 1848, '49, '50 and '51 ; J. P.
Klein, 1852, '53, '54 and 56; Jacob Weil, 1855; Joseph L. Habcrstro,
1857. '58, '59, '60, '61, '62. '64, '66, 'yj and '78 ; Charles H. Rauert, 1865 ;
S. C. Kiene, 1867 and '68 ; George Brost, 1869 and *70; William C. Zim-
merman, 1871 and '72; Frederick Held, 1873 and '74; John F. Haber-
stro, 1875 and '76% Frank Sipp, 1879 and '80; Nicholas Moershfelder,
1 88 1 and '82 ; Charles F. Bishop, 1883.
Erie Lodge No. 161.— The greatest loss that can befall a lodge is the
destruction of its records, for with it the authenticity and details of its
previous history disappear to a great extent. Whatever information
may be subsequently gathered by the slow and uncertain process of
extraction from the recollection of old members and from other sources,
lacks after all the authenticity of the original records. That disaster has
overtaken Erie Lodge of Buffalo. No records of the lodge, except the
list of members, have been saved from the calamitous fire which destroyed
the lodge rooms in the building in the northeast comer of Washington
and North Division streets, on the evening of December 21, 1882. Suf-
ficient time has scarcely elapsed to collect and put in presentable shape
the material necessary for even the bare outline of the history of the
lodge, which has existed for a third of a century, and this must be the
excuse for the paucity of the matter furnished in the present sketch.
It was on the 21st of December, 1849, ^'^^ Hiram Lodge adopted a
resolution recommending the petition of thirty-two good and true Masons
to the favorable consideration of the Grand Master, who thereupon
granted his dispensation for the formation of Erie Lodge. The date of
the petition we have been unable to ascertain. The following are the
names of the brethren who signed the petitition : Orange H. Dibble, W.
L. G. Smith, William Williams, Erastus Wallis, Nelson Randall, Nehe-
miah Case, James McCredie, George W. Allen, Richard H. Weller,
Harvey M. Mixer, Frederick J. Butler, Carlos Cobb, Samuel D. Flagg,
Philip Dorsheimer, Horatio Warren, Henry W. Rogers, Cyrus P. Lee,
Cyrenius C. Bristol, Horatio Gates, Eli Williamson, John Douglass,
George W. Clinton, Solomon DruUard, Benjamin Welch, Jr., Silas M.
Allen, Gordon Bailey, James L. Reynolds, John Hollister, John M.
Hughes, Lyman Brown, Benjamin Caryl and John Fleharty. Twenty-
five of these brothers have gone to their long rest. The seven surviving
brethren are Nehemiah Case, James McCredie, Frederick J. Butler,
Secret Societies in Erie County. 371
Cyrus P. Lee, Cyrcnius C. Bristol, Eli Williamson and George W. Clin-
ton. Of these Nehemiah Case and James McCredie continue their
membership in the lodge, the latter having been uninterruptedly elected
tc some office from the time of its formation ; certainly a rare occurrence
and undoubted evidence of the value of the member.
The first three candidates initiated by the lodge were James H.
Lee, January 28, 1*50, Samuel C. Greene, February 4, 1850, and F. A.
Alberger, March i8i 1850.
At the session of the Grand Lodge in June, 1850, the lodge obtained
a warrant and was registered as Erie Lodge No. 161. The date of the
warrant is June, 1850, and the brethren named therein as the first offi-
cers of the lodge are Nelson Randall, M., Carlos Cobb, S. W., and W.
L. G. Smith, J. W. The lodge held its communications in the same
rooms in which Hiram Lodge, Concordia Lodge and Buffalo Chapter
met. These bodies have since their respective organization, closely ad-
hered to each other and have always occupied the same premises. Erie
Lodge has invariably participated in all public demonstrations. On the
26th of August, 1852, it ^joined with Hiram and Concordia Lodges in lay-
ing the comer-stone of the German Evangelical Church at Lower Black
Rock. .It was Erie Lodge that, at its meeting of March 4, 1853, fippointed
a committee to take in consideration the propriety and feasibility of
erecting a Masonic temple in the city of Buffalo.
In 1855 the lodge approved the ''Articles of Association of the Ma-
sonic Board of Relief of the city of Buffalo, " which it subsequently zeaL
ously supported.
On the 5th of May, 1858, the lodge participated in the laying of the
comer-stone of the State Arsenal, and in 1861, in company with the ma-
sonic bodies that had heretofore met at the comer of Washington and
Exchange streets, left its masonic home and moved to the lodge rooms
on the southwest comer of Main aiid Swan streets.
On the 2d of August, 1864, the lodge participated in the laying of the
comer-stone of the First Universalist Church and when, on the 25th of
January, 1865, the American Hotel, together with the adjacent buildings
in which a number of masonic bodies met, were destroyed by fire, it was
Erie Lodge that surrendered in a fraternal spirit two nights of their reg-
ular monthly communications for the accommodation of the lodges that
had become homeless.
The calamity which had fallen upon the fraternity by this confla-
gration, once more reminded the Masons of Buffalo of the necessity of
possessing their own property and as, on a previous occasion, Erie Lodge
again became an ardent supporter of the proposition and subscribed a
liberal sum for that purpose.
The lodge participated in the laying of the memorial stone in Forest
Lawn cemetery, September 26, 1856; in the laying of the corner-stone
of the State Normal School at Fredonia, August 8, 1867 ; in that of the
372 History of Buffalo.
State Normal School in Buffalo, April 15, 1869; in that of the Fireman's
monument in Forest Lawn Cemetery, July 23, 1869; of Asbury Metho-
dist Episcopal Church July 13, 1871 ; of the City and County Hall June
24, 1872; of the asylum for the insane September 18, 1872; of the sol-
diery' monument in Forest Lawn Cemetery October 21, 1880; and of the
soldiers' and sailors' monument in LaFayette Square, July 4, 1882.
In December, 1875, ^^^ lodge joined the Masonic Association formed
for the purpose of leasing the lodge rooms on the northeast comer of
Washington and North Division streets and moved to the new locality
in May, 1876. Here it suffered with the rest of the Masonic bodies by
the conflagration of December 21, 1882.
Erie Lodge has liberally contributed to the hall and asylum fund of
the Grand Lodge, as well as to all benevolent and charitable purposes at
home*
Of the eminent Masons upon whom the Grand Lodge of the State
and other Grand bodies have conferred their highest honors, Erie Lodge
has furnished a larger number than any other lodge in this district, and
it may be safe to say even in the State.
Two members have attained to the exalted dignity of Grand Master
of the State — Brothers Nelson Randall and Christopher G. Fox. The
former was one pf the charter members of the lodge^ and the latter was
initiated in Erie Lodge, although not a member of it at the time he filled
the office of Grand Master. Brother James* McCredie occupied the posi-
tion of Most Puissant Grand Master of the Grand Council of the State.
Brother LeRoy Famham that of Grand Commander of the Grand Com-
mandery of the State; and Brother David F. Day that of Grand High
Priest of the Grand Chapter ot the State. Brother EUicott Evans was
the first District Deputy Grand Master of the Twenty-fifth Masonic Dis-
trict, and for several years Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Cor-
respondence of the Grahd Lodge. Brother William Gould was one of
the Grand Stewards of the Grand Lodge in 1857.
The lodge is again domiciled in its former quarters, northeast comer
of Washington and North Division streets. The lodge numbered two
hundred and fifty-four mem'bers May i, 1883. The following brothers
have occupied the station of Master of the lodge for the periods set
opposite their respective names: Brothers Nelson Randall, 1850 and '51 ;
Cyrus P. Lee, 1852 and '53; LeRoy Farnham, 1854; EUicott Evans,
1855 ; William Gould, 1856, '57, '58, '60, '61 and '62; James McCredie,
1859; William F. Best, 1863, '64 and '6t\ David* F. Day, 1865; John
Briggs, 1866 and '76; S. M. Ratcliffe, 186?, '71, '72, '81 and '83; W. L.
G. Smith, 1869; William H. Dee, 1870; Robert Denton, 1873 and '74;
Benjamin A. Provoost, 1875 ; Edward H. Paige, 1877 ; William Christian,
1878 and '79 ; Thomas A. Laird, i88c and '82.
Washington Lodge No. 240.— It was in the fall of 185 1 that a number
of Masons, some of them being at the time members of Hiram and Erie
Secret Societies in Erie County. 373
Lodges, determined to apply for a dispensation to open a new lodge in
the city of Buffalo. One of the reasons for this movement was that the
city was beginning to assume extensive proportions and some of the
brethren were living at too great a distance from the Masonic Hall, cor-
ner of Washington and Exchange streets, to make their attendance at
the lodge meetings possible or convenient, street railroads being unknown
in those days. It was at the last of the preliminary meetings at which
the feasibility of establishing a new lodge was discussed, that the follow-
ing brethren signed a petition to the Grand Lodge for a dispensation :
L. Brown, D. H. Wiswell, Harlow Palmer, H. H. Reynolds, M. Pinner,
Horatio Warren, Ashley Ball, Charles D. Delaney, Miles Jones, J. M.
Punderson, A. S. Schwartz, Eli Williamson, O. B. Evans, Gordon Bailey
and George W. Clinton. Of the fifteen brethren, three are still continu-
ing their membership in the lodge, five withdrew, having left the city,
and seven have died. The petition for a dispensation received the
endorsement of both Hiram and Erie Lodges.
The first regular communication of the lodge was held at the Masonic
Hall, comer of Washington and Exchange streets, on the 28th of Octo-
ber, 1851, the following officers occupying their respective stations and
places : Lyman Hrown, M. ; Harlow Palmer, S. W. ; J. M. Punderson,
J. W. ; H. H. Reynolds, secretary ; Miles Jones, treasurer ; M. Pinner,
S. D. ; Gordon Bailey, J. D. ; Charles D. Delaney and D. H. Wiswell,
stewards ; and A. S Schwai;tz, M. C.
The first petitions for initiation were received from F. P. Stevens
and William Sutton. Of these the former never entered the lodge. At
this meeting a resolution was unanimously adopted that it was the inten-
tion of the members to obtain a hall in the upper part of the city for the
use of the lodge.
The first initiation occurred at the communication of the lodge,
November 25, 185 1, William A. Sutton and Horatio Seymour being the
candidates.
The lodge continued its labors under dispensation until I )ecember
when.a warrant was gi:anted to it at the quarterly communication of the
Grand Lodge, December nth, 185 1, the names of the first three lodge
officers inserted therein being Lyman Brown, M. ; Harlow Palmer, S.
W«, and James M. Punderson, J. W. The first regular communication
under the warrant occurred on the ist of January, 1852, and they con-
tinued to be held at the comer of Washington and Exchange streets until
June of that year. The hall over the Buffalo Savings Bank, then located
on the premises now known as No. 420 Main street, was secured by
the lodge for its future meetings, that being the intention of its members.
The first meeting in its new location occurred on the 24th of June, 1852.
A severe infliction befell the lodge on the 31st of August, 1852, by
the death ot the Senior Warden, Brother Harlow Palmer, who was an
374 History of Buffalo.
earnest and zealous Mason and one of the principal supporters of the
young lodge. His memory is still cherished by the few surviving old
members from whose recollection time has failed to efface the sterling
qualities of the man and Mason. His brother, Everard, was initiated
into Masonr)' in Washington Lodge August 17, 1852, was elected Junior
Warden of the lodge at the election of officers December 21st, 1852 ; he
also became a steadfast and liberal supporter of the lodge.
The hall heretofore occupied over the Buffalo Savings Bank was
found to be inadequate for the use of the lodge. The members, there-
fore, determined to rent the more spacious hall in the adjoining build-
ings, Nos. 326 and 328 Main street (now known as 416 and 418 Main
street). It was suitably arranged, fitted and prepared for the use of
the lodge, and its first communication was held therein on the 26th of
April, 1863. The name of the lodge was also given to the hall and it
was known thereafter as Washington Masonic Hall. Modestia Lodge
No. 340, Queen City No. 358, Ancient Landmarks, No. 441, Keystone
Chapter No. 163 R. A. M., and Keystone Council, No. 20. R. & S. M.,
subsequent!}' held their communications in the same hall.
In the year 1855, Washington Lodge united with Hiram, Eric, Queen
City and Ancient Landmark Lodges to establish a Board of Relief for
the city of Buffalo, for the purpose of preventing the bestowal of charity
indiscriminately ; it has tended to relieve the worthy more effectually,
while, at the same time, it protects the lodges against imposition by the
searching investigation of the board. Subsequently all the lodges in the
city became members of the board, of which particulars will be given in
another part of this compilation.
A petition to the Grand Lodge for a dispensation to form a new
lodge, to be known as Temple Lodge, was presented to Washington
Lodge for endorsement, at its communication of January 14, 1858, and
received its approbation. The Grand Master of the State, M. W.
Brother John L. Lewis, declined to grant the dispensation, for the reason
that a lodge by that name was already existing in this State. The name
of the proposed new lodge was thereupon changed to that of '' Ancient
Landmarks Lodge," when it received the sanction of the Grand Master
Hiram Lodge being the oldest lodge in the city, and having been
called upon by the proper civil authorities to lay the corner-stone of the
new State arsenal, invited Washington Lodge, April 15, 1858, to partic-
ipate in the ceremonies. The invitation was accepted. The question of
a change in the representation in the Grand Lodge was brought before
the lodge March 20, 1862, and at its communication of May 22, it was
resolved that in the opinion of Washington Lodge the Grand Lodge of
the«State should remain as at present constituted, but that it seemed
desirable that it should be removed from the city of New York to some
city in the central part of the State. The lodge received and accepted
Secret Societies in Erie County. 375
the invitation of Concordia and Modestia Lodges to celebrate St. John's
day at Moffat's Grove on the 26th of June, 1862, at 7:30 P. m. A com-
munication of the lodge was called on the 2d of August, 1864, for the
purpose of attending the M. W. Grand Lodge and be present at the
laying of the comer-stone of the First Universalist Church, on Main
street in this city.
The disastrous fire which destroyed the American Hotel on the
evening of Wednesday, January 25, 1865, also swept away the Washing-
ton Masonic Hall, it being contiguous thereto. The lodge lost its cher-
ished home, but was fortunate in saving its books, records and jewels,
together with a portion of the furniture, for which it is indebted to the
energetic action of Brothers Samuel O. Bigelow and William Fleming,
assisted by a number of its own members and those of other lodges.
At the meeting of the lodge February 2, 1865, which was held in Ma-
sonic Hall, corner of Main and Swan streets, a resolution was adopted
thanking Erie Lodge No. f6i, for its fraternal kindness in surrendering
the use of its lodge room for the first and third Thursday evenings of each
month, until Washington Lodge would be enabled to provide itself with
a room in place of the one destroyed by fire. On the 4th of February,
1865, M. W. Brother Clinton F. Paige, Grand Master, authorized Wash-
ington Lodge to meet at the hall corner of Main and Swan streets. Hugh
de Payens Coramandery having offered to rent its hall over Nos. 326
and 328 Main street — (416 and 418 new numbers) to Washington Lodge,
the latter accepted the proposition and held its first communication in
said hall December 28, 1865. At this meeting a resolution was adopted
thanking all the lodges meeting at the Masonic Hall, corner of Main and
Swan streets, but more particularly Erie Lodge, who, in a fraternal spirit
had given up two Thursdays in each month, to enable Washington Lodge
to hold its communications.
September 6, 1866, an invitation was extended to the lodge to join
with the other lodges of the city in laying a memorial stone on the occa^
sion of the consecration of the grounds of Forest Lawn Cemetery Asso-
ciation, which was accepted. July 25, 1867, a committee was appointed
by the lodge to confer with like committees from the rest of the city
lodges, with reference to laying the corner-stone of the State Normal
School, at Fredonia, for which an invitation had been received. The in-
vitation was accepted and the lodges proceded to Fredonia and per-
formed the ceremony on the 8th of August.
In response to a call issued by R. W. Brother Christopher G. Fox,
at that time S. G. W., of the Grand I/odge, the Masters and Wardens of
the several lodges in Buffalo assembled at the hall, corner of Main and
Swan streets, on the 8th of April, 1869, to take into consideration the
acceptance of the invitation of the building committee to lay the comer-
stone of the State Normal School, then in course of erection in this city.
376 History of Buffalo.
The invitation was accepted. Washington Lodge participated in the
cereujony on the 15th of April, 1869. Again on the 17th of June, 1869,
Washington Lodge was informed that the Fraternity of the city had
received an invitation to lay the comer-stone of the firemen's monument
in Forest Lawn on the 24th of June. On the 22d of July 1869, the lodge
came to the determination to change its place of meeting with the new
year, to Masonic Hall corner of Main and Swan streets, where it held
its first communication on the 13th of January, 1870.
A number of German brethren having determined to form a new
lodge in Buffalo, applied to Washington Lodge for an endorsement of
their petition to the Grand lodge. The lodge was to work in the Ger-
man tongue and be called Harmonie Lodge. The recommendation was
granted November 11, 1869.
During the summer of 1870 a plan had been discussed for the estab-
lishment of a Masonic library for the joint use of the lodges in Buffalo,
and on the 25th of August of that year a committe had been appointed
by Washington Lodge, for the purpose of meeting committees from the
other lodges to carry the plan into execution. To the regret of the Fra
temity generally, the idea failed to become a reality.
On the 26th of May, 1870. the lodge contributed the sum of $400 to
the Hall and Asylum fund of the Grand Lodge, which was increased on
the I2th of December, 1872, by $400 from the funds of the lodge and by
$75 from contributions of its members. The destructive conflagration
which'Jaid almost the whole city of Chicago in ashes, called for the im-
mediate relief of the sufferers; $200 were transmitted October 12th,
1 87 1, to the Grand Master of the State of Illinois for distribution to the
needy.
Washington Lodge had joined the association formed for the pur-
pose of renting and suitably fitting up the new Masonic Hall on the
northeast corner of Washington and North Division streets, and removed
to it immediately after completion. The first communication of the
lodge in these elegant rooms occurred July 13, 1876. In September,
1878, the lodge and its members contributed $142 for the relief of the
yellow fever sufferers. On the 22d of September, 1881, the lodge took
suitable action on the death of Brother James A. Garfield, President of
the United States. On the 14th of December, 1882, the lodge held its
last meeting in the hall ; on the 21st of the same month it fell a prey to
the flames. Fortunately its records were preserved, but unluckily its
warrant was destroyed. The Grand Lodge granted a duplicate thereof
at its session, in June, 1883. Twice has it now passed through a fiery
ordeal ; may it be saved from this infliction for all future time.
Washington Lodge found a temporary home in the hall of the
Ancient Landmark's Lodge, and elected its officers at its regular com-
munication, December 28, 1882. It is now again domiciled in its former
Secret Societies in Erie County. 377
quarters at Masonic Hall, corner of Washington and North Division
streets, the building having been restored to its former condition and the
hall beautifully furnished.
The following are the names of the Masters of Washington Lodge,
the figures opposite to the respective names indicating the years during
which they presided: Lyman Brown, 185 1 and '52 ; Horatio Warren,
1853; Gordon Bailey, 1834; Everard Palmer, 1855 ; M., Pinner, 1856, '59,
'60, '61, '62, '63. '64; Andrew Houliston, 1857; William Fleming, 1858;
Samuel O. Bigclow, 1865 ; A. E. Williams, 1866; John B. Manning,
1867, '68; Isaac O. Crissy, 1869, '70; C. C. Candee, 1871, '72; William B.
Flint, 1873, '74; H. B. McCulloch, 1875, 76; Ralph Johnson, 1877; John
C. Graves, 1878, '79; John B. Greene, 1880; Joseph E. Ball, 1881 ;
Charles R. Fitzgerald, 1882, '83.
On the ist of May, 1883, Washington Lodge had two hundred and
twenty-one Master Masons on its rolls.
Tonawanda Lodge No. 247. — This lodge is located at Tonawanda,
Erie county. The date of the dispensation under which the lodge was
formed, we have been unable to ascertain. The following brethren
signed the petition for a dispensation : Emmanuel Hensler, James C.
Bentley, John Shell, E. B. Jacobs, Jacob Kibler, John Sweeney and Will-
iam Zimmerman. The Grand Lodge granted a warrant to the lodge at
its June session, in 1852, and it was registered on the rolls as Tonawanda
Lodge No. 247. W. Brother Emmanuel Hensler, was its first Master ;
Jacob Kibler, Senior Warden ; James C. Bentley, Junior Warden.
The following brethren were Masters of the lodge for the respective
years opposite to their names : Brothers Emanuel Hensler, 1852 ; Jesse
F. Locke, 1857 and '58; Franklin Warren, 1859, '^I Benjamin F. Betts,
1861, '62, '63 and '67; William Westover, 1864, 65; Clark Ransom, 1866,
A. R. White, 1868, '69; G. L. Judd, 1870; Charles D. Kramer, 1871 ;
Calvin P. Clark, 1872, '73 ; G. F. Williams, 1874, '75 ; George A. McEwen,
1876, '78; Albert B. Williams* 1877; Augustus H. Crown, 1879; Joshua
S. Bliss, 1880, '81 ; -Arlington A. Bellinger, 1882, '83. We have not suc-
ceeded in obtaining the names of the brethren who occupied the station
of Master during 1853, ^854, 1855 and 1856. On the ist of May, 1883,
the lodge numbered one hundred and twenty-eight members.
Living Stone Lodge No. 255. — This lodge is located at Colden, Erie
county. One of the oldest members of the lodge furnished the names o^
the petitioners for a dispensation from memory, no record existing from
which they could be ascertained. They are as follows: Brothers Syl-
vanus O. Gould, Alva Dutton. Oliver Button, Asa K. Tyler, Abijah
Smith, Thomas Buflum, Comfort Knapp, Asa Gould, John Church, John
Brooks, Arnold Holt and Nicholas Holt.
At the June session of the Grand Lodge, in 1852, a warrant was
obtained which bears date the 9th of that month. The following breth-
378 History of Buffalo.
ren are named therein as its officers: Brother Sylvanus O. Gould,
Master ; Oliver Button, S. W.: Asa K. Tyler, J. W. The following
brethren have occupied the station of Masters of the Lodge for the
period opposite to their respective names: Brother S. O. Gould, 1853,
•54 and '55; R. S. Shelly, 1856, '57 and '58: T. Buffum, 1859 and 1863 ;
Ridley Cole, 1860/61 and '62; C. R. Morrow, 1864, '65, '66 and '67;
Robert McClure, 1868; G. W. Nichols, 1869 and 1873; Dexter E. FoU
som, 1870, '71 and '72 ; Mark Whiting, 1874 and *75 ; Harrison Vander-
lip, 1876, *^^, '82 and '83 ; Byron A. Churchill, 1878 and 1881 ; John P.
Underbill, 1879; Orvil C. Strong, 1880. Number of members May i,
1883. sixty -seven.
We have in the preceding pages furnished a memorandum of Liv-
ingston Lodge No. 416, which received a warrant June i, 1825. We gave
all the information we could then obtain of that Lodge. Worthy Brother
Vanderlip informs us that the former Livingston Lodge succumbed to the
anti-Masonic blast, out that many of its members were petitioners for the
present " Living Stone " Lodge. There is no doubt that the last named
Lodge is the successor of the former. It will be noticed, however, that
the spelling of the name of the present Lodge essentially differs from
that of the former, and we venture to suggest that the Lodge warranted
in 1825, was named after Robert R. Livingston, who was Grand Master
in 1785.
Evans Lodge No. 261.* — This Lodge is now located at Angola, Erie
county. It received a dispensation from the Grand Master on the 3d
of February, 1852, and was then located at Evans Centre, one mile
from what is now Angola. The following are the names of the brethren
who applied for the dispensation : — John Fairbanks, Whiting Cash, Orin
Catlin, Lambert G. Dingman, John F. Gazlay, Horace Goodrich, Ira Joy,
David Fish, Noah Sedgwick, Arthur Sprague.
A warrant was granted to the Lodge at the June communication
of the Grand Lodge in 1852. The warrant bears date June 15, 1852, and
the following brethren are named therein as the officers: — Brother
Heman Daniels, Master ; John Fairbanks, Senior Warden ; Orin Catlin,
Junior Warden.
A resolution was adopted by the Lodge October 4, 1855, to remove to
Evans Centre Station (now Angola) where it has been located ever since,
passing through periods of depression and prosperity. It held its first
regular communication at Evans Centre Station October 18, 1855. The
Lodge now occupies a large, handsome hall, finely furnished, on the third
floor in the Union Block at Angola. It had at one time one hundred and
thirty-five members on its rolls, which, by the chartering of new lodges
in its neighborhood, has been reduced to about one-half. The last returns
• We are under obligations to Brother Roselle U . Blackney, of Angola, for the informa-
tion contained in this sketch, excepting, however, the list of Masters who successively presided over
the Lodge.
Secret Societies in Erie County. 379
to the Grand Lodge, May i, 1883, show a membership of eighty-six. The
following is a list of brethren who have presided over the Lodge for the
years set opposite to their respective names: Brothet^ Heman Daniels,
1852; John Fairbanks. 1853, '54» '55; Orin Catlin, 1856, '57; Warren K.
Russell, 1858; James S. Stray, 1859; Lev* Aldrich, i860; Chamicey
Stone, 1861, '62; David Cook, 1863, '64; C.F.Goodman, 1865; C. W.
Morse, 1866; Thomas Faulks, 1867, '68 ; C. W. Beckwith, 1869, '70;
Lcroy M. Winslow, 1871, '72 ; James M. Beman, 1873,74; Nathaniel
Smith, 1875; Lcroy S. Oatman, 1876; Horatio P. Muffit, 1877, '78; J-
Mack Newton, 1879, '80; Justin G. Thompson, 1881, '82; Roselle U.
Blackney, 1883.
Parish Lodge, No, 292. — The steady increase in this number of breth-
ren in that part of Buffalo known as Black Rock« and the distance of
the halls in which the Fraternity held its meetings, called for the forma-
tion of a lodge in that locality. A petition to the Grand Master was,
therefore, prepared in February, 1853, asking for a dispensation to form
a lodge at Black Rock, to be known as Parish Lodge. The following
are the names of the brethren who attached their names to the petition :
Jacob Bellinger, Levi Love, Stephen W.Howell, L.P. Dayton, John Rudy,
John H. VanBenthusen, Reuben Justin, Alexander McCloud, Hiram R.
Lusk and William P. Sheldon. The petition was recommended by
Hiram and other lodges of Buffalo, and the Grand Master issued his
dispensation March 29, 1853. At the June communication of the Grand
Lodge, in 1853, ^he lodge received its warrant, nominating Brother
Stephen W. Howell, Master ; L. P. Dayton, Senior Warden ; and Jacob
Bellinger, Junior Warden.
The lodge held its meetings at Black Rock, in the building comer
of Niagara and Breckinridge streets, subsequently on the corner of
Niagara and Amherst streets, but in 1874, determined to change its loca-
tion to Nos. 416 and 418 Main street, where it held its first communica-
tion, May 12, 1874. Subsequently it moved to the Masonic Hall, on the
northeast corner of Washington and North Division streets, where it
met for the first time. May i, 1877. On the ist of May, 1883, the lodge
numbered one hundred and nineteen members. The following breth-
ren were Masters of the lodge for the years opposite to their respective
names : Brother Stephen W. Howell, 1853, '54; L. P. Dayton, 1855 and
'57; D. W. Davis, 1856, '61 ; J. G. Woelfley, 1858; H. P. Clinton, 1859,
•60; George Talbot, 1862; M. A. Hulburt, 1863, '64; Thomas Lothrop,
1865, '66, '67, '68 ; M. R. Hubbard, 1869, '70; William Vosburgh, 1871,
•72; Lewis A. Matticc, 1873, '74» '79» '80, '83; George J. White, 1875, '76 \
Thomas H. Clough, 1877, '78; Isaac Morris, 1881, '82; George L,
Kingston, 1884.
Modestia Lodge No. 340. — A number of brethren, a majority of them
heretofore members of Concordia Lodge No. 143, determined to form
38o History of Buffalo.
the second German lodge in Buffalo. Various reasons were assigned for
this movement, among which may be mentioned a desire for a more con-
venient location for a lodge room, and the rapid increase of the body
from which the brethren withdrew.
The following are the names of the petitioners who applied for a
dispensation to organize the new lodge : Brothers James Wenz, John
Greiner, Carl F. Lange, C. Reithart, Daniel Devening, Christian Lang,
H. Keller, John G. Scherf, Adolf Birkenstock, B. H. King, ]. Jacob
Weber and D. Drobish. The petitioners obtained a dispensation in May,
1854, and the first meeting of the lodge was held on the i8th of the
same month at the house of Brother C. Reithart, on Michigan street,
W. Brother James Wenz, Master, and Carl F. Lange, Secretary. The
communications of the lodge continued to be held at Brother Reithart's
house, until June 15th, when the lodge moved to the Masonic Hall, on
the corner of Washington and Exchange streets. A warrant having been
issued at the June session of the Grand Lodge, to Modestia Lodge No.
340, the following brethren were installed its officers on the day pre-
viously mentioned : Brother James Wenz, Master : Daniel Devening,
Senior Warden ; John Greiner, Junior 1 Warden. The first initiations
occurred June 17, 1854,'when the following candidates received the first
degree in Masonry:, F.W.Jacobs, Theodore Stover, C. Neidhart, G.
Schulz and Solomon Scheu.
Modestia Lodge continued to hold its communications at the Masonic
Hall, corner of Washington and Exchange streets, until January 9, 1855,
when it changed its location to Washington Masonic Hall, on Main street.
The ardent love of Masonry on the part of its members, their unanimity
of purpose and intelligence, together with the untiring zeal and activity
of the brethren who were at the head, assured the success of the lodge
from the first, and as long as its members continue to recognize and prac^
tice the vfrtues of brotherly love and charity inculcated by the Masonic
institution, the lodge will continue to occupy the high position it has
heretofore enjoyed in the Masonic world.
The lodge, when a warrant was issued to it, received with it the
privilege of keeping its minutes and working in the German language.
When, therefore, the District Deputy Grand Master required the lodge
to keep its minutes in English, a vigorous protest was entered against
this proposed innovation of its rights; an appeal was taken to the Grand
Lodge in 1857, who decided in favor of the lodge. An effort was made
in 1 861, by some brethren to effect a union between the two Gerrnun
Lodges of Buffalo, to which, however, Modestia Lodge declined to give
its assent
The disastrous conflagration of the American Hotel and the Masonic
Halls contiguous thereto, in January, 1865, forced Modestia Lodge to
take refuge in the Masonic Hall, comer of Main and Swan streets. On
Secret Societies in Erie County. 381
the 1 8th of February of the same year, a terrible blow was inflicted upon
the lodge by the violent death of its lamented Master, Brother Gottfried
Schultz, who lost his life by a railroad collision near Warren, Pa. The
remains were brought to Buffalo and buried by the lodge in Forest I^wn
Cemetery, in presence of a large concourse of the fraternity and friends
of the deceased. This is the first record we find of a Master of a lodge
in this city dying during the term of his office. The lodge subsequently
erected a handsome monument over the remains of its former Master,
which was unveiled June 24, 1869.
The block of buildings destroyed by fire in 1865, before alluded to,
having been rebuilt, Modestia Lodge returned to its former location, No.
328 (old number) Main street, where it held its first meeting January
2, 1866.
On the 24th of June, 1879, ^^^ lodge celebrated its quarter-centennial
existence by the gathering of its members and their families and a num-
ber of invited guests from other lodges, in St. James Hall. A festival
lodge was opened and a number of addresses were delivered on the
occasion, succeeded by a grand banquet and closed by a ball. The num-
ber af persons present was over four hundred.
The lodge has participated in all public demonstrations, assisted in
the laying of corner-stones of public edifices, etc. It has ever been ready
to extend its helping hand to the needy and is among the foremost to
aid the distressed. Among its members originated the plan of providing
for the widows and orphans of deceased brethren through the German
Masonic Benevolent Association, of which mention is made in another
portion of this compilation. The lodge has not neglected to improve the
minds of its members, by providing suitable lectures in its hall and by
forming the nucleus for a Masonic library, which, there is reason to
hope, will in time assume larger proportions, as the necessary means for
that purpose can be procured. But while making these efforts to furnish
proper Masonic instruction for its members, it has not forgotten to culti-
vate those social qualities which aid in cementing the ties of brotherly
love, by informal meetings after the close of lodge labors. It has annually
celebrated St. John's day by excursions to some pleasant spot and on
these occasions the families of its members have been participants in the
enjoyments of the day. The annual election of the officers of the lodge
in December, has been invariably signalized by suitable donations to such
widows and families of deceased members who stood in need thereof.
The lodge is prospering and had one hundred and forty-five members on
its rolls May i, 1883. ^^^ following brethren have been Masters of the
lodge for the time opposite their respective names : Brothers James
Wenz, 1854, '55; John Greiner, 1856, '57, '58, '60, '67, '70, '71/77; F.
Rickert, 1859, '^f Bemhard H. King, 1861 ; Richard Flach, 1862, "6$;
Gottfried Schultz, 1864, '65; George A. Reinhard, 1868, '69; Henry
382 History* OF Buffalo.
Sauerwein. 1872, '73, '78, '79; Frank L. Link, 1874, '75; H. F. Holtz,
1876; Frederick Wesch, 1880, '81 ; Philip Weber, 1882, '83.
Williamsville Lodge No. 344. — This Lodge was formerly located at
Williamsville, Erie county. Its warrant was dated July 10, 1854, and
the brethren named as officers therein were Brother Oliver W. Spellman,
Master ; Levi J. Ham, S. W., and John trick, J. W. After an unsuc-
cessful struggle for existence it finally succumbed to adverse circum-
stances and returned its warrant to the Grand Lodge in 1867. Among
the papers surrendered was found the old charter of Amherst Lodge No.
429, of which mention has heretofore been made.
SpringvilU Lodge No. 351. — This Lodge, located at Springville, Erie
county, received its warrant at the June session of the Grand Lodge in
1855. The following brethren were Masters of the Lodge for the time
specified -.—Brothers Alvah Dutton, 1856; Joel Cobleigh, 1858, '60, '61,
'64, '67 ; Pliny Smith, 1859 1 Benjamin F. Fay, 1862 ; Almon W. Stanbro,
i865,'66, '69; George G. Stanbro, 1868, '72, '75 ; Harlan P. Spaulding, 1870;
Bertrand Chafee, 1873/74; Frank P. Spaulding, 1876; Henry F. Norris,
1877, '78; James N. Richmond, 1879, '80; Avery D. Jones, 1881/82;
Alonzo E. Hadley, 1883. The names of the brethren who filled the office
of Master for 1857, 1863 and 1871 we were unable to obtain. The Lodge
had eighty-two members on its register May i, 1883.
Queen City Lodge 'No. i^Z. — On the 5th of December, 1854, a num-
ber of brethren had assembled at the residence of Brother Cyrus P. Lee,
on Washington street in Buffalo, for the purpose of consulting the expe-
diency .of forming a new lodge. The names of those present were
Brothers Cyrus P. Lee, George Drullard, C. C. Wyckoff, Parker Morse,
H. S. Dodge, Charles Leonard, Wells Brooks and W. Marsh Kasson. A
full discussion of the project resulted in the determination to present a
petition to the Grand Master for a dispensation. The following sixteen
brethren appended their names to the petition : — Parker Morse, Henry
S. Dodge, James H. Lee, W. Marsh Kasson, Wells Brooks, O. H. P.
Champlin, William H.Drew, Cyrus P. Lee, George P. Stevenson, George
Drullard, Cornelius C. Wyckoff, Charles J. Leonard, William H. Andrews,
Isaac Holloway, Christopher G. Fox and John B. Cooke. The petition
submitted the names of Cyrus P. Lee as Master; W. Marsh Kasson as
S. W., and Wells Brooks as J. W., which received the approbation of the
Grand Master.
Upon the receipt of the dispensation the members assembled in
Washington Masonic Hall December 10, 1854, W. Brother Cyrus P.Lee,
Master, in the chair. At this first communication it was resolved that
the following brethren be received into the lodge upon the same terms
as were the original petitioners :— Brother B. Toles, C. B. Morse, D,
Wall, H. Cameron, William Hersee, J. R. Blodget, and George C. Rex-
ford, A number of petitions for initiation were presented at the same com-
Secret Societies in Erie County. 383
munication. The first candidate initiated was I. W. Whitney, January
1st, 185J, who was followed by C. N. Willey, January 5. Of the breth-
ren who had signed the petition, twelve had been initiated into Masonry
in Erie Lodge No. 161. Buffalo; two in Hiram Lodge No. 105, Buffalo;
one in Lockport Lodge No. 73, Lockport, N. Y., and one in St. Paul's
Lodge No. 134, Auburn, N. Y. Of the brethren who had been received
into the Lodge by resolution, six had received their degrees in Erie
Lodge No. 161, and one in Hiram Lodge No. 105. Queen City Lodge
may, therefore, justly be termed an offspring of Erie Lodge.
During the five months that the Lodge worked under the dispensa-
tion, it had initiated into masonry twenty-five; affiliated eight, and
elected one an honorary member ; being in all, regular members, thirty-
three; original petitioners, sixteen; admitted by resolution, seven;
total, fifty-six — an evidence of the zeal and energy on the part of the
members of the young Lodge.
At the annual session of the Grand Lodge in June, 1855, the lodge
obtained its warrant and was registered as Queen City Lodge No. 358.
On the i6th of June, 1855, M. W. Brother Nelson Randall, P. G. M.,
constituted the lodge and installed the following brethren as its officers :
Brother C. P. Lee, M.; W. Marsh Kasson, S. W. ; Wells Brooks. J. W. ;
George Drullard, Trcas. ; C. N. Willey, Sec'y. ; O. H. P. Champlin, S. D. ;
William Hersee, J. D. ; S. W. Lee and B. Toles, S.
The necessity of forming the nucleus of a Masonic library presented
itself to the members of the lodge at an early day. In March, 1856, the
lodge adopted a resolution to carry the idea practically into execution
and since which appropriations were made for that purpose from time to
time as far as its means would permit. Of late, however, the lodge per-
ceiving that a desirable and suitable increase of the library was not within
its present means, has by a resolution adopted September i, 1882, trans-
ferred the collection thus far made to the care of the board of trustees
of the Masonic Hall Association. An opportunity now presents itself to
the lodges of Buffalo generally to increase the same by contributions
and make it the common stock of and accessible to the members of the
fraternity.
A strict adherent to the constitution and to a rigid execution of the
law. Queen City Lodge has ever been opposed to all compromises for
expediency's sake. And for that reason it adopted resolutions May 5,
1857, expressive of its views in regard to the adjustment of the Masonic
differences existing in this State, with an organization of which Mordecai
Myers was the head. The lodge declared itself opposed to an adjustment
on the basis proposed and instructed its representative to vote in accord-
ance therewith at the session of the Grand Lodge in June of that year.
During the year 1857 the lodges of Buffalo were constantly called
upon to relieve sojourners. It became evident that in justice to the ap-
384 History of Buffalo.
plicants, as well as to the lodges themselves, it was necessary to adopt a
systematic plan. It was, therefore, determined that a Masonic Relief
Fund should be established, and on the i6th of November, 1857, Queen
City Lodge appointed a committee to co-operate with like committees
from other lodgj^s, to mature some plan and submit it to the diflFerent
bodies for consideration. The result was, that Washington Lodge No.
240, Modestia No. 340 and Queen City No. 358, established a fund for
the purpose of relieving traveling brethren in need of assistance. This
was the first attempt made in Buffalo for a Masonic Relief Association.
At the communication of April 26, 1858, the lodge received and ac-
cepted an invitation to participate in the laying of the corner-stone of
the new State Arsenal, on Batavia street (now Broadway.)
Although the Masonic Relief Association had to some extent proved
to be an improvement on the former mode of granting assistance, it was,
nevertheless, evident that it was not as perfect in its operations as it was
capable of being made. The co-operation of all the lodges in the city
was indispenable. On the 12th of July, 1858, Queen City received a
communication from Washington Lodge, that a committee had been
appointed by it to confer with like committees from the other lodges in
the city, concerning the establishment of a General Relief Association.
Queen City approved the proposition and appointed a committee upon
whose report the lodge became a member of the " Masonic Board of
Relief. "
The last meeting held by Queen City Lodge in Washington Masonic
Hall, was May 2, i860, it having determined to change its location to
Freemason's Hall, (comer of Main and Court streets.) It held its first
regular communications therein. May 14, i860.
An incident illustrating that even war is incapable of obliterating
the feeling of brotherhood which unites Masons in indissoluble bonds,
was brought to light at the communication of the lodge February 15,
1864. Brother P. E. Dye presented to the lodge two jewels belonging
to Davie Lodge No. 39, Beaufort, N. C, which he had captured from a
negro in the act of stealing them froip the lodge room in Beaufort; he
requested that they might be preserved until the return of peace or until
some opportunity should enable the Master to place them again in pos-
session of Davie Lodge.
A resolution was adopted by the lodge December 19, 1864, con-
tributing the sum of $200 for the purpose of aiding in the erection of a
Masonic Hall in the city of New York, and establishing an asylum for
the widows and orphans of Masons. The amount was to be raised by an
assessment of three dollars on each member of the lodge.
The disastrous fire which laid the American Hotel in ashes January
25, 1865, had also swept away the balance of the block of buildings up to
the comer of Main and Court streets. Both Washington and Masonic
Secret Societies in Erie County. 385
Hall (No. 326 and 328 MaiD street old number) as well as Freemason's
Hall, located in the comer building, were burned to the ground. The
officers of the lodges* whi(ih had become homeless by this calamity, met
for consultation at Masonic Hall, comer of Main and Swan streets,
when an arrangement was entered into with the trustees of that hall for
the accommodation of the various bodies ; Hiram Lodge No. loj, Con-
cordia No. 143, Erie No. 161, DeMolay No. 498 and Buffalo Council No.
17, fratemally relinquished their alternate nights of meeting. At the
same meeting a committee of one from each of the bodies represented
was appointed for the purpose of conferring in regard to the feasibility
of erecting a Masonic Hall for the accommodation of the fraternity of the
city generally. Although considerable progress had been made at one
time in obtaining subscriptions for carrying the plan into execution, yet
the reaction which occurred soon thereafter in the financial affairs of the
nation, failed not to produce its baleful effect on the project which has
ever since remained a pious wish of the Fraternity.
The first communication of Queen City Lodge in its new location,
Masonic Hall comer, of Main ^nd Swan streets, was held Febmary 3,
1865. On the 2d of June, of the same year, the lodge made the additional
contribution of $200 to the Hall and Asylum fund of the Grand Lodge.
The building known as 326 and 328 Main street (old number) -having
been rebuilt and fitted up for Masonic purposes by Hugh De Payens
Commandery, Queen City Lodge removed to these new quarters where
it held its first stated communication December 18, 1865. The new hall
was called Masonic Hall. An invitation extended September, i 66, to
assist in laying the memorial stone at the consecration of the grounds of
the Forest Lawn Cemetery Association, was accepted. The lodge
appointed a committee July 15, 1867, to make arrangements to attend the
laying of the comer-stone of the State Normal School at Fredonia,
August 8.
On Thursday, April 15, 1869, the lodge met at St. James' Hall for
the purpose of joining the fratemity in laying the comer-stone of the
State Normal School in this city. The lodge likewise participated in lay-
ing the comer-stone of the Firemen's monument in Forest Lawn, June
24,1869.
At the stated meeting of the lodge July 19, 1869, a resolution was
offered that the lodge move from 416 and 418 (formerly 326 and 328)
Main street, to the hall on the southwest comer of Main and Swan
streets, which was adopted at the communication of August 2d, 1869, and
the lodge held its first communication therein September 3d of the same
year.
Brother Sebastian C. Kiene and associates, desiring to establish a
new lodge in Buffalo, to be known as Harmonie Lodge, and to work in
* Washington No. 240, Modettia No. 340^ Queen City Na 358 and Ancient Landmaiks No. 441.
386 History of Buffalo.
the German language, asked the lodge at its communication, November
5, 1869, to endorse their petition to the Grand Master for a dispensation,
to which the lodge assented.
On the 3d of June, 1870, the lodge again presented $500 to the Hall
and Asylum fund of the Grand Lodge, the amount having been sub-
scribed by seventy-nine of its members.
The great fires in Chicago in October, 1871, aroused the sympathies
of the Fraternity generally. The lodges of Buffalo collected $882 in
aid of the sufferers, of which Queen City Lodge contributed $200. In
December, 1872, the lodge subscribed $200 as an additional contribution
to the Hall and Asylum fund, to which individual members added $303,
and in November, 1873, the lodge contributed $25 to the fund to be
raised for the sufferers by yellow fever in Memphis, to which the mem-
bers added the sum of $120.
An invitation having been extended to the Fraternity in this city to
lay the corner-stone of the Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, the
lodge participated therein July 13, 1874.
Queen City Lodge joined the Masonic bodies meeting at the corner
of Main and Swan streets, in fitting up the magnificent rooms in the
Miller & Greiner Block, and held its first communication in this new
location July 7, 1876.
The 25th anniversary of the lodge occurred December 5, 1879, ^^^
it was determined that the celebration should take place in June
following.
R. W. John C. Graves, D. D., Grand Master, being invited by the
proper authorities to lay the corner-stone of the Soldiers' monument in
Forest Lawn Cemetery, on Thursday, October 21, 1880, called upon the
lodges of Buffalo to unite for that purpose. Queen City Lodge accepted
the invitation.
The lodge rooms corner of Washington and North Division streets
having been destroyed by fire on the evening of December 21, 1882, the
lodge held its six hundred and sixty-second stated communication on
Friday, JanuaVy 4, 1883, in the lodge room of Ancient Landmarks Lodge,
corner of Main and Court streets, having obtained a dispensation for that
purpose from M. W. Brother Benjamin Flagler, Grand Master.
Quarterly as well as annual financial and statistical reports on the
condition of the lodge are furnished with commendable regularity by the
committee appointed for that purpose. Many of the brethren have
become life members of the lodge by commutation which adds greatly
to its stability. Liberal in its contributions for charitable purposes, the
lodge has also never lost sight of the duty it owes to its deceased mem-
bers by acqompanying them to their final resting place and depositing
the remains with fraternal care in the silent grave.
The course pursued in appointing a committee on correspondence,
whose duty it is to procure the delivery of lectures on Masonic topics.
Secret Societies in Erie County. 387
deserves great praise ; the lodge has cause to congratulate itself that M.
W. Brother Fox has consented to act as chairman of the committee. The
lectures are delivered at stated times, the greater part of them being
furnished by the gifted chairman.
The Masonic Hall (Miller & Greiner Block) having been entirely
restored and newly furnished, the Lodge has returned to it and held its
first meeting therein August 29th, 1883. The membership of the Lodge
May I St, 1883, was two hundred.
The following brethren have occupied the station of Master of the
Lodge for the term set opposite to, their respective names : — Brothers
Cyrus P. Lee, 1855, '56; Wells Brooks, 1857; George C. Rexford, 1858;
C. G. Fox» 1859, 60, *6i, '62; John A. Lockwood, 1863, '64,65; P. A.
Matteson, 1866; M. H. Tryon, 1867 ; William C. Bagley, 1868, '69; Louis
S. Morgan, 1870, '71 ; Darwin E. Morgan, 1872, '73 ; James G. Bently, 1874,
•75; William Hengercr. 1876, '7T\ Walter C. Winship, 1878; John C.
Adams, 1879, '80; Goodrich J. Bowen, 1881, '82 ; Philo W. Dorris, 1883.
Lodge of the Ancient Landmarks No. 441. — Application having been
made to the proper officers of the lodge to permit an examination of its
records, permission was refused on the ground that '' the general public
can have no possible interest in the private records of the lodge.'' Not
the slightest desire existing on our part to disturb this privacy, we limit
ourselves to state that the lodge is located in the city of Buffalo ; that it
received its warrant from the Grand Lodge in June, 1858, and that it
numbered one hundred and seventy members on the ist of May, 1883.
DeMolay Lodge No. 498. — This lodge was also among the sufferers
from the fire in the Miller & Greiner Block in December, 1882. Although
it was fortunate enough to save its records, yet they are in such a dam-
aged state as to be practically useless until placed in a readable condi-
tion again, for which purpose they have been placed in the hands of the
binder. To Brother John H. Doyle, its present Master, we are under
obligations for information contained in the subjoined sketch.
The dispensation from the Grand Master under which the lodge took
form is dated March ist, i860. The following brethren were the peti-
tioners for the dispensation : — Brothers William F. Rogers, Alexander
Sloan, Arthur Hickman, Samuel Gibson, Edward Hartley, William Dixson,
Samuel McCutcheon, Jonathan T. Wilbur, Peter C. Stambach, Charles
Armstrong, Hezekiah C. Carey, E. R. P. Shurly, Albert Briggs, Byron
D. Vilas, P. B. Hitchcock and Edwin D. Loveridge. In the dispensation
W. F. Rogers was named Master; J. T. Wilbur S. W., and P. C. Stam-
bach J. W. The first meeting of the lodge occurred March 4th, i860,
at Masonic Hall on Seneca street. The first candidate initiated in the
lodge was Philander B. Locke, March 14, i860, followed by Alexander
H. Brown and John Donaldson, March 21st, and David Donaldson,
M&urch 28th. i860.
388 History of Buffalo.
Upon the surrender of its dispensation the Grand Lodge, at its June
session of i860, issued a warrant to the lodge which received the num-
ber 498, on the register of the Grand Lodge. The warrant is dated June
9, i860, and contains the names of the brethren who were Masters and
Wardens ol the lodge whilst working under dispensation as its officers.
Upon the receipt of the warrant, the six brethren first named as peti-
tioners, withdrew from the lodge. Up to May, 1861, the lodge con-
tinued to meet at the hall on Seneca street, when it moved to Masonic
Hall, on the corner of Washington and Exchange streets. Here it
remained but a short time, for its last meeting in that hall took place
July 20, 1861. In August of the same year it moved with the other
Masonic bodies to the comer of Main and Swan streets, and thence in
June, 1876, to the hall corner of Washington and North Division streets,
where it remained until overtaken by the disastrous fire in Dpceiober,
1882. The hall having been restored the lodge has resumed its meetings
at its former quarters.
The following brethren have occupied the- station of Master of the
lodge for the term opposite their respective names : Brothers Jonathan
T. Wilbur, i860, '61, '62, '63 ; P. B. Hitchcock, 1864, '65 ; Edgar W. Den-
ison, 1866, '67; Walter L. Stephens, 1868 ; William H. Baker, 1869, '70;
Guilford W. McCray, 1871, '72 ; Albert Jones, 1873, '745 Richmond H.
Bickford, 1875, '76: CKauncey Crosby, 1877, 78; Albert H. Adams, 1879,
'80; John C. Burns, 1881, '82 ; John H. Doyle, 1883. On the ist of May,
1883, the lodge had two hundred and seventy-four members on its
register.
Zion Lodge No. 514. — This lodge is located at East Hamburg, Erie
county. The date of the dispensation under which the lodge was organ-
ized is not known; it was probably in the early part of 1861. The fol-
lowing are the names of the brethren who signed the petition for a dis-
pensation: Asa Whittmore, Jonathan Hascall, Stephen V. R. Graves,
Amos B. Paxson, Levi Potter, Lansing B. Littlefield, Seth P. Graves
James Johnson, Samuel L. Deuel, Gushing Swift, Obadiah Newton,
James Wood, Algeroy LeClear, Orin Lockwood and William Potter.
The Grand Lodge issued its warrant to the lodge at the June session
of 1 861; it bears date June 20, 1861, and the following brethren arc
named therein as officers : Brother Asa Whittmore, Master, Jonathan
Hascall, Senior Warden, and StephenV. R. Graves, Junior Warden. The
following are the names of the brethren who have been Masters of the
lodge for the terms set opposite to their respective names : Brothers
Asa Whittmore. i86i ; Levi Potter, 1862; '63, '64, '65, '66; S. S. Reed,
1867 ; Thomas G. Briggs, 1868, '69 '78, '81 ; Amos C. Webster, 1870, '72,
'73/82, '83: Job Taylor, 1871. '75; Horace G. Stillwell, 1874; George
Abbott, 1876, 'JT\ Samuel D. Johnson, 1879, '80. The lodge numbered
twenty-two members May i, 1883.
Secret Societies in Erie County, 389
Akron Lodggy No. 427. — M. W. John J. Crane, Grand Master, issued
his dispensation in 1863, sanctioning the formation of a lodge in Akron,
Erie county ; and at the June session of the Grand Lodge, in the same
year, the brethren who had heretofore worked under that dispensation
received a warrant. The lodge was therefore registered as Akron Lodge
No. 527 on the rolls of the Grand Lodge.
Brother Ely S. Parker, an Indian of the Tonawanda reservation,
who was its first Master, was in Chicago at the time of the Masonic Con-
vention, held September 13th and 14th, 1859. ^^^ convention met for
the purpose of discussing the feasibility of forming a General Grand
Lodge of the United States. At the banquet given at the close of the
convention, Brother Parker was present, and by invitation, responded to
the toast, " The universality of Masonry.'* His remarks were listened
to with close attention and when the Brother spoke with sadness of his
disappearing race he left a deep impression on his hearers.
The names of the officers contained in the warrant are : Ely S.
Parker, Master ; W. N. Hoag, Senior Warden, and Stephen G. Hill,
Junior Warden. The following are the names of brethren who have
occupied the station of Master of the lodge for the term opposite to their
respective names : Brothers Ely S. Parker, 1863; W. N. Hoag, 1864,
•65, '66, '67, '68, '75; Henry Lapp, 1869, '70 and '76; William L. Paxon,
1871 ; LeGrand Goslin, 1872 ; R. S. Tabor, 1873 ; Jacob Klicker, 1874 ;
William T. Magoffin, 1877, '80, '82, '83 ; Charles A. Clark, 1878, '79; Wilson
P. Hoag, 1881. On the ist of May, 1883, the lodge numbered sixty-one
members.
Alden Lodge No, 594. — This lodge is located at Alden, in the county
of Erie, and received its warrant at the June session of the Grand Lodge
in 1866. The following brethren have occupied the Master's chair : —
Brothers Spencer Stone, 1866, '70, '74»7S ; William E. Saunders, 1867, '68,
71; Ralph N. Butler, 1869; William Robinson, 1872, '73: Edward R.
Hall, 1876, '77; Herschel K. Fullerton, 1878, '79; George L Patterson,
1880, '81, '82 ; John P. Edson, 1883. The lodge had forty-eight members on
its register May ist, 1883.
Fraternal Lodge No. 625. — This lodge now holds its communications-
at Hamburg, Erie county. It received its warrant from the Grand Lodge
in June, 1867, since which time the following brethren have occupied- the
Master's chair: -Brothers Charles E. Haviland, 1867, '68; Robert C.
Titus, 1869, '70, '71 ; Harvey C. Spencer, 1872, '73, '74; Horace W. White,
1875, '76, '77 \ Samuel E. S. H. Nott, 1878; Harvey C. Spencer, 1879,
'80; Andrew Stein, 1881, '82, '83. The lodge had eighty-three members
May I, 1883.
Biasing Star Lodge^ No. 694 — This lodge is located at Aurora, Erie
county. A dispensation to organize a lodge was granted February
II, 1868 to the following petitioners: — Brothers William D. Jones, Will-
390 History of Buffalo.
iam D. Wallis, Robert G. Persons, John T. Bartlett, Joseph B. Dick, George
W. Morrow, Byron D. Persons, Edmund S. King, George H. Pattingell
William W. Grace, George C. Towey, DeWitt C. Corbin, Austin S
Cheeseman, Eben Holmes, La Fayette Hill and Lewis H. BuUis.
At the session of the Grand Lodge in June, 1869, the lodge received
a warrant bearing date June 7, 1869. The officers named therein arc
William D. Jones, Master; William D. Wallis, S. W., and Robert G.
Persons, J. W. The officers of the lodge for 1883 are Joseph McLaughlin,
Master : Dwight M. Spooner, S. W., and Albert H. Hoyt, J. W. The fol-
lowing brethren were Masters of the lodge for the years opposite their
respective names :— Brothers William D. Jones, 1869, '70, '71, '72, '78, 79;
William D. Wallis, 1873, '74; Robert G. Persons, 1875, '76: William W.
Grace, 1877 ; Adin J. Perry, 1880; Charles N.Brayton, 1881, '82 ; Joseph
McLaughlin, 1883. On the ist day of May, 1883, the lodge had ninety-
nine members on its rolls.
Hartnonie Lodge No. 699.— This lodge working in the German tongue,
is located in BuflFalo, and is one of the sufferers by the fire in December,
1882, which destroyed its records. The date of the dispensation permit-
ting the formation of the lodge is dated December 15, 1869. The follow-
ing brethren signed the petition for that purpose :— Brother Sebastian
C. Kiene, Frederick Traenkle, H. Breitweiser, Frank Schaeffer, Jacob
Behm, Henry D. Keller, Henry Nauert and Joseph Timmerman, who at
the time were all members of Concordia Lodge No. 143 ; also Brothers
Henry F. Juengling, Christian Kurtzman, Henry Kraft. John J. Holser,
Adam Correlius. Robert Hager, Julius Schwarz, and Casper A. Kuster,
all members of Modestia Lodge No. 340, and F. H. C. Mey, formerly of
California.
The lodge received a warrant at the session of the Grand Lodge in
June, 1870, which bears date June 13, 1870. The officers mentioned therein
are Sebastian C. Kiene, M. ; Henry F. Juengling, S. W. ; Henry Breit-
weiser, J. W.
The first petitions for initiation received by the lodge while working
under dispensation, were from Bernhard F. Gentsch, William H. Jaeger,
Henry D. Zittel, and Werner Nachbar. Masters of the lodge were
Brothers Sebaistian C. Kiene, 1870, '71, '72; Henry F. Juengling, 1873;
Henry L. Breitweiser, 1874; Henry Kraft, 1875, '76; George Werner,
1877/78; FrederickZesch,i879,'8o; Augustus J. Sutor, 188 1, '82 ; Henry
Zipp, 1883. On the ist of May, 1883 the lodge numbered ninety-nine
members.
Occidental Lodge No. 766.— This lodge is located at Black Rock, was
opened by dispensation from the Grand Master December 4, 1875, and
received its warrant at the June session of the Grand Lodge in 1876.
The promise £0 permit an examination of its records remained unfulfilled
The following were Masters of the lodge: Brothers Henry Cutting,
Secret Societies in Erie County. 391
1876/77; Charles O. Rano, 1878, '79 ; William H. Slacer, 1880 ; James A.
Roberts, 1881 ; Wallace C. Hill, 1882, '83. Number of members May i*
1883, was sixty-two.
Fortune Lodge No. 788.— This is the youngest chartered lodge in the
State, having received its warrant at the session of the Grand Lodg^e in
June, 1883. It is located at North Collins, Erie county. A dispensation
to form a lodge was issued in the fall of 1882, to the following breth-
rem— A. T. Huson, E W. Sisson, U. H. Baker, Job Southwick, David
Sherman, R. D. Reid, Nicholas Keefer, Alexander Sisson, R. W. Stickney,
Charles Wood, Syth Huson, H. M. Blasdell, W. H. Estes. J. Q. Tucker
and E. F. Partridge.
While working under this dispensation Brother A. T. Huson was
M.; Brother B. W. Sisson, S. W.; and Brother U. H. Baker, J. W., of
the lodge. The warrant issued to the lodge is dated June 7, 1883, and
officers named therein are Brothers A. T. Huson, M. ; Brother E. W.
Sisson. S. W., and Brother U. H. Baker, J. W.
The lodge was constituted and its officers installed on the 28th o'
June, 1883, by R. W. Brother William Hengerer, D. D. Grand Master
of the Twenty-fifth Masonic District, assisted by M. W. Brother Chris-
topher G. Fox, P. G. M.; R. W. John C. Graves, P. D. D. G. M. ; W.
Darwin E. Morgan and W. Philo W. Dorris.
Besides the Masters, Senior and Junior Wardens above named, the
following brethren filled the offices' for which they are named : — Brothers
R. D. Reid, Treas.; E. F. Partridge, Sec'y.; W. H. Estes, S. D.; David
Sherman, J. D. ; Nicholas Keefer, S. M. C; Enos S, Hibbard; J. M. of
C. ; Alexander Sisson, T.
On the 15th of September, 1883, the lodge had nineteen members.
District Deputy Grand Masters.— In 1855 the Grand Lodge divided
the State in Masonic Districts. Each district comprising counties con-
tiguous to each other, was placed under the supervision of a District
Deputy Grand Master, appointed by the Grand Master.
In 1855 and 1856, Erie. Niagara and Wyoming counties constituted
the Eighth Masonic District, of which Brother EUicott Evans, of Buffalot
was appointed District Deputy Grand Master.
In 1856 and 1857, ^^e and Wyoming counties formed the eighteenth
district, Brother EUicott Evans continuing as D. D. G. M.
In 1857 and 1858, Erie and Niagara counties were united in district
number sixteen and Brother Myron L. Burrill, of Lockport received the
appointment of D. D. G. M.
In 1858 and 1859. ^^e same two counties constituted the sixteenth
district, with Joseph K. Tyler, of Buffalo, as D. D. G. M.
The same two counties continued to form district number sixteen
during 1859 ^^^ i8^> ^ith Brother Benjamin H. Austin, of Buffalo, as
D.D. G. M.
392 History of Buffalo.
In i860 and 1861, Erie and Chautauqua counties composed district
number nineteen, Brother Benjamin H. Austin continuing as D. D. G. M.
For 1 861 and 1862, the same two counties continued to constitute the
nineteenth district, with Brother Benjamin H. Austin as D. D. G. M.
In 1862 and 1863 Erie county was set off as district number twenty,
of which Brother James McCredie, of Buffalo, became D. D. G. M.
1863 and 1864 found Brother R. N. Brown, of Buffalo, as D. D. G.
M., and again in 1864 and '65, Brother James McCredie filled the oflBce
occupied by him in 1862 and 1863.
From 1865 to 1873, Erie county formed the twenty-second Masonic
district, having the following brethren, all of Buffalo, for D. D. G. M. :
i865,'66,'67, Brother Christopher G. Fox; i867,'68, Brother David F.
Day; i868,'69. Brother Joseph L. Haberstro; i869,'7o, Brother John B.
Sackett ; the latter, however, removing from the state soon after receiv-
ing the appointment, the Grand Master substituted Brother John A.
Lockwood in his place. In i870,'7i, and 1871/72, Brother John B. Man-
ning occupied the position as D. D. G. M., and in 1872,73, Brother Lo-
renzo M. Kenyon.
In 1873 Erie county was set off as district number twenty-five, the
District Deputy Grand Masters of which were all from Buffalo, with the
exception of one. For 1 873,74, Brother Lorenzo M. Kenyon ; 1874,75,
and 1875,76, Brother Bertrand Chafee, of Springville; 1877,78, and
1878,79, Brother Charles E. Young; 1879/80, and i88o,'8i, Brother John
C. Graves; i882,'83, and i883,*84. Brother William Hengerer.
In closing the part of this compilation referring to the lodges of Erie
county, we would state that the whole number of brethren affiliated with
its twenty-one lodges, consisted, according to official reports. May ist,
1883, of two thousand seven hundred and twelve Master Masons. All
below that degree are not reported, neither does the above number
embrace those who have reached that degree but are not members of
lodges. The number ol the last two mentioned classes may be set down
as three hundred. The total number of Masons in this county may,
therefore, be stated as three thousand in round numbers.
The lodges have been given in chronological order and by the num-
bers they bear. To prevent confusion, however, it may be necessary to
state that all of the old lodges, previous to 1845, ^^^ become extinct dur-
ing the anti-Masonic excitement. The first lodge after the revival of
Masonry, that received a warrant, was Hiram Lodge of Buffalo, which,
under the re-enumeration ordered by the Grand Lodge, received the
number 105, which makes it the oldest lodge existing in this county.
The majority of lodges in the district have cheerfully assented to our
request to permit an examination of their records, which we gratefully
acknowledge. . Those who have refused us that privilege are mentioned
in their proper place. Springville Lodge, No. 351, Zion No. 514, Akron
^^^^2^^^ &.'S^!c^U'n^
Secret Societies in Erie County. 393
No. 527, Alden No. 594 and Fraternal No. 625, have not seen fit even to
notice our fraternal request for information, although endorsed by the
highest Masonic authority of this district.
Capitular Masonry in Erie County.
To our knowledge no extended or continuous record exists* of the
early history of Symbolic Masonry in Erie county. It was after a labo-
rious search that we discovered the original documents furnishing inform-
ation of the initiatory steps taken for the formation of Western Star
Lodge No. 289, the first lodge in Erie county, an abstract of which
appears in the preceding pages. Of the early history of Capitular
Masonry in this county, we have found no trace beyond what the pro-
ceedings of the Grand Chapter of the State furnish.
The first mention of Capitular Masonry in Erie county is contairied
in a resolution presented in the Grand Chapter February 6th, 1812, to
the efFect that a committee of one Royal Arch Mason, or Mark Master
Mason, be appointed in each county in this State^ to exert all lawful
influence for the purpose of carrying the aforesaid resolution (alluding to
the incorporation of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter) into effect, etc.
Under that .resolution Zenas Barker was appointed for Niagara county,
which at that time included Erie county as before stated. Zenas Barker
then a resident of Buffalo* was the Brother who was to be the first mas-
ter of Western Star Lodge No. 239, which was to be held at his house.
From the date when the resolution was offered in the Grand Chap-
ter, as above stated, to the year 1822, no trace is discoverable of any
attempt to establish a chapter in the territory which is now embraced in
Erie county. At the convocation of the Grand Chapter, however, in
February, 1822, on the 7th of that month, Niagara Chapter No. 71, to
be located at Buffalo, was called into existence.
Niagara Chapter No. 71. — A warrant was granted '*to Companions
Heman B. Potter, Charles Townsend and John A. Lassell, to hold a chap-
ter at Buffalo, county of Erie, by the name of Niagara Chapter No. 71."
No particulars are obtainable at this time of the doings of Niagara Chapter.
In 1823, Companion Charles Townsend represented Niagara Chapter in
the Grand Chapter, but in 1824, it remained unrepresented. In 1825,
Companions Stephen K. Grosvenor and Charles Townsend attended the
Grand Chapter as representatives; in 1826, it was John G. Camp; in
1827, *28 and '29, it was Stephen K. Grosvenor again, but beyond that
time no mention is made of Niagara Chapter. Niagara Chapter held its
convocations in the building on the southeast comer of Main and Seneca
streets, which was destroyed at the time of the great " Cheapside " fire,
as it was called, embracing the west side of Main, Seneca and Pearl
streets, and also the east side of Main street. The fire occurred Novem-
ber 15, 1832 ; by it the chapter lost all its effects, but its warrant was
394 History of Buffalo.
saved by the daring of one of its members, the late Companion Miles
Jones» who snatched it out of the flames. It was subsequently placed in
the custody of Buffalo Chapter No. 71, and was again saved from the
conflagration in December, 1882, which destroyed the Masonic Flail, on
the northeast corner of Washington and North Division streets.
SpringvilU Chapter No. 118. — Four years after a warrant had been
obtained for the formation of Niagara Chapter, the Grand Chapter
granted February 10, 1826, a charter to Companions Job Bigelow,
H. P., Archibald Griffith, K., Jarvis Bloomfield, S., and others, to hold a
chapter a't Concord, in the county of Erie, by the name of Springville,
No. 118.
The chapter was represented in the Grand Chapter by Job Bigelow,
during the years 1827, '28, '29, '30, '31 and '32,
At the convocation of the Grand Chapter February 6, 1833, the
Grand Council reported " that the certificate presented by Companion
Job Bigelow is defective, not having a date, and, in their opinion, does
not entitle him to a seat in the Grand Chapter as the representative of
Springville Chapter No. 118; '* whereupon the following resolution was
offered and referred to the committee on charity : —
*' Resolved, That the sum of forty-eight dollars be allowed Companion
Job Bigelow."
The committee on charity reported : —
" That, after duly considering all the circumstances In relation to
Companion Bigelow, they are of the opinion that he ought to receive by
way of charity the amount he would nave received as the representa-
tive of Springville Chapter, had his credentials been in conformity with
the constitution."
It may be presumed that after that year the chapter had ceased to
exist as no further mention is made of it.
Buffalo Chapter No. 71. — No steps were taken to revive Niagara
Chapter No. 71, after the fire of 1832, neither were there any steps taken
to form a new one until the latter part of the year 1847, when a petition
was presented to the Grand High Priest for a dispensation to hold a
chapter in Buffalo, which was signed by the following Companions:
Orange H. Dibble, Solomon Drullard, Benjamin H. Austin, Jabez J.
Rogers, Daniel H. Wiswell, Daniel Kinney, Carlos Cobb, James L. Bar-
ton, Nehemiah Case, George W. Allen, Miles Jones, Seth Austin, Nor-
man Butler, Charles Radcliff.
The petition was granted and Companion Orange H. Dibble was
appointed H. P., Solomon Drullard, K., and Benjamin H. Austin, S., of
the chapter.
At the convocation of the Grand Chapter February i, 1848, the foi-
lowing resolution was adopted : —
'' Resolved, Th^l Niagara Chapter No. 71, at Buffalo, be revived
under the name, style and title of Buffalo Chapter No. 71 ; that a new
3ECRET Societies in Erie County.
395
warrant be granted, the old warrant havingbeen consumed by fire ;* that
Orange Dibble be High Priest; Solomon Unillard, King, and Benjamin
H. Austin, Scribe of said Chapter, under the dispensation granted by
the M. E. Grand High Priest, be approved ; and tnat the money depos-
ited except five dollars for the dispensation, be returned."
The officers of the Chapter for 1849 ^^^^ those named in the war-
rant; their successors in office were as follows:—
High Priksts. ELings. Scribes.
185a Orange H. Dibble,
Z851. Orange H. Dibble,
185 s. Nehemiah Case,
1853. Nehemiah Case,
1854. LeRoy Faraham,
1855. LeRoy Farnham,
1856. James K. Barton,
1857. Ellicott £van%
1858. Ellicott Evans,
1859. Riley Hayford,
i860. James McCredie,
1 86 1. James McCredie,
x86a. James McCredie,
1863. James McCredie,
1864. James McCredie,
1865. Wm. F. Rogers,
1866. Wm. F. Rogers,
1867. Henry Waters,
1868. Henry Waters,
1869. Hawley Klein,
1870. Hawley Klein,
1871. Hawiey Kleip,
1873. John Briggs,
1873. ^* H. Baker,
1874. W. H. Baker,
1875. Henry Smith,
1876. Chas. H. Rathbwi,
1877. Chas. H. Rathbun,
1878. Burrall Spencer, Jr.,
1879. Burrall Spencer, Jr.,
1880. Joseph K Ball,
i88x. Horace A. Noble,
1883. Horace A. Noble,
1883. Albert H. Adams,
G. W. Allen,
Nehemiah Case,
Jabez J. Rogers,
LeRoy Farnham,
James H. Barton,
James H. Barton,
Ellicott Evans,
Riley Hayford,
Riley Hayford,
James McCredie,
Darwin Kenyon,
Darwin Kenyon,
Darwin Kenyon,
Wm. Allen,
Wm. AUen,
Hawley Klein,
Henry Waters,
Hawley Klein,
Hawley EUein,
Stephen M. Evry,
Stephen M. Evry,
John Briggs,
Theodore C. Knight,
Theodore C. Knight,
Henry Smith,
Chas. H. Rathbun,
Burrall Spencer, Jr.,
Burrall Spencer, Jr.,
Stephen M. Evry,
Joseph K Ball,
Horace A. Noble,
Albert H. Adams,
Albert H. Adams,
James Wenz.
Nelson Randall.
John Hebard.
Lyman Brown.
Eli Williamson.
John Hebard.
W. H. Drew.
James McCredie.
James McCredie.
James Adams.
Wm. AUen.
Wm. Allen.
Wm. Allen.
Wm. Bailey.
Wm. F. Rogers.
P. B. Hitchcock.'
P. B. Hitchcock.
Stephen M. Evry.
Stephen M. Evry.
Chillian M. Farrar.
Chillian M. Farrar.
John Diller.
F. A. Colson.
F. A. Colson.
Chas. H. Rathbun.
Robert P. Gardner.
Mark W. Cole.
Mark W. Cole.
John Masters, Jr.
Wm. J. Kuncie,
David B. McNish.
Girard McVicar.
Girard McVicar.
Wm. J. Donaldson.
Henry R. CUrk,
At the close of the year 1882 the Chapter had two hundred and
one members. From 1847 ^o August, t86i, the Chapter occupied the hall
on the northwest corner of Washington and Exchange streets, when it
moved to the southwest comer of Main and Swan streets. In May, 1876^
it took up its quarters in the Miller & Greiner Block, northeast corner of
Washington and North Division streets. It was driven out of that place
by the fire in December, 1882, but is now again occupying its former
quarters.
* Thu was rappofed to ha^ been the case. The facts have been stated under the head of
** Niapum Chapter Na 7Z.'' The compiler has again examined the old warraat, a few dAys ago ;
itstffli
396
History of Buffalo.
Keystone Chapter No. 163. — It is to be regretted that this Chapter lost
its record at the fire in December, 1882, when the lodge rooms on the
northeast corner of Washington and North Division streets were de-
stroyed. Under such circumstances our information must necessarily
be of a very limited character.
At the Convocation of the Grand^Chapter of the State in February,
1857, a warrant was granted to William H. Drew, H. P. ; Everard Palmer,
K. ; Christopher G. Fox, S. ; and others to hold a Chapter in the city of
Buffalo, to be known as Keystone Chapter No. 163.
The Chapter held its convocations in Washington Masonic Hall No.
329, (old number) Main street, subsequently moved to the building ad join-
ing north thereof, was driven from its home by the conflagration in Janu-
ary, 1865, found refuge in Masonic Hall, south-west comer of Main and
Swan streets, and, finally in May, 1876, moved with the rest of the bodies
occupying the Hall to the Miller & Greiner Block, northeast corner of
Washington and north Division street. It was driven out of that place
by fire in December, 1882, but returned to its former quarters in Sep-
tember, 1883. The following were its officers for the respective years: —
High Pribsts.
1857. W. H. Drew,
1858. C. G. Fox,
1859. M. Pinner,
i860. M. Pinner,
t86i. M. Pinner,
i86a. R. N. Brown,
1863. David F. Day,
1864. David F. Day,
1865. David F. Day,
1866. Lorenzo M. Kenyon,
1867. C. G. Fox,
1868. C. G. Fox,
1869. C. G. Fox,
1870. C. G. Fox,
187 1. C. G. Fox,
187 a. John A. Lockwood,
1873. John B. Manning,
1874. John B. Manning,
1875. S. M. Ratdiflfe,
1876. S. M. Ratcliffe,
1877. John C. Graves,
1878. Wm. Hengerer,
1879. Wm. Hengerer,
1880. Wm. Hengerer,
i88r. John L. Brothers,
1882. John L. Brothers.
188.^. John C. Adams.
Kmcs.
Eveiard Palmer,
M. Pinner,
Gordon Bailey,
R. N. Brown,
R. N. Brown,
David F. Day,
Abram S. Swartz,
John A. Lockwood,
John A. Lockwood,
Wm. B. McMaster.
Edgar W. Denison,
R. P. Hayes,
John B. Sackelt,
John A. Lockwood,
John A. Lockwood,
Jno. B. Manning,
S M. Ratcliffe,
S. M. Ratcliffe,
John C. Graves,
John C. Graves,
Wm. Hengerer,
John L. Brothers,
John L. Brothers,
John L. Brothers,
John C. Adams,
John C. Adams,
Scribes.
C. G. Fox.
Wm. H. Mason, Jr.
Wm. Gould.
David F. Day.
Abram S. Swartz.
Abram S. Swartz.
John A. Lockwood.
Wro. Fleming.
L. M. Kenyon.
Geo. W. GleaaoQ.
R. P. Hayes.
JohnB. Sackett
John B. Manning.
John B. Manning.
John B. Manning.
S. M. Ratcliffe.
Wro. Vosburgh.
Wm. B. Flint
Wm. Hengerer.
Wm. Hengerer.
John L. Brothers.
Benj. A. Provoost.
C. C. Candee.
C. R. Fitj^erald.
Darwin E. Morgan.
Darwin E. Morgan.
Wm. H. Smith.
Darwin E. Morgan,
At the close of the year 1882 the Chapter numbered two hundred
and twenty-two members.
Adytum Chapter No. 235.— The M. E. Grand High Priest of the Grand
Chapter of the State issued his dispensation February 5, 1869, to Com-
Secret Societies in Erie County.
397
panions Robert P. Hayes, H. P., Milo A. Whitney, K., and Darwin E.
Morgan, S.. and others to hold a chapter in Buffalo, to be known as Ady-
tum Chapter. At the convocation of the Grand Chapter in February,
1870, it received its warrant and the number 235. The following were
its officers for the respective years : —
High Priests.
1869. R. P. Hayes.
1870. R. P. Hayes,
187 z. R. P. Hayes,
187 a. Geo. I. White,
1873. Geo. I.White,
1874. Albert Jones,
1875. Albert Jones,
1876. John Pease, Jr.,
1877. John Pease, Jr.,
1878. Guilford W. McCray,
1879. Guilford W. McCray,
z88o. Wm. H. Kennett,
1881. Wm. H. Kennett,
1882. Wm. H. Kennett,
1883. Hobart B. Loomis,
Kings.
Milo A. Whitney,
Milo A. Whitney,
Geo. I. White,
Jno. W. Bridgeman,
Albert Jones,
Samuel H. Ratbbone,
John Pease, Jr.,
Guilford W. McCray,
Guilford W. McCray,
E. Howard Hutchinson,
Wm. H. Kennett,
Wm. H. Bqrer,
E. Howard Hutchinson,
Chas. E. Williams,
SCRIB£S.
Darwin E. Morgan.
Darwin E. Morgan.
Jno. W. Bridgeman.
Albert Jones.
S. H. Rathbone.
Emory C. Abbey.
Emory C. Abbey.
E. H. Hutchinson.
E. H. Hutchinson.
Wm. H. Kennett
Wm. H. Beyer.
Webster Belden.
Chas. K Williams.
Thomas C. Bums.
Cheeseman Dodge.
Wm. N. McCredie,
At the close of 1882, the Chapter numbered one hundred and fifty-
six members.
Germania Chapter No. 256. — A large number of Companions who
were also members of the three lodges of Buffalo working in the Ger.
man tongue, had long been desirous of forming a chapter, which was
likewise to use the German language. A petition was drawn up, which
was endorsed by Buffalo Chapter No. 71, and presented to the Grand
High Priest of the Grand Chapter of the State, who, on the 30th of
September, 1870, issued his dispensation authorizing Companion Joseph
L. Haberstro to act as H. P., Companion Richard Flach to act as K., and
Companion Frederick Held to act as S., of a chapter to be holden at
Buffalo and to be known as Germania Chapter, and to work in the
German language. The following Companions signed the petition : —
Joseph L. Haberstro, Richard Flach, Frederick Held, Bemhard H.
Kini;, August Speisser, Henry C. Persch, Augustus B. Felgemacher
Richard J. Ball, Christian Kurtzman, Henry D. Keller, John Greiner,
Philip A. Wagner, George P. Pfeiffer, Sebastian C. Kiene and Edward
H. Meyers.
The chapter was organized under the direction of M. E. Companion
David F. Day, October 27, 1870, in the hall No. 416 Main street The
first regular convocation of Germania Chapter occurred November 3,
1870. At the convocation of the Grand Chapter in February, 1871, Ger-
mania Chapter received a warrant and the number 256. The warrant
bears date February 8, 1871, and appoints Joseph L. Haberstro to be H.
P^ Richard Flach to be K., and Frederick Held to be S. The chapter
was regularly constituted and the oflBcers thereof installed February 23,
398
History of Buffalo.
1 87 1, by M. E. David F. Day. The chapter is the second one in the State
that has received the privilege of working in the Germab tongue.
In the fall of 1876, the chapter moved to the hall on the comer of
Washington and North Division streets, from which it was driven by
the fire of December, 1882, but has now returned to it. The following
were the three principal officers of the chs^pter up to the present time : —
High Priests.
1870. Joseph L. Habei$tro,
1 871. Joseph L. Haberstro,
1872. Joseph L. Haberstro,
1873. Joseph L. Haberstro,
1874. Joseph L. Haberstro,
1875. Joseph L. Haberstro,
1876. Joseph L. Haberstro,
1877. Sebastian C. Kiene,
1878. Sebastian C. Kiene,
1879.' Sebastian C. Kiene,
1880. Sebastian C. Kiene^
1881. George F. Pfeiffcr,
1882. Henry Sauerwein,
1883. F. H. C. Mey,
Kings.
Richard Flach,
Richard Flach,
Richard Flach,
Richard Flach,
Richard Flach,
Frederick Held,
Frederick Held,
Henry Sauerwein,
Henry Sauerwein,
Henry Sauerwein,
George F. Pfciffer,
Henry Sauerwein,
F. H. C Mey,
ScaiBBs.
Frederick Held.
Frederick Held.
Frederick Held.
Frederick Held
Frederick Held.
Sebastian C. Kiene.
Sebastian C. Kiene.
George Werner.
George Werner.
Charles F. Bishop.
F. H. C. Mey.
C. W. RuckdescheL
Augustus J. Sutor.
Richard J. Ball
Augustus J. Sutor,
At the close of the year 1882, the chapter had one hundred and.
eleven members.
Springville Chapter No. 275.— On the 14th of May, M. E. David F.
Day, Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter, issued bis dispensation
to Bertrand Chafee, H. P., Ira C. Woodward. K., and John M. Wiley, S.,
and others, to hold a chapter at Springville, and at the invitation of the
latter attended the first convocation June 24, 1879.
The Grand Chapter granted a warrant to the chapter at its convo-
cation February 5, 1880. The following Companions have been officers
of the chapter to the present time : —
High Priests. Kings.
1879. Bertrand Chafee, Ira C. Woodward,
1880. Bertrand Chafee, Ira C. Woodward,
1881. Bertrand Chafee, Ira C. Woodward,
1882. George G. Stanbro, William H. Jackson,
1883. William H. Jackson, Avery D. Jones,
At the close of 1882, the chapter had forty members.
Keystone Council No, 20, Royal and Select Masters.— -\t was on the
2oth of November, i860, that the Most Puissant Nathan O. Benjamin,
Grand Master of the R. and S. Masters in the State of New York, issued
his dispensation to the following R. and S. Masters to hold a Council in
the city of Buffalo, to be known as Keystone Council :— Ellicott Evans,
M. Pinner, William Fleming, Abram S. Swartz, John Walls, Watkins
Williams, W. P. Moores, William Allen and James E. Thompson.
The first asseiubly of the Council U. D., was held in Masonic
Hall, Main street, January 7, 1861, Th. 111. M. Pinner. Master, presiding.
At the assembly of January 19, 1861, the degrees of R. and S. M.
Scribes.
John M. Wiley.
John M. Wiley.
John M. Wiley.
Asa L. TwitchelL
John W. Reed.
Secret Societies in Erie Cottnty.
399
were conferred upon Comp. N. W. Kenton; February ii, 1861, on
Comp. Benjamin Toles ; March 2, 1861, on Comp. B. H. King ; April i,
1 861, on Comps. David F. Day and George Peugeot.
At the annual assembly of the Grand Council in June, 1861, a war-
rant was issued to Th. 111. Comp. Michael Pinner, to be Master, and R.
111. Comp. William Fleming to be Deputy Master, and 111. Comp. Abram
8. Swartz to be Pr. Cond. of the works of a Council of Royal and Select
Masters, to be known and distinguished as Keystone Council No. 20.
Up to April, 1864. Keystone Council held its assemblies at Masonic Hall,
Main street, when it moved to the hall comer of Main and Swan streets.
In December, 1866, it changed its quarters to Freemasons* Hall, No. 328
(old number), but in November, 1869, it returned to the hall southeast
comer of Main and Swan streets. When the rest of the Masonic bodies
changed their location to the hall northeast corner of Washington and
North Division streets. Keystone Council joined in the movement, and
held its first assembly therein July 15, 1876.
One of the members of Keystone Council, Comp. John B. Sackett,
has occupied the distinguished position of Grand Master of the Grand
Council of R. and S. M., of the State of New York for the year 1877. At
the close of his term the Grand Council presented to him an elegant
jewel as a testimonial for his long continued, zealous and efficient ser-
vices in behalf of Cryptic Masonry. The following Companions have
filled the offices for the time opposite their respective names : —
T. III. Master.
1861. M. Pinner,
186a. M. Pinner,
1863. M. Pinner,
1864. William Fleming,
1865. William Fleming,
1866. William Fleming,
Z867. David F. Day,
1868. David F. Day.
1869. David F. Day,
1870. David F. Day,
187 1. David F. Day,
1872. Stephen M. Ratdiffe,
1873. John B. Sackett,
1874. John B. Sackett,
1875. Darwin £. Morgan,
1876. Darwin K Morgan,
1877. John L. Brothers,
1878. John L. Brothers,
1879. Ji^mes M. Henderson,
1880. John L. Brothers,
1881. Waircn A. Woodson,
1882. Warren A. Woodson,
1883. Jchn L. Brothers,
Dep. Master.
William Fleming,
William Fleming,
William Fleming,
M. Pinner,
David F Day,
David F. Day,
E. L. Chamberlayne,
E. L. Chamberlayne,
Stephen M. Ratdiffe,
Stephen M. Ratdiffe,
Stephen M. Ratdiffe,
John B. Sackett,
Isaac O. Crissy,
Darwin £. Morgan,
John L. Brothers,
John L. Brothers,
James M. Henderson,
James M. Henderson,
Christopher G. Fox,
Benjamin A. Provoost,
Wm. Hengerer,
William Hengerer,
William Hengerer,
P. C. WOWL
Abram S. Swartz.
Abram S. Swartz.
Watkins Williams.
David F. Day.
John Walls.
John Walla.
S. M. Ratdiffe,
S. M. Ratdiffe.
John B. Sackett.
John C. Graves.
William B. Flint.
Isaac O. Crissy.
Wm. H. Vosburgh.
Louis S. Morgan.
Jas. M. Henderson.
Jas. M. Henderson.
Christopher G. Fdx.
Christopher G. Fox.
Benj. A. Provoost
W. A. Woodson.
E. A, Rockwood.
William M. Smith.
Goodrich Lfiowen.
Number of members one hundred and eighty.
aa
40O
History of Buffalo.
Cryptic Masonry.
A desire had for some time manifested itself that Cryptic Masonry
should find a home in the city of Buffalo. An opportunity presented
itself to two Companions* attending the convocation of the Grand
Chapter at Albany in February, i860, to take the degree of R. and S.
M. in Adelphic Council No. 7, of the city of New York, holding a
special assembl)' in Albany, by dispensation from the Grand Master of
the Grand Council of the State of New York. Subsequently a num-
ber of Companions received the council degrees in Bruce Council No.
15, Lockport, N. Y., and when a sufficient number for the formation of a
council had been invested with them, a petition was presented to the
Grand Council while in session, for a warrant to constitute : —
Buffalo Council No. ij^ Royal and Select Masters. — This was granted
June 6, i860, appointing Companions William Gould, T. I. M., James
McCredie, D. M., and James Inglis, P. C, of the work. The records of
the Buffalo Council having been destroyed by fire in December, 1882,
this sketch has been collected from various sources. The following are
the names of the petitioners for a warrant : Companions William Gould,
James McCredie, James Inglis, Michael Pinner, A. C. Winn, Thomas J.
Murphy, H. F. Kenyon, Charles Gardner and Elijah Effner. On the 9th
of July, i860, the degrees of R. and S. M., were conferred upon the fol-
lowing Companions : Benjamin H. Austin, G. A. Scroggs, James H.
Barton, James Alderson, C. A. W. Sherman, William Fleming, William
Allen, Jay Pcttibone and John Walls. The following Companions have
filled the offices for the period opposite their respective names : —
T. III. Master.
i860. William Gould,
1861. William Gould,
1862. William Gould,
1863. James McCredie,
1864. James McCredie,
1865. James McCredie.
1866. James McCredie.
1867. James McCredie.
1868. James McCredie.
1869. James McCredie.
1870. James McCredie.
1 87 1. James McCredie,
1872. James McCredie,
X873. James McCredie,
1874. John Briggs,
1875. John Briggs,
1876. John Briggs,
1877. Henry Waters,
1878. Henry Waters,
1879. Albert Jones,
1880. Abraham Oppenheimer,
188 1. Abraham Oppenheimer,
1882. Abraham Oppenheimer,
1883. Girard McVicar,
Dkp. MASTsa.
James McCredie,
James McCredie,
James McCredie,
James Inglis.
James Inglis.
P. C. OF W.
James Inglis.
James Inglis.
James Inglis.
John Briggs,
John Briggs,
John Briggs,
Henry Waters,
Henry Waters,
Henry Waters,
Hawley Klein,
Chas. H. Rathbun,
Girard McVicar,
Girard McVicar,
Girard McVicar,
Girard McVicar,
John A. Franke,
*Jamet McCredie and Michael Pinner.
Hawley Klein.
Hawley Klein.
Hawley Klein.
Hawley Klein.
Hawley Klein.
Hawley Klein.
Chas. H. Rathbun.
B. Spencer, Jr.
E. D. W. Gagcr.
Cyrus K. Porter.
John A. Franke.
John A. Franke.
Cyrus K. Porter.
Secret Societies in Erie County. 401
In December, 1883, Buffalo Council had one hundred and fifty-one
members on its rolls.
Templar Masonry.
Lake Erie Commandery No. 20. — The record of this Commandery
havinf^ been destroyed by the fire of December, 1882, we take the follow-
ing (abridged) history of that body from the proceedings of the Qrand
Commandery, Knights Templar, of the State of New York for 1882.
The proceedings state that : —
" To the courtesy of Sirs James McCredie, P. C, and Horace A.
Noble, E. C, we are indebted for the items making up the following
sketch :
''In the year 1845, a number of Knights Templar in Buffalo deter-
mined to form an encampment of Knights Templar. There not being a
sufficient number of Sir Knights residing in the city, a number of Com-
panions of Buffalo Chapter No. 71, repaired to Lockport, N. Y., where
they received the Order of Knighthood in Genesee Encampment No. 10,
that being the nearest encampment to Buffalo. Having now the consti-
tutional number, they afmlied to the Grand Master for a dispensation to
form an Encampment. The petition was signed by Sir Knights LeRov
Famham, Cyrus P. Lee, Henry S. Mulligan, Charles Gardner, Nehemian
Case, Horatio Warren, John W. Phillips, J. L. Reynolds, James H. Lee,
S. O. Gould and A. H. Ball. The dispensation was granted December
2, 1852, and at a conclave of the Grand Encampment at Albany, Febru-
ary 4, 1853, a warrant was c^ranted to LeRoy Farnham, Commander;
Cyrus P. Lee, General ; and Henry S. Mulligan, Captain-General, as the
first officers of Lake Erie Encampment No. 20, at Buffalo. To the zeal
and untiring perseverance of LeLoy Farnham, its first Commander, Lake
Erie Encampment owes much of its success."
The first death that occurred among the members of the Encamp-
ment was that of Sir Knight William H. Hill, April i, 1854. His interment
was the occasion of the first Templar funeral in Buffalo, and was looked
upon by the citizens with curiosity, it being the first public appearance
of Templars in uniform. In 1857 the Encampment had the honor of en.
tertaining the Grand Encampment, which held its conclave at Buffalo
that year.
The following Sir Knights have filled the office of Commander (of
Lake Erie Commandery) for the years named: — LeRoy Farnham, 1853,
^S7f '58; Nehemiah Case, 1854; EUicott Evans, 1855; William H. Drew,
1856; Henry K. Viele, 1859; James H. Barton, i860; James McCredie,
1861 to 1869, inclusive; Thomas J. Murphy, 1870; Hawley Klein, 1871,
•72 ; William S. Bull, 1873, '74, '75 ; Albert Jones, 1876 to 1880, inclu-
sive ; Horace A. Noble, 1881, '82, '83. The Commandery had one hun-
dred and forty members in 1882.
Hugh de Payens Commandery No. 30., Knights Templar. — The rapid
growth and flourishing condition of Templar Masonry in Buffalo, and
a desire for a commandery located further up town, for greater con-
Tenience to their residences, induced a number of the members of the
402 History of Buffalo.
Lake Erie Commandery No. 70to make an effort for the establishment of
a new Commandery.
A meeting of those interested in the project was held at the office of
the Mayor of the city, then located on the northwest corner of Franklin
and Church streets, on the 27th of January, 1870. There were present
at that meeting Sir Knights Franklin A. Alberger, Isaac HoUoway,
Everard Palmer, James Adams, Lorenzo M. Kenyon, John Boardman,
Samuel M. Chamberlain and Christopher G. Fox. Sir Knight Alberger
was elected chairman, and Sir Knight Fox, secretary of the meeting.
After due consideration a resolution was unanimously adopted declaring
that the interest of Templar Masonry required the organization of a new
Commandery, and to accomplish the object sought for the proper au-
thorities should be petitioned ^or a dispensation. A committee was
appointed to obtain a suitable place of meeting should a dispensation be
granted.
Of those iuTited to join in the organization of the new Commandery,
the following Sir Knights accepted : Robert N. Brown, John D. Elliot,
John W. Houghtaling, John L. Alberger, Frank W. Gifford, Charles K.
Loomis, Jonathan T. Wilbur, Marcus L. Babcock, of Batavia ; Stephen
D. Cardwell and Stephen M. Doyle, of Dunkirk ; and Suel H. Dickin-
son, of Fredonia. The signers of the petition were members of Lake
Erie Commandery No. 20, excepting Sir Knights Loomis and Wilbur,
the former coming from Watertown Commandery No. 1 1, and the latter
from DeMolay Commandery No. 22. at Hornellsville. At the stated con-
clave of Lake Erie Commandery No. 20, held March 5, i860, E. Sir
Henry K. Viele, Commander, the petition was presented and its recom-
mendation asked for, it being the nearest and only Commandery having
jurisdiction in the premises. The request was granted. The petition was
then laid before R. E., Charles G. Judd, of Penn Yan, Grand Com-
mander of Knights Templar of the State of New York, who granted a
dispensation March 17, i860; authorizing the formation of Hugh De
Payen's Commandery, and naming Sir Franklin A. Alberger as Com-
mander; Sir. Robert N. Brown, Generalissimo. ?»nd Sir Jonathan T.
Wilbur, Captain-General.
The new Commandery secured and fitted up for its use the upper
floor of the building on the southwest corner of Main and Court streets,
the site now occupied by the Erie County Savings Bank, and named it
Freemasons' Hall. The first conclave of the Commandery, U. D.,
was held at the Mayor's office, March 20, i860, where its organization
was perfected. Subsequent conclaves were held in Washington Masonic
Hall, until June Sth, when the Commandery occupied for the first time,
its new quarters in the building on the southwest corner of Main and
Court streets.
At the annual conclave of the Grand Commandery in the city of
Auburn, September 11, i860, a warrant was granted to Hugh de Payens
Secret Societies in Erie County. 403
Commandery. Its officers were installed September i8th, by Sir William
H. Drew, a Past Commander of Lake Erie Commandery, the Rev. Sir
John E. Robie acting as Grand Prelate. The first petition for the Orders
was received from AmasaC. Winn, who was the first Knight created in
Hugh de Payens Commandery. The event occurred October 20, i860.
The conflagration of January 26, 1865, destroyed Freemasons* Hall,
together with the adjoining buildings of the same block, in which was
located Washington Masonic Hall. The Masonic bodies meeting on the
southwest comer of Main and Swan streets, in a most liberal and fra.
temal spirit, opened their hall to those who had become home and
houseless; the offer was gratefully accepted. The first meeting in that
Hall was held February 13, 1865.
A new hall having been finished on the ruins of the former Wash-
ington Masonic Hall (No. 326 and 328 Main street), the Commandery
furnished it and held its first meeting therein December 11, 1865. The
lease of the Hall expiring, the Commandery determined on the 13th of
September, 1869, to remove to the hall corner'of Main and Swan streets,
an arrangement having been completed for that purpose. The next con-
clave was held there November 8th of that year. When the Masonic
bodies occupying the hall corner of Main and Swan streets, determined
to change their place of meeting to the northeast corner of Washington
and North Division streets, Hugh de Payens Commandery joined in the
movement and held the first conclave in the new quarters, July 10, 1876.
On the occasion of the second conclave, August 14, 1876, E. Sir
Christopher G. Fox delivered an extended and very able historical
address of the Commandery, which we have condensed in the foregoing,
with the kind permission of the author.
During all these years, the members of which Hugh de Payens
Commandery was composed, had made great proficiency in drill and
knightly tactics, under the zealous supervision of its Commanders, and
when in October, 1875, the Grand Commandery held its Annual Conclave
at Rochester, and Monroe Commandery No. 12, of that city, offered a
prize for the best drilled Commandery, it was Hugh de Payen's that
entered the lists and carried off the silken banner. It was brought home
and carefully preserved in its armory. In letters of gold it proclaims
that it was :—
" Presented to Hugh de Payen's Commandery, by Monroe Com-
mandery No. 12, Rochester, October 13, 1875."
On the reverse side it presented a Knight's Templar Cross, under
and around which is inscribed the legends : " In hoc Signo Vincesr *^Non
Nobis Damine t Non Nobis Gloriam. Tuo Da Sed Nominiy
The Commandery received an invitation from one of Buffalo's Charity
organizations, dated August 11, 1877, signed by prominent citizens, to
give a public exhibition drill at the " Rink," in aid of the organization.
404
History of Buffalo.
The invitation was accepted. The drill took place on the evening of
August 21, 1877, the net proceeds of which, $557.30 were transmitted to
the Buffalo Orphan Asylum.
The general Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United
States having designated Cleveland, Ohio, as the place of its triennial
meeting in August, 1877, Hugh DeFayens Commandery determined to
proceed to that city and assist in the Grand Escort of that body. Fifty-
nine of the Sir Knights repaired to Cleveland August 27^ 1877, and par-
ticipated in the Grand Escort on the day following. On the 29th, Hugh
DePayens Commandery participated in a priz6 drill under the auspices
of Oriental Commandery, No. 12, of Cleveland, and although the return-
ing Sir Knights did not succeed in bringing the trophy home with them,
as they did in 1875, they nevertheless succeeded in receiving the plaudits
of many excellent judges who witnessed the drill.
The Commandery attended the twenty-first triennial conclave of the
General Grand Encampment of the United States at Chicago, August
i6th, 1880, about fifty of its members being in line. Oriental Command-
ery No. 12, of Cleveland. Ohio, extended an invitation to the Command-
ery to unite with it in paying the last tribute of respect to the earthly
remains of Sir Knight James A. Garfield, late president of the United
States, September 26, 1881. Fifty members repaired to Cleveland for
that purpose. At the invitation of Godfrey DeBouillon Preceptory No.
3, Knights Templar, Hamilton, Ont., the Commandery went to that city
August 16, 1882, for the purpose of assisting in a grand demonstration of
Knights Templar, which proved to be a great success. About fifty mem-
bers participated on that occasion. Invitations have been received at
various times from other Commanderies, a number of which were
accepted. It also has on different occasions, entertained with its accus.
tomed hospitality, Commanderies visiting BufiFalo.
Hugh DePayens Commandery numbers about one hundred and forty
members. The following have been the first three officers of the Com-
mandery from 1 860 to 1884: —
Commander.
i860. Franklin A. Alberger,
1 861. Robert N. Brown,
1862. Robert N. Brown,
1863. Robert N. Brown,
1864. Christopher G. Fox,
1865. Christopher G. Fox,
1866. Christopher G. Fox,
1867. Christopher G. Fox,
1868. Robert N. Brown,
1869. Wm, F. Rogers,
1870. Wm. F. Rogers,
1871. Wm. F. Rogers,
1872. Christopher G. Fox,
1 873. Christopher G. Fox,
Gbhbraussimo.
Robert N. Brown,
Jonathan T. Wilbur,
Jonathan T. Wilbur,
Jonathan T. Wilbur,
S. H. Dickinson,
John W, Houghtaling,
John W. Houghtaling,
John W. Houghuling,
Wm. F. Rogers,
Thomas E. Young,
Darwin E. Morgan,
Darwin E. Morgan,
Darwin E. Morgan,
Darwin E. Morgan,
Captaim-Genuau
Jonathan T. Wilbur.
S. D. CaldwelL
Christopher G. Fox.
S. H. Dickinson.
J. W. Houghtaling.
Wm. F. Rogers.
Wm. F. Rogers.
Wm. F. Rogers.
Thomas E. Young.
Darwin £. Morgan.
John C. Graves.
Wm. S. Sizcr.
Wm. S. Sizer.
Wm. R Flint
Secret Societies in Erie County.
4P5
1875.
1876.
r877.
X878.
1879.
z88o.
i88r.
x88a.
1883.
ComfAMDSR.
Christopher G. Fox,
Christopher (k Fox,
Christopher G. Fox,
Christopher G. Fes,
Christopher G. Fox,
Darwiq E. Morgan,
Darwin E. Morgan,
John L. Brothers,
Wm. Hengerer,
Wm. Hengeser,
GXNBSAUSSIMO.
Darwin K Morgan,
Darwin K Morgan,
Darwin E. Morgan,
Darwin £. Morgan,
Darwin E. Morgan,
Joha L. Brothers,
John L. Brothers,
Wn* Hengerer,
John C Adams,
John C. AdamS)
CAPTAIN-GlKIItAL.
Wm. & Flint
Wm. B. Flint
Wm. B. Flint
Wm. B. Flint
John L. Brothers.
Wm. Hengerer.
Wm. Hengerer.
John C. Adams.
John C. Graves.
John C Graves.
Ancient and Accepted Rite.
Of this rite two lodges received their warrants May 19, 1867 , but as
both were unfortonately sufferers by the fire of December, 1882, where
their records, with all other documents, fella prey to the flames, we are
compelled to limit our information to a bare enumeration of the presid-
ing oflBcers during the existence of these two bodies.
Palmoni Lodge of Perfection, of Buffalo. — The Re^. Brother George
C. Pennell was T. P. G. M. for the years 1867, *68 and '69. His succes-
sor in office was Brother Jiimes McCredie, who filled it for twelve years,
beginning with 1870 and retiring at the closeof 1881. He was succeeded
by Brother George M. Osgoodby in 1882, while Brother A. O'ppen-
heimer occupies it for the year 1883.
Palmoni Council of Princes of Jerusalem, at Buffalo. — The following
were the presiding officers of this body for the years opposite to their
names: Rev. Brother George C. Pennell. M. E. S. P. G. M., for 1867,
'68 and' '69; Brother Lorenzo M. Kenyon, 1870, 'yi and '72; Brother
Henry Waters, 1873 to 188 1, inclusive ; Brother John C Graves, 1882 ;
Brother Oren G. Nichols, 1883.
Masonic Life Insurance.
Two Masonic Associations exist in Buffalo, whose aim it is to pro-
vide to a certain extent for the widows and orphans of deceased breth-
ren. On the death of a member of the Association, the survivors are
assessed about one dollar each which is paid to the party for whose benefit
the insurance has been effected. Of these two Associations the '' Gei^
itoan Masonic Benevolent Association " is one of the oldest institutions
of the kind in the United States. The second is the " Masonic Life Asso-
ciation of Western New York," incorporated December 2, 1872, under
the laws of the State of New York. Its annual report, published Janu-
ary I, 1883, states the number of members to be two thousand one hun-
dred and fourteen. During the year 1882, $53>3S9 were paid on death
claims ; the smallest single amount being $2,106, and the largest $2,130.
Masonic Board of Relief of Buffalo. — This Board, consisting of three
delegates from each lodge in the city, has been in existence for a number
4o6 History of Buffalo.
of years. Its object is to furnish relief to sojourning brethren in need
thereof. The means necessary for that purpose are obtained by assess-
ing the lodges a certain percentage on their receipts.
In closing our sketch olF Masonry in Erie county, we must be per-
mitted to allude to those brethren whose talent, zeal and Masonic learn-
ing has, on various occasions, found merited recognition in the Grand
Bodies of this as well as other States. The space assigned to us does not
admit, however; to enter upon the pleasing task of a biographical sketch
of the Masonic career of the distinguished Masons who have been thus
honored. We, therefore, limit ourselves to a bare enumeration of the
offices filled by them in the different Grand Bodies. The oldest on the
Ust, and as far as our information extends the first Brother holding a
prominent office in a Grand Body, was the late Nelson RandalL
Brother Nelson Randall was elected Junior Grand Warden of
the Grand Lodge of the State in 1849, Senior Grand Warden in 1850,
Deputy Grand Master in 1 851, and Grand Master in 1852. Although
elected in 1853 by an unanimous vote to be his own successor, he
declined to the regret of the Fraternity. He died in February, 1864.
Proceeding in chronological order taking the first year of the
election or appointment to office as the base, we find that : —
Brother Benjamin H. Austin was Grand Sword Bearer of th'; Grand
Lodge, in 1852 ; Senior Grand Deacon in 1855 ; Grand Marshal in 1856
and 1857, and Junior Grand Warden in 1858.
Brother LeRoy Famham held the following offices in the Grand
Commandery of the State of New York: Grand Standard Bearer in
1854; Grand Captain General in 1855 ; Grand Generalissimo in 1856, and
Grand Commander in 1857.
Brother William Gould filled the position of Grand Steward of the
Grand Lodge, in 1857 and *58.
Brother Gustavus Adolphus Scroggs held the office of Grand Mar-
shal of the Grand Lodge in i860.
Brother Robert N. Brown— The Grand Commander of Knights
Templar of the State of New York, found in this Brother a zealous and
capable presiding: officer. It was to the regret of the fraternity gener-
ally, that a press of business and impaired health necessitated the with-
drawal of this gifted brother from active participation in Masonry.
Brother Brown acceptably filled the following offices in the Grand Com-
mandery of the State ; Grand Captain General in 1863, '67 and '68 ;
Grand Generalissimo in 1869; Deputy Grand Commander in 1870^ and
Grand Commander in 1871.
Brother James McCredie. — This zealous and respected Mason has
devoted years of labor in the interest of the various Masonic Bodies in
Buffalo and the Masonic fraternity generally. Ever among the foremost
to perform even more than his share of labor, his worth is fully appre-
Secret Societies in Erie County. 407
ciated, which is evidenced by his having filled various positions in sub-
ordinate and Grand Bodies, aggregating over one hundred years. His
quiet and retiring disposition only has kept him from advancing to the
rank to which his worth and abilities entitle him. In Grand Bodies he
has filled the following offices : In the Grand Council of the Royal and
Select Masters of the State of New York, he has occupied the position
of Royal Past Deputy Grand Master for the years 1864 to 1869, inclu-
sive, and that of Master Past Grand Master for 1871 and '72- In the
Grand Commandery of the State he was Grand Sword Bearer in 1864,
and Grand Junior Warden in 1865 and '66. Brother McCredic has occu-
pied the highest position in all the subordinate bodies of which he is a
member, and the Fraternity of BufiFalo is unwilling to dispense with his
wise counsel.
Brother David F. Day. — This learned and profound Mason has
filled with signal ability and success every office to which the Fraternity
has called him. In the Grand Chapter of Roy al Arch Masons of the State
of New York, he has occupied the following positions : Grand Captain
of the Host for the years 1865 to 1868, inclusive ; Grand Scribe for 1869
to 1872, inclusive : Grand Kingfori873to 1876, inclusive; Deputy Grand
High Priest in 1877. and Grand High Priest in 1878 and *79- At the
present time he is the representative of the Grand Chapter of Maine,
near the Grand Chapter of New York. He also represented formerly
the Grand Chapter of Massachusetts, but under the new regulation he
has resigned that position. At the triennial session of the General Grand
Chapter of the United States, held in Denver, Col., in 1883, he was
elected General Grand King, and should his life be spared he will
undoubtedly reach the exalted position of General Grand High Priest of
the General Grand Chapter of the United States. In 1873, Brother Day
was elected by the lodges composing the Twenty-fifth Masonic District,
as delegate to the Convention charged with the revision of the Consti-
tution of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, and for a number
of years he was an active member of the Committee on Appeals in
that Body.
Brother Christopher G. Fox has filled the following stations in the
Grand Lodge of the State of New York, with distinguished ability :
Junior Grand Warden in 1867; Senior Grand Warden in 1868 and '69 ;
Deputy Grand Master in 1870 and '71, and Grand Master in 1872 and '73.
Since 1867 this eminent Brother occupies the important and responsible
office of Grand Secretary of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons
of the State of New York, and that of General Grand Secretary of the
General Grand Chapter of the United States since 1871. Brother Fox
formerly represented the Grand Chapters of the District of Columbia
and of the State of Arkansas near the Grand Chapter of the State of
New York. A rule having been adopted by the latter that no Companion
4o8 History of Buffalo.
shall represent more than one Grand Chapter, he elected to return his
credentials as representative to the Grand Chapter of Columbia, and
continues to represent the Grand Chapter of Wisconsin. Brother Fox
also occupies the station of Senior Grand Warden in the Grand Encamp-
ment of this State in 1866, and is at this time the representative of the
Grand Commandery of Arkansas, near the Grand Commandery of the
State of New York.
Brother Charles E. Young, deceased, held the position of S. G. D.,
in the Grand Lodge of the State of New York for 1869, '70 and '71.
Brother John B. Sackett filled the following offices in the Grand
Council of R. and S. M., of the State of New York : 111. Princ. Con. of
W. in 1875, Rt. 111. Dep. G. M. in 1876, and M. 111. G. M. in 1877.
Brother John C. Graves. — This active and zealous Mason has very
acceptably filled the office of Senior Grand Deacon in the Grand Lodge
of the State of New .York for the term of 1882 and '83. The fraternity
will not assent to the withdrawal of his abilities from the Grand Lodge.
Brother John A. Lockwood. — In recognition of the eminent abilities
of the brother, the Grand Lodge of Canada has elected him in 1882, to
the distinguished honor of Past Senior Grand Warden.
Ceremonies at Laying of Corner-Stones, Dedications, etc.
The Masonic bodies of Buffalo and surrounding towns of the county
have always exhibited a commendable readiness to respond to calls for
their services in conducting ceremonies at the laying of comer-stones
of public buildings, monuments, dedications and other similar events-
Many of these ceremonies have been impressive in the extreme, the details
of which were of the most interesting character, particularly so to mem-
bers of the fraternity ; but the limited space allotted to us in this work
precludes the possibility of giving more than a bare record of the events.
The first of these, of which we have any information, was the laying the
corner-stone of the "City of Ararat," on Grand Island. This event
occurred on the 2d of September, 1826, and was probably participated in
by Western Star Lodge No, 239, and Barton Lodge No. 442, of Black
Rock. Colonel H. B. Potter was Grand Marshal.*
Laying- of the Carner'Stone of ike German Evangelical Church at
Lower Black Rock. — This ceremony was performed on the 26th of
August, 1852, and was the first event of the kind succeeding the rc-invig-
oration of Masonry after the death of the Anti-Masonry movement. The
ceremonies were participated in by Hiram, Concordia, Erie and Wash-
ington Lodges.
Laying of tke Cornerstone of the State Arsenal— 1\i\% event occurred
on the Sth of May. 1858, and the ceremonies were very impressive. The
* a fuller account of ihe event will be found in the history of Grand Island, in the preceding
Yolume.
Secret Societies in Erie County. 409
military was under command of Brigadier-General G. A. Scrr^rS^ ^^^
the Masonic fraternity under the direction of Brother William H. Drew,
a Past Commander of Lake Erie Commandery No. 20 ; Major-General
Nelson A. Randall, Past Grand Master of Masons of the State of New
York, acting as Grand Marshal. About eight hundred Masons were in
the procession.
Laying of the Carner-Stone of the Universalist Churchy Buffalo. — This
event occurred August 2, 1864, under the Masonic direction of M. W.
Clinton F, Paige, G. M. of Masons of the State of New York. The
lodges and encampments participating were DeMolay No. 498, Ancient
Landmarks No. 441, Queen City No. 358, Modestia No. 340, Parish No,
292, Washington No. 240, Erie No. 161, Concordia No. 143, Hiram No.
105 ; Knights Templar composed of Lake Erie and Hugh de Payen's
Commanderies, escorting the Grand Lodge of the State.
Laying of the Memorial Stone in Forest Lawn Cemetery. — This stone
was laid with Masonic honors on the 28th of September, 1866, under direc-
tion of R. W. Christopher G. Fox, D. D. G. M. The following lodges
marched in procession: — Hiram No. 105, Concordia No. 143, Erie No.
161, Washington No. 240, Parish No. 292, Ancient Landmarks No. 441,
DeMolay No. 498. The Grand Lodge was escorted by Lake Erie Com-
mandery under command of Eminent James McCredie, and Hugh de
Pay ens Commandery under William F. Rogers, C. G.
Laying of the Corner-Stone of the State Normal School. — This event
occurred on the 15th of April, 1869. The procession was formed under
direction of W. Bro. Amos B. Tanner, as Chief Marshal. The following
lodges and commanderies participated. DeMolay No. 498, Ancient Land-
marks No. 441, Queen City No. 358, Modestia No. 340, Parish No. 292,
Washington No. 240, Erie No. 161, Concordia No. 143, Hiram No. 105;
Lake Erie and Hugh de Payen's Commanderies acting as escort to the
Grand Lodge. R. W. Christopher G. Fox acted as G. M.
Laying the Comer-Stone of Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, Buf-
falo.— This event occurred July 13, 1871, and the lodges in attendance
were Hiram No. 105, Concordia No. 143, Erie No. 161, Washington No.
240, Parish No. 292, Modestia No. 340, Queen City No. 358, Ancient
Landmarks No. 441, DeMolay No. 498, Harmonie No. 698. R. W., C. G.
Fox acted as G. M. Lake Erie and Hugh de Payen's Commanderies
escorted the Grand Lodge.
Laying the Corner-Stone of the City and County Hall. — This corner-
stone was laid on the 24th of June, 1872, with Masonic honors, calling
out an attendance of nine hundred Master Masons and one hundred and
twenty Knights Templars. The " Rink," was required in which to form
the procession which marched in two divisions under command of W.
Brother W. C. Zimmerman and R. W. Brother J. B.Sackett, respectively.
The following Masonic bodies participated in the impressive ceremo-
4IO History of Buffalo.
nies : — Harmonie No. 699, Blazing Star (Aurora) No. 694, Fraternal No.
625; Akron No. 527, Zion No. 514, DeMolay No. 498, Ancient Land-
marks No. 441, Queen City No. 358 Modestia No. 340, Parish No. 292,
Living Stone No. 255, Tonawanda No. 247, Washington No. 240, Con-
cordia No. 142, Hiram No. 105. Hugh de Payen's Commandery and
Lake Erie Commandery acted as escort to the Grand Lodge.
Laying the Corner-Stone of the Buffalo State A sylumfor the Insane.— This
event occurred September 18, 1872, and the display made by the military
and the Masonic fraternity was very fine. The Grand Lodge was escorted,
as usual, by the Knights Templar, and most of the lodges of the city
participated in the event. M. W. C. G. Fox, Grand Master of Masons
of the State, performed the ceremony of laying the stone.
Laying of the Corner-Stone of the Monument of the G, A. R.^ Forest
Lawn Cemetery. — This event occurred October 21, 1880, and was the
occasion of most imposing ceremonies. The procession marched in
three divisions, the third embracing the Masonic Fraternity, under com-
mand of P. G. M., Christopher G. Fox, as Grand Marshal. The follow-
ing Masonic bodies marched in procession : Harmonie No. 699, Blazing
Star No. 694 (East Aurora,) DeMolay No. 498, Ancient Landmarks No.
441 > Queen City No. 358, Modestia No. 340, Parish No. 292, Washington
No. 240, Erie No. 161, Concordia No. 143, Hiram No. 105, Lake Erie
Commandery, Mount Olivet Commandery, (Erie, Pennsylvania,) Hugh
DePayens Commandery ; the three commanderies acting as escort to the
Grand Lodge.
Laying the Corner-Stone of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument^ Buf-
falo.— This corner-stone was laid July 4, 1882, the ceremonies being par-
ticipated in by the following Masonic bodies, under command of M. W.
Brother Christopher G. Fox, chief marshal : Occidental Lodge No. 766,
Harmonie No. 699, DeMolay No. 498, Ancient Landmarks No. 441,
Queen City No. 358, Modestia No. 340, Parish No. 292, Washington 240,
Erie No. 161, Concordia No. 143, Hiram No. 105, Hugh DePayen Com-
mandery Knights Templar, and Lake Erie Commandery Knights Tem-
plar. The two commanderies escorted the Grand Lodge. The military
display on this occasion was magnificent being augmented by the famous
Seventh New York regiment. The stone was laid by M. W. Brother
Benjamin Flagler.
Dedication of Masonic Hall, corner of Main and Swan streets, Buffalo. —
This event occurred on the 27th of December, 1861, and the ceremonies
attending it were imposing and impressive. The dedication was con
ducted by M. W. Brother Finlay M. King, Grand Master of Masons of
the State of New York. An address was delivered after the dedication
ceremonies were concluded by Rev. Brother Forrester.
Dedication of the new Masonic Hall, corner of Washington and North
Division streets, Buffalo,— This hall was fitted up for the accommodation
Secret Societies ik Erie County. 411
of eleven of the Masonic bodies of the city, having been planned and
arranged by the architect of the building (the Miller & Greiner Block)
Brother M. E. Beebe, at an expense of $13^2. The hall was dedicated
hy M. W. Brother James M. Husted» Grand Master of the State of New
York. The event occurred on the 24th of June, 1876, and was as bril-
liant and imposing a demonstration as has ever been witnessed in Buf-
falo. The procession was divided into three divisions, the first being
under command of General Brother William F. Rogers, Grand Marshal ;
the second under Michael Wiedrich, Assistant Marshal ; the third under
J. M. McArthur, Assistant Marshal. The following Masonic bodies
were in the procession : Monroe Commindery No. 12, (Rochester,) Lake
Erie Commandery, Batavia Commandery, No. 34, Cyrene Commandery
(Rochester,) Harmoiiie Lodge No. 699, DeMolay No. 498, Ancient Land-
marks No. 441, Queen City Na 358, Modestia No. 340, Parish No. 292,
Washington No. 240, Erie No. 161, Concordia No. 143, Hiram No. 105,
Tonawanda No. 247, Hugh DePayens Commandery. The hall was richly
decorated and the addresses and other ceremonies were of tlie most
imposing and appropriate characters. The festivities closed with a
banquet.
Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Of this order there are fourteen subordinate lodges in Erie county,
twelve of which are located in the city of Buffalo, one in Lancaster and
one in Collins Centre. There are three Encampments, one uniformed
degree Camp, two Degree Lodges, one Rebekah Degree Lodge, one
Odd Fellows* Benevolent Association and one Odd Fellows* Relief Asso-
ciation. J. R. Tresider is Grand Marshal of the State of New York,
wkh residence in New York city.
Following is a list of the Lodges, Encampments, etc., with the dates
of' their institntion : —
£rie District Grand Cofpunit tee No. i, composed of all Past Grands
of said district arid the following Igdges, was instituted December 24,
1847, Henry P. Pfeiffer, D. D. G. M., John] Hager, Secretary.
Erie District Grand Committee No. 2. Instituted October 25, 1877,
John Schaeffer, D. D. G. M.. Rudolph Witte, Secretary.
Odd Fellows' Binevolent Association, — Organized April 6, 1869. George
A. Moore, President; Robert Hager, Secretary.
Odd Fellows* Relief Association. — Executive Committee, Henry P.
Pieiftr^ John Hager and John Kenyon.
Niagara Lodge No. 25 was instituted November 6, 1839. Present
officers, Isaac T- McRobert, N. G. ; Henry Thornton, V. G. ; E. L.
Brady, Secretary.
Buffalo Lodge No. 37 was instituted May 6, 1840. Officersi Fred-
crick Smith, N. G.; Paul P. Orth, V. G. ; John Schneider, Secretary.
412 History of Buffalo.
Mount Vernon Encampment No. 8, instituted Jul}- 6, 1841. Present
officers: Charles A. Heneckc, C. P.; John Drexler, S. W.; James S.
Irwin, Scribe.
Walftalla Lodge No. 91 . — Instituted November 1 7, 1 846. John Tremp-
per, N. G. ; Charles Lang. Secretary.
Odin Lodge No. 178. — Instituted March 7, 1849. William Laux, N. G. ;
Fredrech Kaeppcl, Secretary.
Friendship Lodge No. 487, Collins Centre, — Instituted January 23,
185 1, and re-instated March 30, 1882. Officers, Milton B. Sherman, N, G. ;
Wendel J. Morton, V. G. ; Chauncey L. Winkham, Secretary.
Concordia Lodge No. 189. — Instituted January i, 1862. Andreas Hcp-
pler, N. G. ; Gustav Keller, Secretary.
German Bundes Lodge No. 190 was instituted May 28, 1867. Officers,
Eugene Angstenberger, N. G. ; Albert F. Ritschel, V. G. ; Emil Schnei-
der, Secretary.
Oriental Lodge No. 224. — Instituted November 10, 1869. — Frank
Stoerr, N. G. ; Joseph Wolfsobn, Secretarj-.
Esther Rebekah Degree Lodge No. 3. — Instituted December 23, 1869.
Officers. Frank Bagot, N. G. ; Charlotte M. Morris, V. G. ; W. C. Smith,
Secretary.
New Era Lodge No. 410. — Instituted August 11, 1874. Officers, H.
D. Fisher, N. G. ; W. D. McGill. V. G. ; John Buckley, Secretary.
Red Jacket Lodge^o. 238.— Instituted May 30, 1875. Officers, Wil-
son E. Skinner, N. G.; William Grasser, V. G, ; W. D. Robinson, Sec-
retary.
Lake Erie Lodge No. 435.— Instituted August 28, 1875. Henry Hcr-
bold, N. G. ; Carl Fischer, Secretary.
Northern Star Lodge No. 458, — Instituted January 25, 1877. Officers^
Daniel Besant, N. G. ; Neal Olsen, V. G. ; Adam E. Hamm, Secretary.
Loyal Lodge No. 480, Lancaster. — Instituted July 2, 1879. Officers,
Henry Hummell, N. G.; Philip Guetlich, V. G. ; Frederick Hummell,
Jr., Secretary.
King David Encampnent, instituted September 25, 1879. Present
officers:— G. W. Fargo, C. P.; Ed. C. Shaefer, S. W.; John Hagcr,
Scribe.
Erie Degree Lodge No. 3.— Instituted September 22, 1881. Officers,
B. Froggatt, D. M. ; Isaac M. Robert. D. D. M.; D. B. Barker, Secretary.
East Buffalo Lodje.—Ho. 355.— Instituted May 10, 1883. Henry W.
Schaffner, N. G. ; George Suhr, Secretary.
Stuttgart Encampment No. 70. Present officers : — George Woesner,
Jr., D. P. ; John Schaeffer, Scribe.
Secret Societies in Erie County. 413
Knights of Pythias.
Of this order there are in Buffalo six Lodges and two endowments.
Samuel H. Thompson is D. D. G. C. Following is the list of the Lodges,
dates and places of meeting and the names of their officers : —
EagU Lodge No. 69. — Meets every Friday evening at Modestia Hall,
416 Main. John A. Stein, C. C; C. A. Stewart, K. of R. and S.
Triangle Lodge No. 92 (German). — Meets every Tuesday evening
at Benzing Hall, comer Walnut and Genesee. John G. Droegmiller, C.
C; Valentine Hoffman, K. of R. and S.
Union Lodge No. 139. — Meets every first, third and fifth Tuesday of
each month at hall comer Main and Eagle. Mr. Wolfsohn, C. C; Emil
Riesenfeld, K. of R. and S.
Custer Lodge No^ 145. — Meets every first and third Tuesday evening
at their Castle Hall, corner Broadway and EUicott. William Kroll, C.
C; Conrad Staffel, K. of R. and S.
Endowment Rank K. of P. — Section No. 46. — Meets comer Genesee
and Michigan streets, first and third Sunday afternoon of every month.
C. Staffel. President ; J. H. Magee, Vice-President ; A. B. Benedict, Sec-
retary and Treasurer.
Fidelity Lodge. — Meets every second and fourth Monday evening at
Hesper Parlors. William A. Mann, C. C; N. Biesanthal, K. of R. and S.
Endowment Right of K. of P. — Section No. 491. — Hall, 1859 Niagara.
International Lodge No. 164. — Meets every Friday evening at hail,
comer Niagara and Amherst. Frederick W. Philippbar, C. C.
Other Secret Societies.
Other secret societies of Buffalo are the Raymond Du Puy Encamp-
ment of the Knights of Malta, No. 25 ; two lodges and one Encamp-
ment of the Ancient Order of Good Fellows ; six Groves of Druids, U.
A. O. D.; four organizations of the Knights of St. George, etc.
The different Mutual Benefit organizations are well represented
here, there being no less than twenty-one Lodges and Legions of the
Ancient Order of United Workmen, There are also nine Councils of
the American Legion of Honor; fifteen Branches of the Catholic Mutual
Benefit Association : fourteen Lodges of the Empire Order of Mutual
Aid ; six Lodges of the Knights of Honor, and three Councils of the
Roval Arcanum. These various mutual benefit organizations accomplish
excellent work by enabling people of limited means to provide for the
payment after their death, of a sum of money to those who would other-
wise be left dependent upon charity.
414 History of Buffalo.
CHAPTER XV.
THE MEDICAL FRDFESSIDN DF ERIE CDUNTT.*
The Medical Profeitum in Early Days — Eminent Names at the Beginning of the Centniy — Imper-
fect Medical Edncation — Attempt to Rescue the Science from Obscarity— Legislative Action
'Medical Societies — The Profession in Erie Connty — The first Coonty SoQiety- Dr.
Cyrenins Chapin — An Opposition Society — Dr. Ebeneser Johnson — Sketch of Dr. J. W.
Trowbridge — The Buffalo Medical Association— Dr. J. E. Marshall — Other Biographical
Sketches.
THE end of the eighteenth and the early part of the nineteenth cen-
tur}' may be noted as an epoch of unusual activity in the scientific
world, both at home and abroad. In njedicihe great advances were
made. Clinical observation and experimental research with constant
recourse to the cadaver, (so often a key to the enigma of disease) were
pursued with untiring zeal. In France, Germany and Great Britain
were men the lustre of whose names still illumine the pathway of medi-
cal science ; and Louis and John Hunter may be mentioned as models
for all time for the student of medicine.
In this country we find at that time many eminent names in the med-
ical profession. In Philadelphia were Rush, Physic, Chapman, Shippen,
James^ Wistar, Hodge, Redman, Dewees, B. S. Barton, Parrish, Coxc
Hartshorne, Jackson and others. In New York were Samuel L. Mitchell,
John W. Francis, David Hosack, William J. McNeven, Edward Miller,
Elihu A. Smith, (so early lost) Alexander H. Stevens, John R. B.
Rogers, Nicholas Romayne, who founded the College of Physicians and
Surgeons and was its first president, and many more : men of education,
zealous in the pursuit of knowledge and eminent in professional attain-
ments. There were various institutions in this country at that period
where medical instruction was given; in Philadelphia, at the University of
Pennsylvania, and at the College of Physicians; in New York at Colum-
bia College, and (in 1807) the College of Physicians and Surgeons; in
New Hampshire at Dartmouth; in Massachusetts at Cambridge; in
Maryland at Baltimore ; in Kentucky at Lexington.
Medical education until a comparatively recent period had been
regarded as incomplete without a course of instruction in Europe, more
particularly in the schools of London and Edinburg. In fact, it was still
considered as " quite the fashion " for medical students to qualify them-
selves for practice by a tedious and expensive tour to Europe, and large
sums were annually expended abroad upon the education of students of
physic and surgery. Remittances at that time were principally made in
• Prepared by Dr. James B. Sam<H of Buffalo, N. V.
The Medical Profession of Erie County. 415
gold and silver, and the scarcity of the precious metals then existing in
this country has been attributed to this as one of its causes.*
A confused and extremely vague idea of the need of medical instruc-
tion must have prevailed in this State at the period of which mention is
made. An act of the Legislature passed in 1797, empowered the Chan-
cellor, a Judge of the Supreme Court, or of the Common Pleas, or a Master
in Chancery, to issue licenses to practice medicine to students who could
gfive satisfactory evidence of having studied two years, A premium thus
offered to ignorance and presumption, would naturally tend to degrade
the profession. Persons were licensed to practice medicine without pre-
liminary education or that necessary discipline of the faculties without
which no great amount of scientific attainment is possible. Attempts to
increase the standard of requirements to qualify students for the practice
of medicine, were met by the popular objection that so many students
would thereby be excluded ; an objection that may well be entitled a
plea for ignorance. Science was still confined to our populous cities. In
most of the counties of our State, with a few honorable exceptions, prac-
titioners were " ignorant, degraded and contemptible. " It was no uncom-
mon event, especially in the newly-settled northern and western parts of
our State, to find men who, never having read a volume of medicine, but
armed with the title of " doctor, " were introduced to an extensive prac.
tice, and of a reputation of imposing authority. Consultations were
generally distinguished by gross controversies at the bedside of the pa-
tient, when life and health were often immolated to the ignorance, preju-
dices or discordant theories of the contending physicians.t Many attempts
were made by intelligent and reflecting physicians to rescue the science
of medicine from the obscurity to which ignorance had brought it. But
the honor of making the first successful move towards this end has been
claimed by physicians of Saratoga county, at a meeting held by them in
November, 1805, for the purpose " of devising means to improve the prac-
tice of medicine. *' Committees were appointed and a resolution passed
to invite the co-oi>eration of the adjoining counties of Washington and
Montgomery. This meeting was adjourned to January, 1806, at Ball-
ston, when a memorial to the Legislature was reported, adopted and
signed, and a committee of three appointed to carry the same into effect,
the committee consisting of Dr. Fitch of Washington county, Dr. Stearns
of Saratoga, and Dr. Sheldon of Montgomery. Two of that committee.
Dr. Stearns and Dr. Sheldon, attended the ensuing session of the Legisla-
ture. Dr. Sheldon was chosen speaker of the House of Assembly that
year. The committee appointed for the purpose of procuring a law for
the three counties above mentioned, assumed the responsibility of mak-
ing the law general extending its privileges to every county in the State,
* Medical Repositoiy, Volume vL. page 434.
t From a paper reail before the New York Coanty Medical Society, September, 1827, by Dr.
J<Ad Steams.
4i6 History of Buffalo.
and with that explanatory view of the subject, the memorial was presented
to the Assembly February, i8o6, and referred to a committee, a majority
of whom were physicians. This committee consisting of William Liv-
ingston and Isaac Sargent, of Washington, Gordon Huntley of Otsego,
John Ely of Greene and Joel Frost of Westchester, received the plan
favorably for a general law to extend the act of incorporation through
the State, and after maturing it, reported it to the House. The bill en-
countered a powerful opposition. The Speaker, the committee and other
members gave it an able and vigorous support. Bui, notwithstanding
the exertions and political influence of its friends, the danger to the tran-
quility of the State from the incorporation of forty distinct associations
of physicians was so magnified b}' the opposition, and the impression
thereby made upon the House was so great that but feeble hopes were
entertained of its success. At this critical juncture, when a decisive vote
against the bill was every moment expected to be taken, the Hon. Will-
iam P. Van Ness arose, its most eloquent and powerful advocate, and
perhaps the power of his great parliamentary eloquence was never ex-
erted with greater effect. He refuted the arguments of the opposition,
portrayed the benefits to the profession and to the public in such glowing
colors, with such energy and zeal, that the opposition became feeble, the
friends to the bill increased and from that moment the successful issue
was rendered certain.*
Three months after the passage of the law, on the first Tuesday in
July, 1806, about twenty societies were organized, pursuant to its pro-
visions, and within two years scarcely a county in the State of any con-
siderable population, was without a duly organized medical society .f
At the time of the formation of medical societies in this State, various
other States of the Union were already provided with similar organiza-
tions. In Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Mary-
land, North Carolina and South Carolina, medical societies were flourish-
ing at the commencement of the century, many of them dating their
formation many years before. A State Medical Society was organized in
this State in February, 1807, made up of one delegate from each county
medical society. The value of medical societies and associations cannot
be denied. " The history of all learned professions imperiously proves
this fact, that no one of those professions has ever become respectable or
extensively useful to mankind, that was not under the restraint of the
great body of its own members.":}:
The number of medical students in the State of New York in 1808
were estimated at one hundred. Cambridge, Massachusetts, sixty ; at
Dartmouth, (New Hampshire,) upwards of seventy ; at University of
Pennsylvania, (Philadelphi«i) upwards of three hundred.
* See paper of Dr. Stearns before mentioned.
t Ibid.
X Preface to Sute Medical Society Transactions, 1807.
The Medical Profession of Erie County, 417
Erie county, New York, organized in 1821, was previously known
as Niagara county from 1808, prior to which, that is from 1802, it formed
a part of Genesee. The Medical Society of Erie county at the time of
the partition of the latter, in 1821, had a membership of twenty-five
physicians, viz : —
Drs. Cyrenius Chapin, Ebenezer Johnson, John E. Marshall, Lucius
H. Allen, Daniel Allen, Charles Pringle, Sylvanus S. Stuart, Jonathan
Hoyt, Daniel Ingalls, Charles McLowth, Daniel Chapin, Josiah Trow-
bridge, Benjamin C. Congdon, Elisha Smith, Sylvester Clark, Jonathan
Hurlburt, Rufus Smith, Ira G. Watson, Varney Ingalls, William H.
Pratt, Dr. William Lucas, Woodward, Dr. John Watson, Thomas
B. Clarke.
Some of these had lived in this section for years before ]Erie couuty
was organized* and had been members of the medical society of
Niagara county. This society had made attempts at an organiza-
tion so early as 1808, or '09, but owing to dissensions among the phy-
sicians and the unsettled state of society in general in this part of jtbe
State, caused by financial difficulties and the war with Great Britain, and
the subsequent- burning of Buffalo and the ravages in this vicinity, no
settled organization was effected until 18 16. In 181 7 the first delegate to
the State Medical Society from Niagara county appears in the person of
Dr. James H. Richardson.
Of this niimber there are a few of the earliest who deserve more
than a passing notice, and especially he who may be called the pionee^
physician.
Dr. Cyreoins Chapin settled in Buffalo, then known as '' New Amster-
dam," in 1805. Dr. Chapin was of Massachusetts, and took up his resi-
dence here when this great city of Buffalo was but a hamlet of a dozen
rude dwellings, and became a prominent citizen, taking an active part in
public affa^irs. He became distinguished also as a physician and sur-
geon. In the war with Great Britain in 181 2, he took an active part and
his deeds on this frontier may, without exaggeration, be characterized as
heroic. His career at that trying period is well depicted in a letter
addressed to him in 1836, by an intimate friend and fellow-soldier, a gen-
tleman well and widely known, General Peter B. Portent
* There are doubtless others in this list who had removed here before Erie county was formed,
bvt the records are so sparse and scattered as to be unatuinablc.
f " I know of no individual who was on ^ occai^ions more open and decided in the expression
of opinions, i4>proving the justice of the war on our part ; none who displayed more patriotic zeal
and enthus:asm in encouraging and aiding iu eflficient prosecution ; none who was more ready to
embark in every emergency, and who actually did embark in almost uninterrupted succession of enter-
prises against the enemy, involving imminent personal hazard, as well as great fatigue and privation,
none more liberal of his purse and I think I may safely add, measuring the merits by the number
and importance of the various commands and commissions which were confided to you, and the lim-
ited means furnished for their execution, none who rendered more valuable service to the army and
country than yonnelf .*'
41 8 History of Buffalo.
A militar}' hospital having been established here, Dr. Chapin was
appointed its surgeon, whence at the conclusion of his term of service he
removed to Geneva.* Dr. Chapin returned to Buffalo in 1818 and
resumed practice. In 1821, upon the organization of the Erie County
Medical Society, he was made its first president. In 1836 he was pre-
sented with a service of silver plate by the most prominent citizens of
Buffalo, as a testimonial of their appreciation of his character as a citi-
zen and soldier. Dr. Chapin died in 1838, at the age of sixty-nine. In
the words of his biographer, " the principal part of his long and useful
life was devoted mostly to the duties of his profession. His character as
a physician and surgeon was deservedly held in the highest esteem, not
only by his medical brethren, but by the enlightened community in which
he practiced."t
Another of those early settlers, Dr. Daniel Chapin, from Connecti-
cut, came to Buffalo (•* New Amsterdam ") in 1806 or '07 and settled upon
a farm a few miles from the hamlet. This farm (now forming a portion
of the park) he cultivated with care and with an eye to its picturesque
beauty. " Many of those groups of trees and scattered monarchs of the
forest within and upon the borders of our beautiful Park Meadow, we
owe to his sentiment and forbearance.*'^:
In 1 82 1, at the organization of the Erie County Medical Society, Dr.
Chapin was made its first president, and reelected in 1822 and '23. He
was made president of the organization known as " The Medical Society
of the Village of Buffalo," in 1831, the objects of which society, as
set forth in the preamble to the constitution and by-laws, is stated
as follows: —
•* Whereas, Medicine, as a science, is of great extent and difficult of
attainment, embracing a knowledge and implying a familiarity with the
laws of nature generally, and
*' Whereas, Much may be done by a free- and mutual interchange of
medical opinions towards enlightening ourselves and thereby benefitting
the community in which we live, and,
" Whereas, The practice of our profession, at all times arduous and
responsible, may by an honorable and gentlemanly deportment, and a
strict observance of professional courtesy, be rendered more agreeable
*This removal was necessitated by the burning of Buffalo in 1813, At which time he was made a
prisoner of war, after desperate attempts almost unaided and alone, to cover the retreat of the defense-
less inhabitants. He was then taken to Montreal and kept a prisoner for nine months. This raid
of the enemy (said to be in retaliation for the burning of Newark, in Canada) was made by a forceof
not more than six hundred and fifty men, British regulars, militia and Indians, to oppose whom we
had from two thousand Bve hundred to three thousand militia, who, with but few exceptions, behaved
in the most cowardly manner, running away without firing a musket. See a letter from General
Lewis Cass, (who visited Buffalo a few days after it was burned) to the Secretary of War, dated Wiil-
iamsville, eleven miles east of Buffalo, January 12, 1814.
I Biogragraphic sketch of Dr. Cyrenius Chapin. prepared by Dr. G. F. Pratt, at the request of
the Erie County Medical Society, in 1868.
t An address read before the Buffalo Historical Society, on ** Buffalo Cemeteries,'' 1870, by
William Hodge.
The Medical Profession of Erie County, 419
to ourselves, more useful to our friends and more dignified in the eyes of
men ; therefore, the undersig^ned practicing physicians and surgeons of
the yiVbige of Buffalo, do agree to associate for the promotion of- the
above laudable purpose and to adopt the following constitution and by-
laws, by which they will be governed. Signed by Cyrenius Chapin,
Judah Bliss, Bryant Burwell, ^siah Trowbridge, Moses Bristol."
Dr. Daniel Chapin was somewhat noted for his antagonism to his
namesake. Dr. Cyrenius Chapin. The restraining and harmonizing
and humanizing influences of that excellent code of ethics published by
the National Medical Association, had no existence then ; and violent and
undignified vituperation and coarsest epithets were hurled against a
brother practitioner most unprofessionally and published in the columns
of a newspaper.* Dr. D. Chapin claimed to be president of the infant
medical society af Niagara county, which fact was denied most emphat-
ically by Dr. C. Chapin, The latter charged Dr. D. Chapin with having
sent out private notifications for the purpose of organizing a medical
society, but, owing to improper methods of proceeding, failed to accom-
plish the object intended. He also at the same time expressed himself
as influenced not only by a sense of duty and a desire of promoting medi-
cal knowledge^ but also by anxiety to cultivate harmony and friendship
among the medical profession of Niagara county.f Dr. Daniel Chapin
died in 1821.:^
Dr. Ebenezer Johnson came to Buffalo in 1809 ; received a commis-
sion as •* Surgeon's Mate" in the war of 181 2 ; was an active member of the
Niagara County Medical Society until 1821, when he retired from the
profession. (For further particulars of Dr. Johnson, see biographical
sketch of him in another part of this volun>e.)
Dr. Josiah Trowbridge, born in Connecticut, came to Buffalo in 181 1.
Buffalo at that time offering but few inducements, he crossed the river
into Canada and took up his residence in Fort Erie. Upon the breaking
out of the war with Great Britain in 18 12, he returned to Buffalo, where
he continued to reside. In 1833 he received from the •* Regents of the
University" the honorary degree of " Doctor of Medicine." In 1839 he was
president of the Erie County Medical Society, and from 1843 to 1853, its
librarian. Dr. Trowbridge introduced a resolution in the Erie County
Medical Society in 1843 (which was unanimously adopted) for the
appointment of a committee to bring before the Legislature of the State
and the profession generally the subject of providing for dissections by
^ It may here be remarked that there were at the time but two medical jonrnals published in the
State of New York, the Medical Repository^ and th^ ^fdical and Philosopkicut Ar^ iter. As a sam-
pie of invective, read address to Niagara Omnty Meoual Society, by Daniel Chapin, delivered at
Landon*8 Hotel, Febroary 14, 1812, and pablished in Buffalo Gautie.
t See a notice from Dr. C. Chapin to the "Physicians and Saigeons" of Niagara connty in Buffalo
Gazette, January 2, 1812.
X Turner, in his History of the Phelps & Gorham Purchase, says that Daniel Chapin removed
to Buffalo in 1805, and died in 1S35. It is certain his name does not appear on the records of Erie
County Medical Society after 1821.
420 History of Buffalo.
appropriating unclaimed bodies of persons dying in the public charities
of the State. Dr. Trowbridge was the first president of the Buffalo Med-
ical Association, organized in 1845.* Dr. Trowbridge was associated in
the practice of medicine at various periods, with Dr. fl. H. Colegrovc,
Dr. Thomas B. Clark, Dr. John E. Marshall, Dr. Alden S. Sprague, and
with Dr. Charles Winne. During his long residence in Buffalo, Dr.
Trowbridge was the recipient of many offices of trust from its citizens ;
a supervisor for several'terms ; a judge of the Court of Comm6n Pleas ;
still later elected Mayor of the city. Dr. Trowbridge died in 1862. His
reputation as a citizen was that of a gentleman of the highest integrity,
and as a physician that of an excellent practitioner.
Dr. John E. Marshall, born in Connecticut, came to Buffalo in 1815*
He had practiced medicine at Mayville, and was its earliest physician-
He had been the first clerk of the county of Chautauqua, at its organi-
zation in 181 1. Dr. Marshall was commissioned as surgeon in M'Mahan*s
regiment in 1812. He was appointed county clerk of Niagara county in
1 818, and health physician of Buffalo city in 1S32. Dr. Marshall was
associated with Dr. Trowbridge, the connection lasting until 1829, at
which time he relinquished practice from ill health. The partnership
was resumed in 1830, and continued for about a year longer. He was
treasurer of the Erie County Medical Society in 1826, '27 and '28; pres-
ident in 1830. Dr. Marshall died in 1838. His character as a citizenand
physician was highly esteemed by his contemporaries-f
Benjamin C. Congdon, treasurer of the Society one year, from 1823
to 1824; continued a member until 1833.
Lucius H. Allen, first treasurer of the society, from 1821 to 18235
first delegate from Erie county to the State Medical Society in 1823.
Sylvester Clark, a member until 1827.
Charles Pringle, a member until 1836, when he retired from practice.
Jonathan Hurlburt, a member until 1822,
Rnfus Smith, a member until 1836.
* At a meeting of the Buffalo Medical Association in 1848, Dr. F. H. Hamilton offered the M-
lowing preamble and resolutions :—
** As a memorial to onrselves and to our successors, of the first president of this Aisociatioii, and
of one Tenerable and justly distinguished in the profession, whose excellent counsels and unTarjing
piofessiottal courtesy have long commanded our profoundest respect and admiration :—
Xesohtd, That measures be immediately taken to procure for this Association a faithful portrait
of Dr. Josiah Trowbridge.
Xesohfid^ That a committee of five be appointed to wait upon Dr. Trowbridge and ascertain
whether he can comply with our wishes, and if so, at what time it will be convenient for him to doit
Resolved^ That the committee be further authorized to engage for this purpose a competent artist
>pted, andthechf' *-— j »>— »* — n*^- •».„.-. r. ^ .-.....*
for purpoaes named.
Adopted, and the chair appointed Drs. Hamilton, Tretat, Sprague, Conger and Bristol the committee
for purposes named. (" History of the Origin and Transactions of the Medical Societies of BuffsJo,"
by Thomas F. Rodiester, M. D., published in the Buffalo MMeaiJ^mrnti, September, 1861.
This portrait, painted in 1846, by Wilgus, a young and talented artist of Buffalo, is amost eioal.
«nt likeness and work of art, and is in the possession of the Buffalo Medical Association.
t See biography in subsequent pages of this volume.
^
• c.^y^z.c^^^t^'^^ ^k^ /. .
The Medical Profession of Erie County. 421
Jonathan Hoyt, a member until 1845; resided at Aurora; vice-jpresi-
dent of the Society in 1843 ; ^^ ^ judge of the county for several years,
a practicing physician in Aurora more than thirty years ; died in 1850.*
Ira G. Watson, brother of Dr. John Watson, settled in South Wales
in 181 2, where he resided thirty-five years. He was a member of Erie
County Medical Society until 1841. He had an extensive practice em-
bracing the township of Wales, Aurora, Holland and Colden. He died
in 1847. He was greatly esteemed as a judicious practitioner and an
upright, worthy man.
John Watson settled in Aurora in 181 i,&nd was its earliest physician.
Dr. Daniel and Varney Ingalls settled in Springvilte in 181 8. Var-
ney Ingalls a member until 1822.
William H. Pratt, located^at Eden; vice-president of the Society in
1835 ; a member until 1839.
Thomas B. Clarke a member until 1822.
Dr. Bcla H. Colegrove, born in Rhode Island, graduated at the " old
College of Physicians and Surgeons, " settled in Sardinia, the southeast
township of Erie county, in 1820, while it was yet a part of Concord, the
adjacent township. His place of residence has since been called Cole-
grove's Corners. His diploma recorded in Erie county clerk's office in
1 82 1 a member of Erie County Medical Society in 1823, and president in
1828. He came to Buffalo for a short time and was associated with Drs.
Trowbridge and Marshall. He then returned to Sardinia and continued
in practice more than a half century. He had an extensive practice both
as physician and surgeon, embracing Erie, Wyoming, Cattaraugus and
Chautauqua counties in this State and some of the northern counties of
Pennsylvania. He was a man of great vigor, energetic and industrious.
He loved his profession and was proud of the esteem of his fellow prac-
titioners. He died in 1874.
Dr. Moses Bristol, bom in Clinton, Oneida county, N. Y., came to
Buffalo in 1822, and became a member of Erie county Medical Society
in 1823. He was a Censor in 1834, '36, '37, '39, and '40, and president in
1833 and 38. He continued in practice until 1849, when failing health
obliged him to relinquish it. He died in 1869. His character may be
summed up in the words of one who knew him well, as "one who for
half a century, had by precept and example, done much to elevate the
character of the profession in the city of Buffalo. "
Dr. Orlando Wakelee settFed at Clarence, a township on the north-
cm border of the county, and became a member of Erie County Medi-
cal Society in 1823 ; was elected vice-president in 1837 and '44, and presi-
dent in 1845, ^'^<1 continued membership until 1850.
*It is worthy of note that Dr. Hoyt's death announced at the annual meeting of the Erie County
Medical Society in 1851, by Dr. Wallis, when appropriate resolutions were passed, was the first death
reported in the proceedings of the Society since 1834, although more than one of its prominent
member! had died in the interim.
422 History of Buffalo.
Dr. Emmons S. Gould, a member of the Society in 1823.
Henry Rutger Stagg, a member of the Society in 1824: was secre"
tary and librarian in 1828, secretary in 1833 and president in 1834; con-
tinued membership until 1836, when he withdrew from the profession
and became associate editor of the Buffalo Journal, in which he continued
until 1838.*
Dr. Carlos Emmons located at Springville, township of Concord, on
the southern border of the county; a member of the Societ* in 1824;
vice-president in 1833, and president in 1834; delegate to the State Medi-
cal Society in 1841 ; was elected a Member of Assembly and State Sena-
tor on various occasions. He was a gentleman of marked ability.
Dr. Erastus Wallis, located at Aurora, Erie county, N. Y., a member
of the Society in. 1824, vice-president in 4839, president in 1840; a cen-
sor many times. His membership continued thirty-eight years until the
time of his death which occurred in 1862.
Dr. Judas Bliss, a resident of Buffalo, a member of the Medical So-
ciety of the county in 1824; continued membership until 1838, when* he
relinquished practice. He was elected vice-president of the " Village of
Buffalo Medical Society" in 1831.
Dr. Michael Marty n, a member of Erie County Medical Society in
1826. Dr. Ira Shedd, a licentiate of the society in 1827.
Dr. Stephen Dean, located at East Hamburg, in Erie county, N. Y.;
a member of the Medical Society of the county in 1826. He remained
a member until 1842, when he was expelled from the society for practic-
ing quackery, and it was voted that the action of the societ}' on the
occasion be published in the daily papers.
Dr. J. S. Trimble, a member of the society in 1828. Dr. John M.
Harrington, a licentiate and member of the society in 1830, continued
membership until 1840. Dr. D. J. Williams located at Aurora, a mem-
ber of the society in 1831, continued membership until 1850. Dr. Orson
Carey, a member of the society in 1827; a censor in 1830.
A decade of the existence of the Society from its organization in
1 82 1, affords but few facts of interest. The laiperfect annals throw but
a fitful light, a gleam here and there upon the history of the profession
of Erie county. The names of twenty or more members appear but
once upon the records and about twenty remain at the end of the
decade. Of the original list of 1821, nine remain, viz: Cyrenius Cha-
pin, of Buffalo ; Josiah Trowbridge, Buffalo ; John E. Marshall, Buffalo ;
Benjamin C. Congdon, Buffalo; Charles Pringle, Hamburg; Rufus
Smith, Jonathan Hoyt, Aurora ; Ira G. Watson, Wales ; William H.
Pratt, Eden..
Besides the names of members already given, there appear upon the
Secretary's book during the decade, the namfes of several who, it would
*I>r. Stagg was also a member of the 6nt city Medical Society oiganised in 1831, and one of
the signers of its Constitution.
The Medical Profession of Erie County. 423
seem, did not complete their membership. The names of these gentle-
men are here given : Daniel Allen, Nathaniel R. Olmstead, Isaac Dunn-
ing, John Allen, of Springville; Henry Hitchcock, Thaddeus Hubbard,
of Springville; Parley B. Spaulding, James M. Smith, of Buffalo ; Jona-
than Foot, of Buffalo; Daniel H. Orcutt, Israel Congdon, Alvin Cowles,
Sydney R. Morris, Marvin Webster, John D. Fisk, Edward J. Durken,
W. P. Proudfit, of Buffalo.
Before dismissing the subject of the early practitioners of medicine
in Erie county, in order that the few names of the physicians scattered
among the histories of the times may be rescued from oblivion and more
respectfully preserved (names that do not appear, 'tis true, upon the
records of the Erie County Medical Society), a brief mention is here
made of them.*
Dr. John Marsh settled near Eden Valley in i8io.
Dr. Asa Coltrin, a resident of Buffalo in 1 810, associated in 181 1,
with Dr. Cyrenius Chapin, secretary of that wing of the Niagara County
Medical Society, presided over by Dr. C. Chapin, and a resident
Buffalo several years, having an office on Main street.
Dr. William Warriner located at " Willink," now Hamburg, in 181 1,
He was secretary to the other wing of the Niagara County Medical
Society, presided over by Dr. Daniel Chapin. Dr. Warriner received a
commission as surgeon in the war of 1812, in the regiment commanded
by William Warren.f
During this decade questions of vital interest to the village and
county absorbed the attention of the people to the exclusion of others.
This was particularly the case during the first part of it. Physicians
shared in the general interests and questions of scientific or professional
interest gave place for the time being to others more material. The
population of Buffalo in 1825, was but two thousand four hundred .and
twelve; (an infant Hercules); in 1830 this number was more than
trebled. The county of Erie, exclusive of Buffalo, contained about
eight thousand in 1825, which was more than doubled at the end of the
decade.
It is evident this was a period (from 1821 to 183 1) of embarrassment
and privation. The people were impecunious. There was but little
capital as yet in Erie county. The practice of medicine under such
circumstances must necessarily be difficult if not discouraging. Physi-
♦ Turner, in his histories of the western part of New York, omits mention of the physicians very
commonly, although he is careful to give the names of most other early settlers, sometimes even to
their genealogies. Was not the ** doctor " needed in those times ? Was there no sickness in those days ?
f Dr. Warriner advertises in the ''Buffalo Gazette," 1812, which, as it is somewhat characteris-
tic of the time, is here inserted : —
** Practice of Physic and Surgery. — The subscriber having furnished himself with some of the
best New. York surgical instruments (!) informs his friends and the public that he has removed a few
rtMls south of Capt. J. Bemis' in Willink, where he will attend, etc. William Warriner.
Feb. 10, 18x2. Patent Medicines for sale.**
30
424 History of Buffalo.
cians were often obliged to supplement a scant}' income by other pur-
suits, many relinquishing the practice entirely. Irregular practitioners
also, mostly of the "botanic " class, or, as they were afterwards called,
** Thompsonians," of steam, lobelia and red pepper notoriety began to be
numerous ; parasites upon the body politic, who flourished mostly in
newly-settled districts remote from larger towns or cities. The Medical
Society of the county felt the effects of the times ; its treasury admitted
only of the most necessary expenses.* Fees for admission were two
dollars, with an annual tax of one dollar. In 1828 the admission fee was
raised to five dollars, with a view, doubtless, of recruiting the treasury.
This experiment failed, however, as but two additional members are
recorded during the three subsequent years o! the decade. Fines were
imposed for absence and also for failing to deliver the address required
at each regular meeting, in addition to the president's annual address ;
these fines, however, as a rule were difficult of collection.
Dr. Bryant Burwell was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., came to
Buffalo in 1824, and became associated in practice with Dr. Cyrenius
Chapin. In 1831 Dr. Burwell was " recording secretary " of the new
organization known as the *' Medical Society of the Village of Buffalo,"
of which Dr. Chapin was elected president. In 1832 Dr. Burwell was
vice-president. He was delegate from Erie County Medical Society to
the State Medical Society in 1833; appointed at that session one of a
committee of three to examine the medical laws of the State, and to
report whether any alterations were, in the opinion of the committee^
necessary. He was also one of a committee of three appointed to obtain
the opinion of the Attorney General of the State upon the question of
the powers of medical societies as to the admission of members. Dr.
Burwell was elected a permanent member of the State Society in 1837.
He was the representative of the Buffalo Medical Association in the first
and second ** National Medical Conventions/' in 1846 and 1847, held
respectively in New York city and Philadelphia. He was the delegate
of the Erie County Medical Society to the first meeting of the " Amer-
ican Medical Association," held at Baltimore in 1848. He was also a dele-
gate from the Buffalo Medical Society to the same meeting, as represent-
ing the Eighth Senatorial District; and again in 1850, to the third meet-
ing of the National Association at Cincinnati. He was a censor of the
State Medical Society for the ''Western District," in 1847, 1848 and 1850,
and one of the committee of correspondence of that society for a num-
* An exception may be noicd in 1823, during; which period ihe society incurred an unusual
expense, n^i strictly necessary (incurred, most probably, at the annual or semi-annual meeting). The
treasurer's book has the following item, ** To use of room and refreshment, li.oa"
May not the recent report of the Canal Commissioners be reasonably supposed to have had some
agency in this outburst 7 They had leported favorably on the subject of making Buffalo the western
terminus of the Erie canal. Those venerable and ever to be venerated founders of the profession in
Erie county mav well have seen in this a '*bow of promise*' spanning the dark clouds of then-
daily life.
Ly\
Vf
■- cy.
<-^y/^^y.-a^^:' ^^^
The Medical Profession of Erie County. 425
ber of years. He took an active part in the deliberation of the Erie
County Medical Society at its yearly meetings, and of which he was a
censor for many years and continued to attend until 1854. He was. also
a member of the "Buffalo Medical Association," organized in 1845, and
was elected its president in 1847. He died in 1862. Dr. Burweil was
highly respected and beloved by his medical brethren.*
Dr. Alden S. Sprague, born in New Hampshire, came to Bu£Falo in
1825; a member of Erie county Medical society in 1826; treasurer of
that society from 1829 to 1833, inclusive ; president in 1835 ^"d again in
1851 and health physician in 1835. He was an active member until 1852;
also treasurer of the " Medical Society of the village of Buffalo" in 1832 ;
vice-president of the " Buffalo Medical Association" at its organization in
1845; president in 1846;! delegate to the State Medical Society from
Erie county in 1839 and 1845 ; permanent member of State Society in
J 847. Dr. Sprague died in 1863. He was recognized as a prominent
member of the profession of Erie county and was distinguished as a
physician and surgeon. Frank and outspoken in the expression of his
opinions, his character is summed up by those who knew him well as
one whose virtues as a man, whose enterprise as a citizen, energy, excel-
lence and talent as a physician and surgeon, placed him at all times
among the first of our citizens and in the front rank of our profession.
Dr. Charles Winne, born at Albany N. Y., graduated in New York
city, came to Buffalo in 1833 ; member of Erie County Medical Society
the same year; a delegate to the State Medical Society in 1834; health
physician in 1836; treasurer of the County Medical Society in 1836, 1837
and 1838; secretary in 1845 and 1846; associated for some years with Dr
Josiah Trowbridge; later with Dr. Walter Cary. In 1836 at a meeting
of the physicians of Buffalo, Dr. Winne moved that a committee of five
be appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws for a proposed medical
association of the physicians of Buffalo. This was carried and the com-
mittee appointed, but ultimately failed to report. More than nine years
later, at a meeting of physicians convened for the purpose of forming a
city medical society, Dr. Winne moved that such a society be formed,
which motion was adopted. He was one of a committee of three
appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws. He differed, however,
from the other members of the committee and made a verbal minority
report, stating that he differed from the views which had originated the
report by the majority of the committee. He was elected president of
the Erie County Medical Society in 1863. Dr. Winne was surgeon for a
number of years, to the Buffalo Hospital of the Sisters of Charity, and
was a skilful physician and surgeon. He died in 1877. Dr. Winne was
*See further biography of Dr. Burweil in later pages of this volume.
f He was one of the leading physicians at whose instance the Buffalo Medical Journal yfz& estab.
lished in 1845, and one of the four who also guaranteed to the publisher' the expenses of the first year ;
the success of the Journal, however, relieving him from that responsibility.
426 History of Buffalo.
accomplished not only in medicine and surgery, but in science generally,
as well as in art, literature and politics. His manners, somewhat of the
old school, were polite, dignified and slightly reserved.
Dr. Gorham F. Pratt, born in New Hampshire, came to Buffalo in
1830, entering the office of Dr. Cyrenius Chapin, as a student of medicine :
took his degree at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and became a member of
Erie County Medical Society in 1833; secretary of the Society in 1834
and continued in that capacity until 1840 when he was elected vice-pres-
ident, and president in 1841. In 1845 he became a member of the Buf-
falo Medical Association at its first regular meeting. Dr. Pratt acquired
an extensive practice in Buffalo as physician and surgeon ; his patients
were among our first citizens, whose confidence he possessed to an
unusual degree. His character as portrayed by one who knew him well,
is set forth as one who loved simplicity, truth, earnestness and devotion
to duty, and exemplified these in his life ; a citizen who also exemplified
those sterner virtues, not too common now, in a republic which depends
for its existence upon the industry, virtue and intelligence of its people.
Dr. Orson S. St. John, a member of the society of 1830, also a mem-
ber of the new City Society ; and a signer of its constitution in 183 1.
Dr. Lucian W. Caryl, a member of the society in 1830; treasurer in
1834 and 1835. In 1832 he was secretary of the newly-formed medical
society of the village of Buffalo.
Dr. Alden Thomas, a member of the society in 1832. Dr. Arba
Richards, located at Wales, a member of the society in 1832. Dr. Luther
Spaulding, located at Williamsville, a member of the society in 183 1. A
resident physician of the county in 1821.
Dr. Joseph R. Jones, a member of the society in 1832.
Dr. Horace B. Camp, of Aurora, a member of the society in 1832.
Dr. Camp offered a resolution in 1838, after due notice had been given
to amend the by-laws of the society so that on a reasonable excuse being
given, a member of the society should be exonerated from fine. Dr Camp
was elected vice-president in 1838 and 1841. In 1841 he was chairman of
the committee to whom was referred the petition from Monroe county
asking the co-operation of the Erie county society to procure a repeal of
the law of 1836, which obliged foreign physicians to be examined by the
censors of the State Society and made a report adverse to the repeal of
the law, but favorable to such a modification of it as was proposed by
the Erie County Medical Society in 1837, to the effect that foreign prac-
titioners be allowed the privilege of being examined by county censors,
or the censors of the Senatorial district, in which they reside.
Dr. Isaac Parsell, of Concord, a member of the Society in 1844.
President in 1847.
Dr. James Edwin Hawley, of Buffalo, a member of the Society in
1832 ; vice-president in 1836; president in 1837. Dr. Hawley was also a
"^,^9.^.^3.
The Medical Profession of Erie County. 427
member of the City Society in 1832, and was made a permanent member
of the State Medical Society in 1848.*
Dr. Josiah Barnes, born in Connecticut, came to Buffalo in 1832.
He was a graduate of Yale and took his medical degree at Jefferson
College, Philadelphia. Dr. Barnes became a member of Erie County
Medical Society in 1833 ; was its librarian in 1835, '36 and '37 ; secretary
in 1840 and '41 ; president in 1842; treasurer from 1847 to 185 1, inclusive.
He died in 1871. An accomplished and faithful physician, his practice
was among the best citizens by whom he was highly esteemed.
Dr. James P. White, born in New York State, took his medical de.
gree from JeflFerson College, Philadelphia. He commenced the study of
medicine in the office and under the tuition of Dr. Josiah Trowbridge in
1830. After his graduation in March, 1834, he became a member of the
Erie County Medical Society in the following June. Dr. White was
librarian of the Society in 1840 ; secretary in 1842, '43 and 44; president
in 1855. For ten years after the commencement of his practice he gave
much of his attention to surgery. His business in that branch of prac-
tice soon became considerable. Upon the establishment of the medical
school in Buffalo, in 1846, (largely due to his exertion) and for a time prior
to this, he relinquished his practice of general surgery and devoted the
powers of his active intellect to that of obstetrics and gynaecology, to
which especial branch the time and attention of his remaining life was
given ; a period of thirty-five years. He was appointed to the Chair of
Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the new institution, the Buffalo Medical
College in 1846, and commenced his first course in February, 1847, at the
opening of the college. He soon acquired distinction as a teacher and
a reputation for skill and ability as a practitioner that has never been
equaled in the western part of the State. His skill, especially in the sur-
gical part of his specialty, soon procured for him a wide and extended
practice. He was called upon by patients from distant places, and trav-
eled hundreds of miles, on many occasions, to perform the most import-
ant operations known to gynaecological surgery.
As a teacher Dr. White was "direct, forcible and practical." He
early introduced, in connection with didactic teaching, what wasmtended
to be a " new departure ; " in the clinical illustration of parturition. This
new feature, however, though aoubtless popular with the "class," was
not received favorably by a large and respectable body of the profession.
It was made the subject of a report in the National Medical Asociation,
by a part of the committee on medical education, at the meeting held at
Charleston, 185 1. This committee, of which Dr. Worthington Hooker
of Norwich, Conn., was chairman, reported in a calm, dispassionate and
dignified manner, giving the subject a deliberate investigation, examining
into all the advantages claimed for it, and deciding that they were not of
sufficient value to offset the grave objections that could be made against
* By recommendation (it is presumed) of the Erie County Medical Society.
428 History of Buffalo.
it ; also, that as a mode of instruction it was utterly incompetent. This
report was unanimously approved and adopted by the Association. Un-
fortunately, this subject was not confined, as it should have been, to pro-
fessional criticism in Medical Journals, but was disseminated among the
public, through hostility to the originator, and for a short period con-
siderable clamor prevailed. This soon died away, however, and so far
from shaking the public confidence in him, it rather seemed only to in-
crease the demand for his services. It is likely that the popularity of
the school was not lessened by the circumstance that "demonstrative
midwifery " was to be taught there. It was never resumed, however.
Dr. White was a delegate the same year from the College to the State
Medical Society (in 1850) which Society sent him as one of its delegates
to the National Medical Association at Cincinnati. He had been a dele-
gate the preceding year (1849) from the University of Buffalo to the Na-
tional Medical Association, assembled at Boston, and was elected a per-
manent member. He was elected a permanent member of the State
Medical Society in 1854. He was nominated as a candidate forthe presi-
dency of the National Medical Association in 1872, by the New York
delegation ; elected first vice-president in 1877. He was one of the vice-
presidents of the International Congress, held at Philadelphia in 1876;
was elected a corresponding member and honorary fellow of the New
York Academy of Medicine. He was elected president of the State Med-
ical Society in 1870. He was an active co-operator with Bishop Timon
in the founding and establishment of the Buffalo Hospital of the Sisters
of Charity, and the Maternity and Foundling Hospital, and of the Provi-
dence Insane Asylum. He was also one of the most active founders of
the Buffalo City Hospital. The idea of a State Lunatic Asylum, located
at Buffalo, had, doubtless, its inception with him, and its localization and
erection were due to a large extent to his exertions. From its founda-
tion he was one of its managers, and its president afterward, which posi-
tion he retained until the state ot his health obliged him to resign it.
During the late war he, in conjunction with his colleague, Prof. Thomas
F. Rochester, was appointed by the Government, a medical inspector of
military hospitals, at the west and southwest.
Dr. White contributed many papers to the literature of the profes-
sion. The American Journal of Medical Science, the transactions of
the " American Medical Association ; " ef the *' International Congress of
1876, at Philadelphia;" of the "Ameritan Gynaecological Society;''
of the " Medical Society of the State of New York ; " the Buffalo
Medical Journal, and the Buffalo Medical and Surgical Journal, con-
tain valuable contributions from his pen. He was one of the originators
of the Buffalo Medical Association of 1845.* He was one of four lead-
♦ The objecti of this Association, as staled by the first president, Dr. Josiah Trowbridge, were
first, a '*frec and mutual interchange of medical opinions ; '* and second, ** to cultivate a friendly
intercourse, an honorable and gentlemanly deportment, and strict observance of courtesy toward
each other.'*
The Medical Profession of Erie County. 429
ing physicians of Buffalo who, to insure the successful establishment of
the Buffalo Medical Journal^ in 1845, guaranteed to the publishers the
expenses of the first year; a guarantee rendered unnecessary, however,
by the success of the JournaL He was twice president of The Buffalo
Medical Association,* in 1862 and 1874.
Dr. White took a warm interest in everything relating to the wel-
fare and prosperity of Buffalo. To most of its valued institutions, apart
from those pertaining to his profession, he contributed much by his effi-
cient aid, in their first formation and in their alter growth. The Young
Men's Association, the Academy of Fine Arts, the Historical Society and
the beautiful Buffalo Park, may be mentioned as instances of this.
Dr. White was a ready debater, a forcible speaker, quick to grasp
the strong points of a subject under discussion, he took an active part in
the proceedings of the societies and the associations to which he was
allied ; and his opinions, delivered concisely and forcibly expressed,
always commanded attention and respect. In the successful career of a
practice, which became, in the latter part of his life, highly lucrative, Dr.
White accumulated wealth. He had early formed the resolve, it is said,
to acquire a pecuniary independence ; f and by the steadiness with which
he carried out that resolve, showing the tenacity of purpose which
formed so striking a trait of his character. Dr. White early took a
prominent position as a physician and surgeon ; more especially in the
latter capacity. An improvement in the mode of treating a certain class
of distressing ailments is claimed by him, and doubtless with justice ;
and the practicability of reducing inverted uteri of long standing,
hitherto considered as incurable, was demonstrated by him. This alone
must be considered as a contribution of no small value to the art of
medicine. He was consulted as an authority in his specialty by the
majority of the profession in this section of the State. The distinguish-
ing traits of his mind were sagacity ; a quality in the exercise of which
he adapted means to an end with great precision. His reputation as a
physician, though brilliant and widespread, will, in all probability, be less
durable than as a citizen of Buffalo. Dr. White was an active member
of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and president of the Board of
Managers of the " Church Charity Foundation," at the time of his death.
He died September 28, 1881.
Dr. Harry H. Bissell came from Vermont and located in Clarence in
1828 ; became a member of the Erie County Medical Society the same
year; came afterwards to Cayuga Creek (now Lancaster), where he was
associated for a time with Dr. Hyde. Dr. Bissell was elected president
* The Buffalo Medical Association was re-organized in 1856, as a chartered corporation, with
the title of " The Buffalo Medical and Surgical Association.'*
f In Dr. Flint's admirable memoir of his deceased friend, from which several of the facts relating
to him in this sketch are drawn, this resoWe is adverted to ; and yet it is doubtful if such a resolve
should be commended to a graduating class.
430 History of Buffalo.
of the Society in 1836; was a delegate to the State Medical Society in
1837 ; a censor of the County Society for many years and continued in
active membership until 1857.
Dr. George Sweetland, located at Evans, a member of the society in
1829; continued membership until (838. Dr. Israel Congdon, a licen-
tiate and member of the society in 1830 ; commenced the study of medi-
cine with Dr. Jonathan Hoyt, of Aurora, in 1827; continued membership
until 1843. Dr. Luther Spaulding, came to Williamsville, in 181 1; a
member of the County Society in 1829; continued membership until
1838. Dr. John M. Harrington, of Buffalo, a licentiate and member of
the Erie County Medical Society in 1830, continued membership until
1840. Dr. Orson St. John, a member of the society in 1831. He was of
Buffalo, and began the study of medicine with Dr. S. Trowbridge and
Marshall. Dr. Reuben G. Snow, of Buffalo, studied medicine under Dr.
B. Burwell ; became a member of the society in 1832 ; in 1838 he was asso.
ciated with Dr. Burwell; in 1840 quitted the practice of medicine for
that of dentistry, which he continued to practice until near the close of
life; he died in 1871. Dr. Snow was a gentleman much esteemed and
respected. Dr. Eliot Burwell, of Buffalo, a member of the society in
1833. He began the study of medicine in 1830, with Dr. Bryant Bur-
well ; continued membership until 1841, when he left the profession. Dr.
Joseph R. Jones, a member of the society in 1833; continued member-
ship until 1836. Dr. Silas Smith, a member of the society in 1834. Dr.
J. H. Hopkins, located at Tonawanda, a member of the society in 1834;
continued membership until 1838. Dr. N. B. Benedict, a member of the
society in 1834. Dr. Francis L. Harris, a member in 1834; a resident of
Buffalo. He was a member of the Board of Health in 1836;* health
physician in 1838; yice-president of the society in 1845; president in
1846; a delegate to the State Medical society in 1836 and 1846; a per-
manent member of the State Society in 1857. Dr. Harris continued
membership in the Erie County Medical Society until 1847. ^^' Henry
L. Benjamin, a member in 1835; continued membership until 1842 ; was
associated with Dr. Flint in i84i-'42. Dr. Benjamin A. Battey, a roem.
ber in 1835 ; continued until 1845. Dr. W. H. Christison, a member in
1835. Dr. Marcius Simons, a member in 1835 I continued membership
until 1838. Dr. Charles H. Raymond, a member in 1835. In 1837, Dr.
Raymond read before the society a thesis on the Stethoscope. He was
elected librarian in i838,-*39,- 41 and '42 ; a censor for several years ;
continued membership until 1844. Dr. Raymond was liealth physician
in 1837 and 1840. Dr. W. H. Turner, a member in 1835. Dr. George
Lathrop, located at Buffalo. Dr. Nelson D. Sweetland, of Evans, and Dr.
Abraham Miller, of Buffalo, were members in 1836; the latter continuing
•The Board of Health was composed of Samuel Wilkeson, Mayor ; Dr. F. L. Harris, Dr. James
E. Hawley and William Evans. The recent epidemics of cholera, in 1832 and 1834, may, periiaps*
account for having two physicians instead of one placed upon this vigilance committee.
The Medical Profession of Erie County. 431
such until 1838. In 1836 Dr. Miller was associated with Dr. James E.
Hawley. Dr. Samuel Salisbury, a member in 1836, associated with Dr. B.
Bur well. Dr. Franklin Fitts, a licentiate and member in 1837 ; continued
membership until 1839. Dr. William A. Green, a member in 1836. Dr.
Charles A. Hyde, a member in 1837 * continued membership until 1840.
Dr. Horatio N. Loomib, born in Connecticut, came to Buffalo in
1836; became a member of the Erie County Medical Society in 1837;
was elected treasurer from 1839 ^^ i'846, inclusive; vice president in
1851 ; delegate to the State Medical society in 1848. In 1843 Dr. Loomis
became associated in practice with Dr. Alden S. Sprague, which connec-
tion lasted for several years. He acquired an extensive practice and was
a highly successful practitioner. Included in his practice were many of
the first families of Buffalo. Dr. Loomis, as a physician, ranked high in
the profession. His counsel and advice were constantly sought for by
his professional friends. A man of great capacity, of marked profes-
sional ability, his untiring devotion to the duties of his profession entitled
him to all of its honors and emoluments. Dr. Loomis was conscientious
and honorable, strong in his convictions, quiet in their utterance ; he has
left to the profession he loved so well, an example of unostentatious' fidel-
ity and usefulness. He died in 1881.
Dr. Benjamin B. Coit, located at Buffalo, a member of the County
Medical Society in 1837. Dr. Coit was associated in 1837 with Dr. J. E.
Marshall. Dr. Samuel M. Crawford, located at Buffalo, a member of the
society in 1837. Dr. Nelson Peck, a member in 1837; continued mem-
bership until 1844. Dr. Jesse Merritt, a member of the society in 1837.
Dr. Samuel M. Abbott, located at Buffalo, a licentiate of Erie County
Medical Society, a member in 1837 ; continued membership until 1843.
Dr. Abbott was a student of Dr. Marshall.
Dr. Morgan L. Lewis, born in the village of Buffalo in 18 16, located
at Black Rock. In 1836 Dr. Lewis was invited to the editorial chair of
a paper established at Black Rock. Dr. Lewis became a member of the
Erie County Medical Society in 1838, and continued membership and in
the practice of his profession until the year of his death which occurred
in 1858. Universally lespected and esteemed by all who knew him, a
gei^tleman of quiet and retiring manners, and a conscientious and reliable
physician.
Dr. Silas James, a member of the Society in 1838. Dr. Jabez Allen,*
located at Aurora, became a member of the County Society in 1838,
vice-president in 1857 and 1872. Since the death of Dr. J. P. White, Dr.
Allen is the oldest living member of the Erie County Medical Society.
Dr. Grove C. Gage located at Alden; a member in 1839; continued
membership until 1842. Dr. James Ives, located at Willink ; a member
* See biographical sketch and portrait in Vol. X.
31.
432 History of Buffalo.
in 1839: continued membership until 1845.- Dr. Joseph Wilder and Dr.
James M. Hoyt, members ot the Society in 1839. Dr. J. B. Pride, a
member in 1840; elected a vice-president in 1842; president in 1843;
continued membership until 1851. In 1849 he was appointed keeper and
physician of the almshouse, and re-appointed in 1850. Dr. Edmund
Brown, a member of the Society in 1840; continued membership until
1845. Dr. George H. Lapham, located at Aurora, became a member of
the Society in 1840. He began th^ study of medicine in the office of Dr.
Jonathan Hoyt, at Hamburg, in 1831. Dr. Lapham was appointed a
Curator of the BufFalo Medical College in 18 — .
Dr. Austin Flint, born in Massachusetts, came to Buffalo in 1836; he
became a member of the Society in 1841. In 1841-42 he associated him-
self in practice with Dr, Henry L. Benjamin. In 1842 he was Health
Physician. In 1844 he was appointed a member of a committee of three
by the County Society, with the duty to draw up a report to be read at
an adjourned meeting of the Society in response to a communication
from the Rensselaer County Society, upon the subject of " Medical
Legislation." This report was read at the adjourned meeting of the
Society and bears unmistakable marks of its accomplished author.* A
copy was ordered to be transmitted to the public papers, to the Rensse-
laer County Medical Society, and to the State Medical Society at its next
meeting.
The Buffalo Medical Journal was established in 1845. This enter-
prise was begun at the solicitation of several medical gentlemen and
became eminently successful. Under Dr. Flint's editorial management
it achieved a name and became one of the most popular in the country.
The Journal was continued under Dr. Flint for eight years. In July,
1853, Dr. Sanford B. Hunt was associated with him. In the spring of
l8S4i Dr. Flint went to Europe and letters from him there to the editor
*U is not unworthy of note that allbouirh a copy of this report was transmitted to the Stale Med-
ical Sociciy at its ncict session, held in February, 1845, it does not appear in the transactions of that
year. The committee in charge of communications from County Societies on this subject, make a
report in which Erie U dispo&ed of by simply grouping it with those other counties which were " in
favor of reUining the (then) present organization of the County Medical Societies, and to ask no
alleralion in the laws/* etc. But Oneida^ Albany and Orange counties, of the same group, are given
a large space for ihcir opinions in full, and five other counties for theirs in full. Besides which the
Committee of Correspondence^ of which N, S. Davis was cliairman, and Bryant Burwell member
from the Plighth Senatorial district ^ make a majority and minority report occupying eighteen pages
of the Transactions of the Stale Medical Society for 1845, on the subject of medical education and
examination. By tompanng ihe masterly report from Erie (thus ignored) with the conclusions osten-
sibly drn.wn from it by this '* Committee on Communications from County Societies and Medical Col-
J*ccs/' it may be seen hoi^ imperfccily the views of its author are represented. This last named
commiiiee consisted of Stephen Hasbr^uck, M. H. Cash, C. B. Coventry. Enos Barnes, A. B. Case.
N. S, Dftvis and T. R* Brown, In connection with the foregoing the following resolution of the
Erie County Medical Society, of January, 1S46, was presented to the State Medical Society by Dr.
Harris, the delegate from Erie, in the ensuing February:—
Rti&lvtd^ That in the opinion of this Society, no application should at the present time be made
to the Legislature of the Slite of New York, on the subject of medical legislation.
The Medical Profession of Erie County. 433
of iki<t Journal were published in it In the fall of 1S52, he received and
accepted a call to the chair of theory and practice in the University of
Louisville. In the spring of 1855, Dr. Flint severed his connection with
the Journal^ giving as his reason for retiring from farther editorial labors,
simply that they interfered with duties and occupations that claimed
precedence. During these ten years he had contributed largely to the
Journal. A list of the names of the more important of these in the order
in which they appeared is here given : — ^Among the first of his contribu-
tions may be premised a paper upon the existence of genuine typhoid
fever in this section of the State, published in the July number of the
American Journal of Medical Sciences^ 1845. Dr. Flint was among the
first (if not the first) to point out the existence of typhoid fever in Erie
county, N. ¥• In the first years of the Journal are found, " The Pa-
thology of Fever ; " " The Distinctive Character of Remittent, Typhoid
and Typhus Fevers ; " the second year : " On the Diagnosis of Urinary
Changes;" ''Cases at the Medical Dispensary, Medical Department of
the University of Buffalo;" third year: ''Remarks on Follicular En-
tiritis, occurring as a complication of Continued Fever ; " fourth year :
" Cases of Fever, with remarks : " " Case of common Continued
(typhoid) Fever ; " " Autopsy ; " " On the diagnosis of Pulmo-Tuber-
culosis ; " " Medical Cases at the Buffalo Hospital of the Sisters of
Charity ; " " Cases at the Medical Dispensary, medical department of
the University of Buffalo ; " fifth year : *' American Medical Association ; '
''Report on the Diagnosis of Epidemic Cholera ; " " Lecture, introduc-
tory to the study of the Principles and Practice of Medicine ; " " Pleuro-
pneumonia, complicated with Pericarditis, masked by delirium;"
"Selected Medical Cases at the Buffalo Hospital of the Sisters of
Charity ; " " Remarks on Serous Effusion within the Arachnoid Cavity,
with cases;" "Report on the Epidemic Cholera at Buffalo, 1849;"
" Cases of Persistent Vomiting and Purging, with Suppression of Urine
— Sudden Death ; " " Granular Degeneration of the Kidneys ; " " Hos-
pitals and Pauperism;" sixth year: "Contributions to the Study of the
Physical Diagnosis of Diseases of the Chest ; " " Report of Clinical
Observations on Continued (typhus and typhoid) Fever, based on an
Analysis of forty-two Cases ; " '• Cases illustrative of Effusion within the
Arachnoid, as causes of sudden death ; " " Case of Obstipation with Ster-
coraceous Vomiting, etc. ; " sever th year : " Second Clinical Report on
Continued Fever, based on an Analysis of forty-eight cases ; " " Supple-
ment to Report on Continued Fever ; " " Management of Continued
Fever;" '* Report of Case of Acute Peritonitis, and Remarks;" "Case
of Icthyosis, with plate ; " " Cases Illustrating the Localization of Valvu-
lar Diseases of the Heart ; ^' eighth year : " Third Clinical Report on
Continued Fever, based on an Analysis of sixty-four cases ;" "^On varia-
tion of pitch in Percussion and Respiratory Sounds, and their applica-
434 History of Buffalo.
tion to Physical Diagnosis ; " (prize essay,) *' Clinical Report on Chronic
Pleurisy, based on an analysis of forty-seven cases ; " ninth year :
" Clinical Report on Dysentery ; " " Cases of Pericarditis, masked by
delirium ; " " Analysis of twenty-one Cases of Articular Rheumatism ; '*
tenth year : " Cases of Chronic Pleurisy at the Louisville Marine Hos-
pital ; " " Letters from Paris ; '* " Translation of Devergie on Baths."
These comprise the most important of Dr. Flint's papers, contributed to
the Journal during the ten years of his connection with it. Among the
editorial articles from his pen in that period a small number are selected
at random as " The Study of Physical Diagnosis, without a master ; "
Monumental Physicians;" "Treatment of Pneumonitis ; " "Quackery];"
" Rochester Knockings ; "* " Pathology and Treatment of Dysentery ; "
" Hats and Baldness ; " " Encouragement of American Scientific Labors ;"
" Anatomical Bill ; " " Thoughts on the rationale of symptoms referable
to nervous sympathy." In 1855 he gave to the Buffalo Medical Journal
an article entitled "Reduplication of both sounds of the Heart; case
and remarks," published in the May number, Vol. XL In the same
year, also, (in the August number) are given the first of a series of lec-
tures on diseases of the skin ; in December, the second lecture upon the
same. In the October number, as chairman of a committee appointed
by the Buffalo Medical Association, he made a report upon the subject
of Pneumonia, its pathology, prognosis and treatment, together with the
diagnostic value of the buffy coat, etc. In the February number, 1856,
Vol. XI, a letter containing a brief notice of certain strictures on his
report to the Buffalo Medical Association on Pneumonia, by Dr. George
N. Burwell. In 1856, Blanchard & Lea, of Philadelphia, published his
first large work, " Physical Exploration and Diagndsis of diseases affect,
ing the Respiratory Organs." In June, 1856, Vol. XII, oiih^ Journal,
appeared " Remarks on the Blendmg ol Periodical and Continued
Fevers." In 1857 appears "Analysis of twenty-three cases of an Epi-
demic Fever characterized by mild Erythematic Pharyngitis, with refer-
ence to the question of its identity with Scarlatina." In the same year
" Reports of cases treated in the Male Medical Ward of the Buffalo
Hospital of the Sisters of Charity, Austin Flint, attending physician,
during the College Session of i856-'57." At the semi-annual meeting of
the Erie County Medical Society, 1857, Dr. Flint read an address upon
the subject of " Intercostal Neuralgia ; Dorso-Intercostal Neuralgia ;
Pleuralgia."
In December, 1857, the first of five clinical lectures, delivered at
the Buffalo Hospital of the Sisters of Charity, upon the disease treated
in the Male Medical Ward, were published in the Buffalo Medical Journal.
* Dr. Flint, while in Paris, communicated to the French Academy of Sciences, through M.
Rayer, an account of this remarkable imposition (known in this vicinity as ** Rochester Knockings, **
from the place where it originated, and more widely known as '* Spritaal Rappings,'*) and a transla-
tion of his letter to the Academy was published in the Buffalo Medical Jimmal^ September, 1854.
The Medical Profession of Erie County. 435
These lectures and the reports of cases already alluded to, were given
during the College session, extending from October 14, 1857, ^^ February
27, 1858. In June, 1858, Dr. Flint, as retiring president of the Buffalo
Medical Association, delivered an address upon " Conservative Medi-
cine" published in the Bufl^Ao Journal ol that date. In the fall of 1858,
he was appointed to the Chair of Clinical Medicine and Auscultation and
Percussion, in the New Orleans School of Medicine. In November,
1858, appears in the New Orleans Medical News and Hospital Gazette, an
article '* On the Clinical Study of the Heart Sounds," in an epistolary
form addressed to Prof. Fenner, the senior editor of that journal. A
second letter upon the same subject appears in the December number.
In the February number of the Buffalo Medical Journal and Monthly
Review, a letter from Dr. Austin Flint, senior, to his son. Dr. Austin
Flint, junior, editor of that journal, is published. This is dated New
Orleans, December 18, 1858. In May, 1859, *s another communication to
the same journal, entitled, " Clinical Report on Cases observed at the
New Orleans Charity Hospital, 1858-59." In March, 1859, Dr. Flint
returned to Buffalo. In the same year (1859) he removed to New York
city where he still resides. During that year the " Treatise on Diseases
of the Heart," appeared, an octavo of four hundred and sixty-five pages.
These contributions to Medical Science, large as they are, form but a
part of the labors of Dr. Flint, during the period of his sojourn in Buf-
falo. They give the key-note, however, to the success achieved by the
Buffalo Medical Journal, The foundation of his fame was laid in the
pages of the Buffalo Medical Journal-, but in these brief limits we are
unable to give more than a glance at the varied work of his life in Buf-
falo. The Medical College of the University of Buffalo owes its exis-
tence to the labors of Dr. Flint more than to any other individual. A
number of citizens in the organization of an academic institution under-
standing that steps preparatory to an application to the Legislature for a
Medical School in Buffalo, had already been taken, suggested that appli-
cation should be made for a University charter, embracing all depart-
ments and providing for their organization successively, as should be
deemed expedient. The charter was granted at the session of 1846 ; the
Medical department was fully organized and seven Professorships estab-
lished, to which the Council of the University made the following
appointments: James Hadley, M. D., Chemistry and Pharmacy; (Pro-
fessor also in Geneva Medical College;) Charles B. Coventry, M.
D., Physiology and Medical Jurisprudence; (Professor in Geneva);
James Webster, M. D., General and Special Anatomy (of Geneva
Medical College); Charles A. Lee, M. D., Pathology and Materia
Medica (of Geneva Medical College); Frank H. Hamilton, M. D., Prin-
ciples and Practice of Surgery and Clinical Surgery, (of Geneva, also) :
James P. White, M. D., Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Chil-
436 History of Buffalo.
dren ; Austin Flint, M. D., Principles and Practice of Medicine and
Clinical Medicine. The first course was begun in February, 1847, and
continued the usual period. This plan was adopted for the mutual con-
venienqe of Professors of Geneva Medical College and students who
might wish to attend the lectures both at Geneva and Bufifalo. The first
class numbered sixty-five which increased to ninety at the next term.
The Buffalo General Hospital originated in an association of citizens,
consisting of thirty-five directors, formed for the establishment of a pub-
lic Hospital in Buffalo (in 1846), with intention to apply to the next Lec:-
islature for an act of incorporation and pecuniary endowment. The fol-
lowing officers were elected by the association : President, Josiah Trow-
bridge, M. D. ; first vice-president, Gen. H. B. Potter ; second vice-
president, George W. Clinton ; secretary, E. S. Baldwin ; treasurer,
S. N. Callender.
Executive Committee :-^K. N. Hey wood, Bryant Burwell, M. D. and
George Jones.
Committee to make Application to Legislature : — Henry W. Rogers,
George W. Clinton and F. H. Hamilton, M. D.
Officers for the Hospital for the Ensuing Year : — Attending surgeon,
F. H. Hamilton, M. D. ; attending surgeon, Austin Flint, M. D. ; coun-
seling physicians and surgeons, Drs. Trowbridge and Burwell,
The charter was obtained from the Legislature in November, 1847.
The Buffalo Hospital of the Sisters of Charity was founded in 1848.
In 1849 ^^^ Legislature of the State granted it an appropriation of
$9,000, by which generous support the institution was placed upon a
permanent basis. At the opening of the hospital the medical board was
constituted as follows : — Frank H. Hamilton, M. D., attending surgeon ;
Austin Flint, M. D., attending physician ; Josiah Trowbridge, M. D.,
consulting physician ; James P. White, M. D., consulting surgeon, for
six months, viz., from October to April. The faculty of the medical
college had charge for the remainder of the year. The following phy-
sicians were appointed in 1849: — E. M. Mackay and George N. Burwell,
attending physicians; C. H. Austin, M. D., and Josiah Barnes, M. D.,
consulting physicians ; Alden S. Sprague, attending surgeon ; J. E.
Camp, M. D., consulting surgeon. In 185 1 the medical board from
April I to October i, was as follows : — Attending physicians, Drs. Mackay
and Burwejl, as before mentioned ; consulting physicians. Dr. G. F.
Pratt and Dr. J. Barnes ; attending and consulting surgeons as before.
From October i to April i, attending physician. Dr. Austin Flint; con-
suiting physician, Dr. E. Wallis ; attending surgeon. Dr. Hamilton ; con-
suiting surgeon. Dr. White; house students, Sandford Eastman and E.
A. Gibbs.
Dr. William Van Pelt was admitted to membership in Erie County
Medical Society in 1841. He was located at Williamsville, where he
<v_ ^ . L_^
/^ ..-44/:>-- .^vZ
/.
The Medical Profession of Erie County. 437
continued to reside. Dr. Van Pelt was president of the Society in 1856 ;
a delegate to the State Medical Society in 1859, and a permanent member
in 1 87 1. He contributed to the Buffalo Medical Journal m 1846, an article
on "Epidemic Erysipelas in Williamsville ; " in 1855 ^^^ on *' Epithelial
Cancer," and one on " Pneumonia." In 1857 an address before the Erie
County Medical Society, on the " Character of some of the objections
often raised against the science of Medicine."
Nathan Way, a member of Erie County Medical Society in 1841.
John C. House, a member in 1851, located at Springville. Dr.
House was president of the society in 1854. In 1846 he contributed to
the Buffalo Medical Journal 2Lti article on erysipelas; in 185 1, "Remarks
on the third stage of labor; "in 1854, "Carcinoma Uteri, with Preg-
nancy."
Timothy T. Lockwood became a member in 1842. Dr. Lockwood
began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. James P. White, in 1834.
He took his degree in Philadelphia and commenced the practice of med-
icine at White's Corners. After practicing there ten years he removed
to Buffalo, where he resided until his death, in 1870. Dr. Lockwood
possessed energy, industry and perseverance. During his professional
career in the city, he was the recipient of civic honors at the hands of
the citizens, having been elected Mayor.
Dr. John Mitchell became a member in 1842. Dr. Sylvester F.
Mixer, of this State, became a member in 1842, of the Erie County Med-
ical Society ; a graduate in medicine in 184 1, at Yale ; he took the degree
of M. D., from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1847. He was
Health Physician in 1850; president of the County Medical Society in
1852; from 1858 to 1874 was one of the attending physicians to the
Buffalo General Hospital, and afterward consulting physician , he was
also a member of the State Medical Society and of the American Med-
ical Association. Dr. Mixer was a gentleman of imposing appearance
and polished manners, courteous and affable.*
Dr. W. K. Scott became a member of Erie County Medical Society
in 1843. He was the first physician licensed to practice medicine by the
State Board of Censors in 1808. He was president of County Society
in 1844. Dr. Scott died in 1878.
Dr. Silas Hubbard became a member of the County Society in 1843, con-
tinued membership until 1855. Dr. Hubbard was a contributor ot several
original articles to the Buffalo Medical Journal. A member of the Buffalo
Medical Association of which he was vice-president in 1851 ; re-elected
in 1852.
Dr. Horace M. Conger, a member of the Society in 1843. In 1848
he opened a private medical school in Buffalo for the instruction of
students. He was a delegate to the State Medical Society in 1854-55,
a permanent member in 1859; appointed by that society to report as a
* For a more extended sketch of Dr. Mixer, see later pages of this Tolume.
438 History of Buffalo.
member from the Eighth Senatorial District on the subject of epidemics.
Dr. Conger was an active member of the County Society until 1875 J
also of the Buffalo Medical Association, of which he was president in
1863. He was an upright, conscientious physician.
Dr. Charles H. Wilcox became a member of the Medical Society in
1843, president in 1850, treasurer in i856-'57. Dr. Wilcox had been a
student in the office of Pr. James P. White ; he was a member of the
Buffalo Medical Association at its formation; elected president in 1853.
Dr. Wilcox was appointed a physician to the United States Marine
Hospital at Buffalo, in 1853, and held that position until 1857. He was
one of the attending surgeons ot the Buffalo General Hospital in its first
year. At the commencement of the war of the rebellion he was
appointed surgeon of the Twenty-first regiment ; afterwards was made
Acting Brigadier-Surgeon and Medical Director. After the battle of
Antietam he returned to his home in Buffalo, " on sick leave," where,
exhausted and worn out, he died, November, 1862. Dr. Wilcox pos-
sessed strong natural powers of intellect, great tact, was an active and
efficient member of the profession and higlily esteemed.
Dr. William Treat became a member in 1844. He was from Maine;
was elected president of the County Society in i860. Dr. Treat was a
contributor to the Buffalo Medical Journal from its beginning ; one of his
contributions of 1846, on the subject of " Medical Quackery," drew forth
remarks commendatory from the editor. These are as pertinent to-day
as when penned thirty-eight years ago. Another of his contributions
entitled, '* Old Physic and Young Physic," (published in the Journal of
1848) was originally delivered as an address before the Young Men's
Association of Buffalo, and was published at the request of several
physicians who had listened to it. Dr. Treat was a member of the Buf-
falo Medical Association from its commencement in 1845 I was secretary
in 1847; rc-elected in 1848 and again in i860. In this last mentioned
year he read a valuable paper on diphtheria before the association, that
disease being at the time the special subject for discussion. In the sum-
mer of 1 861 Dr. Treat went to Washington where, after the battle of
** Manassas" or *' Bull Run," he assisted in dressing the wounded who
were brought into Fort Runyon and afterwards at the city hospital. He
returned to Buffalo and at the meeting of the association August 6,
detailed his experience while in Washington. He died during the same
month (August) 1861. Dr. Treat was an intelligent physician, honorable
and conscientious.
Dr. James B, Samo became a member of the Erie County Medical
Medical Society in 1844. Born in New Jersey ; educated in New York
city. Dr. Samo was elected librarian of the society in 1852 ; president
in 1862; he was a member of the Buffalo Medical Association from its
commencement in 1845. In 1849 he made a report to the association as
The Medical Profession of Erie County. 439
member of a committee appointed for the purpose, upon the uniform
and equitable compensation to physicians employed by the public author-
ities, which was referred to a joint committee of the association and
County Society, and adopted after considerable opposition; was
appointed one of the United States marine hospital physicians in 1853,
for Buffalo, a position held until 1859.
Dr. Isaac Parsells became a member of the society in 1844; was
elected president in 1847.
Dr. Samuel S. Prudden became a member of the society in 1844;
was from Connecticut. He continued a member of the society until 1847.
Dr. Samuel G. Bailey became a member of the society in 1844; he
studied his profession with Dr. James P. White ; was elected treasurer
of the society in 1852 and re-elected in 1853, '54 and '55. He remained
a member of the society until 1856.
Dr. John Hauenstein became a member of the society in 1844; he
had been a student in .the office of Dr. F. L. Harris, of Buffalo. He was
president of the County Society in 1882 ; he has been an active member
of the society and read many valuable papers before it. His practice is
extensive, more especially the obstetrical part of it, and his counsel in
cases of difficult labors much valued.
The other accessions of 1841, to the Erie County Medical Society
were James Allen, located at Hamburg, Gilbert McBeth, William Treat,
Samuel G. Bailey.
Dr. Frank H. Hamilton, a member of the Society in 1845.* He be-
came a large contributor to the Buffalo Medical Journal from its com-
mencement, his "Notes of a European Tour," (made in 1844) being ac-
corded the honor of the opening article in the new Journal. These notes
were continued at intervals through the first two volumes and contrib-
uted in no slight degree to the eclat won by that periodical. Dr. Hamil-
ton received the appointment to the Chair of Surgery in the Medical
School at Buffalo, in 1846. He was Professor of Surgeiy at Geneva at
the same time. Of Dr. Hamilton it remains to be said — he severed his
connection with Geneva after the second year of his coming to Buffalo,
and devoted his time and attention to the interests connected with his
profession here. It was while living here that he published his work.
Deformities after Fractures, The pages of the Buffalo Medical Journal
bear the silent testimony to his unceasing labors; for nearly fifteen years
this testimony is borne of his great industry and observation, at the Col-
lege, at the Hospital, and in his private practice. Dr. Hamilton is a
graceful and brilliant writer. This is especially witnessed in many of
his prepared addresses to mixed audiences, in his " Notes of a European
Tour, " etc. But space is wanted to enumerate the titles of the many
•From the year 1845 to the present time the writer finds himself compelled, owing to the neces-
sarily limited space in this work, to content himself with the briefest statistics of the profession, ex-
cept as regards a few prominent physicians of whom a little more extended records have been given.
32
440 History of Buffalo.
productions of his facile pen. To the historian of the near future we
trust and doubt not, will be given a lasting record of the labors of his
useful life. Dr. Hannilton was president of the State Medical Society
in 1856.
Besides Dr. Hamilton, Drs. Caleb H. Austin and Rogers be-
came members of the County Society in 1845.
In the year 1846, Drs. G. E. Stevens, of Amherst, Archibald S. Clark
and Daniel Devening became members of the Society.
Dr. James M. Newman, a member of the Society in 1847. ^^ ^^^
been a student in the office of Dr. James P. White. Dr. Newman was
elected secretary of the Society in 1852, and re-elected until 1859, ^"^ his
records are models of what the secretary of the Medical Society should
make. In 1854 he was appointed Health Physician. He was elected pres-
ident of Buffalo Medical Association the same year; a contributor to
the Buffalo Medical Journal of many original articles. In 1858, Dr. New-
man read a valuable paper before the Buffalo Medical Association, on
"the connection of all Albumenaria with the development of Puerperal
Convulsions, and the employment of Chloroform as a remedial measure."
This was exhaustive upon the subject. He was an attending physician
the first year of the Buffalo General Hospital, 1858. In 1859 he was again
elected president of the Association ; in the same year he removed from
Buffalo. In i860 he died. No young man a member of the Erie County
Medical Societ3% ever gave promise of greater usefulness than Dr. New-
man. The regret for his early death was deep and sincere, and is still
felt by his professional friends. There is a parallel in the case of Elihu
H. Smith, referred to in the early part of this sketch.
Dr. Phineas H. Strong: became a member of the Erie Countv Med-
ical Society in 1847 • elected president in 1853 ; delegate to State Medical
Society in 1855 ; ^ permanent member in 1859. D*"- Strong was an early
member of the Buffalo Medical Association and its president in 1855, and
an active one. He has been a contributor of various original articles to
the Buffalo Mcdisal Journal, Dr. Strong was appointed Health Physi-
cian in 1859.*
In 1847, (besides Dr. Strong and Dr. Newman), Drs. Joseph Peabody
and Ewald Benckendorf were added to the Society.
The yearly accessions to the County Medical Society after 1847, were
as follows : —
*In connection with this an incident characteristic of him may not be inappropriate here. The
" Fee Bill, " established a few years before by a joint action of the County Society and City Associa-
tion, enacted that it "should be deemed dishonorable for any member of either to perform the duties
as physician of public offices and appointments at a less rate than that established by the bill. Soon
after receiving the appointment, Dr. Strong at the January meeting of the County Society, after sUt-
ing the circumstances of the case, left it to the decision of the Society to say whether he ooold
honorably retain the office. A glaring contrast to the conduct of certain other members who had
resisted the action of the Society and occasioned thereby much unnecessary disturbance, excitement
and expense.
C. C. WYCKDFF.
The Medical Profession of Erie County. 441
In 1848, Drs. James E. King and Henry W. Barrett
In 1849, I^rs. Charles W. Harvey, Cornelius C. WyckoflF, Edward
Mackay, William Ring and J. J. C. Haxsteen.
In 1850, Drs. E. P. Gray, Levi J. Ham, of Williamsville, Patrick
Flood, J. E. Camp and George Johnson.
Dr. Sanford Eastman, a member of the county society in 185 1, presi-
dent in 1861 ; he was appointed Professor of Anatomy in the Buffalo
Medical College in 1859, which office he held until 1870, when on his
retiring from the chair he was made " Emeritus Professor." He was an
attending surgeon of the Buffalo General Hospital and to the Hospital
of the Sisters of Charity. He was appointed health physician and re-
elected for several years. His character and virtues, both as a man and
physician, were of a high order.
In 1 85 1, (besides Dr. Eastman), Drs. P. Barber, of Boston, and Will-
iam Gould.
In 1852, Drs. John C. Dalton, Hugh McVeaux, M. D. Norton, A. S.
Griswold, Charles H. Baker, John Root, Ernest G. Pupikofer, and O. K.
Parker, of Clarence.
Dr. John Boardman, was a member of the county society in 1853. ^^'
Boardman had been a student in the office of Dr. F. H. Hamilton ; he
was president of the society in 1868. He was a delegate to the State
Medical Society in 1855 ^^^ elected a permanent member in 1862. In
1864 was a delegate from the State Medical Society to the National
Quarantine and Sanitary Convention. Dr. Boardman was an occasional
contributor to the Buffalo Medical JournaL He was the author of an
article in that journal in 1852, entitled, "Fracture Tables,** a supplement
to those published by Dr. Hamilton in 1849, ^ work indicating great indus-
try and research, and other articles that the limits of this wprk will not
admit of mention. He was Demonstrator of Anatomy in the Buffalo
Medical College and an attending surgeon at the Hospital of the Sisters
of Charity.
In 1853, (besides Dr. Boardman), Drs. E. D. Merriam, Alfred S.
Spearman, J. J. Edmunds, Ellery P. Smith, Benajah T. Whitney, John
A. Jeyte, E. W. Gale, and Joseph R. Smith.
Dr. Sanford B. Hunt, was a member of the county society in 1854.
In the preceding year he had become aa.asseciate editor of the Buffalo
Medical /ournaly which position he continued to hold until the retirement
of the senior editor in 1855, when he assumed the entire management.
He was appointed to the Chair of Anatomy in the Buffalo Medical Col-
lege, where he continued until 1858, when he accepted the Chair of Phy-
siology. Dr. Hunt was an active member of the Buffalo Medical Asso-
ciation, to which his contributions lent not a little of their interest. He
was a frequent contributor to the BuSolo Medical /ournal. In 1833 2tn
article was published by him in the /ournal, entitled " An Analysis of
442 History of Buffalo.
Sixty-seven Cases of Inversio Uteri." In 1855 was published also in the
Journal^ a " Valedictory Address to the Graduating Class of the Session
of 1854-55 of the Medical Department of the University of Buffalo, by
S. B. Hunt, Professor of Anatomy,'* one of the best of its class. Dr.
Hunt's contributions to medical literature were many and valuable ; he
was also prominently connected with journalism in Buffalo in other
directions.
Dr. Thomas F. Rochester, of New York, a member of the Erie
County Medical Society in 1854. Dr. Rochester came to Buffalo in
1853, to take the Chair of Principles and Practice of Medicine and Clin-
ical Medicine in the Buffalo Medical College, made vacant by the resig-
nation of Dr. Flint. Dr. Rochester was lecturer upon the same branch
in the University of New York city, at the time he received this call.*
Dr. Rochester has been one of the most zealous supporters of the
Buffalo Medical Association and taken a strong and earnest interest in its
success. His contributions to its discussions have been various and
instructive. At its June meeting, 1854, he reported the first case of the
approaching epidemic of cholera that had been seen since 1852, by any of
the members of the association. He has received many and varied
evidences from his professional brethren of their appreciation of his
character as '^ a physician, a scholar and a gentleman." He has filled
most of the high offices in the gift of the profession in the city of Buffalo,
and some from the State ; has been president of the State Society ; a del-
egate from that society to the *' International Medical Congress," etc.
In 1854, (besides Drs. Sanford B. Hunt, and Thomas F. Rochester,)
Drs. Charles L. Dayton of Black Rock, T. W. Wood, Richard William
Nelson, Charles E. F. Gay, Austin W. Nichols, Frederick Gardner, Joel
Underbill, William A. Newell, Chauncey B. Hutchins, Charles B. Rich,
ard and E. W. Storck.
Dr. Julius F. Miner, a member of the society in 1857 ; president in
1870. Dr. Miner commenced the publication of the Buffalo Medical
Journal in August, 1861. In 1867 he was appointed Professor of Opthal-
mology and Surgical Anatomy in the Buffalo Medical College ; in 1870,
Professor of Special and Clinical Surgery ; in i860 he was appointed an
attending surgeon to the Buffalo General Hospital; in 1870 to the Sisters
of Charity Hospital. Dr. Miner's surgical operations have been bold,
varied and extensive, and his reputation as a skilful operator of the high-
est order.
In 1855, (besides Dr. Julius F. Miner,) Drs. Jeremiah M. Brown, P. P,
Tobie, George Abbott.
* A paragraph in the New York Medical Gazette pays a merited and graceful tribute to the char-
acter and abilities of Dr. Rochester on the occasion of his leaving New York. It congratulates him
on his early appreciation by so respectable a school as that of Buffalo, and the Faculty upon the
acquisiiion of an associate who is a physician, a scholar and a gentleman. It only regrets that the
city (New York) by his removal to Buffalo, will lose one oiF its most promising young practitionere,
who had endeared himself there to many friends.
^^'- .■^■- ' ■^'^v:^^!*^'^:^ • ■ " 'I'---"-
■:7/i£€'n£^.
The Medical Profession of Erie County. 443
In 1856, Drs. S. O. Almy, James B. Colegrove, David W. Hershey,
Benjamin H. Lemon, William Howell, E. L. Holmes, J. A. Jeyte, Jr.,
George Hadley and Condit Whitehead.
In 1857, Drs. T. F. Hoyer, John Gilmore, G. A, Rogers, Austin
Flint, Jr., Sylvester Rankin, Henry Nichell, John P. Cole and Charles P.
Fanner.
In 1858, Drs. Augustus Jansen, Jesse J. Richards, J. Fletcher Stevens,
William H. Butler and N. S. Lockwood.
Dr. Joshua R. Lothrop, a member of the society in 1859; president
in 1867. In the comparative brief time that Dr. Lothrop lived in Buffalo
he established an exalted reputation as a gentleman and as a physician
and surgeon. His character of mind was of the highest. He returned
to Massachusetts, his native State, after a few years, where he died.*
In 1859, (besides Dr. Lothrop) Drs. J. Henry Rathbone, J. Whita-
ker, Charles Mead, Charles K. Winne, Samuel D. Flagg, Jr., William H.
Mason, and Bartlett.
Dr. John A. Cronyn, of Canada, a member of the society in i860;
president in 1865 ; re-elected in 1866. Dr. Cronyn's interest in the pro-
fession is deep and earnest ; he is a constant student and, as a member of
the Buffalo Medical Association, his power as a debator and his influence
in the medical and surgical discussions that arise, is felt and respected.
An attending physician at the hospital of the Sisters of Charity, he has
also an extensive practice.
In i860, (besides Dr. Cronyn), Dr. Leon F. Harvey.
In 1861, Drs. Thomas Lothrop, Jr., Charles Edgar Brownell and
Elias L. Bissell.
In 1862, Drs. Merrill H. Shaw, Thomas M.Johnson, John McKinnon.
In 1863, Drs. James L. Smith, Joseph Peters, Samuel W. Wetmore.
C. H. Collier, H. Tupper. William Robinson.
In 1864, Drs. George Hyer, Joseph C. Green, Andrew J. Houghton, of
Tonawanda, O. H. Beckwith, of Evans, U. C. Lynde, P. Goodyear, of
Alden, H. B. Horton, H. Vanguysling, E. B. Tifft and J. C. Greene.
In 1865, Drs. Jeremiah N. Brown. F. W. Bartlett. Little,
Gleason, and John Cole of Sardinia.
In 1866, Otto Burger, Charles W. Bourne, of Boston, Andrew Kam-
erling, George W. Nesbitt and H. S. Taft.
In 1867, Drs. Samuel Potter, of Lancaster, M. E. Shaw, Conrad Deihl,
Byron H. Daggett, C.S. Nichell, Gustavus E. Mackay, Milton G. Potter.
In 1868, Drs. Henry R. Hopkins, Edwin R. Barnes, A. R. White,
of Tonawanda, Eddy, P. B. Schuyler, David E. Chace, John
Nichols, H. B. Murray, of Tonawanda, N. P. L. Parker, of Akron, and
Mathew Willoughby.
• It is with regret that the writer is compelled by the paucity of data to dismiss so briefly this
physician, whose acquisitions as a scholar and a professional man were never surpassed in this section
of the State.
444 History of Buffalo.
In 1869, Drs. Hiram Taber, of Marilla, W. H. Gail, of Aurora, Jacob
Van Peyma, Albert S. Rogers, William O. Taylor, W. S. Talbot, John
J. Burke, Henry S. Ellwood, A. W. Williams, and Loren T. Boies, of
Griffin's Mills.
In 1870, Drs. N. B. Folwell, E. G. Harding, Wenz, A. H.
Crawford, A. Dagenais, E. R. Lockman, Dyer Slocum, George W. Pat-
terson, T. W. Parker, James Sloan and Robert T. Campbell.
i87i.-Drs. E. FuHer, J. Q. Harris, Michael Talbot, Dugald McNeil,
E. H. Hickey, R. L. Banta, Albert H. Briggs, John G. Bailey, John H.
Wheeldon.
1872.— Drs. F. E. L. Brecht, W. A. Wasson, Benjamin F. Lothrop.
J. S. Halbert.
1873.— Drs. H. G. Hopkins, E. R. Erdman, G. W. McPherson, F.A.
Burghardt, D. H. Bailey, John Dambach, D. C. Hunter, Joseph Fowler,
Brooks, Alfred D. Livingstone.
1874. — Drs. William H. Slacer, J. C. Bump, L. A. Long, E. N. Brush,
W. W. Miner, Otta Thoma, Bernard Bartow, J. D. Matthews, H. L.
Atwood.
1875. — Drs. J. P. Erink, O. C. Shaw, Lucien Howe, Philip Sonnick,
J. N. Wheeler, J. A. Pettit, C R. Morrow, E. B. Potter, W. C, Earl,
A. R. Sutherland.
1876. — Drs. H. Mynter, S. G. Dorr, J. S. Greene, J. I. Mackay,
W. J. Packwood, C. H. Wetzel, O. C. Strong, J. R. McCarty, W. V.
Miller, F. J. Barker, C. O. Chester, H. M. Wcrneke, George L. Taylor.
1877. — Drs. Mrs. Mary J. Moody, L. C. Crony n, Louis Schade, John
A. Lanigan, Arthur M. Barker, Charles Cary, Francis W. Gallagher.
1878. — Drs. J. G. Thompson, (Angola), John G. Miller, C. D. Ershein,
C. A. Ring, Joseph Haberstro, A. R. Davidson.
1879.— Drs. Phoebe Willett, H. P. Trull, E. E. Storck, C. A. Wall,
J. W. Keene, M. Hartwig, L. L. Banta, W. D. Bideman,
1880.— Drs. William W. Turver, Julius Krug, William C. Barrett,
Frank O. Vaughn, Carl H. Guess, Louis C. Volker.
1 88 1. —Drs. E. C. Waldruff, Alexander Stanley Hancock, Frederick
Petersen, William H. Jackson, B. H. Grove, Judson B. Andrews, Will-
iam D. Granger, Samuel H. Warren, J. Stone Armstrong, Franklin Burt,
Samuel L. Atwater, J. B. Coakley, J. D. Bonnar, Mary E. Runner, Clay-
ton M. Daniels, Edward Clark, E. H. Ballou, John F. Hoflfmeyer,trving
M. Snow, N. T. Kiefer, C. G. Champlain.
1882.— Drs. A. H. Crawford, W. W. Potter, H. D, Ingraham, G.T.
Brown, C. C. Frederick, G. W. York, C. A. McBeth, Walter D. Green,
Floyd S. Crego, M. D. Mason, C. Weil, J. Frank, George E. Fell, A.
Hubbell.
1883.— Drs. F. H. Potter, J. W. Putnam. W. G. Gregory, E. H.
Long, J. Wilmot, S. Hunter, J. H. Pryor, Herman Hayd, R. A. Witt-
u. c. lynh e, m. d.
The Medical Profession of Erie County. 445
haus, William Meisburger, W. A. D. Montgomery, Burt P. Hoyer, B. G.
Long, C. R. Jewett, William H. Thornton, Claudius J. Meinand, A. G.
Gummaer, F. W. Sweetland, Mary Berkes.
The author in his endeavor to rescue from the oblivion that seemed
awaiting them, some of the earlier lives of the medical profession of Erie
county, finds himself obliged, by "circumstance," that "inspiritual god,"
to finish this sketch within its present bounds. It was the desire of
the author to have given in addition to the preceding sketch, some
resume of each decade of the history of the society ; but it is hoped
that in some future work upon our beloved profession, many whose pro-
fessional histories are so deserving, shall receive their meed of praise.
Erie County Homeopathic Medical Society *
Recognizing the force of the old proverb that "in union is strength,"
fifteen members of the homeopathic profession of the county of Erie
came together in response to a call, at Buffalo, December 14, 1859. They
then and there formed a society to be known as the Erie County
Homeopathic Medical Society, and further perfected their organization
by the election of the usual officers. Their object being mutual benefit
and the advancement of medical science in general.
In 1 861 the call to arms found several of the society ready ; accept-
ing their country's call, they went to the front and served with honor to
themselves and their society.
In the fall of 1867 the necessity of in some manner relieving the med-
ical wants of the poor, was brought forcibly before the society, resulting
in the immediate incorporation and opening of a Free Dispensary. This
was supported at first by private subscription, but in 1868 the Legisla-
ture, considering it worthy of State aid, appropriated $500 to its support,
and again in 1869 appropriated $750.00. This dispensary still exists,
though the excelent medical service of the city relieves it of the brunt of
the work.
About this time the society occupied itself with many interesting dis-
cussions as to the feasibility of establishing an asylum for the insane, un-
der homeopathic therapeutical direction. The outcome of this was that
the Legislature was petitioned and several members took active steps to
carry the scheme to a successful conclusion. In 1870, $150,000 was ap-
propriated by the State, and upon this basis land was obtained in the vil-
lage of Middletown, Orange county, and subsequent grants of money
have enabled the completion of three large, substantial, fully-equipped
buildings, with accommodations for four hundred patients — the first
Homeopathic Insane Asylum in the world. The location overlooking
the village of Middletown and the beautiful valley of the Wawayanda to
the south, the highlands of the Hudson to the east, the Catskills and the
* Furnished for this work by a committee from the society.
^H6 History of Buffalo.
Shawangunk range to the north and west, renders its views and health-
fulness unsurpassed.
In the year 1869, through the instrumentality of the niember from
this district, one of the society was appointed, without his knowledge,
examiner for pensions. Dr. Van Aernum, then Commissioner of Pensions,
learning that the appointee was a Homeopath, promptly removed him.
The point was immediately agitated by the society, whether or not there
was a system of ** St^te Medicine." The matter was carried to the Amer-
ican Institute of Homeopathy, then in session at Chicago. Upon presen-
tation to this, the oldest national medical body, a committee on legislation
was appointed, with the aggrieved member at its head. The following
February, during an interview with Commissioner Van Aernum at
Washington, the admission was obtained that the removal was made on
account of medical belief and for no other cause. The result of this inter-
view being sent over the land by the Associated Press created an intense
public sentiment which was only appeased by the resignation of the Com-
missioner in the May following ; the Government thus showing that it
recognized no school.
The need of a hospital where homeopathic physicians could treat
patients upon their own principles, was greatly felt, and in 18 — a com-
modious building on Washington street was obtained and put into imme-
diate use. Business soon claimed the location and the trustees purchased
the property on the corner of Cottage and Maryland street. The suc-
cess of this institution has been gratifying and the need for larger quar^
ters became so pressing that, at the present writing, the trustees are in
negotiation for the purchase of the Palace Hotel site where a building
commensurate with the requirements of the profession will be erected.
Fearing an invasion of cholera in i860, the society published gra-
tuitously directions for the treatment of those infected, and protesting
against the assumption of all places under the municipal government by
the other society, offered to furnish reputable physicians to attend such
hospitals as the board of health might direct. This was not granted. The
society at various times continued to demand the recognition due the
system from the city government, but without success, until 1877, when
a concerted effort was made and two physicians of the Homoeopathic
school were by ordinance, added to the staff of Assistant Health Physi-
cians.
The right of supervision, by a County Medical Society, in the selec-
tion of its members had been overthrown by the courts in many instances;
yet, when in May, 1879, four physicians presented their petition for
membership to the Erie County Homeopathic Medical Society and were
rejected. Their writ of mandamus compelling the society to show cause
why the society should not be compelled to accept them was answered
and on August 6th, 1879, Judge Daniels handed down a decision sustain-
ing the action of the society and forming the first precedent of the kind.
The Dental Profession in Buffalo. 447
There being no recognized standard of qualifications for the practice
of medicine, other than the diploma of a medical college, and the strife
between the various colleges leading to the lowering of this standard to
a painful degree, this society formulated a bill providing for a " State
Medical Board," to which was to be relegated the licensing power. This
bill, being taken to Albany by a special committee, was introduced into
the Assembly and reached the Committee on General Laws. Though it
failed to become a law, yet it was the first effort towards legislation for
the elevation of the medical profession.
The Dental Profession in Buffalo.
When the settlement of Buffalo village began, modern American den-
tistry, as it may be appropriately called, was an unknown science. The
founding and first settlement of the former was nearly contemporary
with the inception of the latter, and it is worthy of historical record thai
much of the early advancement of dental science was due to residents oft
Buffalo, while the profession has ever since been most honorably repre-
sented here.
Down to about the end of the first decade of the present century, the
teeth of the average American citizen had received very little attention,
either from himself or his family physician, who was then the only person
supposed to know anything of that portion of the human anatomy. If a
tooth became especially troublesome, the possesor immediately rid himself
of it, either by some one of the primitive methods in vogue, or by the
clumsy pincers of the nearest blacksmith or shoemaker, or, by the old tor-
ture-causing instrument called *• turn-key, " in the hands of the family doc-
tor. Between the years 1800 and 1820, dentistry began to develop itself, but
in a very limited and not entirely satisfactory manner. At the date last
mentioned, there were about one hundred dentists of all degrees of ability
and pretension in the entire county. Most of them were itinerant prac-
titioners, going from place to place, with their meager stock of instru-
ments, setting ** pivot " teeth to some extent, doing some filling and in rare
instances attempting a piece of plate work. Dr. Greenwood was, per-
haps, the most prominent dentist in America before 1820. He came from
Europe and located in New York city, where he had the honor of making
a set of ivory teeth for George Washington, which were carved out of
a solid piece and held in the mouth by springs.
The third decade of the century witnessed considerable advance-
ment in the art. Buffalo was the place of residence of the first resident
dentist in Western New York, who came here in 1829. He was, however,
preceded by Eleazer Gidney, who visited Buffalo in his profession in 1822
or 1823; he was the first dentist that visited the place. He had read up
a little in the profession while he was a young man and formed the deter-
mination to follow the same. To carry out his purpose he adopted
448 History of Erie County.
the only means then available to perfect himself in his work, visiting Bal-
timore in 1 817, and other points where he could i)y observation and prac-
tice, learn all that was then known of the science. He settled in Utica in
1822 and began practice, whence he visited Buffalo. He subsequently
went to Europe and practiced in Edinburgh, London and other cities.
He was a man of remarkable perseverance and a good deal of ability.
He was followed in Buffalo by Samuel Bigelow, who came in the year
1828, who was also an itinerant.
Between the years 1830 and 1840 dental science made remarkable
strides in some directions. It was also in this decade that the first resi-
dent dentist began practice in Buffalo, though, as before stated, he settled
here in 1829. This was Dr. George E. Hayes, a man of excellent attain-
ments and some remarkable traits of character. He was a thinker and
possessed the mechanical genius and perseverance, to put many of his
best thoughts into practical use. Dr. Hayes was of Scotch descent and
belonged to a family of mechanics and inventors. He was born in Granby,
Conn., November, 7, 1804, but his parents soon after settled in Pratts-
burgh, Steuben Co., N. Y. He afterwards (1821) entered the office of Dr.
Pliny Hayes in Canandaigua, as an assistant, where he remained as stu-
dent, assistant and partner for almost ten years. In 1824 a small apothe-
cary's business had been opened in Canandaigua, by Dr. Hayes, the duties
connected with which were shared by the young man. A branch store
was afterwards (1829) opened in Buffalo, and Dr. George E. Hayes came
here to assume the charge of it. The store was one of a row of small
wooden buildings on the west side of Main street, extending from the lower
corner of Swan street to the hat store of W. Ketchum & Co. Thesiteof
the store is now occupied by the building in which are the offices of the
United States Express Company. Dr. Hayes had given a little attention
to dentistry before leaving Canandaigua, and like most physicians of that
period, had practiced it to some extent. In November, 1829, the drug
store of " George E. Hayes & Co. " was burned, and it was soon after this
event that Dr. Hayes performed his first dental operation in Buffalo. A
Mr. Parkinson, an ex-sheriff of London, who was then in Buffalo, had the
misfortune to break a tooth and was referred to Dr. Hayes by an old Can-
andaigua friend of the family, who said "the Hayes's could do anything."
The operation seems to have been a success. In the next year he made
some gold plate for the late James D. Sheppard, which remained in use
and in place until 188 1, a period of fifty-one years. From that time on Dr.
Hayes paid almost his entire attention to dentistry, abandoning the drug
business entirely in 1835. As early as 1832. Dr. Hayes began experi-
menting on the manufacture of porcelain teeth, and two years later
produced good examples of that art. This kind of artificial teeth were
then almost unknown in this country, most of those used being imported
from France— a very ill-looking and unsatisfactory article. In 1834 Dr.
The Dental Profession in Buffalo. 449
Hayes made the first whole set of teeth produced in Buffalo, which were
worn with satisfaction by a lady for many years. About the end of the
decade under consideration, Dr. Hayes was called on by a lady whose
gums had become so changed that it was necessary that the teeth for
which she applied should be make much longer than in ordinary cases
and something was needed to supply the portion of the gums that had
disappeared. This case and its treatment led Dr. Hayes to experiment
upon porcelain gum-teeth which he finally successfully produced — the
first used in Buffalo and probably the first made in this country. Dr.
Hayes contributed largely to the dental appliances now in use in the pro-
fession, and chief among which are the " Hayes' Vulcanizing Oven, " the
" Hayes' Mercury Bath," the " Hayes* DenUl Flask, " " Hayes* Celluloid
Apparatus, " and " Hayes' Celluloid Articulator. " All of these were pat-
ented and are now in use. He also made many other valuable improve-
ments in dental drills, dentist's chairs, etc. The introduction and manu-
facture of these improvements together with the Whitney vulcanizer and
the Automatic Plugger of Snow & Lewis, resulted in the formation in
1867 of a co-partnership between Drs. B. T. Whitney, G. B. Snow and
Theodore G. Lewis, under the name of the " Buffalo Dental Manufacturing
Company," an organization that is still in a prosperous business career
in this city. The Whitney and the Hoyt Vulcanizers, the Automatic
Plugger and the Saliva Ejector, patented by T. G. Lewis, are all Buffalo
inventions, and are known and recognized all over the world as the best
and most valuable appliances of the kind in use. They are made solely
by the above named company.
Dr. Hayes possessed literary ability of a high order and published
numerous pamphlets and papers of value and interest. He died on the
27th of April, 1882.
Richard Corydon came to Buffalo in 1835 and remained for abcut
two years.
Charles W. Harvey came in 1836, and is still a resident of the city,
although he retired from the practice of his profession in i860. He took
a high rank soon after his arrival here, as an operative dentist, in whose
presence, as a professional man as well as a citizen, the city was most
fortunate.
Aaron Gibbs came to Buffalo in 1837, remaining until 1842, and
Uriah H. Dunning who remained about four years.
In 1837 was established the " New York Society of Dental Surgeons,"
the first society of this character in the country, and two years later
appeared the first regular dental periodical publication ; it was called
the American Journal of Dental Science, and published in Baltimore.
During the decade from 1840 to 1850 the following dentists began
practice in Buffalo: Reuben G. Snow, formerly practicing physician,
began dentistry in 1840; William S. Vanduzee, 1841 ; Hiram H. Rey-
450 History of Buffalo.
nolds, 1843; Benoni S. Brown, 1844; William G. Oliver, 1847; John
Lewis, 1847 ; Frederick Oliver, 1848 ; N. W. Whitcomb, 1848. The two
Oliver brothers mentioned were jewelers; artificial teeth at that time were
almost entirely set on gold or silver plates, and these jewelers found the
new field of making false teeth so much more profitable than their former
business that they adopted it. During this decade advancement in the
science and practice of dentistry was marked. About 1850, Goodyear's.
vulcanite as a substitute for gold and silver in plate work, was intro-
duced and rapidly sopplanted the metals. Artificial teeth Were brought
to a good degree of perfection, their manufacture being largely carried
on in New York and Philadelphia.
The year 1841 witnessed the founding of the Baltimore College of
Dental Surgery, and in 1845 ^he Ohio Dental College was opened in
Cincinnati ; these institutions added to a limited degree, to the number
of dentists, of which Buffalo received her share.
In 1844, the Dental Intelligencer was established in Philadelphia,
which was followed in 1846, by the New York Dental Recorder. The
Dental Register of the West was started in Cincinnati in 1847. The Den-
tal News Letter was founded in the same year in Philadelphia. This
completes the list of publications until i860. These were mostly adver
tising mediums previously, but published much matter of value to the
profession.
Between the years 1850 and i860, the following named dentists began
practice in Buffalo : Isaac H. Giffing, 185 1 ; B. T. Whitney, 1851 ; Albert
B. Robinson, 1856; Chester L. Straight, 1856; Charles B. Phelps, 1857;
Gilbert W. Reese, 1857; James H. Waterman, 1857; George F. Foote,
1858; H. Sweet, 1859.
In 1850 the Philadelphia College of Dental Surgerj^ was founded
and in 1856, the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery. From these
and preceding institutions, many graduates entered the profession. In
1855, the American Dental Convention was established as the successor
of the American Society of Dental Surgeons, which had been founded
in 1840, but had become disorganized chiefly through a discussion over
the use of amalgam. The American Dental Convention enjoyed a
career of usefulness until the year 1883, its meetings and discussions
going far to advance the profession.
During the decade from i860 to 1870 the influx of dentists to Buf-
falo was very large. The city had grown rapidly and acquired a repu-
tation for energy and enterprise, while from the various dental institu-
tions of the country, the number of graduates was yearly increasing.
Following are the names of the dentists who began practice here during
the period last mentioned : Leon F. Harvey, i860 ; Merritt F, Cook, J. T.
Grady, Theodore G. Lewis and Milton B. Straight in 1862 ; Henry Mc-
Cutchcon, George B. Snow, Alfred P. South wick, Joseph R. Wetherell
GARRETT C. DABDLL.
The Dental Profession in Buffalo, 451
and S. A. Freeman in 1863; George A. Wilkins in 1864; E. A. Thomp-
son, 1865 ; Robert J. Adams, James G. Barbour and Garrett C. Daboll,
1867; Theodore H. Palmer, F. E. Reynolds and Charles Dautel, 1868;
William J. Barrett, George W. Dunbar, Frederick G. Longnecker and
Orlando Luce, 1869; none in 1870.
This decade witnessed the addition to dental literature of the first
Buffalo publication the Buffalo Dental Advertiser y which is still running
as the organ of the Buffalo Dental Manufacturing Company. On the ist
of October, 1862, the Western New York Dental Society was established,
with Dr. Charles W. Harvey as president. It was, at least in part,
through the medium of this organization that the Dental Law of 1868
was put through the Legislature. This law, which with its amendments,
has conferred upon the dental profession inestimable benefits, originated
in Buffalo, with Dr. B. T. Whitney as the chief moving spirit. Its prin-
ciple original provision was the establishment of the State Dental Society,
with subordinate district societies, Buffalo being the central point of the
Eighth district. The law grew out of the general desire for legislative
acknowedgcment of dentists as members of a profession that is entitled
to protection and regulation in its practice, similar to what is accorded
the medical profession. The society was thus founded, with its board of
censors who should make examinations and grant diplomas onl}'. The
following year (1869) an amendment was passed authorizing the granting
of degrees in connection with diplomas and prohibiting any person from
falsely claiming to have a diploma, license or degree. In 1879 another
amendment was passed authorizing the registration of the names of all
practicing dentists in the county clerk's office. It is now a misdemeanor
for a person to practice dentistry without registration and a diploma.
The proceedings of the State Society and those subordinate to it,
with the enforcement of this wholesome law, marked a ^reat advance-
ment in the profession of dentistry. No other State in the Union now
boasts legislation and organization so complete in these respects, as New
York, very much of the credit for which is due to the profession in the
city of Buffalo.
On the 27th of May, 1864, the Buffalo Dental Association was
founded ; this is a local organization, as its name indicates, and is still in
the enjoyment of a healthy career, its meetings have been productive of
much benefit to the profession.
Following are the names of the dentists who begun practice in Buf-
falo from 1871 to the present time: George B. Hawley, Angelo C. Lewis
and Thomas T. Philips, 1871 ; William A. Barrows, David S. Brown,
Benjamin F. Clark, Lansing B. Cook, William Grinton and John L.
Daboll, 1872; Alexander Bain, J. P. Dunn, William H. Kezeler and
Charles W.^Stainton, 1873 • Parker A. Poole, Joseph W.Blandy, Douglas
S. Joyce, 1874; George B. Scott, 1875 ; Charles S. Butler, William C.
452 History of Buffalo.
Barrett, Joseph Seal and Lucien G. Sibley, 1876; Edward C. Long-
necker and Frank S. Teller, 1878 ; Leverett C. Covey, 1880; C. A. Allen
and Franklin E. Howard, 1881 ; William C. Hayes, 1882.
The Independent Practitioner, a dental periodical, was started in Bal-
timore in 1880, and removed to New York on January ist, 1881. Dr. W.
C. Barrett, of Buffalo, became interested in the publication in 1883, and
it is now owned by an association of dentists, a majority of them in New
York and Brooklyn, while it is edited by Dr. Barrett and published in
this city. It is now the only independent dental publication in the State,
and is ably conducted.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE BENCH AND BAR DF ERIE COUNTY.*
Organization of Niagara County — Formation of Eric County- The First Court in Buffalo — The
First Judges — The Attorneys of Buffalo Before 1812— Prominent Lawyers of the Next
Decade — Riding the Circuit — Compensation of Early Lawyers — The Courts of Commoa
Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace — Their Character — The Recorder's Court of Buffalo
— Sketch of Judge Ebenezcr Waldcn — Biographic Notes of Other Deceased Attorneys and
Justices — Present Courts and Judges of Erie County — The Present Bar of the County.
HISTORY, truly speaking, is an account of facts, particularly of facts
relating to nations or States, while a formal account of the life of
individuals is not history, but biography. This chapter will pre-
tend to the dignity of neither, but will endeavor to speak of the men
who, since the organization of Erie county, upon the bench and the bar,
in the forum of the law and in public and private life, have dignified
humanity by their intelligent labors. It will necessarily be confined to
the lives of those who have gone before us, leaving to the future annalist
the task of narrating an account of those who are now upon the stage of
life. This history will be compiled from all sources from which it has
been possible to obtain information, particularly from the files of con-
temporaneous newspapers, and the valuable archives of the Buffalo His-
torical Society, and will not aspire to originality in thought, matter or
expression.
The old county of Niagara, of which Buffalo was the county seat, was
organized by an act of the Legislature, passed March 1 1, 1808. The present
county of Erie was not set off from the several counties then embraced in
Niagara and organized until 1821. The first court held in Buffalo was in
June, 1808, at Mr. Landen's public house, situated on inner lot number
♦This sketch was compiled by Hon. James Sheldon, Chief Judge of the Superior Court of
Buffalo.
The Bench and Bar of Erie County. 453
one, on the south side of Crow (now Exchange) street. No court had
before that time been held in Western New York, except at Batavia,and
the opening of the first term of court was an event of interest and
importance. Augustus Porter, of Niagara Falls, was the First Judge,
and Erastus Granger, of Buffalo, one of the puisne judges. At that time
and before the war of 181 2, the only practicing attorneys settled at Buf-
falo were, Ebenezer Walden, Jonas Harrison, John Root and Hemaii B.
Potter. Jonathan E. Chaplin was here in 1812. Albert H. Tracy, James
Sheldon and E. S. Stewart came in 181 5 ; and Thomas C. Love, Ebenezer
F. Norton and William A. Moseley, soon after. The situation of Buffalo
and its prospective future soon attracted public attention, and in 1821,
at the time of the organization of Erie county, the practicing lawyers
were John Root, Ebenezer Walden, Jonas Harrison, Heman B. Potter,
James Sheldon, Albert H. Tracy, Thomas C. Love, Ebenezer F. Horton,
Josei>h W. Moulton, Philander Bennett, Jonathan E. ChapUn, Stephen
G. Austin and William A. Moseley. By May, 1825, Horatio Shumway,
Henry White, Thomas T. Sherwood, Harry Slade, Joseph Clary, Shel-
don Smith, Roswell Chapin and Major A. Andrews were added to the
bar. These were the men, the pioneers of the profession, who gave it
character and dignity and for many years continued in active practice,
one by one retiring from active life, their places taken by the able and
eloquent lawyers who came afterwards and worthily sustained the high
reputation always borne b}' the Erie county Bar.
The practiceof riding the circuit, borrowed from England, prevailed
in those early days. Eminent lawyers, especially those reputed success-
ful with juries, accompanied the Circuit Judges of the Supreme Court
from county to county, upon the circuit, to assist on the trial of civil
cases and the defense of persons charged with crime. In some cases
they were retained beforehand, but most frequently, they were employed
during the sittings of the circuit, and were obliged to rely upon the prep-
aration which had been made by the attorney who employed them.
Before 1825, Root, Potter, Sheldon, Love and Tracy usually attended all
the courts in the adjoining counties of Chautauqua, Cattaraugus,
Genesee and Niagara, to try their own causes and such as might be con-
fided to them. The compensation which able lawyers received at this
period will seem meager if not mean, to those who are familiar only
with legal charges at the present day. In cases of considerable import-
ance where the preparation for the trial had been made by an attorney,
able counsel charged twenty to twenty-five dollars for the trial, and
when several days were employed in the preparation and trial, fifty dol-
lars to one hundred dollars was the largest charge for the services, in-
cluding oftentimes a ''summing up" to the jury, more eloquent and
exhausting than Westminster Hall could produce once in five years.
Although many of them at the present time, realize Daniel Webster's
454 History of Buffalo.
declaration of a lawyer's fate, ''to work hard, live well and die poor/'
some of our predecessors failed in each of these particulars, as doubtless
many of our contemporaries will persist in doing.
Before the adoption of the constitution of 1846, the Court of Com-
mon Pleas and the Court of General Sessions of the Peace, were the only
courts held in the county, except the circuits of the Supreme Court and
the term of the Recorder's Court of Buffalo, which was established in
1839. The Court of Common Pleas was held by the First Judge and any
two of the puisne Judges. Its practice assimilated both to that of the
King's Bench and Common Pleas at Westminster, England, and its errors
were corrected by writ of error brought in the Supreme Court- It was
the former, where the greater part of the civil business of the county
was transacted, and where the bar, if the annals transmitted to our gen-
eration are to be credited, engaged in exercises and practices that were
not permitted at the circuit ; a sort of legal arena where gladiatorial
contests occurred that would not be tolerated at the present time. The
Court of General Sessions of the Peace was held by the same Judges,
but purely for the trial of criminal offenses. The constitution of 1846,
abolished both courts and established a county court, with greatly en-
larged jurisdiction and powers, and held and presided over by the
county judge ; and the Court of Sessions for the trial of criminal
offenses, held by the county judge and two justices of the sessions.
The Recorder's Court of Buffalo was established in 1839, ^"d the
appointment of the recorder vested in the Governor. The office was
made elective by the people by the constitution 1846, and in 1854, the
court was reorganized and merged in the present Superior Court, with
three judges. It is now, under the constitution of 1869, a court posses-
sing and exercising within the city, jurisdiction and authority concur-
rent and co-extensive with the Supreme Court, and each judge of the
court possesses the same powers and authority in an action or special
proceeding, which a Justice of the Supreme Court possesses in a like
action or special proceeding brought in the Supreme Court, and appeals
from the decisions of t)ie court at a general term are taken to the Court
of Appeals of the State, as the appellate court. The criminal powers
and jurisdiction of the court in the* city, are the same as those of the
Supreme Court at the Oyer and Terminer. The Surrogate's Court was
always an important tribunal and the office has generally been filled by
learned members of the Bar.
Having thus referred to the various tribunals of the law which have
existed since the organization of Erie county, it is proposed to give a
brief sketch of the lives of those who, upon the bench and at the bar,
have been connected with the administration of the law. Generally,
the materials of such lives are few and brief, as are those furnished by
the lives of the ablest, the wisest and the best who live and die among
The Bench and Bar of Erie County. 455
us. Some of them were called upon to fill public offices aud acquired
State and National fame, but the greater number, knowing that civil office
in their country, is not the criterion of merit or dignity, were devoted to
the law and satisfied with the honorable position they sustained as coun-
selors of their clients and fellow-citizens; believing that the highest func-
tion of the lawyer is to aid in the pure and intelligent administration of
justice. Therefore, no extraordinary events happened to them in their
careers, yet thej^ were the men who gave tone and character to all public
offices and exerted a controlling influence upon public sentiment. As
citizens they were advocates of law and order and morality ; firm and
steadfast in supporting the institutions of the country, and worthily fill-
ing their places in all the offices and relations of life.
Ebenezer Walden. — Judge Walden was a native of Massachusetts and
a graduate of Williams College. After reading law in Oneida county,
he was admitted to the bar of this State, and became a resident of Buf.
falo in 1806, when it was but a mere frontier hamlet. His great sagacity
comprehended its position, and he chose it for his home, becoming inti-
mately identified with the fortunes of the place and contributing liberally
in means and enterprise in building up its institutions, and promoting its
growth and prosperity. He was one of the eight who in 1808 com-
prised the entire bar of what was then Niagara county. His colleagues
before 1812, residing at Buffalo, were Jonas Harrison, John Root and
Heman B. Potter, all of whom he survived many years. In 18 12 Judge
Walden represented in our State Legislature, the district composed of the
present counties of Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus. Dur-
ing the war of 181 2, he remained on the frontier and was present at the
burning of Buffalo by the British, when, by his exertions and courage he
aided essentially in saving the lives of several citizens. His own dwell-
ing shared the common fate of the village. On the return of peace he
resumed the practice of his profession and was distinguished as a safe
counselor, a sound lawyer and able advocate. Soon after the organiza-
tion of Erie county, and in 1823, he was appointed First Judge, the duties
of which he discharged for five years with ability and fidelity. Judge
Walden was a thorough lawyer and commanded the confidence and
respect of the able bar who practiced in his court. In 1828 he was chosen
one of the presidential electors and voted for John Quincy Adams. In
1838 be was chosen mayor of the city of Buffalo, and performed the
varied and complicated duties of the office with ability and impartiality.
During his last years he was withdrawn from the sphere of active life
and died November 10, 1857, at the age of eighty years, leaving a reputa-
tion for integrity, benevolence and elevated patriotism which will always
be associated with his memory.*
«For a move extended biography of Judge Walden see page 695. Vol. I.
456 History of Buffalo.
Jonas Harrison settled in Buffalo before the war of 1812, and
continued at the Bar until after 1820, when he went to Louisiana.
There are no particulars of his history except such as are derived, from
memory. He sustained the reputation of a sound lawyer, ranking with
the foremost of the able men of his time.
John Root was one of the earliest lawyers practicing at the Bar of
Erie county, and was a learned and able man, but retired from the pro-
fession some years before his death, in 1846. His general knowledge of
law and equity and jurisprudence, was, perhaps, equal to that of any of his
contemporaries. Mr. Root was a man of large and imposing appearance
and of particularly jovial and kindly temperament, ready at all times to
advise with the younger members of the Bar, and was familiarly known
as " Counselor Root." But few are now alive who knew him in his man-
hood, but many sketches have been compiled concerning him, illustrative
of his sparkling wit and readiness at repartee, and the lively fancy that
distinguished him and gave life and cheerfulness to the circle and society
in which he moved.
Heman B. Potter, after receiving a college education, entered the law
office of the celebrated Elisha Williams, at Hudson, where he was well
trained in the principles and practice of the law. He came to Buffalo in
October, 18 10, and almost simultaneously established a law office, organ-
ized a Washington Benevolent Society, a Federal Club, and joined, if he
did not organize, a Masonic lodge. He little thought that the two acts
of his earlier life last named would, as they did, form an insuperable bar
to political proaiotion to the end of his days. His appointment as dis-
trict attorney of the county constituted the only taste of office that he
ever enjoyed. He had the kindliest of disposition, unimpeachable
integrity, great industry, united to order and system in all transactions.
He soon acquired what was then considered a large legal business, and
tried and argued his own cases with good success. His addresses to
courts and juries were pleasing in manner ; his statements of law and
fact, clear and well arranged, and although he did not rise to the height
of eloquence, his forensic efforts could not fail to satisfy a moderate
ambition. His administration of the office of district attorney for ten
years was all that could be desired. The most celebrated prosecution in
which he was engaged was the trial of the "three Thayers," in the sum-
mer of 1825, for murder. The case was one to be made out by circum-
stantial evidence alone, and was prepared by General Potter and all
were iound guilty and executed. In after years, the late Chancellor
Walworth, who presided as a Circuit Judge at the trial, declared that
he had never known a case so well prepared and tried. Through his
whole life he was one of the most influential and respected citizens of
Buffalo, continuing in active business until his death in 1854, and leaving
a large fortune to his family and the more enduring memorial of an honor-
able character.
The Bench and Bar of Erie County. 457
Albert H. Tracy, settled in Buffalo in 181 5, and though only twenty-
two years of age and just admitted to the bar, was soon recognized as a
lawyer of marked ability. He was elected in 1818 to the Sixteenth Con-
gress, and twice re-elected, serving six years and acquiring a National
reputation. During this time he continued in active practice, in partner-
ship with James Sheldon, and subsequently with Thomas C. Love. In
i8i26 he was appointed Circuit Judge by Governor Clinton, in place of
William B. Rochester, but declined the oflfice, and in 1829 he again
entered political life, and was the candidate of the anti-Masons for the
office of State Senator, and was elected. The Senate was then a com-
ponent part of the Court for the Correction of Errors, the highest judicial
tribunal of the State, and as a member of the court Mr. Tracy acquired
a just and enduring fame. He was re-elected in 1833 for another term
of four years and exhibited great judicial ability during the whole of his
Senatorial career, as well as occupying a commanding position in the
affairs of State government. He then retired from public life, in the
meridian of his fame and intellectual power, and devoted himself prin-
cipally to his private affairs, and having acquired a large fortune died
in 1859.
James Sheldon^* was born at New Hartford, Oneida county, N. Y..,
and having received a classical education at Fairfield Academy, pursued
the study of the law at Onondaga Hollow with Gen. Thaddeus Wood.
He came to Buffalo early in the year 181 5, and continued in the active
practice of his profession until 1832, and was devoted to the law, never
seeking office or preferment of any kind. At the meeting of the bar on
the nth of March, 1876, on the occasion of the ceremonies of farewell to
the " old court house," Senator Babcock said : —
" James Sheldon is probably little known to most of my hearers, and
yet he made a prominent figure in this hall for many years. He was at
one time the law partner of Albert H. Tracy, and afterwards of Charles
G. Olmstead. Sheldon continued his practice until about 1832. He had
a powerful, well-compacted body, an acute intellect and an ardent tem-
perament, and was exceedingly well prepared for his profession, and a
thorough-going practitioner. He had a large business m criminal cases,
and a fair share of civil practice, and generally attended all the courts in
the Eighth district, to act as counsel in the trial of important causes.
His speeches to courts and juries were models of conciseness, expressed
in terse, forcible words and in a manner that seemed defiant of contra-
diction. In the legal frays of the Common Pleas, he was foremost, never
avoiding an encounter of any description, and seldom coming off with-
out his spurs."
James Sheldon was the father of Hon. James Sheldon, now the Chief
Judge of the Superior Court of Buffalo.
Charles G. Olmstead will not be remembered in the profession, but he
was a scholarly gentleman and possessed superior abilities. He was the
* This skeich of James Sheldon was prepared by W. C. Bryant, Esq.
458 History of Buffalo.
first district attorney of Niagara county in 1818, and was succeeded by
General Potter in that position, and up to about 1824 was the law part-
ner of James Sheldon. At that time he left Buffalo and went south, but
no record of his subsequent life can be found.
Thomas C. Love was one of the foremost men of his time in Erie
county. In i8i2-'i3 he served as a volunteer soldier on the northern
frontier, and in 18 14 was one of the first to respond to the call made upon
the patriotic citizens of Western New York, to come to the rescue of our
gallant little army pent up in Fort Erie. On the 17th of September,
1 8 14, he was engaged in the memorable sortie from the fort, where, in
the front of the battle, he was shot down, taken prisoner and carried
ultimately to Quebec. When discharged from imprisonment, at the end
of the war, he returned to Batavia, and after a short residence moved to
Buffalo. Judge Love was well read in his profession and a man of real
intellectual power, and an independent thinker ; and while in active life,
at the bar, on the bench, or in Congress, he exhibited great force of
character, a strong intellect, courageous temperament, and an industry
that shunned no labor. Into whatever he undertook, his whole soul was
thrown, and as may well be supposed he was largely successful. His
addresses to courts and juries made up in clearness and earnest force,
whatever was wanting in taste and elegance. Mr. Love accepted the
appointment of First Judge of the county in 1828, upon the retirement
of Judge Walden, and during a brief term filled the position with great
credit and fairness. In 1829 he resigned in order to accept the office of
district attorney, discharging its duties with great zeal and integrity
until after his election to Congress in 1834. After this time Judge Love
rarely appeared at the bar, but in 1841 he was appointed Surrogate of
the county, which position was congenial to his judicial habit of mind*
and was held by him for four years. He held various minor positions of
honor and trust, sustained an enviable reputation through life as a man
of integrity and honor as well as patriotic and chivalrous character.
Ebcncser K Norton was at one time a prominent member of the bar,
and occupied a creditable position. He settled in Buffalo before 1820*
and was distinguished for his learning, but was never devoted to the law
or the trial of cases. In 1823, he represented Erie county in the As-
sembly, and was an earnest advocate of the canal policy, "which at the
time was a question of great importance. In 1828, he was elected to the
Twenty-first Congress, and served with honor. The later years of his
life here were passed in retirement and the society of a large and influen-
tial circle of friends and relatives.
Wiiiiafn A. Moseley practiced fourteen years at the bar of Erie
county, having commenced in 1820, and retiring upon his election to the
Assembly in 1834. He possesed fine ability and acquirements, including
a fair knowledge of the law and its practice, and tried and argued his
a^i^f.-^r ^A^i^TZ-n^^,
'^^^,^1
The Bench and Bar of Erie County. 459
own cases which were most thoroughly prepared and had good success
with them. In the "heavy fights *' in the arena of the Common Pleas,
he bore himself well, having the ready wit and sarcasm so useful in such
encounters. Mr. Moseley was elected to the State Senate in 1838 for the
term of four years, and as a senator was a member of the Court for the
Correction of Errors, and in 1842, was elected a representative in Con-
gress and re-elected in 1844. It was thought remarkable, that, with such
abilities as he possessed, he should have been four years in the Senate
and four years in Congress without making a speech in either body : and
four years in the Court of Errors without delivering an opinion. This
did not arise from inattention to the ordinary duties of the position, for
no one exceeded him in punctuality of attendance and a knowledge of
what transpired in the bodies of which he was a member. Mr. Moseley
was distinguished as a courtly and pleasant gentleman and an ornament
to society who deserved and received its confidence.
Roswell Chapin^ was the first Surrogate of Erie county, being
appointed in 1 821, and continuing faithfully to discharge the duties of
the office for over seven years. He was a lawyer of considerable ability,
somewhat celebrated for quaintness of speech and manner as well as for
his wit and eccentricities ; and at one time possessed fair reputation and
influence, but in later years was unfortunate and leaving no family, is not
remembered by many of the present day.
Samuel Wilkeson is gratefully remembered and more generally known
from his identification with the history and prosperity of Buffalo and of
Western New York. He settled in Buffalo shortly after the warof 1812,
and became prominently interested in every measure that tended to ad-
vance its interests. Judge Wilkeson was an extraordinary roan, of
strong mind, indomitable energy and perseverance, possessing great pub-
lic spirit and active enterprise, and his fame rests upon his devotion to
all the measures and enterprises of the time that conduced to the growth
and prosperity of the country. He was not a lawyer by profession or
education, but his good judgment and vigorous common sense, enabled
him in most cases to form quite correct opinions of the law from the dis-
cussions of counsel and their citations of adjudications made by higher
courts. His appointment as First Judge of the county was made in
1810, and he continued to hold the position until in 1823: In 1825 he was
elected to the Senate of the State and during his term of office was dis-
tinguished for his great ability. As Mayor of the city in 1835^ ^^^ in all
public positions, he is remembered for his zeal and impartiality.
Philander Bennett graduated at Hamilton College and came to Buf-
falo in 181 7, well prepared to enter upon the duties of his profession.
By his ability and learning he acquired public confidence, and in 1829
was appointed First Judge of the county, which position he held with
great honor until in 1837. He filled various minor offices and positions
460 History of Buffalo.
of trust with rare fidelity, and his conduct all through a useful life was
marked by integrity, charity for all, and kindness and benevolence to
those who looked to him for advice, for sympathy or aid in affliction.
For many of his last years he lived in dignified retirement, sometimes
engaged in foreign travel, but mostly in horticultural pursuits, and
studies and reflections suited to an enlightened, Christian and philosophic
mind.
Stephen G. Austin, in his time, was one of the leading members of the
Bar. He settled in Buffalo in 1820, and by diligence and devotion to his
business and fortunate investments, amassed great wealth. In the
practice of the profession he was noted as being faithful and painstaking,
sound and judicious in his advice to clients, and well versed in the prin-
ciples of law and equity and the rules of practice. Mr. Austin was
engaged in later years in many enterprises that contributed to the pros-
perity of that city, and at the time of his death, in June, 1872, was pres-
ident of the National Savings Bank.
Oliver Forward. — A memorial of this distinguished man was written
a few years since by the compiler of this chapter, for the Buffalo His-
torical Society, in just recognition of his character and valuable lal)ors as
a citizen and in the public life. He was, by birthright, an inheritor of
those sterling and manly New England virtues which planted the graces
of our civilization and the republicanism of our institutions upon our
western frontier. About the year 1809 he settled at Buffalo under the
auspices of his brother-in-law. Judge Erastus Granger, at that time the
postmaster and collector of customs of that place, and agent for the
Indian tribes in Western New York. Judge Forward immediately
assumed the practical duties of those positions, and was appointed a
justice of the peace, all of which affairs were transacted in a small
wooden building, in the rear of what is now No. 102 Pearl street, but
which was burned by the British on the 30th of December, 1813. In
1814 he erected a brick dwelling, of which only the northerly portion is
now standing, being the same number and which probably is now the
oldest house in the city and in which the public business was transacted
for many years. The village was incorporated in 1813, and he was
nominated in the act as one of the trustees, and in April, 1817, was
appointed one ot the Judges of Niagara county, a position he held for
several years, displaying in an eminent degree the true judicial character
of fairness, patience and impartiality. As collector of the port he pur-
chased the land and erected the first lighthouse for this port at the
mouth of the harbor, and on the first day of November, 1818, the first
light was displayed, the harbinger of the commerce so fabulous in amount
and value which has since that day centered at this emporium.
The question of the terminus of the Erie canal was greatly agitating
the community in 1819, and Judge Forward was selected as the master
The Bench and Bar of Erie County. 461
mind to represent the interests of Buffalo in the Assembly of the State,
and then as a Senator in 1820, and the ensuing sessions, in which body
he maintained a conspicuous position and accomplished the great object
of his mission. He participated in all of the important events occurring
at the time, and held many positions of public trust with rare fidelity ;
always one of the most active and influential men of his day, and con-
tributed as much as any other to the success of the measures which laid
the foundation and splendor of our city, and in April, 1833, closed a life
which had been almost entirely devoted to public service. On the
memorable occasion of the visit of General La Fayette to the United
States as our Nation's guest, Judge Forward delivered an address of wel-
come to the distinguished visitor at Buffalo, on the 4th of June, 1825,
which has been well considered as the most happy and dignified that was
presented during his sojourn in this country. His brother, Walter For-
ward, was Secretary of the Treasury during the administration of Pres-
ident Tyler, and another brother, Chauncey Forward, was a distinguished
representative in Congress from Pennsylvania.
Charles Tawnsend. — Judge Townsend was one of those pioneers who
will ever be remembered as identified with the settlement and progress
of Buffalo, and who contributed in an eminent degree to advance its
commercial and business interests. He settled here in 181 1, participated
in the struggles and incidents of the war of 1812 upon the frontier, and
in 1817 was appointed one of the Judges of the Common Pleas of Niag-
ara county. His course in judicial life was marked by a kind and con-
siderate regard for the rights and interests of suitors, and for decisions
which displayed the qualities of fairness and impartiality, and, although
not educated for the bar, his native good sense and judgment, enabled
him to maintain the respect of the profession. Judge Townsend was a
man of great integrity and held many minor positions of trust, but never
sought. the honors and labors of public life. In later years he was largely
connected^ with commercial business at this port, and acquired a large
fortune, and died in 1847, leaving a most honorable record as a man and
a citizen.
Horatio Skumway settled in Buffalo in 1824, and having received a
good professional education, soon acquired the confidence of the leading
business men, and at the bar ranked among the foremost as a sound,
legal adviser. He disliked the trial of causes at nisi prius, and was
devoted to the business of a counselor, in his office, and the management
of large trusts and estates. In 1846 Mr. Shumway was persuaded to
become a candidate for the Assembly, in which position he originated
many public measures and attracted attention by the sound judgment he
manifested in the consideration of the questions of the time. In all the
duties and relations of Ufe, he was ever found supporting what was right
and just, dealing conscientiously and affording to the last a good example
462 History of Buffalo.
of that integrity which is the most enduring meraorial the citizen can
leave to society.
Dyer Tillinghast, came to Buffalo in 1826, and at once secured a very
respectable standing and business. He was an excellent practitioner in
all law and equity tribunals and possessed great clerical ability. He was
at home in all forums. A justice's court, a board ot town officers, an
ecclesiastical convocation, a court martial, a trial at the sessions or cir-
cuit, a case in chancery or in admiralty, were equally his delight, and in
each he acquitted himself with credit. He was a lawyer of great learn,
ing, assiduous and painstaking, without ambition, whose integrity and
kindness of heart were proverbial. Especially during all his life, did
he manifest a remarkable sympathy for the younger members of the bar;
extending to all the right hand of welcome, and freely giving of his varied
stores of learning. Probably no larger or more dignified meeting of
the bar of Erie county was ever held, than the one of March 19, 1862,
upon the occasion of the death of Mr. Tillinghast. The proceedings
were fully reported in the papers of that day, and were characterized by
that genuine sympathy for a friend and brother, which was the best trib-
ute to his character as a man and a lawyer. Faithful to the interests of
his clients, honest in his dealings with his fellow-men, filling various posts
of usefulness in the community where he had resided for thirty-six years,
he departed without leaving an enemy behind. Marked tributes of re-
gard were paid to his character and standing by Judges Clinton, Shel-
don, Masten and Skinner, on the sad occasion.
Harry Slade graduated at Dartmouth College, and after being ad.
mitted to the bar, settled in Buffalo in 1822. For nearly twenty years
he served as a justice of the peace, and represented Erie county in the
Assembly of 1848. With a mind finely cultivated, a clear, sagacious
intellect, firm and honorable in his convictions and life, Mr. Slade might,
if he had so chosen, have won a distinguished position in public life ;
but he was singularly unambitious and found his chief enjoyment in rural
sports, of which he was passionately fond, and the social converse of his
friends. Tenacious of the old school principles in which he had been
brought up, he was in heart gentle and simple as a child. His character was
strikingly individualized, and many anecdotes have been related illustrat-
ing his peculiarities. While actively engaged at the bar he was considered
a safe counselor, and was faithful to his clients' interests, but he did not
practice in his later years ; devoting himself to the just administration of
the law in the court of a justice of the peace, the varied duties of which
he performed with singular fairness and equity.
Joseph Clary, at one time was ranked among the leading members of
the bar of Erie county, although never aspiring to the celebrity of the
advocate. He was peculiarly a man of fine social feelings, endowed
with strong and well-balanced intellectual powers, and a general sagacity
The Bench and Bar of Erie County. 463
and good sense, and, while exercising great deliberation in forming his
convictions upon all subjects, he was ever firm in asserting them. Mr.
Clary held various minor positions of trust and represented Erie county
in the Legislature of 1834.
Henry White, during the few years at the bar, attained considerable
reputation. In many respects he was a remarkable man. He had a
subtle and ingenious mind, great industry, entire devotion to his pro-
fession, and read much and thought more of his books. His ready
ability, genial and attractive manners, gave him influence with juries,
while his entire faculties were devoted to every cause in which he was
retained. His reputation in Western New York as a nisi prius lawyer,
had reached a high point and was increasing, when he died suddenly of
cholera in 1832. Mr. White never sought or held office, but maintained
the high position of an independent and fearless advocate at the bar.
Sheldon Smith, at the time of bis death, in 1835, ^'^s one of the oldest
and most reputable counselors of Western New York, no less distinguished
for his legal acquirements than for eloquence, urbanity of manner,
philanthrophy of nature and purity of morals. As an advocate before a
jury, he was fluent and graceful, presenting his case with moderation
and clearness, in language extremely well chosen and effective. Mr.
Smith settled in Buffalo about 1820, and continued in practice until his
death at the early age of forty-seven, and during all that time was con-
spicuous at the bar to the varied duties of which he was devoted. He
was a rhetorician of cultivation, didactic, impressive and slow of speech,
or ornate and profuse in declamation, as to him seemed most suitable to
the occasion. His most celebrated popular effort, but of which only the
memory remains, was made on the 26th of October, 1825, when the great
concourse of people who had assembled to witness the departure on that
day, of the first boat from Buffalo upon the Erie canal for tide-water,
moved in procession to the court house, and listened to his magnificent
oration. Had Mr. Smith yielded to the wishes of^ the people, and the
allurements of political life, he would have graced the halls of our State
and National Legislatures ; but he was unambitious and devoted to the
law, and sought no distinction beyond that of being an ornament to his
profession.
Major A. Andrews, will not be remembered particularly as a lawyer
although he maintained a respectable standing at the bar when he settled
in Buffalo about 1820, he purchased a large real estate which increased
in value with the growth of the place, and the management of which
diverted him from the practice of his profession. He was the second
Mayor of the city chosen in 1833, and gave patient and zealous attention
to the interests confided to him. The only other prominent position held
by him was that of a member of the electoral college of 1833, in which
he cast a vote for Andrew Jackson for President
464 History of Buffalo.
Martin Chittenden, came from Vermont a young man of dtsttnguisbed
family, highly educated, and attracted at once the popular attention. He
was appointed Surrogate of the county in February, 1832, but be held
the office only a few months, when he died of cholera, to the great regret
of the Bar and of all the community. He had given such marked evi-
dence of the possession of superior abilities and learning, combined with
a dignified but genial address, that his untimely death was regarded as a
public calamity.
Absalom Bull, resided at Black Rock from about 1821 until his deaths
and was a practitioner of good reputation. At one time he acted as one
of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas. Judge Bull was an influ-
ential delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1846, and was always
recognized as an exemplary and honorable citizen.
George R. Babcock, came to Buffalo in 1824 and after pursuing the
study of law in the oflBce of General Potter, subsequently his father-in-
law, was admitted to the Bar in 1829, and was connected with the pro.
fession until his death in 1876. During the later years of his life he was
withdrawn from the more general business of the law, and devoted him-
self to the management of a few important trusts. He was well informed
in the principles of law and equity and jurisprudence, and often called upon
to act as referee in the determination of difficult litigations. Mr. Babcock,
without any pretensions to genius, was a man of ability, of a philosophic
turn of mind, and his judgments were intuitively correct. Always a stu-
dent, there were few subjects of interest to the scholarand statesman that
had not passed under his critical review. He maintained the respect and
confidence of the community through a long life of public and private
service, but was without ambition for office and disliked the arts by which
men of inferior qualifications were raised into power. His mind was em-
inently well balanced and conservative in all its tendencies^ and with his
unspotted integrity and judicial learning and temperament, he would
have greatly adorned the bench in the higher courts. In 1843 he repre*
sented Erie county in the Assembly and was elected to the State Senate
in 1850 and reelected in 1852, and was recognized as one of the ablest
and wisest men in public service.
Elijah Ford, received a classical education at Union College and set*
tied in Buffalo in 1828, where he entered the law office of White & Sher^
wood, and in due time was admitted to the bar. Mr. Ford was an office
lawyer and counselor, rather than an advocate, and as a Master in Chan*
eery acquired extended reputation, for his fair and equitable disposition
of the important matters referred to him by the court of chancery. The
settlement and management of the estate of Hon. Samuel DeVeaux» was
entrusted almost entirely to him for eighteen years, and the College near
the Suspension Bridge was built under his supervision. Mr. Ford held
many positions of trust and was somewhat distinguished in public life,.
The Bench and Bar of Erie County. 465
having represented Erie county in the Assembly in i8so> in which body
he was the Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means. In 1859 he
was the candidate of the Hard Shell branch of the Democratic party for
Lieutenant-Governor, but was defeated. Nothing could have been more
absolutely honest than his busy and useful life, through all of which his
manly virtues and intellectual attainments were a benefit to society. Mr.
Ford was not a learned man, not a great lawyer, nor had he the gift of
eloquence, but he was strictly a business lawyer, studious, thorough and
conscientious, a wise, impartial and just arbitrator of the affairs of men,
and an exemplary and honored member of the community.
Thomas T. Sherwood was one of the remarkable lawyers and men ot
his or of any time. He came to Erie couuty and practiced law at
Springville sometime before he settled in Buffalo^ in 1826, at which date
be became the law partner of Henry White. Their relation lasted until
183 1, but he still continued in active practice, and in 1838, formed a part-
nership with Mr. William H. Greene, whose beautiful and truthful
memorial of the life and character of Mr. Sherwood has preserved the
fame of a really great man. In that paper Mr. Greene says : that
as a lawyer, Mr. Sherwood was not learned, but he was an able one,
far abler than any mere learning could make him. Without a scholastic
or thorough study of the law, he had acquired and become familiar
with the principles in which our jurisprudence is founded, both those ot
common law and equity. There was no question of law or of fact to
which he was not equal in case it became necessary that he should
examine it and master it in connection with a cause actually at hand. But
in banc^ on mere questions of dry law, he did not appear to his own
advantage, because he lacked the accuracy which is there indispensable,
which nothing but a minute and laborious preparation can secure. Still
there was no judge of sufficient intelligence to appreciate such a man,
who did not care to hear him and who did not hear him with patience
and with benefit. There was no one who could affect, in his presence,
judicial indifference, arrogance, indolence or contempt ; such was the
size, the looks, the heart and the stir, as well as the courage of the man.
But Mr. Sherwood had been trained up in his profession far more in the
scenes of nisiprius. There it was, in the pressure and tumult of a trial
before a jury, that his blood and pulse, the faculties of his body as well
as of his mind were aroused into action. There he appeared in his best
condition and to his own best advantage. He was familiar with the ordi-
nary rules of evidence and their use ; and there he felt and acted at his ease
like one on a theatre to which he was accustomed. He was far from
being an accurate or a graceful speaker, yet if eloquence be judged of
by the criterion of carrying a man's point with a jury, he was eloquent.
The twelve men before him were the only body of men he ever coaxed
or courted* On the judge who presided, he was apt to look as an
466 History of Buffalo.
obstacle in his way and altogether out of place. He treated the judge
just as he did the juror, rather as a man than as a lawyer, for by his own
experience and observation he had learned how little law, in truth, is
made use of in the administration of the law. He impressed the jury
with his theory and ideas of the case, and so impressed it into their
minds that they might not be dislodged, and it was in these scenes of the
trials of causes that the ability of the man, in the capacity of the lawyer,
appeared. Very many might complain, criticise and object,sometimes even
venture to ridicule ; the victorious answer to the whole swarm of these
faultfindings, was the verdict. Mr. Sherwood never allowed himself to
be a candidate for public office, for he possessed that stem independence
of character which would not allow his views and opinions to be sub-
ordinated to those of any man or party. In private life he was truthful
and kind-hearted exerting great influence in all matters to which his
attention was directed, always exacting obedience to the law and the pre-
cepts of morality as the price of his friendship, and lived and died in com-
parison with the best of his fellow citizens, an upright and honest and
just man.
Millard Fillmore^ the thirteenth President of the United States,
moved to Erie county in 1821, and the next spring entered a law office
in Buffalo, and was admitted to the Common Pleas in 1823. He then
settled in Aurora, and was there admitted to the Supreme Court in 1827,
but in 1830 removed to Buffalo, and continued engaged in the practice of
the law until his election as Comptroller of the State, in 1847. In the
practice of the law, the preparation and trial of causes, Mr. Fillmore was
assiduous and painstaking to the last degree ; never allowing himself to
rely upon the inspirations of the moment, or the mistakes of his adver-
sary. The interests confided to him by clients were thoroughly pro-
tected, and on every occasion, before the varied tribunals of law and
equity, he was fully prepared upon the law and the facts, to maintain the
cause in which he was engaged. He was considered as a safe and rep-
utable counselor and an advocate of superior abilit}^ Mr. Fillmore was
not a man of genius or of eloquence. He relied upon the adjudications
in the books to support, before the judges, his views of the law, as applL
cable to the case in hand, and for success in the trial of causes before a
jury, upon his plain and candid statements and inferences from the testi-
mony, without any pretense of oratorical power. Always cool, unim-
passioned, yet pertinacious, dignified and imposing in appearance, and
apparentl}' in earnest in supporting his views and convictions, he pos-
sessed in the highest degree the qualities of the successful lawyer. But
it was as an office lawyer that Mr. Fillmore acquired distinction and
wealth ; by the same industry and mastery of details and general accu-
racy, an^ the conservative nature of his mind, that gave him prominence
in the halls of legislation, and enabled him to manage with real ability, the
The Bench and Bar of Erie County. 467
varied and important matters in which he was retained. His political
career and public life and services are matters of our national history.
Horatio J. Stow came here from Lewis county, in this State, where
his father, Hon. Silas Stow, resided, and held the position of First Judge
of the Common Pleas and represented his district in 181 2 and 18 13 in
Congress. He settled at Lewiston and formed a partnership with Hon.
Bates Cooke, afterward Controller, and a man of very distinguished
standing in the State. Upon moving to Bufifalo in 1833, he entered into
partnership with Joseph Clary, who at that time was largely engaged in
practice and was singularly sldlfuU judicious and administrative in all
the kinds of business belonging to and allied with the law. Judge Stow
continued actively engaged in his profession until 1839, when, upon the
organization of the Recorder's court, he was appointed the first Recorder
of the city, which position he held about four years, but after that he did not
appear again at the bar. He administered the oflSice of Recorder prompt-
ly, impartially, with dispatch, accuracy and satisfaction. In his own mind,
the standard of an accomplished Judge was very high, and he always
seemed to aim to live up to its purity and completeness. In 1846 he was
chosen from Erie county as a delegate to the Constitution$kl Convention,
and in 1857, being then a resident of Niagara county, by the joint suf-
frages of both political parties, was elected to the State Senate from that
district. It was'in the debates of the Constitutional Convention that Judge
Stow exhibited the qualities of the eloquent and learned statesman and
jurist, and acquired that just fame upon which his reputation stands.
His speech upon the question of legal reform was of this superiority and
intelligence, delivery and efifect, and when in the Senate his speech upon
the canal question attracted universal attention. Judge Stow was kn
earnest, sincere and reliable friend, governed by the most generous im-
pulses, and scorning all meanness or hypocrisy. HiS' strict integrity and
independence, lifting him above all party ties, were eminently conspicu-
ous and worthy of imitation by the politicians of the present day.
Frederick P. Stevens was a member of the bar when he settled in
Buffalo in 1833, and well prepared for his profession. He was one of
the early Masters in Chancery in Western New York, and also z puisne
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for many years, until in January,
1845, he was appointed the First Judge, and in Jutoe, 1847, ^^s elected
County Judge imder the constitution of 1846. Judge Stevens practiced
but little at the bar, but was known as a capable and accurate Master in
Chancery, a considerate and painstaking judicial officer, at Chambers,
and an honest and upright Judge. In 1856 he was elected Mayor of the
city and discharged the duties of that place with superior executive
ability. He was elected to the Assembly in 1863, and at once took a
prominent and useful position, particularly in regard to the interests of
Buffalo. Judge Stevens was a kind and genial gentleman, a firm and
468 History of Buffalo.
true friend, and maintained the respect and consideration of his fellow
citizens during his long and busy life.
Samuel Caldwell graduated at Cambridge, and practiced law several
years in Buffalo, before he was appointed Surrogate of Erie county, in
1836. He was industrious in the practice of his profession, a good and
safe counselor, but rather avoided the trial of causes at nisiprius. As a
Surrogate, and in the performance of the duties of a Supreme Court
Commissioner, and Master in Chancery for many years, he evidenced
the possession of judicial ability of a high order. Mr. Caldwell was a
man of large general information, studious, quiet and unostentatious, but
recognized as a faithful and honorable member of the bar, and a citizen
of influence and character.
Solomon G. Haven. — In the general practice of the law, as a coun-
selor learned in the law, and an advocate before a jury, Mr. Haven was
for many years pre-eminent at the Bar of Erie county. After a course of
legal studies in the office of the late Governor, John Young, at Geneseo,
he came to Bu£Falo in January, 1835, and entered the law office of Fill-
more & Hall. On being admitted to the Bar in May following, he com-
menced practice alone, but the next year became a member of that firm,
who then were largely engaged in business. Judge Hall retired from the
firm in May, 1839, ^^^ ^^' Fillmore and Mr. Haven continued associated
in active practice utitil the fall of 1847, when the former gentleman was
elected Comptroller of the State, but Mr. Haven remained at the Bar
until his death, in December, 1861. From the first Mr. Haven was emi-
nently successful in his profession, gaining early a prominent position
and ultimately attaining the front rank in the Bar of Western New York
as a nisiprius lawyer. He brought to the study and the practice of the
law a great intellect, most subtle and ingenious powers of investigation, a
retentive memory and quick and active perceptions. He was a student
and gathered and stored up the learning of his profession in all its various
departments, and applied his learning to the actual case with unrivalled
skill. His knowledge, his genial temperament, his probity and correct
habits, excited universal admiration and were worthy of the emulation
of all society. In business, and especially in the practice of the law, he
exhibited extraordinary dexterity, shrewdness, vigor and understanding,
at once sound, comprehensive and. acute, guarded by a true regard for
honor and integrity, and a heart constantly disposed to kind and chari-
table actions. In March, 1842, he was elected Mayor of BufiFalo, and in
June, 1843, was appointed District Attorney of the county, and discharged
the duties of each position with sound discretion and marked ability. In
1850 he consented to become a candidate for election as a representative
in Congress, influenced mainly by his desire to render efficient support
to the administration of President Fillmore, his former partner. He was
re-elected to Congress in 1852, apd again in 1854, and was alwavs distin-
The Bench and Bar of Erie County. 469
guished in his character as a representative, for his honesty, industry and
independent course upon all questions, acquiring great influence and rep-
utation.
James Mullett^ while residing in Chautauqua county was known as
one of the ablest members of the Bar in Western New York. Upon
moving to Buffalo in 1843, he entered at once into a large practice which
he pursued with great success until his election as a Judge of the Supreme
Court in 1847, Judge MuUett was a man of superior intellect and a thoi^
ough lawyer, and while at the Bar was eminent in his success in the trial
of causes. In any case where principle was involved, where he felt that
as an advocate he was asserting a right, or endeavoring to redress a
wrong, his eloquence was of the highest order, and his arguments con-
vincing, persuasive and unanswerable. He distinguished himself upon
the bench by several opinions which will remain in the reports, unex-
celled, as examples of judicial learning and logical conclusion. Tn 1823
and 1824, Judge MuUett represented Chautauqua county in the Assem-
bly and in 1826 was appointed District Attorney of that county ; but he
had no political aspirations and through the rest of his life was devoted
to his profession and to the administration of the law.
George P. Barker graduated at Union College in 1827, and the same
year commenced the study of the law in the office of Stephen G. Austin,
in Buffalo, with whom he became associated in business, upon his admis-
sion to the Bar in 1830. Before that time he had attracted public atten-
tion by his superior oratorical powers, manifested in the legal contests
in the minor courts, and in his active participation in the political con-
tests of the time. Not only had he risen to the front rank at the Bar,
but became the acknowledged leader of the Democratic party and in
1 83 1, at the age of twenty-four, was its candidate for the Assembly. In
1832 be was appointed District Attorney of the county, and in the dis-
charge of the duties of the office, laid the foundation for a higher legal
position. He was an unsuccessful candidate for Congress in 1834, but
in 1835 was elected to the Assembly of the State, notwithstanding
the fact that his party were in a large minority in the county. He ac-
quired great legislative reputation and popularity while in the Assembly
and took a leading position upon the important questions then exciting
the public mind. In 1842 he was elected Attorney-General of the State,
and honorably discharged the duties of his high position, and on his retire-
ment was again appointed District Attorney of the county, which posi-
tion he held until his death in 1848, at the early age of forty-one. Mr.
Barker was distinguished by his commanding presence and winning and
courteous manner; in personal popularity he was, perhaps, without a
rival in the State. He was a ready and eloquent speaker, who felt and
made others feel what he asserted, yet he was none the less a well-read
lawyer and an able and judicious counselor.
470 History of Buffalo.
Nathan K. Hall, was born in Onondaga county in 1810, but moved
to the town of Wales, in Erie county, in 1826, and immediately entered
the office of Millerd* Fillmore, in Aurora, as a law student. When Mr.
Fillmore moved to Buffalo, in 1830, Judge Hall came with him, and con-
tinued his studies until he was admitted in 1832, and soon after that,
formed a partnership with Mr. Fillmore. Probably no man in Erie county
held more public positions than Judge Hall, or with more entire satisfac-
tion to the community. In 1839, ^^ ^^s appointed Master in Chancery
and in 1841, First Judge of the Common Pleas. In 1845 he was elected
Member of Assembly, and in 1847 represented Erie county in Congress.
Mr. Fillmore having assumed the Presidential chair, on the death of Pres-
ident Taylor in 1850, Judge Hall was appointed Postmaster-General, and
continued to hold that position until 1852, when he received the appoint-
ment of Judge of the District Court for the Western district of New
York, which place he continued until his death in March, 1874.
During all these years, Judge Hall was intimately connected with
the most important institutions of Buffalo; for many years president o{
the Buffalo Female Academy and one of the trustees of Wells College at
Aurora, Cayuga county. He was president of the board of trustees of
the Normal School, and also president of the Buffalo Historical Society,
and always an active and influential member. The industry, capacity
and learning of Judge Hall in every position in which he was placed,
were remarkable. His patience, kindness and dignity upon the bench,
as a Judge, were proverbial, and in all public positions, and in the walks
of private life, his bearing was eminently that of an intelligent, conscien-
tious, just and worthy man.
Henry K. Smith, one of the .most gifted and eloquent members of
the Bar of the State of New York, was born on the Island of Santa
Cruz, where his father, an English gentleman., was largely engaged as a
planter. At the age of seven years, he was sent to Baltimore for the
purpose of being educated, and after remaining many years, concluded
to study law at Johnstown in this State, and was admitted to the Bar in
1833. He then settled in Buffalo and by his fine abilities, soon took
rank among the most successful lawyers in Western New York. In 1843
he was appointed Recorder of Buffalo and held that judicial position
four years. In 1848, unexpectedly to himself, he was appointed Post-
master and in March, 1850, elected Mayor of the city of Buffalo, filling
these several stations with fidelity and ability. In all the political con-
tests of the time. Judge Smith took an active and influential part. As
an advocate at the Bar and as a public speaker, especially upon the
leading topics of the time, he was gifted with an eloquence which was
surpassed by that of few speakers in the State or nation. He was self-
• It is a fact^not generally known, perhaps, that Mr. Fillmore in the early years of his life,
spelled his given name with an ** e. **
The Bench and Bar of Erie County. 471
possessed in a remarkable degree; his mind was richly stored and culti-
vated ; his manner, alike commanding and winning ; his carriage, grace-
ful and manly ; his eye, beaming with fires of genius and intellect ; his
voice, clear and sonorous, and his elocution surpassed by few living
orators. These were gifts and accomplishments which he possessed in
a remarkable degree, and which, if he had so willed, would have secured
him any position to which he might have aspired. As a lawyer, he was
well versed in the principles of law and equity ; a diligent student and
commanded the attention and respect of courts and juries. The last
few years of his life, he withdrew from active practice and died at Buf-
falo in September, 1854.
Israel T. Hatch^ came to Buffalo about 1830, well prepared for the
duties of his profession, and soon acquired an honorable position at the
Bar. He was appointed Surrogate of the county in January, 1833,
the duties of which position he discharged with admirable judicial fair-
ness and ability. Mr. Hatch did not remain long in practice, but was
distinguished for his general understanding of all branches of his pro-
fession.. He engaged in business enterprises, and as a politician and
public spirited citizen, attained great reputation and influence. In 1852
he was elected to the Assembly, and at that time and always thereafter,
was an ardent supporter of the canal policy of the State of New York.
He was elected as a representative in Congress in 1856, and occupied an
influential position as regards all matters of national policy. Mr. Hatch
was a courteous gentleman, possessing fine literary tastes and well edu-
cated, and to the time of his death, exerted a commanding influence in
the community.
Wells BrookSy practiced law at Springville for many years, and was
a life-long resident of Erie county. The later years of his life were
passed in Buffalo, in the quiet discharge of the trusts and duties of vari-
ous public positions. Mr. Brooks was a lawyer of good reputation,
faithful to his clients, candid and sincere, and deservedly occupied a
good position at the Bar. For many years, he was a leading member of
the Board of Supervisors, and looked upon as authority in all affairs of
importance to the county. He was elected to the Assembly in 1836 and
again in 1843 ^^^ exerted considerable influence in the Legislature. In
1849 ^^ ^^s elected county clerk and admirably conducted the affairs
connected with that position.
Edward 5. Warren during a residence in Buffalo of nearly thirty
years, maintained a position of high social and business prominence. He
graduated at Middlebury College, in 1833^, ^^^ soon after came to Buf-
falo and pursued a course of legal studies in the office of Hon. Israel T.
Hatch, and upon being admitted to the bar, became the law partner of
the Hon. Henry K. Smith. In his professional career, Mr. Warren dis-
played legal attainments of a high order, and achieved an honorable
472 History of Buffalo.
standing at the bar. His spirit of practical enterprise, made the dull
routine of professional life distasteful to him, and he embarked largely in
business affairs, which he conducted with sagacity and success. He was
an accomplished gentleman and an intelligent and valued citizen.
James Crocker^ settled in Buffalo about 1835, ^^<1 practiced until his
death in 1861. He was a quiet and unassuming gentleman, of unblem-
ished character, and an excellent member of society. For several years
he was a Master in Chancery, and held various minor offices and positions
of trust, and discharged the duties of all positions with fairness and
ability. His practice of the law was mainly confined to the routine of
his office, as a counsellor, and he rarely appeared before the courts.
Peter M. Vosburgh, practiced law at Aurora, several years, and on
moving to Buffalo, was engaged in a large business until his appointment
as surrogate of Erie county in January, 1845. He was elected to the
same position in 1847, serving in all, nearly six years, with great honor
and satisfaction to the community. In 1855, he was elected county clerk
and showed excellent administrative ability in the discharge of the duties
of that position. During a professional life of over thirty years, he was
known as a safe counselor, slow and candid in forming opinions and firm
in his own convictions of right and justice. He was a citizen of influence
and always respected for his integrity and exemplary life.
James Stryker^ was in active practice in Buffalo for several years
before he was appointed First Judge of the Common Pleas in 1837,
which position he held until 1841. He wasa jurist of superior reputation,
and stood high as a lawyer of ability, but he was an ardent politician, and,
devoting himself to the political controversies of the day, never acquired
in his profession, the place to which otherwise he would have been enti-
tled. When the general government decided upon the plan of removing
the Indians of the State, to the northwest territory, President Jackson
appointed Judge Stryker, as the commissioner to negotiate a treaty with
the Six Nations. He was eminently successful, and the Cayugas and a
large part of the Senecas, Oneidas and Onondagas, emigrated to other
places. After leaving Buffalo he settled near New York and published
the American Register for several years, a work of authority and
reference.
Benjamin H. Austin^ Sr.^ settled in Buffalo shortly after his admission
to the bar in Saratoga county, and continued in a large and active prac-
tice until his death in July, 1874. He possessed many remarkable traits
of character, and was gifted with that natural logical acumen, intuitive
sense of right and justice, calmness and deliberation, and great intellectual
vigor, which adapted him to the requirements of his profession. He made
the study and practice of the law the arduous business of his life, and
achieved Access beyond many, if not most of his compeers, by industry,
integrity and patience. The practice of the law in his hands, was what
/A^^^-^^^ <^,/^X..^d-^^L^,^^
The Bench and Bar of Erie County. 473
it ever is in the hands of those who are worthy of its privileges ; not the
instrument of oppression, the trickery of fraud, but the shield against in-
justice, the protection of the innocent, and the terror of the fraudulent and
the criminal. He will be remembered for the zeal, the earnestness, the
vigor which it was always his habit to bring to the discharge of his duties,
manifesting to every one and in all instances, an unyielding faithfulness
and constant courage for his client, and his client's cause. Mr. Austin's
life was exemplary. Beneficent and kind to all with whom he was asso-
ciated, he was also a friend to every good cause, and in his own life af-
forded the living example of a worthy man and citizen. He was elected
district attorney of the county in 1847, and faithfully served his term of
office, but held no other public position. His son, Benjamin H. Austin,
Jr., after many years of active professional life in Buffalo, removed to the
Sandwich Islands, hoping to benefit his health, and is now one of the
Judges of the Supreme Court of that kingdom.
Seth E. Sill was born in Saratoga county, and having completed his
legal education in the office of Thomas T. Sherwood, in Bufifalo, was
admitted to the Bar in 1836. He subsequently was in partnership with
George P. Barker, which relation terminated on Mr. Barker being chosen
Attorney-General of the State, and subsequently Mr. Sill continued the
practice alone, until he was elected a Judge of the Supreme Court in
1847. He continued on the Bench until his death in September, 185 1, at
the early age of 42 years. At the Bar, Judge Sill was distinguished as
being an able, accurate and conscientious lawyer and attained a deserv-
edly high rank in his profession. In his death, the Bench of the State lost
one of its brightest ornaments. Throughout the State he had become
known and esteemed as a learned and able jurist, and he left a lasting
impression upon the judicial history of the State. If he was distinguished
for one quality more than another, it was for his unblemished and unbend-
ing integrity as a man and a Judge.
Asher P. Nichols acquired a legal education in the office of Hon.
George W. Clinton, and was admitted to the Bar in 1837. He continued
in active practice until his death in May, i88a Mr. Nichols was a pains-
taking, industrious lawyer, well versed in the theory and practice of his
profession and of superior ability as an advocate. He had a thorough
appreciation of the dignity of his profession and achieved an excellent
standing at the Bar. In 1867 he was elected to the Senate of the
State, of which body he was an influential member, and in June, 1870,
was appointed Comptroller of the State. In both of these positions he
exhibited marked administrative ability and that faithful discharge of
duty characteristic of him as a lawyer. Mr. Nichols was a gentleman of
fine literary tastes, afifable and courteous, and recognized as an influen-
tial member of society.
Henry W. Rogers practiced law with great success at Bath, Steuben
county for several years before he moved to Buffalo in 1836, and con-
474 History of Buffalo.
tinued identified with the profession until about 1872. During all this
time Mr. Rogers was one of the most prominent members of the Bar in
Western New York, and recognized as an able counselor and successful
advocate. In 1837 ^^ ^^ appointed District Attorney of Erie county
and served in that office with signal ability and faithfulness until 1844.
In 1844 he was appointed by President Polk to the position of Collector
of Customs of the port of Buffalo, which place he held four years. The
later years of his life were spent in foreign travel and the enjoyment of
his cultured tastes, and he died at Ann Arbor, Michigan, in March, 1880^
having resided there on account of his health for several years. He
always exercised a large and good influence in society, and was promi-
nent in the support of all measures designed to enhance the public good.
He was one of the founders and a liberal benefactor of the Academy of
Fine Arts and of the Buffalo Historical Society ; succeeding Mr. Fill-
more as president of these institutions.
Eii Cook. — During the time he was inactive practice, no member of
the Bar of Western New York enjoyed a greater reputation than Mr.
Cook, especially for his success as a criminal lawyer. He studied law at
Utica, and was a partner of the late Judge Denio, but moved to Buffalo
in 1838, and at once took a high position, which he maintained as long as
health permitted him to practice. His power over the feelings and sym-
pathies of juries was due to natural eloquence rather than to deep and
well digested argument, ,yet he had few superiors in the art of present-
ing a case clearly and without unnecessary rhetoric. He was a lawyer of
the old school, an eloquent advocate, truthful in his statements and a
genial, courteous and amiable gentleman. In 1853 he was elected Mayor
of Buffalo, and re-elected in 1854 for two years. Previously he had
served as City Attorney and his administration of these offices reflects
honor upon his memory.
Horatio Seymour^ Jr.^ after receiving a collegiate education at Mid-
dlebury College, studied his profession at Syracuse, and was admitted
to the bar. He settled in Buffalo in 1836 and secured a considerable
practice in his profession, which he carried on until his death in Septem-
ber, 1872. Mr. Seymour held the important office of a Master in Chan-
cery for many years and represented Erie county in the Assembly of
1863 and also in 1864. He acquired reputation and influence as a legis-
lator, and was faithful to the interests of his constituents. In 1867 he
was elected Surrogate of Erie county and showed marked judicial ability
in that position. Mr. Seymour was an ardent politician, and his strong
political feelings as well as his fine talents and oratorical abilities, gave
him a decidedly influential position in the community.
Joseph G. Masten settled in Buffalo in 1836, having been in practice
for some years at Bath, Steuben county, and at once acquired a large
and important legal business. In 1848 he was chosen Recorder of the
9^^*^^^^-^
The Bench and Bar of Erie County. 475
city, the duties of which judicial office he discharged with great credit,
and in 1856 was elected as a Judge of the Superior Court, which position
be held until his death, in April, 1871. In 1843 he was elected Mayor of
the city and re-elected in 1845. Judge Masten was an influential member
of the State Constitutional Convention in 1867, as a delegate at large,
and served on the Judiciary Committee. In every position to which he
was appointed or called by the people, Judge Masten discharged the duties
assumed with an ability and fidelity which commanded the respect of
all parties. As a lawyer and a Judge he occupied a high rank and was
recognized as a sound and enlightened jurist.
Isaac A. Verplanck, — At the time of his death in 1873, he was the
Chief Judge of the Superior Court of Buffalo, having been a Judge of
that court from its organization in the year 1854. He graduated at
Union College, and in 183 1 settled at Batavia, in the practice of the law
and acquired prominence at the bar before his removal to Buffalo in
1847. ^^ once he took a leading position and carried on a successful
business until elected to the bench of the Superior Court. Throughout
his judicial life, Judge Verplanck was distinguished as being one of the
most enlightened and sagacious Judges who ever presided in nisiprtus
courts. It was there, in the trial of causes, that he manifested the great-
est learning and comprehension of the general, well-established principles
of law and equity ; quick to apply the law to the facts, with hituitively
correct perceptions, favoring no one and submitting the whole case
^rly and justly to the jury. He was a man of fi:reat and comprehensive
intellectual powers, naturally a logician, and pre-eminently fitted to
occupy a judicial station. In 1838 he was appointed District Attorney
of Genesee county, and re-appointed in 1846. In the Constitutional Con-
vention of 1867, a» a delegate from Erie county, he exerted a great and
conservative influence, not alone out of the natural respect for his ability
and conceded integrity, but by reason of those distinguishing amiable and
genial traits of character, ever overflowing, which made him always, in
whatever circle, a beloved leader of men.
William H. Greene was born near Boston, Mass., August 31, 181 2, and
entered Dartmouth College at the age of fifteen, graduating with the
highest honors. He studied law at Skaneateles, N. Y., with the late
Vice-Chancellor, Lewis H. Sanford, and after his admission to the Bar
came to Buffalo in 1837, and formed a co-partnership with Thomas T.
Sherwood, who was at that time conducting a large business of a litigated
character. James Sheldon was a partner in the firm in 1843, ^^^ <^on-
tinued associated with Mr. Greene until his appointment as County
Judge, in 1852. Mr. Greene continued the practice of the law until his
death, in April, 1882, having various partners, among whom was Hon.
William C. Bryant ; but during the last few years of his life the burden
of his extensive business was shared by his sons, Messrs. John B., and
476 History of Buffalo.
Harry B. Greene. For over forty-six years Mr. Greene was extensively
engaged in the practice of the law in Buffalo, and during all that time
was conspicuously identified with the business interests of the city and
the various institutions which are its pride and boast. He was one of
the early and liberal friends of the Young Men's Association while
struggling in the infancy of its existence, and served as its president in 1 843.
For many years he was an active member and officer of the Historical
Society, and its president in 1872, and also acted as a trustee of the State
Normal School ; but he never sought political honor or distinction. He
was a man of rare endowments, both natural and acquired. As a law-
yer he was in an eminent degree scholastic and learned ; indefatigable,
persistent and courageous ; frank and courteous to his opponents ;
unswervingly loyal to his convictions and gifted with an innate nobleness
and elevation of character. He possessed a high sense of honor and a
kind heart, which earnestly sympathized with the sorrows and anxieties
of his fellow men. Although never an advocate, he was an accomplished
and thoroughly equipped counselor, deeply read, not only in the litera.
ture of his profession, but in nearly every branch of learning that could
add to his power and influence as a lawyer before the courts of last
resort. He belonged to the old school of lawyers and always regretted
the changes and innovations made in the system of administering the
law by the constitution of 1846. During all his life Mr. Greene was a
valued and influential citizen and possessed, in person and character, dis-
tinctive and marked qualities that impressed him with the stamp of an
original, sturdy and gifted man.
Jesse Walker graduated at Middlebury College, and after pursuing a
course of legal studies at Rochester, N. Y., settled in Buffalo in 1835,
where he resided until his death, in September, 1852. For many years he
gave an almost undivided attention to the duties of the office of Master
in Chancery, but at times was engaged in the active practice of his pro-
fession. Judge Walker was a man of fine literary tastes and acquired
considerable celebrity as a finished scholar. In 1851 he was elected
County Judge, and during the short time he was in office discharged the
position to the great satisfaction of the Bar.
Benoni Thompson practiced law at Buffalo for man}* years before his
death, in November, 1858. He gave his time almost entirely to office
business and the confidential affairs of clients, and had a good reputation
as a counselor. In the Assembly of 1849 ^^ creditably represented Erie
county, and was considered a safe and judicious member of the Legis-
lature. For many years he acted as assignee in bankruptcy, under the
Federal act of 1841, and conducted the varied and important duties of
that position with general satisfaction.
Charles D. Norton graduated with high honors at Union College, in
1839, an<i commenced the study of the law with Horatio Shumway.
CHARLES D. NDRTDN.
The Bench and Bar of Erie County. 477
Owing to a continuance of ill health, he was not admitted to the Bar
until 1843, and entered upon an active practice which continued until his
election as Surrogate of Erie county in 185 1. While at the Bar Mr. Nor-
ton showed great capacity as an advocate, and an intuitive appreciation
of the principles of the common law ; but his health prevented that entire
devotion to the profession which alone can ensure great success. The law
is a jealous mistress and demands the undivided attention of those who
seek to win her favors. Mr. Norton conducted the affairs of the Surro-
gate's office with good administration and judicial ability, and afterwards
was engaged in various positions of trust and the management of estates.
In 1865 he was appointed by President Johnson to the position of Collec-
tor of the Port of Buffalo, and continued to discharge the duties of this
important office in a highly satisfactory manner until his death in 1867.
Mr. Norton was greatly interested in the literary institutions of the city
and in all public enterprises to promote the good of society, and will long
be remembered as a genial, courteous gentleman, possessing a command-
ing influence in the community.
Jam^s G. Hoyt had attained prominence in the practice of his pro-
fession in Genesee county, before he was elected a Judge of the Supreme
Court in 1847. He was, in every sense of the word, a self-made man, win-
ning his way, step by step, from one position of honor and responsibility
to another, and most ably and satisfactorily discharging the duties of all^
with eminent professional learning, ability and virtue. His clients felt
that no efiForts of his would be spared, no exertion omitted, to protect
their interests or vindicate their rights. He carried the same devotion
to duty on the Bench, and inspired like confidence in the public mind in
the discharge of his official duties. As a man, a lawyer and a Judge, he
was particularly distinguished for his uniform courtesy, his purity of life,
his ability and entire conscientiousness in the discharge of every public
and private duty. Judge Hoyt resided in BufFalo and continued to
serve as a Judge of the Supreme Court for several years before his
death, in October, 1863.
Albert Sawin practiced law at Aurora many years, with great suc-
cess, before he moved to Buffalo. Gifted by nature with a vigorous in
tellect, quick sympathies, a generous heart and strong physical constitu-
tion, he devoted them all to the law. Able and acute before the Bench,
eloquent and persuasive before a jury, he was, in his time, one of the most
eminent and successful of lawyers. He was elected District Attorney of
the county in 1853, ^"d performed the duties of the position with great
integrity and zeal ; and continued in active practice until his untimely
death in January, 1863, in the prime of life and reputation. Mr. Sawin
was a remarkable character, learned as a lawyer, influential as a citizen,
positive in his convictions, but attached to his profession and particularly
devoted to the trial of causes before a jury. Before that tribunal, in the
478 History of Buffalo.
management of the trial, he had no superior, either in regard to his lucid
and pointed expositions of the law to the court, or in the examination of
witnesses or the arguments to the jury.
John Ganson was one of the most eminent lawyers the State ever
produced. From the time he entered upon his profession to the hour of
his death, he gave to it with loyal devotion the best energies of his mind
and nature. He was not an advocate, but a jurist, whose arguments were
listened to by the highest tribunals as being learned expositions of the
law. He died September 28. 1874, at the age of fifty-four, being attacked
by apoplexy while engaged in the trial of an important cause before the
Superior Court. Mr. Ganson represented Erie county in the State Sen-
ate, and in 1862, was elected as a representative in Congress, in which
position he was known as a War Democrat, supporting the war measures
of President Lincoln's administration during the critical session of 1863
and 1864, and gaining for himself a national reputation. He never sought
political honors or office, for his tastes seem to be averse to public life,
but looked to his profession for his just and enduring fame. Mr. Ganson
was a gentleman of the purest personal character, in whose honor, integ-
rity and patriotism, the community reposed the utmost confidence.
Thomas C Welch pursued a course of legal studies in the law office
of Hall & Bowen an^ was admitted to the Bar in 1846. He was dili-
gent and earnest in the practice, acquiring a very respectable position at
the Bar, and gave promise of attaining eminence, when his untimely
death occurred in 1864. The practice in the Courts of Admiralty en-
gaged his attention to a great degree. Mr. Welch was a gentleman of
fine tastes and large literary cultivation, but was devoted to his profes-
sion. In the preparation of his cases for trial and the conduct of his law
business, he showed great patience and industry and a just appreciation
of the principles of law and equity jurisprudence.
John C. Strong graduated' at Yale College in 1842 and after being
admitted to the Bar, settled in Buffalo, in 1850, continuing in practice
until his death in July, 1879. Mr. Strong was a man of decided legal
ability, and widely read and informed outside of his profession. As a
lawyer he was painstaking, devoted to his clients and zealous in their be-
half. His character was of the positive order, and if he ever swerved
from a conviction, it was in recognition of some reason superior to that
he had maintained. In the preparation and trial of cases, he exhibited
untiring industry and zeal, fully comprehending the law and facts of the
case, and always supported by an array of authorities which he deemed
applicable and conclusive
Albert P. Laning was admitted to the Bar in 1845 and practiced for
several years in Allegany county, but moved to Buffalo, in 1855, and
continued in a large and active practice until his death in September,
1880. Though always ^engaged in an extensive and lucrative business
The Bench and Bar of Erie County. 479
Mr. Laning acquired much reputation in the State as a politician, and
represented Erie county in the Assembly in 1858, and was elected a Sen-
ator in 1874. In the Legislature he was known for his industr}^ and in-
telligent interest in the important matters of legislation which were under
consideration. At the Bar Mr. Laning was justly recognized as one of
the most learned and indefatigable lawyers in the State, especially as an
earnest and successful advocate, and no man connected with the profes-
sion ever won his success and fame by methods and means so purely
intellectual. For many years he was the attorney of the New York Cen-
tral and other railroads, and was pre-eminent for his knowledge of cor-
poration law, as well as for his general learning in all branches of his
profession.
James M. Willeit studied and practiced law at Batavia, Genesee
county, and was admitted to the Bar in 1855. He acquired an excellent
reputation in that county and was elected District Attorney in 1859, but
soon after the opening of the war of the rebellion took an active part in
raising volunteers for the defense of the Union, and in 1862 entered the
service and participated in many of the hard-fought battles in which the
army of the Potomac was engaged. Colonel Willett was severely
wounded at Cold Harbor, receiving injuries of a lasting character; but
he again joined his regiment and continued in service until the close of
the war. In 1870 he moved to Buffalo and formed a partnership with
Hon. A. P. Laning, which continued until his death in June, 1877. Col-
onel Willett was a splendid combination of moral, intellectual and social
qualities; a strong and symmetrical character into which entered all the
elements of a true and noble manhood. As a soldier he was brave and
fearless in the discharge of duty and made a brilliant record for himself
as an officer of the Union army ; as a lawyer, both as counsel and advo-
cate, he was the peer of any member of the Bar; as a man of affairs he
was an example of energy, industry and uprightness, and as a gentleman
he was a model of courtesy. A most brilliant career was before him,
when his health failed in the prime of life, and at the early age of forty-
five, the profession and community were called upon to mourn his loss.
Aaron Salisbury was one of the pioneers of Erie county and resided
in the town of Evans. For many years he was one of the Judges of the
Common Pleas, and noted for his urbanity and integrity. Judge Salis-
bury represented the county in the Assembly in 1840, and was a member
of the Constitutional Convention in 1846. In public and private life he
was recognized as a citizen of intelligence and estimable character.
Rollin Germain studied law in Buffalo and was admitted to the Bar
about 1833, but was never devoted to his profession. At one time he
was engaged in extensive practice and acquired a good deputation as a
counselor, but he was better known as a man of affairs and general busi-
ness. Mr. Germain was highly educated and endowed with great
38
48o History of Buffalo.
intellectual* taste, which was manifested in many of his lectures and
contributions to the papers of the day. He represented Erie county
in the Assembly of 1854 and took a prominent part in the questions
before the Legislature, giving patient and intelligent consideration to
such as demanded his particular attention. He was an <ipright and
influential citizen and a valur^d member of the community.
William H, Gurney studied law in the office of Humphrey & Par-
sons in Buffalo, and was admitted to the Bar in 1861. He practiced
alone until in the fall of 1863, when he became a partner with Henry W.
Box, Esq., with whom he was associated about five years in the success-
ful prosecution of an extended legal business. He then formed a part-
nership with Hon. L. L. Lewis, now one of the Judges of the Supreme
Court, which continued until 1879, lifter which he practiced alone until
his death in November, 1881. Mr. Gurney was eminently an upright
man, untiring in his industry and devotion to the law, and an intelligent
counselor. He knew no such thing as fail, until every honorable means
had been exhausted to convince a court and jury that his client's cause
was just, and as was often remarked, hardly another attorney in Western
New York, obtained such flattering results in the courts of last resort.
Few lawyers of his time gave clearer evidence of ability and a general
comprehension of the law, or obtained a higher place in public esteem.
In private life he was a kind and true friend, sympathizing with all who
were in adversity and generous as well as charitable in his judgment of
others. Mr. Gurney was president of the Young Men's Association in
1878, and always warmly interested in its success, and also a friend of
the other public institutions of the city.
Dennis Bowen was born at Aurora, Erie county, February 4, 1820,
and having received a common school education, entered the law office
of Fillmore, Hall & Haven, as a student, and was admitted to the Bar in
1842. The same year, he formed a partnership with Hon. N. K. Hall,
lind continued in the active practice of his profession, with difiFerent
partners, until his death in April, 1877, having for many years the largest
personal clientage ever commanded by any member of the leg^l pro-
fession in Buffalo. He rarely appeared in the courts, taking no promi-
nent part before them ; yet he was recognized by the Bar as one of the
roost, learned and able counselors. Mr. Bowen, through his whole life
was one of the upright, valuable and respected citizens of Buffalo;
known to almost every man in the community; the successful legal
adviser of a large number of business houses and corporations, and their
trusted, faithful friend. He had a generous and loyal regard for the
right, and always advised his clients with regard to the equities of the
interests involved, rather than to mere legal points, and possessed a
happy faculty of reconciling conflicting interests upon terms equitable
and honorable to all parties. He was foremost in everything that makes
The Bench and Bar of Erie County. 481
a good lawyer, a good citizen and a good roan, and for overj^hirty years
occupied a prominent position as a man of afFairs, honorable to himself
and useful to society. Mr. Bowen was a member of the City and County
Hall Commission during the erection of that edifice, and also one of the
Board of Park Commissioners, and a generous friend of all the public
institutions of the city.
Perry G. Parker was bom in Hamburg, Erie county, and having
graduated at Union College in 1841, pursued the study of the law with
Messrs. Fillmore & Haven, and was admitted to the Bar in 1844. From
that time until shortly before his death in December, 1879, ^^ ^^ ^^
constant, active practice of the law. He was an earnest lover of his
profession, well read in the law and practice, and combining in his
person many of the best and most successful qualities of the advocate
and counselor. Mr. Parker had a wonderful aptitude for business,
which was especially manifested in litigations and settlements of estates
in the Surrogate's Courts. As a citizen, he was a friend of the institu-
tions that grace and dignify the city, and was recognized as a man of
influence and character.
Hiram Barton came to Buffalo in 1835 and was for many years in
active practice. He rarely appeared in the courts, but was deservedly
esteemed as a counselor in the business of his clients. In 1849 ^^ ^^
elected May 01 of Buffalo, and re-elec<edin 1852, and was regarded as one
of the most discreet and upright of the chief magistrates of the city. Mr
Barton filled many minor positions of trust and importance, and was rec-
ognized as a man of great influence and standing in the community.
Charles E. Clarke^ though never prominent at the Bar, was connected
with the practice of law in Buffalo for over thirty years. He devoted a
large portion of his time and energies to the benevolent and literary insti-
tutions of the city, and was mainly instrumental in founding the Female
Academy and the General Hospital. To his efforts must be ascribed the
conception of the beautiful Forest Lawn and its adaptation to the pur-
poses of a cemetery. In private life he was a most estimable and influ-
ential citizen.
George W. Houghton was bom in Vermont, and settled Buffalo in 1837.
The next year he was admitted to the Bar and continued engaged in the
practice of his profession until he was elected Recorder in 1852. In 1854
he was placed upon the Bench of the Superior Court by the act organizing
that Court, and served for two years. Judge Houghton occupied a con-
spicuous position at the Bar and socially for many years. He was dis-
tinguished for his painstaking accuracy and familiarity with adjudged
cases, and ranked as a good counselor in the business of his clients.
Albert L. Baker came to Buffalo from Washington county in 1835,
and studied law with Stephen G. Austin, and was admitted to the Bar in
1838. He then returned to Washington county and was elected a Judge
482 History of Buffalo.
of the Common Pleas ; and was a delegate from that' county to the Con-
stitutional Convention of 1846. In 1848 he returned to Buffalo and con-
tinued in active practice to the time of his death in May, 1873. Judge
Baker was a man of integrity and learning and possessed of judicial abil-
ities of a high order. In the law of real estate, especially, was he well
versed, but he was a thorough scholar in all general principles of juris-
prudence. He took an active part in educational matters, and while
serving as an alderman in the Council, was the author and promoter of
the plan for the founding of the Central School in BufFalo.
John Hubbell—'So member of the Bar of Erie county was more
prominent in his time, or held in higher esteem than Mr. HubbelL He
was bom in Canandaigua and studied law in the office of the late Mark
H. Sibley, and was admitted to the Bar about 1843. The same year he
came to BufFalo and soon secured a large practice and was elected City
Attorney for 1854, which was the only political office he ever held. Dur-
inghis professional career he was connected with the most important cases
of the time, and was recognized throughout the State as a very able law-
yer, well versed in legal principles and always clear, logical and forcible
in his arguments. His mind and temperament were eminently judicial, and
had he acceded to the wishes of his friends, he would have been elevated
to high positions upon the Bench ; but as a referee in cases of intricacy
and importance, he was a favorite; as the Bar and community reposed
great confidence in his ititegrity, fairness and learning. Mr. Hubbell was
a lover of choice literature ; a gentleman of fine social qualities, genial and
remarkably kind-hearted, and greatly interested in the institutions of
the city.
Austin A. Howard vi2L% at one time the law partner of Heman B. Pot-
ter, and largely engaged in law practice and real estate transactions for
over twenty years. He was a man of ability and had a general knowl-
edge of affairs, but rarely appeared in the courts. In all questions relat-
ing to the law of real estate his opinion was considered as reliable as that
of any member of the Bar.
Reuben Bryant was bom at Templeton, Worcester county, Mass., July
13, 1792. He graduated with honors at Brown University, R. I., about
the year 1815. After some time spent in teaching he removed to Liv-
ingston county, N. Y., and studied law in the office of the late Judge
Smith, in Caledonia. Having been admitted to the Supreme Court, he
settled in Holley, Orleans county, where he commenced the practice of
his profession and was the pioneer lawyer. In the fall of 1849 ^^ removed
to Albion, and in 1855 migrated to BufFalo to aid his only son, William C.
Bryant, who had recently opened a law office in that city. He was ap-
pointed Master in Chancery by Gov. Wright, an office he held when the
Court of Chancery was abolished under the Constitution of 1846. He
was a thorough classical scholar and a profound and indefatigable stu-
^^oOC€^/r?z/T^. ,^/h?/ar?^t
The Bench and Bar of Erie County. 483
dent, but his health was always too delicate and precarious to admit often
of his entrance into the arena of sharply contested litigation. He was a
wise and judicious counselor, and in the best sense a promoter of peace.
He died at Buffalo in January, 1863.
Oscar Folsam^ whose untimely death, resulting from an accident in
July, 1875, was most sincerely mourned by the Bar of Erie county, was
bom in Wyoming county, and graduated at Rochester University. He
studied law in Buffalo and was admitted to the Bar in i86i,and continued
largely engaged in practice to the time of his death. His mental abili-
ties and accomplishments were of a high order, which, combined with
the most frank and genial of natures, rendered him deservedly popular at
the Bar and in society. He stood in the front rank with the young men of
his profession ; no one with brighter prospects or better qualified by
natural abilities for success in the practice of the law.
Francis E. Cornwell had occupied a high position at the bar in Wayne
county before he removed to Buffalo in 1857. He was soon engaged in
a large practice, which continued actively until his death, November 2,
1869, on which day thousands of the electors of Western New York
were depositing their ballots for him, for the honorable position of a
Judge of the Supreme Court. Mr. Cornwell was a sound and pains-
taking lawyer, a gentleman of culture and refinement, and a quiet, genial
friend. He was the author of a valuable digest of the decisions of the
courts of last resort in this State.
John £. Curtenius resided and practiced law itt Lockport, but on his
removal to Buffalo, formed a co{>art]|ership with Horatio Shumway, and
for many years conducted a large business. He was a learned lawyer of
the old school; patient and indefatigable; always commanding the
attention of the higher courts, and successful in a remarkable degree in
maintaining bis views of the law. Mr. Curtenius never held a public
position, but was devoted to the quiet and intelligent conduct of the
business entrusted to his care.
Lorenzo K. Haddock carried on tke practice of the law for several
years, rarely appeving in the courts, but was entrusted by his clients
with important and confidential matters. He was a man of industry and
accuracy, and outside of the profession, occupied a prominent position
in society. The founding of the State Normal School was largely due
to his efforts, and he was an active friend of the various literary and
benevolent institutions of the city.
Edwin Thayer resided in Buffalo and practiced his profession from
1848 to the time of his death in 1877, and at one time occupied a high
position at the bar and in society. In 1858 he was elected City Attorney,
discharging the duties of the place with ability and discretion. In the
practice of law he was energetic, faithful and honorable, a candid coun-
selor and successful advocate.
484 History of Buffalo.
Chauncey Tucker practiced his profession for many years at Fredonia,
with great success, and on his removal to BuflFalo, entered on a large and
extensive business, mainly of a litigated nature. He was truly a learned
lawyer, a safe counselor and an energetic man of affairs. At one time he
was president of a bank, but his life was mainly given to the law, and
until his death in 1874, he maintained a high position before the courts.
Sylvanus O, Gould, for over forty years of life and to the time of his
death in August, 1882, was connected with the administration of the law.
He held various minor offices and positions of trust, with honor and
credit, and sustained the character of a good citizen and valued member
of society.
Thomas C. Reyburn was engaged for several years in active practice.
He possessed a good knowledge of the law, with a quick and ready
ability, and a fluent, earnest oratory which achieved success with juries.
Very few members of the bar, in his time, were gifted with the tact and
management displayed by him upon trials of causes ; but his early death
destroyed the hopes which his friends had cherished for his future.
George L. Marvin conducted, alone and with partners, a large law
business for many years ; but he was not known to the courts upon
the trial of causes. In the general management of the confidential affairs
of his clients, he was reliable and successful. He filled various minor
official positions with credit, and was known as a citizen of character,
integrity and benevolence.
The above sketch of the Bench and Bar of Erie county, of the
honored and illustrious dead, is necessarily unsatisfactory and incom-
plete in many particulars. The abridgement required in order that its
length should not exceed the assigned limits, has been a restraint upon
indulgence in eulogium, or the detail which would be interesting to pos-
terity. It is designed, mainly, to speak of the dead in their character as
judges and lawyers. Among them were men who would have been
illustrious on any stage of life, who could have ornamented and dignified
the Bench of the highest courts of the world, or graced the Senate
chamber of the Republic with their eloquence and patriotism. Men of
acute and masculine intellect ; some scholastic in their profession, and
others learned in the literature of all ages ; logicians or metaphysicians,
statesmen and philanthropists ; yet nearly all limited and circumscribed
by circumstances and the destiny of life to the narrow sphere of action
in the daily drudgery of the practice of the law. To a few favored by
fortune, it was granted to arrive at eminence and identify themselves
with the history of their country ; but the greatest men among them all,
sought neither honor nor preferment. Had opportunities and occasions
offered for action upon the great theatre of life, amid the struggles of
nations for power or existence ; the antagonism of liberty and despotism,
such men would have achieved enduring fame and accomplished results
^^^2^^ >^ C^7S^/n//n.^?97^
The Bench and Bar of Erie County. 485
so grand and glorious for our humanity that history would have enrolled
their names as possessing
" M iBds of a MMhw and fifurtic amdd,
WlMfB w« Mwt MMMift M the CntMi m^
MMMMd the tijiwiili of ^ftt pwt ^^
Bf the fuhntibiM^ ihadowt thit they cMt**
The sad task is ended of gathering these brief items of the lives of
those who are gone, by one who, personally, well remembers them all»
with two exceptions. The annalist of the future who compiles the biog-
raphies ot those now living, will find the material at his hand in con-
temporaneous newspapers, but there was no such fountain to draw upon
as regards the earlier members of the Bar. But it is a truth and a
pleasant reflectioo that these men who were the influential and leading
men of their times, were earnest supporters of law and order and of the
constituted authorities oi government*; interested in all works of charity
and benevolence, and in all institutions designed to benefit and ennoble
our humanity.
The Courts.
The following are the Courts in Erie county, as at present con-
stituted : —
Smfremf Court. — Hons. Charles Daniels, George Barker, Albert
Haight, Loran L. Lewis, Thomas Corlett and Henry A. Childs, Judges.
Superior Court of Buffalo, (sec pages 1 18-19, this volume), Hon. James
Sheldon, Chief Judge; Hon. James M. Smith, Hon. Charles Beckwith.
Erie County Court. — Hon. William W. Hammond, Judge.
Surrogates Court. — Hon. Jacob Stem, Surrogate.
Municipal Court. — Hon. George S. Ward well, Hon. George A. Lewis,
Justices.
Police Court. — ^Thomas S. King, Justice.
The Bar of Buffalo.
Following is a list of the attorneys now (1883-84), practicing in the
city of Buffalo : —
Adsmi, S. Csiy. Beecher, James C Brendel, Heoiy W.
Allen, Dsnid W. Benedict, Willis J. Btown, Alan.
ADeo, Henry F. Bell, E. 11 Btowne, G. VL
Allen, James A. Benedict & Sheehan. Browne, William W.
Andrews, E. W. BUiop, Albert W. Bmndage, Frank*
Andnii, Leroy. Bissett, Wilson & Biyant, William C.
Avery, Charics H. Bissell, Sicard & Goodfear. Bnckner, Geoige 6. VL
Baker, Ljman M. Blaocbard, A. A. Bnrrowi, Roswdl L.
Baker & Sdiwarts. Bonner, John J. CaUdns, Abbott C.
Barthokmew, Abram. Bowen, Rogers & Locke. Canr, Joseph P.
Barton, O. F. Box, Henry W. Gary, Thomas.
Beder, Ttacy C Box & Norton. Chamberlain, Eugene V.
Bedwith, Charles. Braanlein, Lonis. Chapin, W. O.
486
HisTOHY OF Buffalo.
Chetter, Carl T.
Chipmaa, John M.
Qlark, DeUvan F.
Claik, Manin.
Clark, Myron H.
Clinton & Clark.
Clinton, George.
<nintOD, Spencer.
Cloak, James M.
Cloak, John G.
.Congdon & Jenkins.
Cook, Josiah.
Cook & Fitzgierald.
Cbrlett, Thomas.
Coriett & Hatch.
Cotde, Ocuvins O.
CjandaU,.DeFore8t. ^.
, Crowley, Richard
Allen, Movius & Wilcox.
Cutler, William H.
Cutter, Aromi.
Cutter & Stone.
Cutting, Charles H.
Cutting, Harmon S.
Daniels, Charles.
Daniels, Charles H.
Davis, George A.
Davis, Thad. C.
Day, David F.
Day, Hiram C.
Day & Homer.
Decker, Arthur W.
Delaney, WilUam E.
DeWitt, Owen C.
Doorty, William G.
Douglas, Silas J.
DuckwitE, FercUnand H.
Duckwitz & Robinson.
Emery, Edward R.
Ewell, Joseph K
Fairchiid, Joseph L.
Falb, Peter J,
Farrington, Butler S.
Ferguson, Frank C.
Field, Edward P.
Fillmore, M. P.
Fitch, William C.
Fitzgerald, Henry D.
Fitzgerald, Percy D.
Folsom, Benjamin.
Fcrd & Ferguson.
Ford James K.
Forsyth, Charles,
FuUerton, James C.
Fullerton & Hazel
Gardner John T.
Germain, Charles B.
Gibbs, Clinton B.
Gibbs, James S.
Ginrin, Robert,
Glnck, James F.
Goodyear, Charles W.
Gorham, GeoKc.
Gn^ves, John C.
Green, Manly C.
Green. H^nry B.
Greene, John B.
Greene, McMillan & Gluck:
Green, Samuel B.
Greene,.J. B. & H. B.
Greiner, Fred.
Giiswoldi Edmund A.
Haight, Albert
Hamlin, Charles W.
Hammond, William W.
Harman, H. A.
Hatch, E. W.
Hawkins, William M.
Hawkins & Gibbs.
Hawks, Edward C.
Hawks, Michael & Quinby.
Hazel, John K
Hening, Herman,
Hibbard, George B.
Hickman, Arthur W.
Hill, Charles B.
Hinson. Charles W.
Hodge, Willard W.
Hopkins, Nelson K.
Hopkins & White.
Howard Frederick.
Hubbell John C.
Hudson John T.
Humphreys, George.
Humphrey, James M.
Humphrey & Lockwood
Hunter, Charles.
Hurlburt, George W.
Inglehart, Frederick M.
Jackson, David G.
Jeutter, Julius A. C.
Johnson, Usual S. *
Jones William L.
Kemp Frank C.
Kilhoffer, William G. C.
Kingston, George L.
Kinney, John M. E.
Kip, Wilfiam F.
Knowlton, Charles B.
Kumpf, Peter.
Lansing, Livingston.
Laughlin, Frank G.
LaughKn, John.
Lauz, Edward a.
Lawler Patrick.
LeClear, Lodpwick.
Lewis George A.
Lewis Geoige L.
Lewis Loran L.
Lewis» Moot & Lewis.
Locke, Franklin D.
Lok:kwood Daniel N.
Lockwood Stephen.
Loonis, Frank M.
Looney, John M.
Lyman, Carlton M.
Lyon, Henry L.
Lyon, WiUiam W.
McComber, C &
McMichael Homer N.
Mcintosh, Daniel
McMOlan, Daniel H.
McNeal, Nonnan B.
Manning, Franklin R.
March, Frederick R.
Marshall Charles D.
ManhaU,ClintOQ ftWibon.
Marshall, Orsamus H.
Marvin, LeGrand.
Matteson, Price A.
Meads, WillisH.
Messer, Louis F.
Meinser, J. C.
Michael, Edward
Milbum, John G.
Milbum, Joseph A.
Miller, Warren F.
Moffatt, Miles.
' Moore, Mark &
Moot, Adelbert
Morey, Norris.
Movius, Edward H.
Muldoon, James G.
Murphy, Janes.
Murray. James A.
Nash, Daniel D. ^
Norton, Charles P.
Norton, Nathaniel W.
Norton, Porter.
Olmstead, John B.
Osgoodby, George M.
Palmer, Edward W.
Palmer, John W.
Parke, Hudson H.
Parke ft Manning.
Parker, E. Lewellyn.
Pattison, Edwin C.
Patton, J. K.
The Park System of Buffalo.
487
Paxton, James.
Perkins, Edgar B.
Perkins, Frank R.
Perkins, Lyman P.
Phdps^ George E.
Ploinley, Edmund J.
Pooley, Charles A.
Porter, Stephen B.
Potter, George S.
Provoost, John M.
Putnam, James O.
Queenan, James F.
Quinby, George T.
Rebadow, Adolph.
Reilly, Dewitt C.
Reybum, P. C.
Ribbel, Charles H.
Robbins, Edward C.
Roberts, James A.
Robinson, George A.
Robinson, Charles K.
Rogers, £9>ennan S.
Romer, John L.
Sackett, Marcus.
Sanger, Eugene M.
Schattner, Joseph P.
Schelling, Robert F.
ScroggSy Gustavus A.
Seaver, Marcy & Stein.
Seymour, Henry H.
Shaw, Edmund R.
Sheefaan, John C
Sbeehan, William F.
Sheldon James.
Sheldon, James, Jr.
Shepard, Charles E.
Shire, Moses.
Sicard, Geoige J.
Sigman, Albert J.
Silver, D. M.
Simons, Seward A.
Sizer, Thomas J.
Smith, James M.
Smith, F. Ralston.
Smith, Lyman B.
Sprague, E. Carlton.
Sprague, Henry W.
Sprague, Morey & Sprague.
Stanbro, Almon W.
Stem^ Jacob.
Stevens, Robert H.
Stilwell, Giles E.
Stone, Ralph.
Stowell, John W.
Strong, James C.
Strong & Brendel
Swift, Zenas M.
Stickney, D. C.
Tanner, Amos B.
Tefft, WiUiam M.
Tabor, Charles F.
Talcott, John L.
Tanner, Alonzo.
Thomas, Charles J.
Titus, Robert C.
Tyler, John.
Van Peyma,*Herman B.
Vedder, Edmund B.
Vide, Sheldon T.
Volger,0. W.
Wadsworth, George.
Walker, JoeL
Wall & Tillman.
Wardwell, George S.
Weaver, Ernest K.
Weaver & BelL
Weisenheimer, Henry J.
Welch, Samud M. Jr.
Welch, Theodore F.
Wende, Gottfried H.
Wheeler, Charles B.
Wheeler, Geoige W.
Whelan, James.
White, Truman C.
Whitney, Milo A,
Wierling, William J.
Wilcox, Ansley.
Wilhelm & Bonner.
Williams, Benjamin H.
Williams, Frank F.
Williams & Potter.
Wilson, Robert P.
Wing, George.
Winship, James.
Woodworth,WaylandW.
Worthington, WiUiam F.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE PARK STSTEM QF BUFFALa.
BenefiUof Public Ptoks— Their Inflncnoe on Commiinities— A City withont a Healthful, Fice
RcMrt— Pint Morement Looking to the Establishment of a Great Park in Buffalo — The
Men who Instigated it — Action by the Mayor and Council — Engagement of Frederick Law
Olmstead — ExtiacU from His Report — Adoption of His Flans — Beginning of the Work —
Fint Commisstonen' Issue of Bonds— Progress of Work from Year to Year — Present Extent
of the Paric — Description of iu Different Sections.
IN compiling a history of the city of Buffalo, no greater pleasure is
experienced in the task, than that inspired by a proper reference to
the magnificent Park system which has done and is doing so much for
the general good of the community. If there are public benefactors who
merit the lasting good will and gratitude of their fellows of every degree,
they are surely those who are instrumental in establishing in our crowded
cities, those physicial and moral sanitariums — public parks ; and the con*
488 History of Buffalo.
viction that this is true is growing stronger in the minds of men and
women in every city, with the passing years ; so, also, is the belief in the
beneficent influence exerted upon communities through such institutions
as Iree public parks, so located and planned as to be convenient places of
recreation for the masses of the people. In his original report to the
Buffalo Committee upon the feasibility of establishing a park in this city,
Mr. Frederick Law Ofmstead, than whom there is no higher authority,
wrote thus : —
** It must be observed, also, that a really fine, large and convenient
park exercises an immediate and very striking educational influence,
which soon manifests itself in certain changes of taste and of habits, and
consequentlv in the requirements of the people. To understand the
character of these changes and their bearing upon the task we have in
hand, it will be necessary to understand what a park is, or rather what it
may be if properly designed and administered.
" The mam object we set before us in planning a park, is to establish
conditions which will exert the most healthful recreative action upon the
people who are expected to resort to it With the ereat mass such con-
ditions will be of a character diverse from the ordinary conditions of
their lives, in the most radical degree which is consistent with the ease
of access, with lar&^e assemblages of citizens, with convenience, cheerful-
ness and good order, and with the necessities of a sound policy of muni-
cipal economy. Much must necessarily be seen in any town park which
sustains the mental impressions of the town itself, as in the faces, the
dresses and the carriages of the people, and in the throngs in which they
will at times here and there gather and move together. Inasmuch as
there are these limitations to the degree in which a decided, and at the
same time a pleasant contrast to the ordinary conditions of town life are
possible to be realized in a park, and inasmuch as the town is constituted
by the bringing together of artificial objects, the chief study in establish-
ing a park is to present nature in the most attractive maniier which may
be practicable. This is to be done by first choosine" a site in which nat-
ural conditions, as opposed to town conditions, shall have every possible
advantage, and then by adding to and improving these original natural
conditions. If this is skilfully done, if the place possessing the greatest
capabilities is taken, and nature is not overlaid, but really aided dis-
creetly by art, it follows as a matter of course that in a few years the cit-
izens resorting to the locality, experience sensations to whicli they have
before been unaccustomed, disused perceptive powers are more and more
exercised, dormant tastes come to life, corresponding habits are devel-
oped, and a new class of luxuries begins to be sought for, superseding^ to
some extent certain others less favorable to health, to morality ana to
happiness, if not wholly wasteful and degrading. The demand thus estab-
lished will, *of course, sooner or later, make itself felt in several other
ways besides those which pertain to the park."
These expressions by one of the most* eminent landscape architects
in the country, may well be studied by the prominent men of every city
that has not already provided for itself a park.
Inestimable as are the benefits derived yearly from the beautiful
and spacious park that now adorns the city of Buffalo, how insignificant
The Park System of Buffalo. 489
they appear in contrast with the mighty tide of good that must flow
from it through all coming time, increasing year by year, as the popula-
tion of the city becomes more numerous and the park itself grows in
beauty and comprehensiveness. In all those features and conditions that
conspire to create both mental and physical healthfulness in a community,
to foster a love for the beautiful and good, to create and broaden a
proper appreciation of nature s grandeur and loveliness, a public park of
such generous proportions and general attractiveness as that which has
been wisely provided for the city of Buffalo, should be ranked side by
side with her schools and churches.
Previous to the establishment of the Buffalo Park, the city was
lamentably deficient in suburban attractions, especially in landward
directions, where a walk or drive was too apt to end in an early desire
to turn back from the flat and unattractive prospect, and there was
absolutely no spot where the great mass of the people could cheaply and
quickly resort for innocent, healthful recreation. Iii a city of the size
attained by Buffalo even ten or fifteen years ago, and destitute of
attractive places for free public recreation, other than such as might be
obtained on the water, it will be readily conceived that there were many
thoughtful men who saw the city rapidly spreading out over the sur-
rounding country, steadily and surely absorbing all the available localities
where parks might be laid out, and saw it with anxietj' and regret ; men
who, consequently were not slow to speak their convictions to the effect
that it was the duty of the city before it was too late, to secure for itself
something in the nature of a public park. Among those men who are
known to have often and forcibly referred to this topic previous to 1868,
were Messrs. Dennis Bowen, Pascal P. Pratt, William Dorsheimer,
Richard Flach, Joseph Warren, William F. Rogers, Sherman S. Jewett,
and doubtless many others who could not have failed to appreciate the
importance of the matter. If there were any one, two or three men who
were more instrumental than were their co-laborers, in making the park
measure a living thing, it would be invidious and unwelcome to them to
mention their names in this place with such a degree of prominence.
The first public act that finally led to the establishment of the Buffalo
Park, was the application by William Dorsheimer, to Olmstead, Vaux &
Co., the distinguished landscape architects, for the requisite investigation
by them which would enable them to give an opinion as to the most feasi-
ble plans for the park. This action on the part of Mr. Dorsheimer was
the direct result of numerous consultations, chiefly between Messrs.
Pascal P. Pratt, Sherman S. Jewett, Richard Flach, Joseph Warren
and Mr. Dorsheimer, with much discussion of the subject in the city
press. Mr. Olmstead came to Buffalo in the summer of 1868 and gave
the matter a careful and thorough investigation, upon which was based
his report, which was dated October ist, 1868. The report was trans-
490 * History of Buffalo.
initted to Hon. William F. Rogers, then Mayor of the city, acoorapanied
by the following letter : —
- Buffalo, Nov. i6, 1868.
" To Hon. William F. Rogers, of Buffalo :
*'SiR: — The undersigned, a committee appointed at a meetin^^ of
citizens held at the residence of S. S. Jewett, Esq., on the 25th of
August last, herewith .transmit to you a communication addressed to one
of the undersigned, by Frederick Law Olmstead, of New York.
'' The letter of &!r. Olmstead relates to the establishment of a park
in Buffalo. This subject has, of late, been much discussed by the press
of the city and even more, we believe, in private circles. It was thought
advisable to obtain the opinion of some competent landscape architect
upon the various questions involved in the enterprise, but more particu-
larly to ascertain wnat scheme of improvement could be carried out within
the limits of a reasonable expenditure. Mr. Olmstead was the architect
in chief of the Central Park in New York ; he is now engaged upon the
Prospect Park in Brooklyn, and upon similar enterprises in other cities.
In view of his laree experience, there was no one so likely as he to give
the information wnich was desired. Accordingly, several gentlemen, at
their own expense, procured Mr. Olmstead's services. He came to Buf-
falo and spent several days in a survey of the suburbs of the city, and his
views are presented in the accompanying communication.
'' It was the intention of the gentlemen who have interested them-
selves in this matter, merely to give form to a project which was entirely
undehned in the hope that they might excite a thorough discussion of
the matter, and that the Common Council and the Le^slature might be
led to take some definite action towards the accomphshment of a work
so important to the citizens of Buffalo.
'* We venture to request that ypu will transmit Mr. 01mstead*s letter
to the Honorable, the Cforomon Council, with such recommendatiops as,
in your judgment, the present and future interests of the city may require.
" Very respectfully, your servants,
Pascal P. Phatt,
S. S. Jewett,
Richard Flach,
Joseph Warren,
Wm . Dorsheimer.'*
The subject was brought before the Common Council in the follow-
ing communication : —
Mayor's Office, )
Buffalo, November 23d, i»68. J
" To The Hon. Common Council:
" Gentlemen :— I have the honor to transmit herewith the accom-
panving communication from a committee of your fellow citizens who,
witn a commendable public spirit, invited the well-known and distin-
guished landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmstead, Esq., to visit the
city and present his views in reference to a public park.
'' I took the liberty on a former occasion of directing the attention of
your honorable body to this subject, and to urge upon the council the
importance of acquirins^ at an early day the land necessary for securing
to our people the benefits to be derived from a public park, proportionate
to the wants of a large and steadily-increasing population. The report
The Park System of Buffalo. 491
of Mr. Olrostead, it will be seen, presents a plan which, in many of its
features, corresponds with many of the suggestions then made, and with
the ideas on this subject held, I believe, by a large majority of our citi-
zens who have given the subject attention. Its perusal, I feel confident,
cannot fail to impress on the public mind the vastness of the benefit
which the city now has in its power, by prompt action, to secure to itself.
Indeed, few cities enjoy equal advantages with our own of secur-
ing a large tract of land so well adapted to park purposes, and at com-
paratively small cost, if the opportunity now presented is at once taken
advantage of.
" I therefore respectfully recommend that a special committee of
five members of the council be appointed to co-operate with the citizens'
committee for the purpose of securing the enactment of a law clothing
the council with authority to acquire, by purchase or otherwise, the land
and property necessary to carry out the object in view, and to issue the
bonds 01 the city for the payment and improvement of the same.
" I beg leave also to recommend that the report of Mr. Olmstead be
printed in the minutes and referred to such jomt committee, with the
mstructions to report the result of its deliberations to the Council at an
early day. Respectfully submitted.
W. F. Rogers, Mayor."
It is not considered necessary in order to give a clear idea of the
growth of the park scheme, to quote Mr. Olrastead's report in full, but
such references to it and extracts from it will be given as will suffice to
make its more important recommendations understood, for it was upon
them that the park was founded.
The report states relative to the genen»1 aspects of the subject &s
follows: —
'' We think it necessary, first of all, to urge that your scheme should
be comprehensively conceived and especially that features the desirable-
ness of which are most apparent, should not at the outset be made so
important as to cause others, the possible value of which may seem more
distant, to be neglected. For this purpose it should be well thought of
that a park exercises a very different and much greater influence upon
the progress of a city in its general structure than any other ordinary
public work, and that after the design for a park has been fully digested,
a long series of years must elapse before the ends of the design will begin
to be fully realized. Even in the initiatory discussions of a plan for such
a work, therefore, it would be unwise to have in view merely the satis-
faction of the probable demand of those who will be expected to use it
in the immediate future. If a park should prove not aclapted to the re-
quirements of those who are to come after us, and even of those who are
to come after our immediate successors, the outlay which will be needed
for it will be an extravagant one. This caution applies especially to ques-
tions of situation, extent, general outlines, approaches and relations with
other public ways and places. Minor interior arrangements may be
adapted merely to suit immediate and clearly obvious requirements, as
the cost of adding to those when found advisable will not necessarily be
very formidable, provided the ground first secured shall have been of
good shape, wisely located, and the general plan of improving it shall
have been a well-balanced one."
492 History of Buffalo.
After referring to the objections existing against the establishment
of a great park near to the business center of the city, the report says :^—
''For these reasons we would recommend that in your scheme a
large park should not be the sole object in view, but should be regarded
simply as the more important member of a general, larsnely provident,
forehanded, comprehensive arrangement for securing refreshment, rec-
reation and health to the people. All of such an arrangement need not
be undertaken at once, but the future requirements ot all should be so
far foreseen and pruvided for, that when the need for any minor {Murt is
felt to be pressing it may not be impossibl'^ to obtain the most desirable
land for it.
The three sites which presented themselves prominently to the archi-
tects for consideration in the Buffalo Park scheme, were the tract on
High street near the old Potters Field ; the grounds adjoining Fort Por-
ter (now the Front) and the tract to the westward oi Forest Lawn Cem-
etery. These three sites are each referred to at length in the report,
concluding with the following relative to the desirability of the present
main Park as the chief attraction and the center of the system : —
'* We have seen no other situation nearer the center of population
in which it would be possible to form a spacious park, even at an ex-
pense several times larger than it would be required for one at this point,
where it would not very certainljr prove a great inconvenience to busi-
ness and involve lar^c changes in the general plan upon which the
building up of the city is otherwise likely to advance. The site which
we have in view is now either waste land or is occupied, with the ex-
ception of a single unimportant manufacturing establishment, exclusively
for agricultural purposes, and for farming land near a large town, can be
bougnt at an extraordinarily low rate. A park would neither interfere
with nor be interfered with by any existing or probable line of business
communication, the character of the topography of the neighborhood
not having encouraged the formation of roads from either side through
it It would be feasible by a slij^ht divergence from the present route
to carry the only existing public thoroughfares across it, whenever
it shall be found desirable, where, by means of a natural depression
of the surface, it would be out of the view from the pleasure routes of
the park."
The report then pays attention to the approaches to the park and
the smaller and less important grounds for the convenience of those who
have but limited time for recreation, as follows : —
" Grounds need to be provided, therefore, less complete in their
opportunities for a variety ol forms of recreation, and adapted to accom-
modate a smaller number of persons at a time, but to wnich many can
resort for a short stroll, airing and diversion, and where they can at once
enjoy a decided change of scene from that which is associated with their
regular occupation. The sites near Fort Porter and on High street are
both suitable for t;his class of grounds ; each would be conveniently ac-
cessible from a different quarter of the town, and each of these quarters
would have less direct access to the main parks than to any other quar-
ter where vacant land can be found offering any advantages for the
formation of pleasure grounds.
The Park System of Buffalo. 493
" Fortunately the plan of Bu£Falo is such that the proposed site of the
main park is already accessible by the tnost direct way possible from the
very center of population and from the only quarter not proposed to be
otherwise provided with a local pleasure ground, by Delaware avenue,
an approach of stately proportions. So far as this quarter of the city is
concerned, a' better solution of the difficulty is thus at once ofiFered than
can often be obtained at large expense in other cities. The avenue is
susceptible, also, of great improvement at a very moderate outlay.
** For the rest we would suggest that the two ends of the main
park on the southeast and west be gradually narrowed and curved
toward the town so that the greater part of the ground taken would be
included within a crescent-shaped figure ; and that strips of ground at
least two hundred feet wide, be acquired, extending from them toward
the north and west parts of the city on one side, and the south and east
parts on the other, Through those strips a series of roads and walks
adapted exclusively for pleasure travel should eventually be formed, and
outside of them roadways" to answer the purpose of ordinary traffic,
which could thus be dissociated from the movement to and from the
park. So much of these strips as should not be wanted for passage-ways
should be occupied by turf, trees, shrubs and flowers ; they should fol-
low existing lines of streets as far as practicable so as not to interfere
unnecessarily with the present divisions of property, and they should be
so laid out as to connect the two subordinate grounds which have been
indicated, with the main park.
" Thus, at no great distance from any point of the town, a pleasure
ground will have been provided for, suitable for a short stroll, for a pla}*-
ground for children and an airing-ground for invalids and a route of
access to the large common park of the whole city of such a character
that most of the steps on the way to it would be taken in the midst of a
scene of sylvan beauty, and with the sounds and sights of the ordinary
town business, if not wholly shut out, removed to some distance and
placed in obscurity. The way itself would then be more park-like than
town-like."
A perusal of the above extracts from the report of the eminent archi-
tects, shows that the scheme of making a comprehensive park system for
Buffalo was the one which, in all its most important features, was finally
adopted by the Board of Park Commissioners.
The first Board comprised the following named gentlemen : —
His Honor, the Mzy or, ex-officio; Pascal P. Pratt, Dexter P. Rum-
sey, John Greiner, Jr., Lewis P. Dayton, Joseph Warren, Edwin T.
Evans, Sherman S. Jewett, Richard Flach, James Mooney, John Cronyn.
Dennis Bowen, William Dorsheimer.
From this Board of Commissioners the following committees were
appointed : —
Executive Committee — Pascal P. Pratt, Joseph Warren, Sherman S.
Jewett, James Mooney, William Dorsheimer.
• Auditing Committee — Alexander Brush, Lewis P. Dayton, Edwin T.
Evans, John Greiner, Jr.
Committee on Grounds — Dennis Bowen, Dexter P. Rumsey, Richard
Flach, John Cronyn.
99
494 History of Buffalo.
The report of the landscape architects having been in all essential
points a most acceptable one, the next step taken in the matter was the
preparation of a law entitled : —
" An Act to authorize the selection and location of certain grounds
for public parks in the city of Buffalo and to provide for. the mainte-
nance and embellishment thereof."
This act was passed April 14, 1869, and conferred the necessary
authority for the taking of lands and procuring title to the same, the
appointment of Commissioners, provided for the issue of bonds to the
amount of $500,000 for park purposes and other kindred matters.
The act also provided for the future payments of principal and inter-
est of the park fund, through the medium of general city taxation.
The first Board of Commissioners whose names appear above, made
selections of the lands for the parks and approaches, a detailed report of
which was filed with the city clerk November i, 1869, setting forth the
considerations which governed the board in their action ; such action
was promptly ratified by the Common Council and the necessary steps
were at once taken to acquire the property. For this purpose in Janu-
ary, 1870, Messrs William A Bird, Gibson T. Williams and Albert H.
Tracy were appointed by the Superior Court of Buffalo, as commission-
ers to ascertain and report the just compensation to be paid to the own-
ers of lands chosen. These Commissioners held a meeting February 21,
1870, completed their work and filed their report with the clerk of the
Court June 30, 1870; this report was confirmed, upon application of the
council on the 4th of August, 1870. The amount of the awards made
was as follows : —
For lands $247,785.66
For buildings 46,381.00
Total for lands and buildings $294,166.66
Expenses attending the acquisition of title 10,991.19
Gross total $305,157.85
In anticipation of the favorable action of the Council on the park
question which fully decided the issue that Buffalo should have a park
appropriate to her other institutions and her increasing population, the
commission arranged with Olmstead & Vaux, the landscape architects, in
May, 1870, to furnish plans and designs for the park, and a competent
engineer, Mr. George Kent Radford, was engaged to make the necessary
topographical survey of " The Park," "The Front/' and " The Parade."
Mr. William McMillan, a thoroughly competent horticulturist and land-
scape gardener, was appointed as Superintendent of the Park, and has
•ever since held the position and performed its duties to the eminent sat-
isfaction of the different Boards of Commissioners.
Actual work was begun on the park in September, 1870 ; fences were
erected around the Park and the Parade ; about two hundred and fifty
The Park System of Buffalo. 495
acres were ploughed ; about fifteen acres were partially graded ; nearly
two thousand feet of main drains were laid and eleven and one-half acres
of the Parade were tile-drained. The excavation of the lake was also
well advanced before the close of the season. In the report of the com-
missionei^s fqr January, 1871, they said : —
" It is not the intention of the commissioners to enter into a lavish
expenditure of jnonev for improvements that may be safely deferred. It
was important that the land should be acquired and dedicated to public
use, for a delay in this matter would have trebled its cost a few years
hence. This accomplished and improvements made, whereby the public
can be admitted for purposes of recreation and amusement, it may be
safely left to the future to carry out more complete and elaborate designs
of embellishment.'*
This expression foreshadowed a ^licy which, in a general way, has
since been followed by the Park Commissioners. The expenditures to
January i, 1871, wer6 $24,152.61.
The same Comtnission and Committees were continued through the
next year (1871) and the work of improving and beautifying the park
^nd its approaches was vigorously prosecuted. During the year the
expenditures amounted to $169,941.34. The principal work of the year
was the building of tfie piers and abutments of the bridge, for which
the woodwork was also made ready for erection the following spring ;
the excavation of the lake west of Delaware street ; the erection of the
dam and waste- weir at the west end of the lake; the completion of
nearly 3,000 feet of drive, with stone foundation ; the grading of the
playground at the front ; the grading of thirty acres at the parade and
laying 51,409 feet of the tile in the grounds; the establishment of three
nurseries and other work of a less important nature.
The report of the Commissioners urged upon the Council the con-
sideration of a topic relating to the park finances, which caused con-
siderable discussion, but was finally satisfactorily adjusted. The re-
port says : —
'* The Commissioners feel it their duty to call the attention of the
Council to the action of the assessors, by which the whole cost of the
¥irks and their improvement has been tnrown upon the general fund,
he intent of the law is unmistakable. One-half of all taxes to pay the
f>rincipal and interest of the bonds issued by the city is required 'to be
evied and collected exclusively upon and from the lands deemed to have
been benefited by the improvement in this act provided for.' Such
provisions of law are common, and are to be found in every charter
which has been granted to the cities of his State. To declare that all
the property in the city is benefited, and thus to bring the whole charge
upon the general fund, is a plain violation of the law and of the duty
which was imposed upon the assessors. At the last session of the Legis-
lature an amendatory act was passed which was designed to carry out
the intention of the original act. By that act it is provided that 'the
said assessors shall not deem the lands so benefited to embrace all the
lands in said city of Buffalo, * and that the one-half of the taxes ' shall be
496 History of Buffalo.
assessed, apportioned and levied and collected exclusively upon the
lands lying m the vicinity of, and which are directly benefited dv said
improvements. ' We recommend the Council to inquire whether further
legislation is needed to secure the proper distribution of taxation for
park purposes. **
In the Commissioners' report of January, 1873, ^^^ following are
given as members of the Board : — His Honor, the Mayor, ex-ojficio^
Pascal P. Pratt, Edward Bennett, Britain Holmes, Cooley S. Chapin,
Edwin T. Evans, Patrick* Smith, John L. Alberger, Dennis Bowcn, John
Greiner, Sherman S. Jewett, Michael Mesmer, DeWitt C. Weed.
An act was passed by the Legislature in May, 1872, authorizing the
Mayor to appoint, with the advice and consent of the Common Council,
fifteen citizens of Buffalo as a Board of Park Commissioners, in place of
those appointed under the act of April 14, 1869; the Mayor to be €x-
officio^ a member of the Board. In accordance with this act, the Mayor
sent to the Council on the 27th of May, the names of the following
gentlemen, to constitute the new Commission : —
For two years : — William H.' Peabody, A. Porter Thompson, John
Greiner, Patrick Smith and John L. Alberger. For four years : — Michael
Mesmer, Abraham Altman, Britain Holmes, Sherman S. Jewett and
DeWitt C. Weed. For six years : — Edward Bennett* Cooley S. Chapin,
Edwin T. Evans, Dennis Bowen and Pascal P. Pratt.
Five of the above named men were members of the former Board.
On the 30th of July the Common Council confirmed the nominations,
with the exception of Messrs. Peabody, Thompson and Altman. The
Board as confirmed, duly qualified and on the 7th of August organized
by re-electing Pascal P. Pratt, president, and William F. Rogers, secre-
tary and treasurer; the latter official still holds the office. The act
above referred to, contains the following as section 2 : —
"Section 2. — For the purpose of laying out, improving and embel-
lishing the Park or parks, approaches tnereto, and connecting streets,
under the act to which this is an amendment, the bonds of the city of
BufFalo to such an amount, not exceeding $400,000, as shall be necessary,
shall be issued by the Mayor and Comptroller of said city, from time to
time, as the same shall be required for the purposes aforesaid ; provided,
however, that such bonds shall not be issued to exceed in amount $100^-
000 in any one year, and that they shall not be disposed of or sold at any
less than their face or par value.
Under the above section authority was granted on the 8th of July,
to the Mayor and Comptroller, by the Council, to issue the bonds of the
city for $100,000. The delay in making this appropriation caused embar-
rassment and it was late in the season before much work was done in the
Parks. The bridge over the lake was finished in August, and a large
amount of work was done on the Parkway ; a new avenue was opened
from Delaware street to the Park, through Chapin Parkway, Soldiers'
Place and Lincoln Parkway. During the fall and succeeding winter the
The Park System of Buffalo. 497
excavation of the lake was nearly completed. Little was done at the
Parade. Great interest now began to develop throughout the city
relative to the Park ; vacant lands in the vicinity were sought for pur-
chase and real estate appreciated in price.
There was no change in the Park management for 1873, except the
substitution of Lewis P. Dayton as one of the Auditing Committee, in
place of Alexander Brush. In that year the drive, over six miles long,
connecting the Front with the Parade, was opened and graded. A fleet of
row-boats was put upon the lake, and the number of visitors greatly
increased over the previous year. The Council took the necessary
action to acquire the land for opening the avenue from the Parade
southerly to Seneca street, which now constitutes Fillmore Avenue ; the
grounds around the lake to the extent of fifty acres, which had been
roughly prepared the previous year, were finished and seeded and shrub-
bery planted, and the iron bridge over the creek was built. One drive
of Humboldt Parkway was opened from the Park to the Parade ; both
the side drives from the Circle to Main street were opened and the
double drive from Ferry street to the Parade. One drive in Bid well
Parkway was opened in June, and in August, the Avenue was opened
from Bidwell Place to the Circle. At the front all of the grounds that
had been roughly graded the previous year were finished, seeded and
planted with shrubbery ; forty large trees were also set and the foot-
paths stoned and graveled. In August, of this year, a special Park Guard
of six patrolmen was appointed by the Police Commissioners at the
request of the Park Commissioners.
For the year 1874, Joseph L. Fairchild, William Dorsheimer, Daniel
D. Harnett, Joseph Bork and Augustus Fuchs were added to the Board
of Commissioners, and John Greiner and John L. Alberger retired. Mr.
Dorsheimer was placed on the executive committee ; Dennis Bowen, C. S.
Chapin, Joseph L. Fairchild, Joseph Bork and Augustus Fuchs, committee
on grounds ; and Patrick Smith, Edward Bennett, Michael Mesmer, Brit-
ain Holmes, and Daniel D. Harnett, auditing committee. The oflBcers of
the board remained as before. In May of this year, (i 874) work was begun
on Fillmore Avenue, which had been opened under Chapter 540, Laws
of 1873. The avenue was laid out one hundred feet wide and $100,000
was appropriated tor its purchase and improvement. The length of the
avenue is a little over two miles. The dike that had marred the appear-
ance of the lake was removed early this year, giving a better view of the
entire lake expanse — about forty-six acres — and the grounds about the
lake were generally improved. The building of the summer house on
the knoll in front of the beach also refectory and boat house, was
well advanced. A brick sewer was built from the creek to near the foot
of Lincoln Parkway, with a branch leading to the boat house. The city
water was also introduced in the fall of this year. A contract was made
498 History of Buffalo.
in August with Thomas Dark & Sons for the masonry of a stone viaduct
to carry the park drive over Delaware street, and it was finished in
November. Large advancement was made in stoning and graveling the
diflFerent drives, and in the planting of shrubbery. Humboldt Parkway
was much improved and its drainage perfected. On the Parade a good
deal of work was done on the drainage system, and the excavation of the
cellar for the refectory was nearly finished. North and East Parade
streets, bounding the groiitids from Avenue A to Genesee street, were
opened in October and Fillmore Avenue was opened from the Parade
to William street, over one mile and a quarter, and a plank walk laid
along the same. Important improvements were also made on the park-
ways and avenues. Work on the Circle was begun in May, but was soon
suspended until late in August, on account of a change in its plan to its
present design, after which the work on it was early finished. Important
improvement was made in Porter Avenue as far down as Ninth street:
the number of visitors to the parks was much greater than in the pre-
vious year.
The report of January, 1876, notes but one change in the Board of
Commissioners; this was the substitution of Joseph Warren for William
Dorsheimer, the same change applying to the composition of the execu-
tive committee. In the report is made the following statement: —
*' One hundred thousand dollars per year of the bonds of the city
were issued « « » during tne years 1872, 1873 and 1874,
leaving one hundred thousand to be issued last year. Durine the winter
of i874-*75, a large portion of our population who depend upon daily
labor for daily bread, were unemployed. The office of tne park superin-
tendent was aaily besieged by this class — coming in crowds in the early
dawn of the winter morning, beseeching work in terms which proved
the dire necessity which had driven them forth in the hope of obtaining
employment. The park was their objective point ; it was a public work,
ana where else could they look for employment with less nsk of being
denied ? Importunity resolved into a demand. The funds at the dis-
posal of the board had been consumed in the previous season's work, and
it became a serious question how the demands of the laborers should be
met. The Common Council met the (Question promptly by passing a
resolution requesting the park commissioners to continue such work on
the parks as would furnish employment to unskilled labor, and early in
February of last year authorized the issue of bonds to the amount of one
hundred thousand dollars to continue the work. Legislation was also
obtained to enable the council to make a further issue of park bonds to
the amount of two hundred thousand dollars— one hundred thousand to
be issued in the year 1875, and one hundred thousand in 1876.
"In Julv last, the issue of bonds to the amount of one hundred
thousand dollars was authorized. The appropriation of two hundred
thousand dollars during the past year has enabled the commissioners to
furnish employment to a large number of laborers. The work has been
pushed vigorously, of which the improved appearance of the grounds
bears the amplest proof. The following statement exhibits the receipts
The Park System of Buffalo. 499
and expenditures in each year since the work commenced. The sum
paid for the lands taken is also included : —
Yesr. Receipts. Expendituret.
1870 $ 350,000 00 I 330.778 07
1871 i59»io6 40 169.976 16
1872 104459 83 > 10,278 96
1873 103,620 27 105,354 92
1874 128,690 14 127,543 99
1875 201,874 00 201,580 70
Total $1,047,750 64 $1,045,512 80
'* This financial statement is presented for the information of your
honorable body and the citizens of Buffalo whom you represent. The
lands originally taken for park purposes, cost the city in the year 1869,
$305,000 — ^an average of about $600 an acre. The cost of the improve-
ments made during the past six years have averaged about $1,400 an
acre, making the entire cost of the park, excluding Fillmore Avenue, in
round numbers, $2,000 an acre. The lands taken for this approach to
the park (Fillmore Avenue) have an area of about eis^hteen acres and
cost the city by appraisal in 1873, $72,000, an average of about $4,000 an
acre. This Utt is stated to illustrate the rapid increase in the valuation
of real estate in the vicinity of the park improvements."
The above extract from the report, gives a clear idea of the park
finances at the time mentioned. The more important park work for the
year may be briefly summarized thus : Since the excavation of the lake,
it had been found impossible to keep the water up to the level given in
the plan on account of the backwater overflowing lands in the cemetery
and others belonging to Dr. Lord. An arrangement was, therefore,,
made with the cemetery trustees and Dr. Lord, by which the banks of
the lake were raised around the overflowed portions, with material ex-
cavated from the swampy lands. The expense was shared by those
most interested in the improvement. This work formed an ornamental
pond of about three acres, developed many living springs of clear water
in the bottom, and filled the lake to the required level. ** Farmstead/'
the residence, office and outbuildings of the Superintendent, was begun
in August, and the house and foundations of the bam and stables were
substantially finished. The boat house was finished ; further improve-
ment was made on the different drives and walks and considerable work
was done on Porter Avenue. Changes were made in the entrance from
Amherst street, made desirable through the opening of the Belt Line of
the Central road ; stations were established at the Main street crossing
and on Colvin and McPberson streets. The Amherst street entrances
were closed and a new one opened opposite the head of Colvin street
and another on the east boundary, connecting with the Main street
station by an approach through the grounds of Mr. E. R. Jewett, called
" Jewett Avenue.** These changes necessitated a corresponding change
in the location of '' Farmstead/' and it was moved to the east border of
the park, between! Amherst and Chapin streets. Planting of shrubbery
500 History of Buffalo.
was much advanced during the year ; the Refectory at The Parade was
enclosed ; West Parade Avenue and Keller street on the west and north
boundaries of The Parade, were graded and opened. The drive at The
Front and the broad terrace were completed, and the fences and dis-
figuring shrubs were removed from Prospect Hill Parks and Niagara
square.
For the year 1876 the Board of Park Commissioners was changed
by the substitution of James R. Smith, Hiram Exstein, Frank Perew,
George Urban and James Metcalfe, in place of Joseph Warren, Daniel
Harnett, DeWitt C. Weed, Joseph Bork and Britain Holmes. The de-
pressed condition of business at the time, and the fact that the drives of
the several Parks were substantially completed and the parkways and
avenues opened as good dirt roads, while shrubbery planting and seed-
ing were in a satisfactory state of advancement, caused a suspension of
work on the Parks to a large extent. The Superintendent's house and
buildings were completed, and the drive encircling "The Meadow,"
those running to the Farmstead and to the east meadow gate were con-
structed, while considerable extension of the walks was made. The Pa-
rade Refectory, which had been begun under contract with Mr. Joseph
Churchyard, was finished and opened on July 4th. Work of a general
character was done in different portions of the Park, but which need not
be further detailed. The receipts for the year were $131,094.53 ; there
was expended the sum of $132426.63.
With the close of the year 1878, Mr. Pascal P. Pratt resigned the
office of President of the Board of Park Commissioners — an office which
he had filled since the first organization of that body (about ten years)
the responsible duties of which he had discharged to the eminent satis-
faction of every citizen of Buffalo. Since then the office has been most
acceptably filled by Sherman S. Jewett, Esq. It will not be necessary
to follow in further detail the work that has been done on the Parks since
the year 1876; general improvements and the proper maintenance of the
system have been carefully attended to each year down to the present
time, with as liberal expenditures as the means at the disposal of the
Board would allow; yet the importance of such work, as compared
with what has been described above, is insignificant. The work done
since 1876, has been chiefly confined to what was necessary for the proper
care and keeping of the grounds and structures.
On the night of August 26-*7, 1877, the beautiful Parade House was
burned to the ground ; it was rebuilt on a plan of less magnificence in
1878- 79» for which purpose only a portion of the moneys received from
the insurance companies was used, leaving over $30,000 to be expended
in the general improvement of avenues and parkways.
On the 27th of July, 1879, the street railway company opened their
lines from Cold Spring to the Park. This was, perhaps, the most im-
J^ ^^Tc'. <^i^^^^
'^9r
The Park System of Buffalo. 501
portant movement that had been made towards popularizing the Park,
thus carrying out the hopes of the originators, that it would become a
place for the healthful and innocent recreation of the masses. During
the month of August, the street- cars carried about 10,000 people to the
Parks, clearly showing that cheap and regular transportation was an im-
portant element in making them a popular resort. The following season
the line was put in better order and well equipped ; it was still more
largely patronized, has been since ; during the four months that the road
was operated in 1880, over 31,000 were carried over it to the Park.
In 1882, the Lake View House was erected at the Front, adding
much to the attractiveness of that resort ; its cost was nearly $10,000.
The following table shows the areas of the Buffalo Parks and Public
Places : —
"Gala Water," 46J acres ; "The Meadow," including part of Deer
Paddock, 150 acres; "Water Park," all west of Delaware Avenue, 121
acres; "Meadow Park," all east of Delaware Avenue, 234 acres; The
Park, including Agassiz Place, 355 acres ; The Parade, 56 acres*; The
Front, including " The Bank," 33 acres ; Prospect Place, 7^ acres ; The
Circle, 4^ acres ; Bid well Place, Si acres ; Chapin Place, 5 acres ; Sol-
dier's Place, 8i acres ; Parks and Places in charge of Park Commission,
475 acres ; Niagara Square, 5 acres ; Lafayette Square, f acre ; Day's
Park, 1} acres ; Johnson Place Park, i acre ; Public Places in cKarge of
Common Council, 8 acres; Fort Porter, adjoining the Front, 17 acres.
Total,' 500 acres. Park approaches in charge of Park Commission,
120 acres.
Of the Buffalo Park System as a whole Mr. Olmstead has said : —
" I am not unreasonable in saying that in the more important
qualities of a Park, that of Buffalo, compares favorably with that of New
York city."
Another gentleman, who was characterized as being one of the
half dozen best qualified non-professional judges in the country on such a
matter, said a few years ago: —
" In respect to the more quiet, tranquilizing and simply wholesome
and refreshing forms of recreation — in beauty of water, meadow and
woodland, which is the soul of a park — Buffalo has already more and is
much faster gaining value than New York."
In conclusion it is but justice to emphasize the fact that to the men
who have done most towards making the Buffalo Park System what it is,
the people at large in the city are indebted almost beyond measure. That
the expenditure of the large sums devoted to the work and the general
management of the system, have been wisely, economically and honestly
done, it is acknowledged by all who are conversant with the subject. The
important offices of president, secretary and treasurer, and superintend-
ent, have been filled almost without change since 1868 — the two latter
offices entirely so. In each of these cases, as well as in those of other
officials, the most eminent satisfaction has been given.
S02 HiCTORY OF Buffalo.
CBAPTER XVIII.
BXJFFilLQ CEMETERIES .•
The Fint Burial Place in Buffalo— lU First Occapant-Oipt WOliani Johnston's Baiial— The Old
Franklin Square Burying Ground— Who Established It— lU First Tenant— Other Pioiniiicst
Interments— Description of Other City Burying Gronnds- The Black Rock Burying Grovnd
—The Matthews & Wilcox Burial Ground— Church Cemeteries— Soldiers' Burial Plaoes—
— Forest Lawn— lu Beginning, l>edication, etc — Its Enlargement and Imptorement — ^Vahw
of the Cemetery Property- Dedication Ceremonies.
AT the beginning of the present century, as we have before stated in
this work, Capt. William Johnston, a British oflBcer, owned a tract of
about forty acres of land in the center of what is now the business por-
tion of Buffalo ; this tract was bounded on the north by Seneca street ; on
the west by Washington street ; on the south by Little Buffalo Creek and
on the east by a line which, with these boundaries, include twenty acres;
the line ran parallel with Washington street. On this tract was Captain
Johnston's homestead, and there, when the inevitable necessity arose, he
laid out a small lot for the burial of the dead, at the comer of what are
now Exchange and Washington streets. When the Washington Block
was built in i873-*74t the laborers in the cellar dug up several skeletons.
The first occupant of this primitive cemetery was an infant son of
Captain Johnston, and Captain Johnston himself was probably buried
there iii 1807. Interments continued there until the village burial
ground was established on Franklin Square, where the City and County
Hall now stands.
As far as known the prime movers in the establishment of this burial
place, as they were in most other public village enterprises at that early
period, were Captain Samuel Pratt and Dr. Cy renins Chapin; they went
to Batavia in the year 1804 and obtained from the agent of the Holland
Land Company a '*land contract'* for lots 108, 109, in and 112. This
tract was then a most attractive portion of the Terrace. The first silent
tenant of this burial ground was John Cochrane, a Connecticut traveler,
who died at Barker's tavern, which stood on the Terrace, near the cor-
ner of Main street. This interment w^s probably made considerably
prior to 1804, but after a verbal consent had been obtained from the agent
of the Land Company to use the land for that purpose, tradition makes
the second occupant of this ground a very tall Indian, whose stature had
given him the appellation of "The Infant." In March, 1815, the noble
* On the 4th of Febraary, 1879, the venerable resident of Buffalo, William Hodge, Eaq^ read
before the Historical Society an interesting paper on the Cemeteries of Bnffalo, from which many of
the facts in this chapter are taken.
Buffalo Cemeteries. 503
old Indian chief, " Farmer's Brother/* was interred there, with military
honors. A tablet bearing the chief's initials in brass nails was found when
the bodies were removed from this old burial place to Forest Lawn ; but
it disappeared in some unknown manner. The title to this ground was
not secured from the Land Company until 1821 ; the reason for this
delay is, that there was no village corporation at first to hold the gift,
and the matter was afterwards neglected upon the theory that after so
many years* peaceable possession the property belonged to the village.
The lots in this cemetery were not owned by individuals, but were
assigned to them by the trustees. Burials were almost entirely discon-
tinued in this ground in 1832 ; the last one was made in 1836, under special
permit, being the body of the wife of Hon. Samuel Wilkeson, a daughter
of the pioneer, Gamaliel St. John. This ground was used by families
living as far from the village as 'Vthe Plains " until 1832, when th4 cholera
epidemic caused its disuse.
Thf Cold Spring Burying Ground. — Some years prior to the war of
1 81 2, there was a small burying ground on farm lot No. 59, now the south-
west comer of Delaware and Ferry streets. Mr. Hodge says he remem-
bers being present at burials in that ground, when he was a boy; among
them being a child of Mr. Seth Granger, and a child of a Mr. Caskey ;
those burials were made before the war. There^ too, were buried the
mutilated remains of poor brave Job Hoysington, who was killed and
scalped by the Indians on the morning of December 30, 1813. Hoysing.
ton's remains were removed to Forest Lawn in 1850, with those of most
of the others who had been buried in the rural cemetery— ^nearly one
hundred in alL This ground was never formally granted for a cemetery,
but. was used by the consent of the owner. When Ferry street was
graded and widened in 1876, a good many bones were unearthed, which
were humanely taken by Mr. Hodge and placed in Forest Lawn with
the others that had been removed there.
Delaware and North Street Burial Ground. — About the year 1830,
Hon. Lewis F. Allen bought on his own account of Judge Ebeueter
Walden, five acres of land on the southwest corner of Delaware and
North street, for the purpose of establishing a cemetery. Through his
efforts an association was formed composed of the following named
persons: Lewis F. Allen, George B. Webster, Russell H. Hey wood,
Heman B. Potter and Hiram Pratt, as trustees ; the tract was surveyed
by Joseph Clary and laid out in lots, a considerable number of which
were sold. But the small size of the lot rendered it difficult of suitable
improvement, and by the encroachments of dwellings, the tract could
not long be used as a cemetery ; the bodies were accordingly removed
to Forest Lawn in the year 1865. The property now belongs to the
Forest Lawn Association, and will, in all probability, soon be occupied
with private dwellings.
S04 History of Buffalo.
The Potters Field. — In the year 1832 Buffalo was incorporated as a
city, and at the same time it was compelled to face the proq>ect of a
visitation of the cholera epidemic that was then sweeping across the
country — a prospect that was realized in the loss of many of the inhabi-
tants of the place. To decrease the risks of contagion from the epidemic
burials were prohibited in the Franklin square burying ground and five
acres of land were bought of William Hodge, on farm lot No. 30^ and
lying between North and Best streets, west of Prospect street* Ux a
common burial place, or '' Potters Field ;'' a portion of this tiacrt was
set apart for the use of the Roman Catholics, to be consecrated accord-
ing to their form.
The Black Rock Burial Ground. — When the original survey of the vil-
lage of South Black Rock was made, in 1804 ^r 1805, lots Nos. 41 and 42
were appropriated by the State for burial purposes; but the land was
found to be too low and consequently was not much used, pec^le pre-
ferring to carry their dead to the Franklin Square burying ground, or
elsewhere. When the village of Black Rock was incorporated. Colonel
William A. Bird, in the interest of the corporation, n^otiated an
exchange of these two lots for one on higher ground : this was lot No.
88 on North street, since known as the Black Rock burying ground. It
was bounded by Jersey, Pennsylvania and Fourteenth streets, and the
Mile strip, now *' The Avenue." When North street was opened through
this burying ground, a small triangle was left on the south side and
within the old limits of Buffalo city. By an arrangement with the
authorities of Black Rock this small tract was used as a *' Potters Field,"
for the paupers who died at the poor house, which stood a little to the
west of it. The principal part of the lot was used for many years by the
inhabitants of Black Rock, but burials were finally discontinued there
and the land was donated to the Charity Foundation of the Episcopal
Church. Lots in this cemetery were assigned to individuals in the
same manner adopted in the Franklin Square ground.* When Forest
* One giave in this spot wis that of Captain James Kongfa, a man of some note in early days,
who was btiried in 1828. This noble-hearted man was one of the Capuins who early uulcd 00 ov
lakes. * * ^ A conntryman of his, a Scotchman, the eccentric Major Donald Fimscr.
to express the esteem in which he was held by all, placed a stone at the head of his graTe, on whidi
was cot the inscription and quaint epitaph printed below. CapUin Rough's remains were reiaiwred
by oor honored townsman, Johft T. Lacy, April 26, i860, to the lot in Forest Lawn, whefe those
from the old burying ground ^f Franklin Square were placed. They now lie near the large monu-
ment in the center of this lot, by the side of Captain Doz, an officer in the United States army dur-
ing the war of 1812. EpiUph:—
" Here lies the body of Captain James Rough, a son of Auld Scotia, who died Dec 4, 1828,
aged 60.
" A Highland man's son placed this stone in remembrance of his friend : —
" Here moored beneath this willow tree.
Lies Honor, Worth and Integrity,
More I might add, but 'tis enough ;
'Twas centered all in honest Rough.
" With such as he where'er he be,
May I be saved or damned."
Buffalo Cembteries. 50s
Lawn was established, many of the dead were removed from this old
burial ground by their friends. Since then the grading of Rogers street
and the Circle has exhumed many bones of dead buried there» which
have been deposited in Forest Lawn. It is not known just when burials
were first made in this old ground, but it was probably as early as 1820.
The Bidwell Farm Burying Ground. — What was oiice known as " The
Bidwell Farm/' was situated on the old " Gulf Road," now Delevan
Avenue ; on this farm there was a place for the burial of the dead before
the Guide Board Road ground was opened. The Gulf road crossed
Main street just south of the bridge over the " Conjockety " creek, a
little east of which bridge it crossed the creek ; to the westward it
crossed a deep gulf made by the stream flowing" from the Jubilee spring,
which fact gave the road its name. Interments were made on this farm
from 181 1. to 1825.
The Matthews aud Wilcox Burying Grounds. — In 1833-34 a private
cemetery was inaugurated by General Sylvester Matthews and Birdseye
Wilcox ; it was located on farm lot No. 30, adjoining the five acres before
referred to as having been bought by the city in 1832, for a Potters
Field, and comprised twelve acres. The land was well adapted for its
purpose and it was quite extensively improved; numerous lots were
sold to individuals, who devoted considerable effort to their improve-
ment and decoration. When Forest Lawn was established, this cem-
etery was somewhat neglected for several years ; but renewed interest
was exhibited in it at a later date. The Hodge family, who had pur-
chased two lots in the grounds, paid for them by planting locust trees
around the enclosure and on each side of the carriage ways and walks,
which added greatly to the beauty of the place. In 1853 the lot owners
became dissatisfied with the manner in which the proprietors managed
the cemetery, raised the necessary fund by subscription, for the purchase
of the property, and in 1854, the " Buffalo Cemetery Association" was
incorporated. This Association paid $5,000 for the Matthews and Wil-
cox interest, and since then the cemetery has been improved and prop,
erly cared for.
Following are brief records of the various church and miscellaneous
burial places that have been established in Buffalo, the greater portion
of which are now in use :-^
Cemetery of St John's Churchy (German.) — This enclosure is the prop-
erty of the German Evangelical Lutherans, andj is located on the corner
of the Pine Hill and Pine Ridge roads. It contains several acres and
was purchased in 1858. The first burial was made there on July
6th, 1859.
Holy Rest Cemetery^ (German Lutheran Trinity.) — This cemetery
is located at Pine Hill and contains but three acres; it was opened
in 1859.
37
So6 History of Buffalo.
Zian Church Cemetery. — This cemetery is also located at Pine Hill ;
it contains four acres and belongs to the German Evangelical Reformed
Zion Church. A portion of the enclosure i? used by the Salem Evan-
gelical Mission, of Zion Church. The cemetery was opened about the
year 1859.
Concordia Cemetery. — ^This burial ground is used in common by the
German Evangelical St. Peter's, the German Evangelical St Stephen's
and the First German Lutheran congregations. It is situated on Gene-
see street between the New York Central and the Erie railway cros-
sings. It comprises fifteen acres, which were purchased in 1858 and
were opened in 1859.
St. Matthew's Church Cemetery is located on Clinton street, near the
Sulphur Springs Orphan Asy4um. This cemetery contains ten acres
and was opened in 1875 » ^^ ^^ handsomely laid out and well kept
Blach Roch German Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery.— 1\a&
burial place is on Bird street and contains about five and one-quarter acres.
It was opened in 1870.
Besides these there are the Mount Hope cemetery, located at Pine
Hill, which is private property ; the Howard Free cemetery, at Pine
Hill, also private property, and used exclusively by people outside of
the city ; and the Reservation cemetery, the old Indian burying ground,
on the continuation of Seneca street, where the remains of Red Jacket
were laid, whence they were removed to the Cattaraugus Reservation
in 1852.
Old St. Louis Cemetery. — There are or have been seven cemeteries
under control of the Roman Catholics of Buffalo. Old St Louis ceme-
tery was located on Edward street, near Main, the ground for which
was donated by the benevolent Mr. Louis Le Couteulx. Burials were
first made here in 1830. The use of the ground for that purpose was
prohibited in 1832, as had been necessary in other cases. The New St
Louis cemetery was then established and the remains were removed from
the old grounds and reinterred in the new ; the old ground was used as
the site of the priest's dwelling.
The New St. Louis Cemetery. — Mr. Hodge thus designates the lot
originally set off from the Potter's Field ; it is located between North
and Best streets, with a front of eighty-eight feet on each, and contains
perhaps an acre of ground. It was opened in 1832, and closed in 1859.
Old St. Mary's Cemetery.— This burial place conUins about one and
a half acres located on the southeast comer of Johnson and North streets.
It was opened in 1845 and closed in i860. Many of the remains buried
there have been removed to the new ground at Pine Hill.
5/. Francis Xavier Cemetery.— This cemetery is located at North
Buffalo (Black Rock) and was opened in 1850; it is still in use. It con-
tains about two acres and is situated near the crossing of Bird street by
Buffalo Cemeteries. 507
the Falls branch of the New York Central road. St John's, church at
North Buffalo also has the use of this ground.
St. JosipKs Cemetery. — This burial ground is situated near the poor
house, on the ** Buffalo Plaihs," about five miles from the center of
the city. It contains about six acres and was opened in 1850 ; it is now
in use.
HQly Cross Cemetery is located at Limestone Hill. It was opened in
1855 and contains about eight}' acres. The title to this ground is in the
Bishop, and it is used exclusively for the burial of those of Irish birth;
in these respects it differs from all other Catholic cemeteries in Buffalo.
United German and French Catholic Cemetery. — This cemetery origi-
nally contained fourteen acres which were purchased Jn 1858, and opened
for burials the following year ; this original tract is now entirely filled
with graves, and in 1870 twenty-eight acres additional were purchased.
This cemetery^ as its name indicates, is used for the German and French
Catholics, it is a corporation under the control of trustees, and into it
have been merged all the Roman Catholic cemeteries in the city, except
the one at Limestone Hill, referred to above. It is laid out with excel-
lent taste and the grounds have been beautified until it is a very attrac-
tive spot.
Bethel Cemetery. — Following are the names and records of the burial
places u6ed by the Jewbh nationality in Buffalo.
The Bethel Society was organized in 1847, and in 1849 purchased
ground for a burial-place, fronting on what is now Fillmore avenue,
between Batavia and Sycamore streets ; the lot contains three and a half
acres, only a portion of which were opened to burials. This land was
originally owned by Mr. Ellas Bernheimer, whose wife was the first per-
son buried there. Of Mr. Bernheimer the Jacobson Society (German)
had also obtained permission to make interments on the lot After Pine
Hill became the site of several cemeteries, the Bethel Society purchased
about two and a half acres there, and in 1861 opened the burial-ground
that is now knownby their name. The Jacobson Society was succeeded
by the Beth Zion, which also purchased a burying-ground at Pine Hill ;
the Temple Society afterwards united with the Beth Zion, forming the
Temple Beth Zion, the last mentioned ground became the groperty of
the united societies, and is now known as the Temple Beth Zion Ceme-
tery. It has a front of sixty feet and a depth of four hundred and fifty
feet. The original cemetery lot on Fillmore streeet has been sold to
privati^ parties with the express understanding that the burial-places
shall be permanently kept fenced and protected.
Soldier's Burial-Places.^-The following account of the different
places that have been devoted to the burial of dead $oldiers in and
around Buffalo, is condensed from Mr. Hodge's interesting paper before
referred to : — '
5o8 History of Buffalo.
'' It is in the memory of some vet living that the American bank of
Niagara river at Black Rock and the banks of Conjocke^ creek adjacent,
were the grounds of several hard contested battles in wnich many were
killed and afterwards buried on the battle-field. Many also were buried
here who died of sickness in the barracks of our Grand Battery and in
the barracks on the bank of Conjockety creek. There is no doubt that
hundreds of unknown soldiers are buried here, and as these grounds
have been plowed over and over again, it is impossible to detect their
individual resting places until excavations are made. The remains of
many are also scattered along the line of Main street from Flint Hill to
the Terrace. Bones of soldiers have been exhumed within the last few
vears at the junction of Lafayette and Washington streets. They have
Deen found also on the Terrace near St. Joseph s College, on the rank of
the river at Black Rock, and in various places on Main street, and have
been thrown about as playthings for 'Peterkin and Wilhelmine,' as
mentioned by Southey in his poem, * The Battle of Blenheim.' Time
and the march of improvement alone can bring to light the bones of the
majority of our deao soldiers, as the government was not so careful of
them formerly as now. It would, of course, be impossible to identify all
the places in this region where our Nation's dead have been buried ; but
some of the more important ones may be noted."
TA€ Ttrracf. — During the war of 1812, there were many soldiers, and
doubtless some military attacfus of the army, buried in and about the
Terrace. There was a battery erected on the Terrace to defend the
water approach by the channel of the creek, near the opening about at
the foot of Genesee street By this approach the wounded in the vari-
ous contests of 18 14 were brought to the hospital on the Terrace, and
the dead of the hospital were buried near it. When Church and Dela.
ware streets were graded, many skeletons were dug up during the prog-
ress of the work ; one was in a coffin and had military trappings on that
indicated the wearer to have been a lieutenant in the army.
Sandy Town. — In 18 14, when our army held Fort Erie, the ferrying
place across the river was near Sandy Town, which was quite a noted
spot. A number of wooden houses had been built in rear of the beach,
behind the immense sand-hills that existed in the early part of the cen-
tury. Some of them were used as hospitals for the sick and wounded as
they were brought from Canada, and the dead were buried in the sand-
banks adjacent. Many bodies were washed out into the lake in after
years. * * Human bones have even been tossed carelessly
about with laugh and jest by those engaged in carting sand to Buffalo.
As late as 1830, it was a common thing for the school boys to go there
on a Saturday afternoon and dig for relics, buttons, etc.; and often they
exhumed the bones perhaps of those to whom these belonged. But the
great storm of 1844 washed away the sand-hills, and then were plainly to
be seen the traces of the line of huts, the foundations of the chimneys,
officers' quarters, etc.
Conjockety Creek.— yTYkWc our Kentucky riflemen were stationed on
the south bank of Conjockety creek, in 1814, there were many graves
Buffalo Cemeteries. 5C9
made near by for those who sickened and died, and also for those who
were killed in the battle that took place there in that year. * *
Those soldier graves have al^ since been leveled ; no mark is left to des-
ignate them.
Black Rock. — Many graves were on or near the premises of Colonel
William A. Bird, Sr. In the battle of July 11, 181 3, at Black Rock, in
which Colonel Bishop was killed, and Captain Saunders was wounded
and taken prisoner by our men, there were eight British and three
American soldiers killed ; they were buried on the brow of the river
bank, back of Colonel Bird's house. From his residence south as far as
Albany street, there were at the close of the war many grave mounds,
which since that time have all been leveled.
The Grave in the " Park Meadow'' — General Smyth's regulars were
encamped in the fall and winter of 181 2, on Flint Hill. During this time
there prevailed among them a typhoid epidemic. Deprived as they were
of comfortable hospitab and a sufficient supply of medical agents, it car-
ried off about three hundred of them. They were put into plain pine
board coffins, furnished by William Hodge, Sr., and temporarily buried
near the south line of the *' Chapin Place ;" but the rock came so near
the surface that their graves could not be more than about a foot in
depth. The ensuing spring they were removed some distance to the
north side of the farm, where the ground was a sandy loam and easily
dug. Leave to bury them there being pven by the respective owners
of the farms, Capt. Rowland Cotton and Dr. Daniel Chapin, they were
deposited directly on the dividing line between these farms, in one com-
mon grave. Dr. Chapin planted two yellow willows, one at each end of
the grave, which have become large trees, and are yet (1880) growing,
the grave itself remaining undisturbed to this day.
Fart Porter. — There is a burying ground here for United States
soldiers dying while stationed at Buffalo. The first inter luent was
made in 1867.
Forest Lawn Cemetery, — We come now to the consideration of Forest
Lawn Cemetery, the lovely spot that is now and must be for many future
years the resting place of so many of the sons and daughters of this city.
We have left the record of this beautiful " city of the dead" for the close
of this chapter, as it is the latest as well as the grandest result of the
efforts that have been made to provide this great city with a suitable and
satisfactory home for her beloved dead — a home of such spacious pro-
portions that its wide-spreading lawns, its shady groves, its green valleys
and sloping knolls will not be fully peopled with its silent tenants for
many, many years. No one will question the wisdom of providing such
a place and all will commend the broad and beneficent plan which under-
lies the management of this beautiful cemetery.
The original Forest Lawn Cemetery contained about eighty acres
of land which were purchased by the late Mr. Charles E. Clark, of the
5IO History of Buffalo,
Rev. James N. Granger and his brother, Warren Granger ; the price paid
for this land was $i 50 an acre* It was a portion of the " Granger Farm,"
and the tract was situated on the northeast side of the Conjockety
creek, between Delaware and Main streets, about two and a half miles
from the center of the city. These grounds were made up of about equal
areas of forest and lawn, which gave them the name " Forest Lawn. " Im-
provements in the cemetery were begun in 1850 and it was dedicated
August 18, of that year, on which occasion a poem was read by Miss Ma-
tilda H. Stuart, of Buffalo, followed by Scriptural readings and prayer
by Rev. G. W. Hosmer, D. D., and Rev. Dr. Shelton. A poem written
by Mr. Asher P. Nichols was then sung by a choir, which was followed
by the reading of an ode written for the occasion by the late Guy H.
Salisbury. An appropriate address was then delivered by Hon. G.
W. Clinton. The ceremonies concluded with a benediction by Rev.
Prof. Seager.
Mr. Clarke labored hard and spent both time and money with libe-
rality, to render the new cemetery an attractive spot for the burial of the
dead ; but strange to say, he met with many obstacles, the principal one
being that the grounds were too far away from the city and were too
lonely. The people of Buffalo, while they admired the improvements
that were gradually transforming the place into a lovely home for the
dead, did not purchase lots nor evince a disposition to inter their friends
so far away from the homes of the living. But among those who visited
the new cemetery and admired not only its beauty, but also its location
far away from the tumult of the city, was a man who was destined to be
its first tenant. He had already pointed out a spot on a pleasant knoll
which he thought " appropriate and pleasant to sleep in when the trials
of life should be ended." This person was John Lay, Jr., a respected
citizen and former prominent business man of Buffalo. He died on the
loth of July, 1850, at the age of sixty years. After he died Mr. Clarke
tendered to the family the lot which Mr. Lay had so admired, and there
he was buried on the 12th of July. The funeral was conducted by the
late Loring Pierce, who was for many years the " city sexton. " The
venerable Dr. Shelton, of St. Paul's conducted the service. From that
time forward the cemetery seemed to assume a different character in the
eyes of the people of Buffalo and inspired in them far different and more
fortunate sentiments, resulting in the rapid occupancy of its most attract-
ive portions and the consequent improvement and beautifying of the
grounds by the owner.
A most commendable feeling had existed for many years in the
minds of some of the foremost men of Buffalo, a feeling that constantly
grew in strength down to the year 1864, that a cemetery of sufficient
magnitude for a city like Buffalo, should not be held by any private cor-
poration, but should rather be founded upon the broad basis of general
Buffalo Cemetbribs. 511
public interest, and its affairs be conducted for the public good and with-
out financial profit to any individual or company. The growth of this
feeling led to a meeting on the 19th of November, 1864, in the office
of O. H. Marshall, Esq., where the subject of such a city cemetery
was considered. The following named gentlemen were present at the
meeting: James P. White. Oliver G. Steele, Lewis F. Allen, O. H.
Marshall, Elijah Ford, Everard Palmer, Chandler J. Wells, Sidney
Shepard, George Truscott, Charles W. Evans, DeWitt C. Weed, Joseph
Warren, John D. Shepard, Jabez B. Bull, George L. Newman, James
M. Smith, Gibson T. Williams, Walter Cary, Nelson K. Hopkins, and
Henry Martin.
After a broad range of discussion, it was unanimously resolved to
organize the " Buffalo City Cemetery." The number of trustees was
fixed at twelve and the organization was effected by the election of the
following named gentlemen as trustees : Dexter P. Rumsey, DeWitt C.
Weed, George Truscott, Sidney Shepard, Lewis F. Allen, Oliver G.
Steele, Everard Palmer, Henry Martin, O. H. Marshall, Francis H.
Root, Russell H. Heywood, and George Howard.
A meeting of the trustees was held at the office of Mr. Marshall on
the 2 1st of November, 1864, when the organization was reported legally
complete and the Board elected the following officers : Everard Palmer,
president; Oliver G. Steele, vice-president; DeWitt C. Weed, secre-
tary and treasurer.
The Board at once began negotiations which resulted in the pur-
chase of the following property : The Swartz farm, sixty-seven and a
half acres; Moffat Grove, twenty-two and a half acres; Watson Tract
in Moffat Grove, eleven acres ; part of Granger farm, twent3'-seven
acres; Forest Lawn property, seventy-five acres; total, two hundred
and three acres.
The money necessary to secure the purchase of these lands, was
raised by the issue of the bonds of the corporation payable in ten years
from January* ist, 1865, with annual interest, and being at all times
receivable in payment for lots. These bonds were purchased liberally
by the citizens of Buffalo, to the amount of about fifty thousand dollars.
Other purchases of land — about ten acres from Dr. Lord's estate on the
westerly border, and about twenty-five acres from the Dr. Ransom
estate, fronting on Main street — make, with all former purchases a tract
of two hundred and forty acres. In the report of the cemetery trustees
for January 1878, is made the following statement : —
" The enterprise under such auspices (a mutual association without
stockholders) was not only a novel but a bold one, created by an urgent
necessity for a spacious ornamental burial-ground to accommodate our
rapidly increasing city and population. Yet, from the well-known ability
of its founders and a careful computation of a successful result, it was
presumed that the entire debt, with its accumulating interest, together
512 History of Buffalo.
with all expenses of improvements, labor, etc., could be paid at the ex-
piration of thirteen years, being at the rate of about $10,000 per annum.
The trustees are gratified in saying that in the lapse of some years less
time than above estimated the original debt of $131,650, including bonds,
the residue of mortgages, interest, labor bills, and material for improve-
ment of the erounds and all other indebtedness upon this property, was
extinguished, $40,000 of the debt being paid at the ena of two years
from its organization."
And now, at the end of thirteen years, in which the trustees sup-
posed that the original debt of $131,650 could be paid, that debt was not
only extinguished in several years less time, but the additional Lord and
Ransom purchases of $51,630, with their accruing interest, have been
paid, and the entire property, consisting of two hundred and forty acres,
is without incumbrance, the absolute property of the Association, in
which every lot-owner, no matter to how small an extent, and their
heirs and descendants, have an unincumbered inalienable title, and not
only such title, but a surety that their lots will be perpetually cared for
and kept in order by the Association.
To show the importance and the value of the Forest Lawn property,
the following estimate is made: The real estate has cost about $185,-
000 ; its improvement in all its features about $198,531, making the sum
of $383,531. To meet these expenditures there has been received for
land and lots sold, commutations and in other ways, about $373,461, all
of which is a permanent investment. The lot owners are more than two
thousand five hundred in number. Lots purchased and paid for by indi-
vidual owners have been sold to the full amount of the permanent invest-
ment and assets above stated, and in these lots not only the living pur-
chasers now possess, but their heirs and descendants to an indefinite
number, as also the heirs and descendants of deceased purchasers, will
hereafter possess for burial purposes an absolute title in perpetuity. The
sums of money expended in monuments, tombs and mausolea by the pro-
prietors of lots, amount to more than one million dollars, thus making
the whole investment in Forest Lawn nearly or quite two million dollars.
These figures and statements are from the report of the trustees of 1878,
which concludes as follows: —
" The dedication ceremonies of Forest Lawn Ceroeterj took place
on Friday, September 28, 1866. The^ were very imposing m their char-
acter, and appropriate as the formal mauguration of the beautiful burial
place. The clergymen of the city, the Masonic order, the Contioental
singing society, the Mayor and Common Council of the city and a lar^e
concourse of citizens participated in the ceremonies, which were held m
the grove on the east oank ot the stream."
Since Forest Lawn Cemetery was dedicated, improvement in many
directions, guided by excellent taste and supported by ample means, has
gone rapidly forward, until there are now no more beautiful and attractive
burial places in the country. Its location adjoining the spacious park that
"^^'^' ^y^Si^^^?^,
The Buffalo Fire Department. 513
has been so wisely provided by the city government, could scarcely be
excelled, while its natural beauties and its adaptability to its purpose are
equally pleasing and satisfaptory. Many costly and tasteful memorials
have been erected to mark the resting places of the city's honored dead,
and as the coming years follow each other into the past, each one adding
to the silent population of this sanctuary, it will in all respects become
a dearer and more attractive spot to the living.
Following are the names of the present officers of the Cemetery :
Francis H. Root, president ; George Howard, vice-president ; Henry
Martin, treasurer ; Henry E. Ferrine, secretary ; Francis H. Root,
Bronson C. Rumsey, O. H. Marshall, David R. Morse, Henry Martin*
Lewis F. Allen, '^George Howard, J. F. Schoellkopf, George Truscott, J.
M. Richmond, Sherman S. Jewett, John M. Hutchinson, trustees ; George
Troup, superintendent ; M. Davey, C. E., engineer.
CHAPTER XIX.
CITT HEPARTMENTS ANO INSTITTTTIOn s.
The Buffalo Fire Department — Pint Oiguiisetioii— The Pint Pire ConuMUiy— Constnictkm oi
Cietenis— List of AU Conpeiiiet and Dates of Oiganisatita— The Pint Chief Engineer*
His Saccessors to the Present Time— Demoralisation of the Depaitment— Pint Board of
Fire Commissioners— Fire Alarm Telegraph Introdnced— Establishment o' a Paid Depart-
ment—Disastrous Pires— The Pireman's Benerolent Association— Buffalo Police Poroe—
First Chief of Police— Successive Chiefs and Superintendents— Present Poroe and Precincts
—The Health Department— The Pirst Cholera Epidemic— The Pirst Board of Health and
Their Labors— List of Health Physicians— Health Department as at Present Constituted—
The City Water Works— The First Water Company— Organization of the City Water Works
Company — Incorporators— Different Pians —Details of Construction — Magnitude of the
Works — Change in Officials— The Postal Senrice in Buffalo and Black Rock — List of
Postmasters — Early Mail Routes — Gas and Electric Light Companies— Street Car Lines.
The Buffalo Fire Department*
THE Fire Department of Buffalo is older than the city itself; its
conception dates back to the very early history of the village.
The first record that has been 'found of anything like an organ'
ization to furnish protection from fire, relates to the year 18 16.
Near the last of that year, the village authorities passed ordinances
relative to the subject. The trustees were authorized to ascertain
the practicability of procuring a supply of water by means of the water
courses, streams and reservoirs. Twenty-five ladders were ordered
* Much of the data from which the following histoiy of the Pire Department was written, was
obtained from the colomns of the S$mday Truth.
514 History of Buffalo.
made within thirty days and all house owners were required to provide
''one good leathern bucket for each house, store or shop;" to causjC
their chimneys to be swept and in future to build their chimneys^
large enough for sweepers to go through them.
This movement was undoubtedly instigated, by a fire in the village
as George Badger in the papers of December i/tb, that year» thanked
the citizens for assistance at his late fire.
On the 1 8th of June, 1826, the sum of $100 was ordered levied on
the village property, with which to build an engine house. At a little
later date, John B. Flagg, Henry Root, Edward Root and A. Beers
were appointed to fill vacancies in the fire company. Peter Curtiss,
Noah P. Sprague and Isaac S. Smith were afterwards added to the fire
wardens then in office. In January, 1830, the membership of the fire
company had increased to twenty-seven, among whom was the name of
John L. Kimberly.
During the year 1831 action was taken towards enlarging the fire
extinguishing facilities of the village. On September 19th, of that year,
it was decided to construct four reservoirs, or cisterns, at the intersec-
tions of Main with Seneca, Swan, Eagle and Court streets. These res-
ervoirs held about 10,000 gallons each and for many years served their
purpose efficiently ; other similar reservoirs were afterwards added. In
the fall of that year two new fire engines were purchased and additional
hose procured.
On the 5th of June, 1822, some further precautions were taken to
prevent fires, and on the 2nd of December, 1822, an ordinance was passed
defining the duties of the fire wardens, one of which was to examine
and clean the chimneys throughout the village once in every month.
These measures were followed by others designed to increase the vigfi-
lance and efficiency of the wardens, and adding penalties for carelessness
on the part of the property-owners.
The first regular fire company was organized in Buffalo on the i6th
of December, 1824, and Oliver Forward, then president of the village,
officially directed that the following named citizens be appointed mem-
bers of the company : — George B. Webster, Hiram Johnson, George B.
Gleason, Ebenezer Johnson, Henry Fales, Guy H. Goodrich, Barent I.
Staats, Nathaniel Wilgus, Richard Wadsworth, Elisha E. Hickox, Thad-
deus Weed, Joseph Dart, Jr., Elijah D. Efner, George Coit, Silas Ath-
earn, John Scott, Henry Hamilton, William HoUister, Joseph Anable,
Augustin Eaton, Abner Bryant, Theodore Coburn, Martin Daley, Rob-
ert Bush and John A. Lazelle. It is quite evident that this company
included all the most prominent citizens of the village.
November 2d, 1 831, it was decided to organize two more fire com-
panics, one of which was to be a hook and ladder company and one called
Engine Company 3, or " Fulton" 3. Among those who joined the departr
ment at that time, was Mr. Harlow French.
The Buffalo Fire Department. 515
\ — —
Following is a list of all the fire companies which have existed. in
Buffalo, with the dates of their organization : —
Cataract Engine Company, No. i, December 16, 1824.
Live Oak Engine Company, No. 2, August 5, 1832.
Fillmore, (or Fulton) Engine Company, No. 3, November 2, 1832.
Buffalo Engine Company, No. 4, November 24, 1832.
Washington Engine Company, No. 5, December 21, 1832.
Red Jacket Engine Company, No. 6, January 15, ^636.
Perry Engine Company, No. 7, January 4, 1837.
Clinton Engine Company, No. 8, January 18, 1838..
Hydraulic Engine Company, No. 9, October 18, 1845.
Defiance Engine Company, No. 10, September 19, 1851.
Columbia Engine Company, No. 11, August 26, 1852.
Jefferson Engine Company, No. 12, January 14, 1852.
Hook and Ladder Company No. i, January 9, 1836.
Rescue Hook and Ladcfer uompany. No. 2, March, 1837.
Taylor Hose Company, No. 1, rJovember 13, 1850.
Eagle Hose Company, No. 2, May 18, 1852.
Seneca Hose Company, No. 3, September 21, 1852.
Excelsior Hose Company, No. 4, December 9, 1852.
Neptune Hose Company, No. 5, February 9, 1857.
Hose Company No. 6, June 21, 1862.
Niagara flose Company, No. 7, April 7, 1865.
The re-organization of the following companies took place on the
dates given : —
Hose Companies Nos. i, 2, 5, 7, 11, and 9, in 1871, and Liberty Hose
Company, No. i, in 1872.
Hook and Ladder Company No. i, (formerly No. 2) June 3, i86i ;
Hook and Ladder No. 2, August 14, 1864; Hook and Ladder No. 3, De-
cember lu 1868; Protection Company, No. i, September 1, 1868; Pio^
neer Truck, No. i, (or Rescue Truck No. 2,) May 25, 1832.
On the 4th of June, 1832, the first Board of Aldermen of the newly
organized city, appointed their fellow Alderman of the First ward, Isaac
S. Smith, the first chief engineer of the fire department. Subsequently
John W. Beals and Samuel Jordan were appointed his assistants. Fol-
lowing is a list of the successive chief engineers from that date to the
present time : Isaac S. Smith, June 4, 1832 ; Samuel Jordan, December,
1834, and March 11, 1836; Jacob A. Barker, vice Samuel Jordan,
resigned, July 29, 1836; Thomas Kip, October 4, 1838; George Jones,
vice Thomas Kip, resigned, October 6, 1841 ; Lyman Knapp, vice George
Jones, resigned. May 6, 1845: William Taylor, April 9, 1850; George
Jones, , ; Edwin Hurlburt, April 25, 1853 ; William Tay-
lor, January 30, 1854; T. T. Bloomer, (temporary) November 10, 1856 ;
John Lorenz, December 8, 1856 ; William Taylor, May 3, 1857, January
3, i860, and January 7, 1861 ; Thomas B. French, February 2, 1863, and
January, 1864. In 1866 the office of Chief Engineer was abolished and
was superseded by the office of superintendent of the department. In
1866, Edwin Hurlburt was appointed to the new office ; Peter C. Doyle,
5i6 History of Buffalo.
i868-'69; Thomas B. French, from 1870 to 1873, inclusive; Joseph R.
Williams, 1874 and '75 ; Thomas B. French, 1876 and '77 ; Peter C Doyle,
1878 (until April 15), when he resigned and James L. Rodgers finished
the two years. In 1880, Thomas B. French was given the office again
and remained in it until May 3. 1883, when he resigned and was succeeded
by Frederick Hornung, the present chiei.
In October, 1837, in accordance with a prayer of a petition long
before presented to the Common Council by Millard Fillmore and
others, a bell was bought and placed on the Terrace Market, to be used
for fire alarms and other emergencies.
On the 24th of August, 1852, a special meeting of the Common
Council was called to consider the condition of the fire department, it
having become demoralized and the several companies having left their
engines and hook and ladder trucks on the Terrace. A resolution was
adopted, accepting the resignation of every member of the department
outside of Taylor Hose No. i. Eagle Hose No. 2, and Jefiferson Engine
No. 12. At about this time Colonel Gustavus A. Scrqggs tendered the
services of the old Sixty>fifth regiment for fire duty ; his ofifer was
accepted. Chief Taylor resigned and was followed in the office by
George Jones. Efforts ^ere made at the session of August 30th, to
reorganize the department, though previous to that effort the city
authorities endeavored to recover all the property belonging to the city,
including the funds of the Firemen's Benevolent Association. Ex-Chief
Taylor having been accused of being the cause of the demoralization in
the department, was exonerated on September 17, 1852, by certificate of
honorable discharge.
The first Board of Fire Commissioners were appointed April 27,
1857, in the persons of Oliver G. Steele, Francis H. Root, George Jones
and Jarvis Davis. On February 3, 1859, ^^^ ^^^ steam fire engine used
in Buffalo was bought, and upon its arrival was placed in the house
formerly occupied by Cataract Engine Company, on Washington street,
below Seneca.
On the 2 1st day of November, 1859, Chief Taylor was directed by
the Council to apportion the department into districts, which was done.
The Citizens Hook and Ladder Company was organized on October
17, 1864. It disbanded in March, 1880, Frederick Hornung, the present
Chief, Robert Carlton, the present assistant chief, and E. O. Van Brock*
lin, the present secretary, having been numbered among its members.
The fire alarm telegraph system was introduced in 1865.
In 1862, and again in 1872, efforts were made to disband the volun-
teer department and introduce an entire paid department. Both of these
attempts failed and nothing was accomplished in that direction until in
the winter of i879-'8o, when the third trial sucqeeded. The volunteer
companies disbanded in March and April, 1880, and three commissioners
The Buffalo Fire Department. 517
were appointed with power to name the Chief Engineer and other
officers of the department, who should hold their offices during the
pleasure of the commissioners. The first and present commissioners are
George R. Potter, chairman ; John M. Hutchinson and Nelson K. Hop-
kins. Eric O. Van Brocklin is the secretary of this Board of Fire Com-
missioners.
There are now in the department fifteen steamers, five chemical
engines, four hook and ladder companies and other accessories, which
are located as follows : —
Engine No. i — No. 43 South Division street.
Engine No. 2 — Jersey street corner Plymouth Avenue.
Engine No. 3 — Broadway, near Jefferson street.
Engine No. 4 — Genesee, near Spruce street.
Engine No. s — Emslie street, comer Bristol
Engine No. 6 — Seneca street, near Junction.
Engine No. 7 — Lower Terrace, near Evans street.
Engine No. 8 — Chicago, near Elk .street.
Engine No. 9 — Washington street, comer Tuppei .
Engine No. 10 — Perry street, near Washington.
Engine No. n — Niagara street, near Ferry.
Engine No. 12 — ^Chicago street, comer Folsom.
Engine No. 13 — Staats street. Headquarters.
Engine No. 14 — William street, comer Cassy.
Engine No. is — Amherst, near Thompson street.
Chemical No; i — Pearl street, near Terrace.
Chemical No. 2 — Chicago street, near Folsom.
Chemical No. 3 — Pearl street, near Tupper.
Chemical No. 4 — William street, corner Cassy.
Chemical No. 5 — Main street, Cold Springs.
Hook & Ladder Co. No. i — Washington street, corner Tupper.
Hook & Ladder Co. No. 2— No. 45 South Division street
Hook & Ladder Co. No. 3 — William street, comer Hickory.
Hook & Ladder Co. No. 4— Niagara street, near Ferry.
Hose Company No. l — High street, near Michigan.
Supply Bam — Staats street, Headquarters.
Hose Tower— Staats street. Headquarters.
Buffalo has had several disastrous fires, some of them attended by
fatalities, but the city cannot be said to have suffered in this respect to
an unusual degree. On the 14th of November, 1829, a disastrous fire
occurred on Main street, between Niagara and Eagle streets, destroying
the wooden store and dwelling occupied by Colonel George Stow ; the
bookstore and bindery of Sargent & Wilgus; the drug store of Dr.
George E. Hayes & Co. ; the printing establishment of Day, Follett &
Haskins, and other property. At this fire General Potter and Henry
Lovejoy were seriously injured.
On the 14th day of November, 1832, just three years after the fire
above described, one of the most disastrous conflagrations that ever
occurred in the city, broke out in the building owned by Marvin & Ben-
nett, on Main street, adjoining the store of Wilkeson, Beals & Co. Sev-
5i8 History of Buffalo.
eral squares of buildings in the heart of the city» on Main, East and
West Seneca, Pearl and Washington streets, were destroyed, causing a
loss of between $150,000 and $200,000. It was supposed to have been
the work of an incendiary.
On the 17th of December, 1880, the wall paper manufactory of M. H.
Birge & Sons, on Perry street, near Washington, was entirely destroyed,
with the Queen City Malt House, causing a loss of over $200,ooa At
this fire ten persons lost their lives, either by jumping from the burning
buildings or by falling amid the ruins where they were burned beyond
recognition.
The Commercial Advertiser fire, which has been elsewhere described,
occurred on December 21, 1882, causing a loss of over $500,000. Will-
iam C. Smith, a member of Hook and Ladder Co. No. 3, was killed.
The history of the department, if all the exciting or interesting
events of its career were detailed, would occupy more space than could
reasonably be set apart for it in a work of this nature. If all the brave
deeds of its members were recited, if the total value of the property
which they have saved from destruction could be computed, and the
unfairness of a large portion of the declamations made against them at
different times exposed, a volume would have to be devoted to the sub-
ject. Examples of their courageous fidelity to the duties devolving
upon them can here be only mentioned in the briefest manner, such as
were shown at the burning of the Red Jacket Hotel, on Seneca and Elk
streets, July 18, 1878, when John D. Mitchell, for twenty years a member
of Columbia Hose, No. 11, in obedience to the command of the foreman,
entered the burning building and was crushed beneath the falling timbers.
The death of Arthur A. Poole is also one of the melancholy incidents of
this department. He was thrown from a hose cart July 10, 1878. He
was a member of Neptune, No. 5 ; E. O. Van Brocklin was injured at
the same time. Many are the heroic deeds that might be recounted
in the records of the Buffalo fire department.
The Firemen's Benevolent Association, of Buffalo, was incorporated
by an act of the Legislature on the 23d day of March, 1837. ^he first
officers were Jacob A. Barker, president; Edward Baldwin, vice-presi-
dent ; John L. Kimberly, second vice-president; Joseph H. Smith, secre-
tary; William H. Lacy, treasurer; Thomas Kip, Sidney S. Hosmer,
Samuel F. Pratt, Walter Joy, Garrett S. Hollenbeck, Grosvenor Clark,
Oliver G. Steele, William J. Mack and Edward Hurlburt, trustees. The
purpose of the corporation was for "accumulating a fund for the relief
of indigent and disabled firemen and their families ; and for that purpose
they were invested with the power to purchase, take and hold, transfer
and convey, real and personal property to an amount not exceed-
ing $20,000." It was composed of all such persons as then were or
who would thereafter be, engineers of the fire department, or mem-
The Buffalo Police Department. 519
bers of any fire engine, hook and ladder, or hose company in the city of
Bu£Falo. An election was to be held on the second iVednesday in
December of each year. On the loth of April, i860, the power to hold
property was increased to $50,000. April 9, 1862, greater latitude was
given the association for the admission of members. All persons resident
in Buffalo, having served or thereafter to have served, the time required
by the city charter to entitle them to exemption from jury and militia
duty, were entitled to become members. Eighty-seven persons, widows
and children of deceased members of the department, are now supported
by the association, which thus accomplishes a work of great beneficence.
The present officers of the association are as follows : James S. Murphy,
president; Casper J. Drescher, vice-president; W. H. Alport, secre-
tary ; W. H. JBeyer, treasurer.
The Buffalo Police Department.
Exact dates of the early events connected with the Buffalo Police
Department are not accessible, as the records prior to 1866 are not to be
found either at police headquarters or the City and County Hall. We
are therefore obliged to content ourselves with the indefinite information
derived from interviews with those citizens who took an active part in
the police regulations of Buffalo in early days. From the beginning
down to about the year 1855, ^be organization of the department was
somewhat incoherent, consisting only of about four justices of the peace,
from four or six to eight or ten police constables, and after 1838, a few
policemen. From 1837 to 1845, Mr. Cyrus H. DeForest, still a resident
of Buffalo, was one of the justices of the peace. There was one watch
house then, situated under the old market on the Terrace near Main
street. In 1842-3 John Pierce, the present proprietor of a livery stable
on Michigan street, was a constable. In 1855 Samuel Bagnall was ap-
pointed the first chief of police. He was succeeded in 1858 by Robert
H. Best, stilt an active citizen of Buffalo, who remained in office until
1861. Mr. Best had previously, in 1857, been one of the police constables
here. There were in 1857 eleven police constables in the department.
In 1861 Mr. Best resigned and was followed in office by George Drul-
lard. Charles Darcy was his successor and was Chief at the time of the
change in 1866. Before the latter date there had been no uniforms
worn, the only symbol of office being a star. An act passed by the Leg-
islature April 10, 1866, established what was called the Niagara Frontier
Police District, including Buffalo and Tonawanda, in Erie county, and
Wheatfield in Niagara county. The new organization was composed of
a board of three commissioners, and a force consisting of a superintend-
ent, captains, detectives and over one hundred patrolmen. They assumed
their positions at midnight on May 7th. In 1870 the Niagara Frontier
District was divided and Buffalo alone constituted a separate district.
mm
520 History of Buffalo.
Since 1866 the following Police Commissioners have held office: —
In 1866, James Adams, Jonathan Buell and Obadiah Green. In 1868,
Salmon Shaw took the place of James Adams. By a chancre in the law
in 1870, Robert H. Best, (executive), Harmon S. Cutting, (president),
and Ralph Courter, (treasurer), were appointed Commissioners. Another
change in 1872, placed in the office John Pierce, Jacob Beyer and Mayor
Alexander Brush, ex^fficio. In 1874, Dr. L. P. Dayton was substituted
in place of Brush. In 1876, Mayor Philip Becker took the place ot the
latter. In 1877, Mr. Pierce's time expired and Frank A. Sears was
appointed his successor. ' The next Mayor, and Commissioner ex^fficio^
was Solomon Scheu — 1878. Elijah Ambrose superseded Jacob Beyer in
1879. By ^ ^^^ I^^ ^^ January, 1880, (Mr. Brush being again Mayor),
Robert Mills, William J. Wolfe and Mayor Brush were appointed Com-
missioners. In 1 88 1, Mayor Grover Cleveland superseded Brush. The
present Commissioners are Michael Newell, Isaac O. Crissy and Mayor
Manning, ex-cfficio.
The successive superintendents of police since i860, have been as
follows: David S. Reynolds, 1866; Peter C. Doyle, 1870; John Byrne,
1872; W. A. Phillips, from May, 1879, to January, 1880; William J.
Wolfe, 1880; James M. Shepard, from January to May, 1883; and
Thomas S. Curtin, the present incumbent, who entered upon the dis-
charge of his duties May 12th, 1883. There are now in the entire
department about two hundred and twenty patrolmen ; four captains and
six lieutenants, with eight detectives.
This force is divided for the government of the ten precincts into
which the city is divided, with station houses, as follows : —
First Precinct — Corner of Pearl and Terrace streets — Police Head*
quarters Building.
Second Precinct — South side of Seneca street, east of Louisiana
street
Third Precinct — Pearl street near Chippewa street.
Fourth Precinct — Sycamore street corner of Ash street.
Fifth Precinct — East side of Niagara street, between Clinton and
Bird avenues.
Sixth Precinct— West side of Main street. South Ferry street. Cold
Springs.
Seventh Precinct — Louisiana street, near Elk street.
Eighth Precinct — North side of William street, near Emslie
street.
Ninth Precinct— Ganson street, east of Michigan street.
Tenth Precinct — Niagara street, near Jersey street.
The police of Buffalo have been a credit to the city, especially in
times of riots, municipal and other emergencies, such as the strike of
1877, when they were the last and most trustworthy resource of the
peaceful and law-abiding portion of the communit3\
The Buffalo Health Department. 521
The Buffalo Health Department.
The first Board of Health in Buffalo was organized in 1832,
the year of the incorporation of the city. The Board was formed
at that time in view of the immediate necessity of adopting strin*
gent measures to free the city from danger of invasion by the cholera
which had entered the country. The new Board comprised Ros*
well W. Haskins, Dyer Tillinghast and Lewis F. Allen, over whom
presided Mayor Ebenezer Johnson, ex^jficio. Loring Pierce was then
the chief undertaker in the city, was an excellent nurse, sexton of St.
Paul's church, and crier in the courts. As a general assistant and un-
dertaker he was employed by the Board, and usually attended its meet-
ings during the ravages of the cholera ; he was considered as almost
indispensable to the Board. The Health Physician and medical adviser
of the Board during that trying season, was Dr. John E. Marshall, of the
firm of Trowbridge & Marshall, both of whom were physicians of high
attainments.
The leading physicians of those days, aside from Drs. Trowbridge
and Marshall, were Dr. Cyrenius Chapin and his medical partner, Dr.
Bryant Burwell. Dr. Chapin was an able practitioner, blunt in speech,
sometimes abrupt in manner, but with much kindness of heart, abound-
ing in poor patients as well as the patients who had the means to com-
pensate him for his services. But he was oftentimes dictatorial, some-
times obstinate and had a sovereign contempt for the Board of Health as
an oflScial body, although on good personal terms with them as private
individuals. He would not make his daily reports of cholera cases to
them, as required of and responded to by all the other physicians.
" Why should I report my medical cases to a set of ignoramuses who
don't know the cholera from the whooping-cough ? No, III see 'em
hanged first."
But Dr. Johnson, the Mayor, made up his mind that Dr. Chapin
should make his reports, and after a delightful joust of words, altogether
characteristic on the part of Dr. Chapin, the latter made up his mind that
discretion was the better part of valor and afterwards made his reports
faithfully.
Two of Buffalo's eminent physicians, Gorham F. Pratt and James P.
White, were then medical students here. Pratt was with Dr. Chapin,
and White was in the office of Trowbridge & Marshall. These young
men were active, intelligent, enterprising and gave most valuable aid to
the Board, as well as to their medical superiors in their laborious duties.
Pratt staid chiefly at home in Dr. Chapin's office to attend pressing
calls there, while White was sent to efuard the outpost at Lower Black
Rock, where the canal-boats from the east and the Canada vessels entered
the harbor.
522 History of Buffalo.
That first Board of health bad a terrible experience during the
cholera season of 1832, and well and faithfully did they discharge their
duties. All the reward they ever received for their three months' labor
and the consequent neglect of their private business, was the thanks of
the Common Council, except that Mr. Tillinghast was paid $50.00 for
keeping the records, as clerk of the Board. One of the most remarkable
facts in connection with the reign of the terrible disease in the city that
year, was that neither of the members of the Board of Health, their
official associates or attendants, suffered a day from sickness during the
period of their labors.
The cholera appeared for the second time in Buffalo in the year
1834, with all of its previous virulence, though a few cases occurred in
1833. Precautionary measures against the assault of the disease were
then better understood, the community was less fearful of the scourge
and its effects were somewhat less terrible. The young men of the city
volunteered as nurses in very many cases, as did also many women.
Another terrible visitation of the cholera reached this city in 1849,
to which perhaps, sufficient reference has already been made in a pre-
ceding chapter. The Board of Health in that year were Hiram Bartom
ix-officio (he being Mayor of the city), Dr. Josiah Barnes, C. C. Had-
dock and Arthur McArthur. It is sufficient to state that the arduous
labors devolving upon the Board at such a time, were faithfully and
efficiently performed ; and such has been the case in the less trying
periods in which the different Boards have served the city.
The Health Department of Buffalo for the year 1883 was constituted
as follows : —
Members — Robert R. Hefford, president; Timothy J. Mahoney,
comptroller; Thomas J. Rogers, engmeer; John Mahoney, street com-
missioner, executive officer.
Health Physician— William C. Phelps, M. D.
Clerk— George W. Peck.
District Physicians — RoUin L. Banta, First District; Joseph W.
Keene, Second District ; Eugene C. Waldruff, Third District ; Julius F.
Kru^, Fourth District ; Joseph Haberstro, Fifth District ; Alexander M.
Curtiss, Sixth District ; Benjamin L. Lothrop, Seventh District ; John
A. Hoffmeyer, Eighth District; J. S. Halbert, Ninth District; Louis A.
Bull, Tenth District.
Cattle Inspector— George Joslyn.
Pest-house Keeper — John Werrick.
Following is a nearly complete list of the City Physicians since the
city was incorporated : —
J. E. Marshall, 1832 to 1835 ; A. S. Sprague, 1835 ; Charles H. Win-
ne, 1836; Charles H. Raymond, 1837; F. P. Harris, 1838 ; Charles Winne,
1839; Charles H. Raymond, 1840; Austin Flint, 1841 to 1843; John S.
Trowbridge, 1844 to 1849, inclusive; S. F. Mixer, 1850 and '51 ; John D.
Hill, 1852; E. P. Gray, 1853; James M. Newman, 1854; John Root»
The City Water Works. 523
1855; Charles L. Dayton, 1856 and 1857; H.D.Garvin, 1858 and 59;
C. C. Wyckoff. i860 ; J. Whitaker, 1861 ; Sanford Eastman, 1862 to 1866,
inclusive; C. C. F. Gay, 1867; G. C. Mackay, 1868.
The City Water Works.
The first water works company in Buffalo was called the Buffalo
and Black Rock Jubilee Water Works Company. It was organized
sometime in 1826 and incorporated in 1827, with a capital stock of
$20,000. In 1832 this company had laid nearly sixteen miles of wooden
water pipes. The water was drawn from the Jubilee Springs, situated
near Delaware avenue, about one hundred rods north of Ferry street.
No engine or machinery of any kind was ever used, the source of supply
being on ground more elevated than any of the localities supplied with
water. The pipes were originally laid through the northern portion of
the city and to Black Rock by way of the Eleventh ward, but in 1845 a
line was laid directly from the springs to what is known as the Parrish
tract. The first line of pipes supplying the southern portion of the city
were laid directly down Main street.
The officers for this company for the year 1832, (the first records
now available,) were as follows : Peter B. Porter, president ; Donald
Fraser, S. C. Brewster, Peter B. Porter, directors ; Absalom Bull, sec-
retary and treasurer ; Donald Fraser, superintendent.
The present commissioners are : A. A. Justin, Milton R. Hubbard
and Joseph Ailinger. Mr. Justin and Mr. Job Gorton have both been
commissioners for twelve years, but in June 1882, Mr. Gorton declined
re-appointment and Mr Justin, who had previously retired, was called to
fill his place.
There are now from twelve to fifteen miles of pipes laid by this
company.
The Buffalo City Water Works Company was not organized until
the Jubilee Company had been in existence twenty-two years. The act
incorporating the former was passed March 15, 1849, ^^^ corporators be-
ing George Coit, Walter Joy, William A. Bird, Orlando Allen, Horatio
Shumway, George R. Babcock, Isaac Sherman, Cyrenius C. Bristol,
Oliver G. Steele, Thomas M. Foote, William Bucknell, Jr., Henry W.
Rogers, William Coffin and Aaron D. Patchen.
The capital stock of the company was fixed at $200,000, with power
to increase it to $500,000. The city of Buffalo was empowered to
assume control of the works at discretion, any time within twenty years
from the date of the charter.
The first meeting for organization was held at the Mayor's office on
the 7th of February, 1850. On the nth of March, 1850, the Common
Council, under power granted by the Legislature, adopted a resolution,
by the terms of which the city was to become a subscriber to the capital
524 History of Buffalo.
stock of the company to the amount of $100,000. The Mayor, however,
questioned the prudence of the measure, though he admitted that the
then recent disaster caused by the burning of the American Hotel and
other buildings, admonished the city of the necessity for a more ade-
quate provision against such losses in the future. After repeated dis-
cussions the Common Council, in accordance with the adverse report
of a special committee, adopted another resolution in the early part of
June, 1850, refusing to subsrribe to the capital stock, of the company on
the ground that the company did not purpose to lay a sufficient quantity
of pipes on the east side of Main street to meet the just demands of the
citizens and tax-payers and, further, that the city could not raise the
$100,000 without issuing bonds encumbering all of the real estate pos-
sessed by it. The citizens, moreover, were slow to subscribe to the
stock, and it looked for a time as if sufficient funds to enable the com-
pany to build the works could not be raised.
At this juncture Joseph Battin, of Newark, N. J., and Charles B.
Dungan, of Philadelphia, capitalists and contractors, subscribed an
amount sufficient to secure the construction of the works, with the tacit
understanding, however, that the contract for such construction should
be awarded them.
On May i, 1850, a committee of three, viz.: George Coit, James
McKay and William A. Bird was appointed by the Board of Directors
to receive propositions for the construction of the works and negotiate
for the purchase of land.
The plans and propositions of Battin, Dungan & Co., were submitted
to William J. McAlpine, the distinguished engineer, for his approval or
rejection. After a thorough investigation of the subject, he handed in
a report to the council on the 29th of May, 1850.
It appears that there was at that time a prevailing belief that the
source of supply should be located in the bay southwest of the city.
Mr. McAlpine opposed. this plan on the ground that the works would be
exposed to danger from the storms of the lakes, the expense of protect-
ing the pipes would be largely increased and the length of the pump
main to the reservoir would be greatly increased as the reser\-oir
would have to be located on the high ground in the northern part
of the city. The engineer favored the other proposed location for
the works, in the Niagara river just below Black Rock. To obviate
the only objection to this place (that the supply pipes would have
to cross, the Black Rock harbor and the Erie canal) he suggested
the plan of laying the pipes below the beds of those channels.
For the location of the proposed reservoir the following points had
been named: — on Delaware street near the then north line of the city;
on Michigan street, on the same line, and on Prospect Hill. The latter
site was finally recommended b}' the engineer.
The City Water Works. 525
The contract for building the works was subsequently awarded to
Battin, Dungan & Co., at $375,000, with the proviso that they conform
to the modifications suggested by Mr. McAlpine in reference to the use
of low-pressure and condensing engine. Lots 29 and 30 were at
once bought for the location of the pump house, and lot t4$ (Prospect
Hill) for the reservoir.
Ground was broken for the shaft and tunnel on the 29th of July,
1850 ; for the reservoir August 12th, and for the pump house, boiler house,
etc., September 12th. The work of excavating the shaft and tunnel was
relet by the contractors, to J ones & Osborn, of Rochester. The reser-
voir embankments were erected by Hiram Pierce & Alanson Webster,
of Buffalo.
On the 17th of September, .1850, the Common Council granted the
Water Works Company permission to lay pipes in the following* named
streets: — Niagara street, from the reservoir to Main street; Michigan
street, from Exchange to Genesee ; Swan street, from Main to Pine : Mo-
hawk street, from Niagara to Main ; Delaware street, from Niagara to
Park Place; Genesee street, from Main to Spruce; Terrace and Ex-
change street, from Pearl to Michigan ; Pearl street, from the Terrace to
Tupper; Washington street, from Exchange to Genesee; South Divis-
ion, from Main to Pine; North Division, from Michigan to Chestnut;
East Seneca, from Main to Kinney's alley ; Clinton street, from Washing-
ton to Union ; Eagle street, from Michigan to Union ; Carroll street,
from Washington to Michigan ; West Seneca street, from Main to the
Terrace ; Franklin street from Tupper to West Swan ; EUicott street,
from Eagle to West Seneca ; Oak street, from North Division to South
Division. The pipes were to be laid under the direction of the Street
Committee of the city and all the work on Main street was to be com-
pleted by October 15, 1850. The work on Main street was begun at the
canal bridge, running thence northerly, on the 30th of September, 1850.
A tariff of rates was adopted November 29, 1850. The reservoirs
were completed November 19, 1851. The last pipe on Niagara street
connecting the reservoirs with the distributing mains, was laid Decem-
ber 3, 1851. The river connection with the tunnel (connecting the pumps
with the river) was finished December 18, 185 1 ; and on December 19th
the works were pronounced about completed and steam was raised. On
January 2, 1852, the reservoir stops were opened and water let on the
city at II o'clock a. m. On January 5th, 1852, Mr. A. R. Ketcham was
appointed superintendent of the works. On May i, 1854, there were
1,036 consumers taking water from the company.
In February, i860, the oflfice was again removed to near the corner
of Erie and Pearl streets, in Rogers and Browns Block. On January
I, X864, the total length of pipe laid was 32 miles and 2471, feet»
there being 2,498 consumers. At present there are two systems in use
526 History of Buffalo.
by the company, the high service for the elevated portions of the city,
and low service for the remainder.
Following are the officers of the Water Company for the years 1850,
(the first) 1852 and 1853:— Henry W. Rogers, president ; George Coit,
vice-president; Oliver G. Steele, secretary: Henry L. Lansing, treas-
urer; Aaron A. Patchin, C. C. Bristol, James Smith inspectors; A. R.
Ketcham, superintendent.
Following are the changes that were made in the officers of the
company from the year 1853 to the present time: —
i8S4 — Same officers as above, except A. R. Ketch?.m was made sec*
retary and superintendent.
1855 — ^Albert H. Tracy » made president.
i8s6— A. R. Ketcham, secretary and treasurer.
i8s7 — Office removed to Kremlin HalL
i860— Henry W Rogers, president.
1863 — Oliver G. Steele, vice-president.
i860 — Henry W. Rogers, president and treasurer: A. R. Ketcharo,
secretary and auperintenoent.
i86^William F. Rogers, C. J. WeUs» James Ryao, water com-
missioners. Office No. 26 West Swan street.
1870— Alexander Brush, commissioner, vice William F. Rogers.
1 871 — George R. Yaw, vice Alexander Brush.
1873— George R. Potter, vice Mr. Yaw.
1874 — C. J. wells, George B. Gates and James Ryan, commissioners :
George Hosley, superintendent, and Louis H. Knapp, engineer.
1875 — George 0. Gates, George Truscott and Eawin Hurlburt, com-
missioners. Office, 96 Pearl street.
1877 — George Baltz, commissioner, vice Edwin Hurlburt. Office
room I, City and County Hall.
1880 — ^^A. R. Ketcham, superintendent, vice Mr. Hosley.
1 88 1— James N. Scatcherd, Louis P. Reichert, James Ryan, com-
missioners.
Mr. Ketcham, superintendent until March ist, 1882, when Louis H.
Knapp was appointed.
The Buffalo Postal Service.
The first postoffice through which passed the insignificant mails for
the few inhabitants who had settled upon or near the site of Buffalo, in
i8o4« was called " Buffalo Creek." Erastus Granger, who was one of
the foremost of the ytry early settlers, came here supported to some
extent by the influence and power of the President of the United States,
Thomas Jefferson, which influence Mr. Granger had earned by labor in the
political arena ; he was accordingly made the first postmaster at " Buffalo
Creek," and afterwards " Collector of Customs." That was, undoubt-
edly, the first time that political influence affected the little settlement.
Mr. Granger's appointment was made on the 30th of September, 1804.
The nearest postoffices to Buffalo Creek, were Batavia on the east,
Erie on the west, and Niagara on the north.
The Buffalo Postal Service. 527
The postoffice under the administration of Mr. Granger was located
on Main street, near the site of the Academy of Music, and afterwards on
the w«st side of Pearl street, a few doors south of Swan street. Mr.
Granger filled the office of postmaster until 181 8, since which date the
postmasters of Buffalo and the dates of their appointment have been as
follows : —
Julius Guiteau, May 6, 1818; Samuel Russell, April 25, 1831 ; Henry
P. Russell, July 26, 1834; Orange H. Dibble, August 28, 1834; Philip
Dorsheimer, April i, 1838; Charles C. Haddock, October 12, 1841 ;
Philip Dorsheimer, April i, 1845; Henry K. Smith, August 14, 1846;
Isaac R. Harrington, May 17, 1849; Jstmes O. Putnam, September i,
1851 ; James G. Dickie, May 4, 1853; Israel T. Hatch, November ii,
1859; Almon M. Clapp, March 27, 1861 ; Joseph Candee, 1866, holding
the office less than a year ; in the spring of 1867, Isaac M. Schermerhorn
was appointed and held the office two years. His successor was Thomas
Blossom, who also filled the position two years. In 1871 Mr. Schermer-
horn was re-appointed, and was succeeded by the present postmaster,
John M. Bedford, who was re-appointed in 1883.
Julius Guiteau first located the postoffice on Main street, corner of
Mohawk, and afterwards removed it to the west side of Main. street,
about the middle of the block next south of Erie street. It was .again
removed to the northeast corner of EUicott square, (the block between
Eagle and South Division streets) ; the office remained there until .a
short time after Judge Russell's appointment, when it was removed to
the corner of the block above, on Main street. From there it was
removed by Mr. Dibble, about 1836, to the old Baptist Church, on the
comer of Washington and Seneca streets ; it remained there until Mr.
Haddock's appointment, when it was removed to the opposite corner
(northwest) of Washington and Seneca streets, whence it was removed
in the summer of 1858, to the government building.
In April, 1807, John Metcalf, who was the first mail carrier to brir^g
mail to BufiFalo, obtained from the Legislature the exclusive right lor
seven years to run stages from Canandaigua to Buffalo, and a fine of $500
was imposed for trespass on his right. The passenger fare was not to
exceed six cents a mile. Under this arrangement he advertised in 1808
to leave Canandaigua on Mondays and arrive at Buffalo on Thursdays.
Those were the halcyon days of stage-coaching, and old residents re-
count many an interesting and amusing incident that occurred on the
the road behind a four-in-hand, guided by a skilful driver.
In April, 1814, a post route was established from Sheldon via Wil-
link and Hamburg, to Buffalo. In 181 5, a route was opened from Buffalo
to Erie, with a weekly mail, leaving Buffalo on Saturdays. In 1816, a mail
route to Youngstown was established with a bi-weekly mail. On the 3d
of March, 1817, a route was established from Moscow to Buffalo, by way
of the '• State road."
528 History of Buffalo.
On March 2, 1823, the route from Buffalo to Glean was opened, and
on June, 15, 1832, a route was established from Buffalo through Aurora,
W'ales, Holland, Sardinia, China, Fredonia, Candia and Belfast to Angel-
ica, Allegany county. Soon after this date railroad connections were
opened to distant points and the mails were transferred to them for
transportation.
The present assistant postmaster is Mr. Charles H. Dobbins, who
has filled the position since June, 1881, and has been in the postoffice
since 1865, with the exception of a few months. He was chief clerk of
the money order department from 1868 to 1881.
In January, 181 7, a postoffice was established at Black Rock. On
the 29th of January, James L. Barton was appointed postmaster ; he was
succeeded by Elisha H. Bumham, July 11, 1828; Morgan G. Lewis,
June 29, 1841 ; George Johnson, July 7, 1853; Daniel Hibbard, Junei,
1861 ; office discontinued about 1870.
In July, 1854, the postoffice of Black Rock Dam was established,
and on February 10, 1857, ^^^ nanie was changed to North Buffalo.
The appointments in this office were as follows : — Henry A. Bennett,
July 12, 1854; Charles Manly, March 17, 1856; Geoi^ge Argus, May 20,
1859; William D. Davis, July 29, 1861 ; George Argus, in 1864; Jacob
Gerst, Jan 26, 1865 ; office'discontinued March i, 1870.
Early in the year 18 19, the Buffalo postoffice was made a distrib>
uting office and has* remained so since. The carrier system was intro-
duced on January i, 1864, with a force of six carriers, which has been
increased to forty-three at the present time.
Gas and Electric Light Companies.
Although the organizations through which the lighting of the city
is effected, are private corporations, yet their office in relation to the
streets and public buildings is of such a character that they may properly
receive attention here. The first gas light company in Buffalo was organ-
ized on the 8th of May, 1848, and began the manufacture of gas on the
7th of November following. The first officers of this company were as
follows : — Samuel F. Pratt, president ; Oliver G. Steele, secretary ;
William Bucknell, Jr., treasurer. The capital now invested in the works
of this company is $500,000. The present officers of the company are as
follows : — E. G. Spaulding, president and treasurer ; Joseph Krumholz,
secretary. The office and works are situated on the block bounded by
Genesee, Jackson and South streets and the Wilkeson slip.
The Buffalo Mutual Gaslight Company was organized in December,
1870, but it did not commence manufacturing until Febniary i, 1873. The
first officers of the company were as follows:— A. Reynolds, president;
David Ransom, vice-president; Albert G. Stevens, secretary. Thepres-»
ent officers are : — J. M. Richmond, president ; J. H. Cowing, vice-presi-
Gas, Electric Light and Street Railway Companies. 529
dent and treasurer; C K. Remington, secretary. The invested capital
of this company is $750,000. The office is in the Bapst building, on the
comer of East Seneca and Washington streets.
The Citizens' Gas Company is the successor of the former Buffalo
Ox)rgen and Hydrogen Gas Company, which was organized in the early
part of 1 87 1 and began operations in July of that year. The first presi-
dent of the old company was John B. Griffin ; John H. Vought was the
first secretary. In 1873 the property of the company was sold under a
mortgage and the Citizens' Gas Company was founded on Its basis in
December, 1873. The first officers of the new company were as follows :
J. F. Schoellkopf, president ; John H. Vought, vice-president ; E. S.
Wheeler, secretary ; C. Rodenbach, treasurer. The present officers are :
J. F. Schoellkopf, president ; Charles A. Sweet, vice-president ; John
McManus, secretary and treasurer. The office is situated at 293 Court
street, and the works on Court street, below Fifth. There are now
nearly one hundred and fifty miles of gas mains in the city.
The Brush Electric Light Company of Buffalo, was organized May
I, 1881, and began operations in July following. The first and present
officers are as follows : — John F. Moulton, president ; James Adams, vice-
president ; the first secretary and treasurer, H. G. Nolton. The superin-
tendent is C. C. Jennings. This is the only electric light company in
Buffalo. The present treasurer is J. M. Brinker, and W. F. Frear is
secretary. Business was begun by this company with thirteen whole
lights in July 13, 1881 ; this number has been increased to two hundred
and eighty-nine. These are divided into three stations ; number one is
on ''the island,'* Ganson street : number three, corner of Mohawk and
Wilkeson streets ; number four at the Union iron works. Forty-seven
miles of copper wire are now stretched in the cit}% giving a capacity
for one hundred and seventy-five more lights. The company is now
about introducing the incandescent system, operated by storage bat-
tery. . The Edison incandescent lights are in use at the Erie elevator,
at Thornton & Chester's and the Urban mills.
Street Railway Companies, etc-
The system of street car-lines at present in operation in Buffalo, has
been built up since i860, although there was a '' one-horse " railway
between Buffalo and Black Rock many years previous to that time. Sev-
eral omnibus lines were in operation before i860, the first of which was
established in 1835. Early in the year i860, the first street railway com-
pany in Buffalo was organized ; it was a stock company. Ground was
broken on Main street, on the 19th of May, in that year, for the first line
of track, and three days later the construction of the Niagara street line
was begun. The first car was run over the Main street line on the i ith
of June, i860, and on the 23d of the same month, cars began running on
530 History of Buffalo.
the Niagara street line. In July, i860, the Main street line was extended
to Cold Spring, cars first being run to that point on the 14th of the same
month. Early in July, 1873, ^^^ ^^^^ ^o East BufiFalo was completed, by
the east side street railway company, which was organized chiefly through
the efforts of the late S. V. R. Watson. The Main street line was extended
to the Park in 1879 ^^d cars first ran to that resort on the 26th of July,
of that year. The Exchange street line was built in 1874. The system
now extends into all the more thickly settled portions of the city. Over
forty miles of track are laid, over which run 120 cars, drawn by 730
horses, and 350 men are employed ; all the lines are managed in conjunc-
tion with each other. Our inability to gain information at the offices of the
companies, prevents our giving further particulars on this subject The
officers of the Buffalo street railroad company are Henry M. Watson,
president; S. S. Spaulding, secretary and treasurer; Edward Edwards,
superintendent. Of the East Side Street Railway, they are 8. 8. Spauld-
ing, president; Joseph Churchyard, vice-president; H. M. Watson,
treasurer; Edward Edwards, superintendent.
CHAPTER XX.
LITERARY AND RELIDIOnS A S S 0 C I ATI D NS .
The First Literary Association in Buffalo —The ** Buffalo Lyceum'* — Oiganization of the *' Young
Men's Association " — Its First Officers ~ A Hard Struggle and Final Triumph — Tabular
History — Present Management of the Association — The Buffalo Historical Society — Or-
ganization and Objects — Constitution — Incorporation — List of Presidents of the Society
— The Grosvenor Library — A Beneficent Bequest — A Valuable Library — The Young
Men's Christian Association — The Pwrtnt ** Union " — Change of Name — Financial Strug,
gles — The New Building — List of Presidents and Present Officers — The Young Men's
Catholic Association — A Valuable Library — The Mechanics' Institute — Law Ltbnuy —
The Catholic Institute and iu Library — Other Associations.
THE first literary association or society established in Buffalo, was the
Buffalo Library, which was incorporated in 1816, under the law of
1796. The society was organized at the house of Gains Kibbe, De-
cember loth, of that year. Mr. Kibbe's house was the old Eagle Tavern.
Following are the names of the Board of Trustees : — Charles Townsend,
Charles G. Olrostead, Jonas Harrison, Isaac Q. Leake, Miles P. Squier,
Smith H. Salisbury and Josiah Trowbridge. Among the original mem-
bers and stockholders in the society, were many other honorable names,
such as James Sheldon, Peter B. Porter, Albert H. Tracy, David M. Day,
Samuel Wilkeson, Henry R. Seymour, Pascal P. Pratt, Ebenezer F. Nor-
ton, Heman B. Potter, Samuel Tupper, John G. Camp, James Rough,
'^^.'^td^cm.
The Young Men's Association. 531
Stephen K« Grosvenor, Reuben B. Peacock, Barent J. Staats, Ebenezer
Walden, Lucius Storrs, and others. To those who are at all familiar
with the early history of the city, it will be evident from the above list of
names that the first library enlisted the good will of most of the promi-
nent citizens of Bufifalo. This was a circubting library and consisted at
one time of about 700 volumes ; it lost popularity after about sixteen
years of usefulness, was finally taken into the hands of a few of the stock-
holders and in 1838 was transferred by purchase to the Young Men's
Association. Joseph Wilcox, a man of mark at that time, was the last
librarian.
Following this library the Buffalo Lyceum was organized in 1832
" by a number of gentlemen who felt the importance of having something
more definite in the direction ot intellectual improvemenrt." The idea
was first suggested by Theodotus Burwell, who also prepared the plan>
and the institution was for several years a very successful one. Winter
lectures were given gratuitously by prominent citizens and public de-
bates held, while in the meantime a library was gradually provided.
Nearly all of the more prominent citizens of Buffalo at that time were
Interested in the Lyceum. Among its more active members were such
men as Judges Rochester and Stryker, Dr. Burwell, J. W. Clark, R. W.
Haskins, O. Follett, Millard Fillmore, N. K. Hall, J. W. Beats, George
E. Hayes, Thomas M. Foote, N. P. Sprague, S, N. Callender, R. H. Hey-
wood, Isaac S. Smith, D. Tillinghast, C. C. Bristol, O. G. Steele and oth-
ers — a list of honorable names. As the city rapidly increased in size,, the
literary field was extended to that degree that the Lyceum could not fiU
it. It was a popular and successful institution as long as it served the
wants of the community in that direction ; but the time came when its
resources were inadequaite to further enlarge the library, nor was it able
to support a reading room. In 1832, the Lyceum library contained about
three hundred volumes.
The Young Men's Association.*
The Young Men's Association of Buffalo, now such a power for
good in many ways, was originated in a growing necessity of affording
to the young men of the city some healthful and sensible entertainment,
The original project is credited to no particular man or small party of
men. An attempt was made in 1834 to establish a new literary institu-
tion, (or the furtherance of which project Rev. Dr. Shelton delivered an
address, at the request of some of the gentlemen who felt an interest in
the matter. An incipient association was formed, under the name of the
Young Men's Association, of which Dr. Shelton was made president ;
• On rhe 23d of March, i86r, in St. James HaU, was held the celebration of the-qnarter-centuty
anniveisaiy of the organization of the Young Men's Association of Buffalo. On that occasion Mr.
Charles D. Norton read an historical address, from which is gleaned much of the data for the early-
history of this association.
532 History of Buffalo.
but it was abandoned upon the organization of the present association.
As we have already stated the honor of founding the Association belongs
to no particular person ; it was the result of a general movement on the
part of the young men of the city. In the Commercial Advertiser of Feb.
TO, 1836, then edited by Thomas M. Foote, was printed the following
notice: —
" Young Mens Association. —The youn^ men of Buffalo, friendly to
the foundation of a Young Men's Association, for mutual improvement
in literature and science, are requested to meet ** ^^® court house on
Monday, the 22d of February, at the hour of 7 P. M.
This notice was signed by nearly four hundred citizens embracing
all classes, and was strongly endorsed by the editor. At a meeting
which followed the publication of the notice, Hon. Hiram Pratt presided
and R. L. Allen and Isaac W. Skinner, were secretaries. A constitution
had been prepared by Seth C. Hawley, based upon the one governing a
similar association in Albany, and it was submitted to the meeting by
Frederick P. Stevens. After considerable discussion the constitution
was adopted and the meeting adjourned to the 29th of the same month.
An election of officers was held which resulted in the choice of Seth C.
Hawley, for president; Dr. Charles Winne, Samuel N. Callender and
George Brown, vice-presidents; Frederick P. Stevens, corresponding
secretary ; A. G. C. Cochrane, recording secretary ; John R. Lee, treas-
urer. For a Board of Managers there were chosen — Oliver G. Steele,
Henry K. Smith, William H. Lacy, George W. Allen, Charles H. Ray-
mond, Henry R. Williams, George E. Hayes, Halsey R. Wing, Rush-
more Poole, Hunting S. Chamberlain. The association was incorporated
by act of the Legislature passed March 3d, 1837.
Such an organization would be helpless without funds, and an appeal
for public aid was a necessity. A subscription was, therefore, started in
the spring of 1836, in an era of what was thought to be general pros-
perity ; subscribers were numerous and their promises liberal. The
lowest amount on the list was twenty-five dollars and the highest five
hundred. The book accumulations of the old Buffajo Library and the
Buffalo Lyceum were placed in the Association rooms, with an en-
couraging subscription of $6,700. The great financial revulsion that soon
followed, involved the Association and helped to create a debt that was
swelled by a too liberal endowment of the reading room and purchase of
valuable books, and which was not wiped out in many years. A library
of 2,700 volumes was collected, and during the first year 5,500 volumes
were drawn from it, while the reading room was equally well patronized.
In the first five years of existence of the Association, the library increased
257 volumes; in the second five years, 925 volumes; in the third five
years, 1,092 volumes; in the fourth five years, 4,319 volumes; from 1857
to 1 861, the increase was 2,038 volumes. These figures indicate a steady
and encouraging growth during the period covered by them.
The Young Men's Association. 533
The first librarian was Mr. B. W. Jenks ; he was followed by Dr.
Raymond, and he by Phineas Sergeant ; Lewis Jenkins came next and he
was succeeded in 1852 by the present incumbent, Mr. William Ives, who
has now faithfully and successfully filled the office for thirty years. In
the year 1857 a library fund was founded, based upon the receipts for
Ufe memberships. This fund now amounts to about $22,000.
In i864-*5 a movement was inaugurated which resulted in what may
be termed the beginning of the era of prosperity which has since con-
tinued; this movement was headed by nine of the prominent men of
Buffalo, who subscribed $3,000 each towards the necessary amount to
enable the Association to purchase the property now in its possession.
This popular subscription was finally raised by the liberal donations of
the people of Buffalo, to something over $83,000, and the property was
bought in 1865, and occupied by the Association in 1866; its cost was
$112,500. When the institution was established in its new quarters, it
was about $50,000 in debt ; but by wise management of its property and
the successful administration of its general affairs, the entire indebted-
ness was wiped out in 1876. The names of the nine men who headed
the movement which accomplished such magnificent results, were Sher-
man S. Jewett, Dean Richmond, Charles Ensign, S. V. R. Watson,
Thomas Clark, Gibson T. Williams, Myron P. Bush, Rufus L. Howard
and James Brayley.
tn April, 1877, Mr. J. N. Larned was made superintendent of the
library, a position which he has capably filled since. Since his advent
into the library he has done an important work in classifying the entire
library and cataloguing its contents on the card plan ; other improve-
ments have also been adopted under his administration.
Following are the names of the officers of the association for the
year 1883 : —
Executive Committee — Edward B. Smith, president; George Gor-
ham, first vice-president ; Charles B. Wheeler, second vice-president ;
Daniel H. McMillan, corresponding secretary ; Edward H. Rounds, re-
cording secretary ; John L. Williams, treasurer.
Curators — For one year, Thomas Kean, chairman ; two years, Frank
M. HoUister; three years, George J. Sicard.
Directors — For one year, George B. Matthews, George Gorhatn,
George R. Teller, Nathaniel Rochester; for two years, Albert J.
Wright, Dr. Henry R. Hopkins, Charles B. Wheeler, John L. Williams ;
for three years, George B. Hayes, Henry C. French, Daniel H. McMil-
lan, Edward H. Rounds.
Real Estate Commissioners — Robert P. Wilson, Wilson S. Bissell,
Charles A. Sweet.
Superintendent of the Library, Josephus N. Larned; librarian,
William Ives.
During the latter portion of the year 1883, a subscription fund of
nearly $123,000 was raised, with which to purchase a site and erect a new
building particularly adapted to the needs of the Association.
534 History of Buffalo.
The Buffalo Historical Society.
Through the medium of the daily press a call was published for a
public meeting of the citizens of Buffalo, to be held at the law office of
O. H. Marshall, on the 25th of March, 1862 * The call was signed by the
following named gentlemen : George R. Babcock, Henry W. Rogers,
O. H. Marshall, William Dorsheimer, Dr. John C. Lord, Dr. Walter
Clarke, L. F. Allen. Response to the call was made by the following
gentlemen : George W. Clinton, Lewis F. Allen. H. W. Rogers, George
R. Babcock, Oliver G. Steele. James P. White, Dr. Walter Clarke,
Henry Lovejoy, William Dorsheimer, A. L. Baker, Joseph Warren,
David F. Day, O. H. Marshall, Edward S. Rich, John Howcutt and per-
haps others. This meeting was the first actual movement towards the
founding of the Buffalo Historical Society, although the matter had been
the topic of frequent discussion among some of the men whose names
appear above, previous to the publication of the call for the meeting.
Mr. Lewis F. Allen was appointed chairman of the meeting, and O. H.
Marshall, secretary. The subject was discussed at length, after which*
on motion of Henry W. Rogers, the following resolution was unani-
mously passed : —
Resolved, That it is expedient to organize a Historical Society for
the city of Buffalo and County of Erie; and that the Chairman appoint
a committee of seven to report a plan of organization.
Messrs. O. H. Marshall, Rev. Dr. Hosmer, Rev. Dr. Clarke, William
Dorsheimer, James P. White, George R. Babcock and George W. Clinton
were appointed such committee.
This committee met on the 8th of April, 1862, when a draft of a
Constitution and By-laws was agreed to and directed to be submitted
to a meeting of citizens to be held at the rooms of the Medical Associa-
tion, No. 7 North Division street, on the isth of April, 1862. This
meeting was thoroughly made known through the press and was well
attended by citizens who felt a deep interest in the matter. Organiza-
tion was affected by the appointment of Hon. Millard Fillmore as chair-
man, and O. H. Marshall, secretary. The secretary submitted an appro-
priate constitution and by-laws, which were unanimously adopted ; with
a few minor changes they have sufficed to properly govern the society
since its formation.
A meetipg for the election of officers was held on the first Tuesday in
May, 1862, and the election resulted as follows : —
President — Hon. Millard Fillmore.
Vice-President — Hon. Lewis F. Allen.
Councillors — George R. Babcock, George W. Clinton, Walter
Clarke, Nathan K. Hall. Henry W. Rogers, WiUiam Dorsheimer.
* The call read as follows :—
** A meeting of those uf our citizens disposed to establish a Historical Society for the County of
Erie, is requested at the law office of Messrs. Marshall & Harvey, No. 336 Main street, up stairs, on
Tuesday next, 25th inst, at 7 o'clock, p. M.**
^^^^'Vr:?^
—^
The Buffalo Historical Society. 535
A meeting of the Board of Managers was held at the office of Rogers
Sl Bowen on the 13th of May, 1862, at which Charles D. Norton was ap-
pointed recording secretary and treasurer, and Guy H. Salisbury, cor-
responding secretary and librarian.
On the loth of January, 1863, the Society was incorporated under
the laws of the State, under the name of 'The Buffalo Historical
Society/'
Mr. Dorsheimer placed his office at the disposal of the Society as a
place of meeting for the Board of Managers and of deposit for the books
and papers of the society; the offer was accepted. At a meeting in the
office of Mr. Dorsheimer, held on the 3d of June, 1862, the committee on
inaugural addresses reported that they had secured American Hall as the
place for its delivery by the president of the society. On the 2d of July
1862, the address was delivered before a large audience. This event gave
strength and tone to the young society and since that time its monthly
meetings have been sufficiently well attended to give it permanent life.
In September, 1862, Mr. Norton, who had temporarily filled the
office of treasurer, resigned and Oliver G. Steele was appointed to the
vacanc)*; he occupied the office until 1870, when Warren Bryant was
appointed. The following year Mr. Steele was again appointed ; in 1872
George S. Armstrong assumed the office and remained in it until 1879;
he was also corresponding secretary and librarian from 1867 to 1879. I^
1880, Rev. Albert Bigelow held that office ; he was succeeded for the
years 1881 and 1882, by Elias O. Salisbury. George G. Barnum now
occupies the position.
In the fall of 1862 an arrangement was made for a series of local histori-
cal lecttires by members of the society, to be delivered without expense
and free to the public. This project was stfccessfuUy carried out and
resulted in the accumulation of a large quantity of valuable historical
matter, besides creating additional interest in the society.
It soon became evident that some arrangement must be made for
securing a fund to meet the expenses of the society ; for this purpose
and at the suggestion of Mr. Fillmore, it was determined to secure suf-
ficient private subscriptions to pay the necessary expenses of the society
for five years. In pursuance of this object, fifty gentlemen bound them-
selves to pay $20 a year for five years. This plan was afterwards changed
so that each subscriber was allowed to pay $50 at one time, thus becom-
ing a life member of the society, and paying the remainder of his sub-
scription in annual payments of $10. each. With this fund as a financial
basis, the society has been able to continue its work in an affective and
satisfactory manner.
In 1873 the Society was made a party to an arrangement by which
it, with other local organizations, occupied the Yoiing Men's Association
buildings, on the corner of Main and Eagle streets, antil January, 1873.
536 History of Buffalo.
Before the expimtion of this lease, the rapid accumulation of valuable
property by the Society made apparent the necessity of obtaining more
extensive- quarters and such as vfere fire-proof ; accordingly, in January
1873, arrangements were effected for the occupancy of the commodious
and safe rooms in the building of the Western Savings Bank, where the
Society is now located.
The Historical Society has been generally successful, even beyond
the anticipations of its founders, and has accomplished a work that is
invaluable. This result is owing to the persistent, though quiet efforts
of many of the original members. There are now in the library about
six thousand five hundred volumes, besides more than fiv« thousand
pamphlets, five hundred volumes of newspapers, manuscripts and histor-
ical relics of every description. The entire membership is at present
seven hundred and sixty-three, inclusive of life, annual, corresponding
and honorary members.
Following are the names of the gentlemen who have presided over
thQ Society since its organization : Hon. Millard Fillmore, 1862 to 1867 ;
Henry W. Rogers, 1868 ; Rev. Dr. A. T. Chester, 1869: O. H. Marshall,
1870; Hon. N. K. Hall, 1871 ; William H. Greene, 1872; Orlando Allen,
1873; Oliver G. Steele, 1874; James Sheldon, 1875 J William C. Bryant,
1876; Eben P. Dorr, 1877; William P. Letch worth, 1878; William H.
H. Newman, 1879; Elias,S. H[awley, 1880; James M. Smith, 1881 ; Will-
iam Hodge, 1882 ; Pascal P. Pratt, 1883.
The present officers of the Society are : President, Pascal P. Pratt ;
vice-president, William D. Fobes ; recording secretary, Leon F. Harvey ;
corresponding secretary, librarian and treasurer, George G. Bamuro ;
councillors, William H. H. Newman, Rev. A. T. Chester, D.D., Hon.
James M. Smith, E. S. Hawley, Hon. James Sheldon, O. H. Marshall,
William P. Letch worth, William C. Bryant, Thomas B. French, Jared
H. Tilden, Emmor Haines, Rev. Samson Falk, Ansley Wilcox, Stephen
M. Clement and George W. Townsend.
Ihf Grqsvenor Library.
In the year 1857, Seth Grosvenor, then a wealthv citizen of New York
city, and formerly a resident of Ba£Falo, made a bequest of lUo,ooofor the
purpose of establishing a library in this city that should be free to the
public. Following are the terms of the bequest : —
" I rive to the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty ol the city of Buf-
falo, in tne county of Erie, to be paid in assets in the same way at the. risk
of collection by said city, and to be paid in two vears after my decease,
without interest, $40,000 ; $10,000 of which to oe appropriated to the
purchase of a lot and building thereon (unless the city of Buffalo shall give
a lot for the purpose) in which case the whole $10,000 are to be ex-
pended on the building, which is intended for a public library, and the
remainder, $30,000, to te invested forever and its income to be used in the
The Young Men's Christian Association. 537
Eurch^se of books, to be always kept open for the use of the public ; the
ooks not to be lent out nor rented, and only used for reacTing in the
building. Books of reference are recoitamended as useful; and other
moral books of such a character as will be useful in reforming the rising
generation. I. hope and trust my views and wishes may be responded
to by those in the public employ, that the general public may reap
a benefit."
This bequest was made upon the condition that the city of Buffalo
should appropriate a sufficient sura each year for the current expenses of
the institution : under this condition the city accepted the bequest and
the fund was paid over in 1865, this action was legalized by act of the
Legislature passed in 1859. Convenient and commodious rooms were
secured where the library is at present located, in the Buffalo Savings
Bank building, Washington street corner of Broadway. The occupation
of these rooms was begun in 1868 and in 1870 they were thrown open to
the public. The first Board of Trustees were Q; H. Marshall, George
R. Babcock, and Joseph G. Masten. Mr. Shelden was the first
librarian; he was succeeded in 1870 by James W. Ward, the present
incumbent. Since the library was opened, the Common Council of the
city has appropriated $4,000 a year for its current expenses. By judi-
cious investments and wise oversight, the library fund and property is
now worth more than $100,000. The library contains about 26,000
volumes and is visited by an average of one hundred persons each week
day. The present trustees are O. H: Marshall, Josiah Jewett and War-
ren Bryant.
The Young Men's Christian Association.
On the 26th of April, 1852, a number of earnest young men of Buf-
falo, most or all of whom were members of the city churches, met in the
old Pearl street (now the Asbury) Methodist Episcopal Church and
formed an association, the purpose of which was to improve the spiritual
and mental condition of young men. The constitution of the Boston
Young Men's Christian Association was adopted and the name, " The
Young Men's Christian Unioii," chosen for the new association.
In August of that year, "Association Hall," which had been in use by
the Young Men's Association, was occupied by the Union, and the
nucleus of a library was established. By the rapid increase of numbers
in the Union, it was found necessary in 1853, to provide more commo-
dious quarters ; accordingly, " Odeon Hall " and rooms adjacent to the
comer of Main and Mohawk streets, were leased for five years. On the
loth of March, of that year, the Union was incorporated and from that
time the membership rapidly increased, the library received many addi-
tions, a profitable course of paid lectures was given and courses of study
in sacred history were conducted by city pastors.
On the 7th and 8th of June, 1854, the first annual convention of the
Young Men's Christian Association of the United States and British prov-
538 History of Buffalo.
inces, was held in the hall of the Union. On the 25th of June, 1855, to
supply the urgent need of more room, the Kremlin Hall was taken ; but
not long after this a period of retrogression set in which culminated in
the most serious financial embarrassment in the crisis of 1859. Tlie Union
was obliged to sell off most of its furniture and take less expensive apart-
ments in the Arcade building. But in spite of this untoward state of
affairs, the Union did noble work through the war of the Rebellion, in
raising and forwarding funds and supplies to the Christian Commission.
The Union failed to receive the support to which it was entitled and
labored under much embarrassment until about the year 1868, when new
life was infused into it, the membership was largely increased, and another
removal was made in the following year to rooms over 302 Main street ;
there the name of the Union was changed to '* Young Men's Christian
Association." In 1870 the Association again removed to 319 Main street,
where (in 1872) the Building Fund was formally established.
In 1874 the financial prospects of the Association were greatly im-
proved by the inauguration of an " Author's Carnival," the profits of
which increased the building fund by nearly $6,000. In 1875 the Asso-
ciation removed for the seventh time, occupying the Association rooms
over 345 Main street.
In 1876, at the 24th annual meeting, it was found that in cash on
hand and pledges made, there was a fund of $20,500. Of this amount, in
1878, $12,500 were used for the purchase of the lot formerly owned by
the Grosvenor Library, on the corner of Pearl and Mohawk streets, leav-
ing $8,000 as the basis of the building fund.
The eighth removal of the Association was made in 1878, to that old
temple of justice called *' the new court house."
On the 8th of September, 1882, the corner-stone of the magnificent
structure which will be the future permanent home of the Association,
was laid. The new building is of brick, six stories high, including base-
ment, with mansard roof and sand-stone trimming. Its cost is $80,000;
for the lot $20,000 was paid, all of which is paid.
The Association now has a membership of 900 and a library of
3,000 volumes, the circulation of which is limited to the members, but
which is open to the public for reference ; two reading rooms are sus-
tained by the Association, an employment department, boarding-house
register, visitations in sickness, meetings at the penitentiary, jail, alms-
house, home of the friendless, and during the winter months, educational
classes for young men. The officers for 1882-3 were as follows: —
President — N. G. Benedict.
Vice Presidents — R. B. Adam, W. H. Gratwick, A. A. Kendall.
Treasurer — F. A. Board.
Recording Secretary — R. K. Strickland.
General Secretary — John B. Squire.
The Young Men's Catholic Association. 539
Board of Managers — (Term of office expiring October, 1883.) S.
E. Adams, N. G. Benedict F. T. Coppins, A. A. Kendall^ C. B. Arm^
strong, F. A. Board, William C. Francis, F. Park Lewis. (Term of
office expirinc; October, i884.) R. B. Adam, W. H. Gratwick, O. P.
Letchworth, George R. Steams, H. D. Blakeslee, John Humble, M. A.
G. Meads, R. K. Strickland.
Executive Officers — John B. Squire, general secretary; D, A. Gor-
don, assistant secretary.
The names of the past Presidents of the Union and Association are
as follows : —
Isaac Tyron, 1852 ; N* A. Halbert, 1852-55 ; Jesse Clement, 1855-56;
S. S. Guthrie, i856-'57; P. P. Pratt, 1857-58; E. T, Swan, i858-'59; J.
D. Hill, i859-'62; E. Bristol, i862-'63; Frederick Gridley, i863-'64;
Seth Clarke, i864-'68; P. J. Ferris, i868-'69; R, K. Noye, 1869-71 ; E.
L. Hedstrom, i87i-*76; Emmor Haines, iZfS-'jj; W. W. Brown, 1877-
•78; George N. Pierce, i878-'79; C. B. Armstrong, i879-'8o; N. G,
Benedict, i88a
The Young Men's Catholic Association.
This association was organized December 9, 1855, and was incorpo-
rated in 1874. The original officers of the association were: — Matthew
Malloy, president ; John W. Murphy, vice-president ; William Byme»
secretary ; Sylvester O'Reilly, treasurer. The Association now numbers
about two hundred active members, has a library of 1,200 volumes and
400 periodicals ; its rooms are in the Young Men's Catholic Association
Building, corner of Swan and Franklin streets. The present officers are :
James P. Koine, president; James J.Conway, ist vice-president; Hubert
F. Murray, 2d vice-president; Thomas Braden, 3d vice-president;
Andrew Cottan, recording secretary ; William J. Gordon, financial sec-
retary ; John C. Saunders, treasurer ; Thomas W. Cleer, librarian.
Other Associations, Institutes, Etc.
The Mechanics' Institute. — This institution is now quartered in the
Fitch Institute Building, comer of Swan and Michigan streets. The
Institute was organized February 21, 1865, and was incorporated by act
of Legislature on March 20, 1869. The first officers after the incorpora-
tion were: — David Bell, president; O. J. Swegles, ist vice-president;
Walter H. Forbush, 2d vice-president; William Moses, 3d vice-presi-
dent; David B. McNish, secretary ; Robert Dunbar, treasurer ; Joseph
Berry, librarian. The first board of trustees were as follows : — David
Bell, Robert Dunbar, D. B. McNish, O. J. Swegles, Thomas S. Ray,
Joseph N. Tiflft, George T, Bentley, F. D. Locke, Josiah Jewett, George
T. Boalch, W. H, Forbush, William Moses, S. N. Baker, C. M. Farrar,
Thomas C. Knowles. The objects of this Institute, as set forth in the
certificate of incorporation, are '' the mental improvement and cultiva-
tion of its members, the general promotion and advancement of mechan-
540 History of Buffalo.
ical interests, and the establishment of more intimate relations between
employer and employee in the city of Buffalo."
The Institute now has a very valuable library of 8,150 volumes.
The present officers are as follows : — Charles A. DeLaney, president ;
D. Cornell, vice-president ; E. C. Hawks, treasurer: Charles Clifton, sec-
retary ; Lily B. Warwick, librarian ; C. A. Delaney^ S. D. Cornell, E. A.
Rockwood, N. Rochester, A. B. Jewett, S. M. Welch, Edward Michael,
E. C. Hawks, F. H. Duckwitz, W. H. Campbell, Dr. Charles Cary, A. B.
Neill, George M. Trcffts, Charles Clifton, P. P. Burtis, trustees.
Law Library^ Eighth Judicial District. — This library was established
by act of Legislature in 1863, at which time the sum of $5,000 was
appropriated. The total amount received from the Legislature in sup>
port of the library is about $25,000. There are now about 6,000 volumes
in the library. The first trustees were : — Hon. Joseph G. Masten, Hon.
George R. Babcock and O. H. Marshall ; librarian, A. A. HowelL The
present trustees are : — Hon. Charles Daniels, Hon. Albert Haight and
Hon. James M. Humphrey ; librarian, Francis P. Murray. The library
is located in No. 23, City and County Hall.
The Catholic Institute. — This Association was originally organized on
Oct I St, 1866, as the German Catholic Young Men's Association, and
was reorganized under its present name and with broader scope, on
Dec. 15, 1870; it was incorporated by an act of Legislature passed May
23, 1872. The principal objects of the Institute are to establish a library
and reading rooms, to procure lectures and other literary entertainments.
The society now has over 400 members, and a library of nearly 3,000
volumes. The Institute is located on the comer of Main and Chippewa
streets. The first officers were : — Charles V. Fornes, president ; Joseph
Krumholz, vice-president; Peter Paul, financial secretary; J. Louis
Jacobs, Jr., recording secretary ; Jacob A. Gittere, treasurer ; Charles V.
Fornes, Joseph Krumholz, Peter Paul, J. Louis Jacobs, Jr., Jacob Gittere,
Joseph A. Dingens, Frank Weppner, Ferdinand J. Reister, Matthew
Byrne, Christian Krause, William H. Bork; Jacob Korzelius, John Devlin
and Peter Young, Board of Managers.
The present officers of the Institute are: — Peter Paul, president;
John B. Meyer, vice-president ; Edward M. Wilhelm, recording secre-
tary ; Peter P. Seereiter, treasurer ; Frank Stephan, financial secretary ;
F. A. Keppnen John Strootman, Joseph Krumholz, W. H. Bork, Conrad
Schirra, Gregory Strootman, James C. Saisbury, Frederic Gehle, Anthony
Fornes and Jacob Mingen, Board of Managers.
Luthtran Young Mens Association. — This Association was organized
in March, 1873, ^^d incorporated in May, 1878. Its objects are to estab-
lish a library, procure lectures and other literary and musical entertain-
ments. The library now contains about 3,000 volumes, and is located at
659 Michigan street. The officers are : — Charles O. Rother, president ;
SdciBTV OF Natural Sciences— Fine Arts Academy. 541
J, Sftbeueiinan, vice-president ; Charles Keitsch, recording secretary ; B.
Hillman, financial secretary ; Charles F. Sturm, treasurer ; F. Kamprath
librarian: George Voelker, assistant librarian; R. Braetinlich, J. P.
Brueck, W, Krueger, W. Wagner, W. Goemer, Board of Directors.
T^ Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences. — This Society was organized
December^, 1861, and was incorporated January 28, 1863. Its object is
the promotion of the study of natural sciences, the formation of a museum
and library, the procurement of lectures, etc. The Society's rooms were
first located in the Clarendon Block, and are now in the Young Men's
Association Building. The first officers were: — Hon. George W.
Clinton, president; Rev. A. T. Chester, ist vice-president; Charles
Winne, M. D., 2d vice-president ; Samuel Slade, corresponding secre-
tary; Thebdore Howland, recording secretary; Leon F. Harvey,
treasurer; Richard K. Noye, librarian. The present officers are:—
Lucien Howe, M. D., president; David F. Day, ist vice-president;
W. H. Pitt, M. D., 2d vice-president ; Henry A. Richmond, 3d vice-presi-
dent; Leon F. Harvey, M. D., corresponding secretary ; D. S. Kellicott,
Ph. D., recording secretary; James Sweeney, treasurer; Fred Mixer,
librarian ; Julius Pohlman, M. D., director of the museum ; W. C. Bar-
rett, M. D., Henry Chandler, John F. Cowell, A. Cleveland Coxe,. D. D.,
Adolf Duschak, E. E. Fish, W. H. Glenny, Henry H. Howland, Charles
Linden, F. Park Lewis, M. D., W. McMillan, Henry S. Sprague,
Managers.
TAe Buffalo Fine Arts Academy. — This institution is located in the
Austin Building, on the corner of Franklin and West Eagle streets. It
was organized November 11, 1862; was incorporated December 4, 1862
and opened December 2d, of the same year. The object of this academy
is to establish and maintain a permanent gallery in the city of Buffalo,
for the exhibition of painting and sculpture, and to advance and promote
those arts by all available means. The institution has been successfully
conducted, has now a fine collection of art work in its rooms and is a
promoter of a love for art in the city at large. Following are the oflficers
of the Academy for 1883: — Thomas F. Rochester, president; George
L Williams, George B. Hayes, George S. Hazard, vice-presidents ; L.
G. Sellstedt, corresponding secretary; Albert T. Chester, recording
secretary; Richard K. Noyes, treasurer. Fund Commissioners — John
Allen, Jr., for three years ; Josiah Jewett, for one year; William P. Letch-
worth, for two years. Curators — For two years— William H. Gratwick,
Nathaniel Rochester, Ralph H. Plumb, Franklin D. Locke, for one year ;
William H. Beard, Albert Ziegle, Edwin T. Evans, Josiah Jewett, Henry
A. Richmond, William C. Cornwall, Sherman S. Rogers, Henry M.
Kent, Leonard H. Chester, Henry W. Sprague, Abraham Altman,
John Allen, Jr.
542 History of Buffalo.
CHAPTER XXI.
PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS, CLUBS, ETC., IN BUFFALD.
The First Public Amusements in Buffalo — A Pioneer Caravan — The Egyptian Mummy Show —
The First Theatre in Buffalo— Old Time Performances — The First Circus — The Old
Eagle Street Theatre — The First Gas Used in Buffalo — The Opening Night in the Eagle
Street Theatre — An Old Announcement — Burning of the Theatre — A Complimentary
Benefit — The New " Metropolitan Theatre " — Rebuilding of the Eagle Street Theatre — Its
Transformation into St. James' Hall — The Academy of Music and its Management — The
Buffalo Opera House, now the Adelphi — Wahle's Opera House — The Clubs of Buffalo —
The Buffalo Club and its Incorporators— The City Club of Buffalo — The Ix>tu8, Press,
Polo and Other Clubs.
WHAT was probably the first public performance given in the village
of Buffalo, for the entertainment of the citizens and their families,
was a ventriloquil exhibition by a Mr. Charles, which was given
in the Court House about the first of September, 1820. This was fol-
lowed by public entertainments peculiar to that period and of the most
varied character. July 21, 1823, a caravan was advertised at Rath bun's
Eagle tavern, comprising a lion, an elephant, camel, etc. ; while about the
same time Stowell & Bishop opened an exhibition of wax figures " for a
season, in the new brick building on Cheapside, a few doors north of
Dyer's tavern." In the local papers was advertised for July 3, 4, and 5,
1826, an exhibition from the Tower of London, with two "full-grown
Em uses, a zebra, monkeys, etc., at Mr. Dyer's inn." In July, 1827, a
mummy was exhibited at the Franklin House. The proprietor of this
unique show announced in the press that " an opportunity of witnessing
a mummy may not soon occur again," and it probably did not.
The first theatre in Buffalo was what was known as the Buffalo
Theatre, which was built about i82i-'22; it stood on Main street oppo-
site the Eagle tavern. This theatre was advertised to rent from January,
1822, with four changes of scenery and good accommodations for com-
panies, by S. H. Salisbury. It seems to have been purchased soon after
by Walden & Mosely, who offered it for sale in November of that year.
It was not much used for public entertainments, which were at that
period few and far between, and in April, 1823, Rev. J. Bradley opened
an English classical school in the hall. In July, 1826, we find that this
theatre was occupied by a theatrical company, which produced Richard
III., with a Mr. May wood as Richard, and an afterpiece called "Tom
and Jerry, or Life in London." In August, 1828, a correspondent wrote
the editor of a local paper that he had previously seen Mr. McClearj,
" who sustained himself through a heavy bill of fare most admirably."
Buffalo Theatres. $43
The correspondent also said he ** would be gratified if the ladies should
think proper to make a display on this occasion/' The occasion referred
to was the appearance of Mr- McClearj in a theatrical " bill of fare " for
a few evenings in the old Buffalo Theatre. This actor established a
museum, " accompanied by songs, recitations, etc.,*' in July, 1829, in the
''Exchange" building, Main street. In August, 1830, A. H. Stowell
bought out Mr. McCleary, and publicly expressed his determination to
'' render it a place deserving the patronage of a generous and intelligent
community."
On the loth, nth and 12th of December, 1831, the Messrs. Waughs
announced to the ladies and gentlemen of Buffalo that they had effected
an engagement with Mr. Mestayer, the performances to be given in
" Philharmonic Hall, over the Museum." This hall was in the building
where Dickinson's jewelry store now is, or the one adjoining. A theatre
was also in operation for a short time about that period, on the third
floor of a building on the south side of Seneca street, between Main and
Washington streets; it was in the building now occupied by William
N. Barnes as a grocery store.
The old Eagle Street Theatre, which for years was a noted place of
amusement, was built for Dean & M'Kinney in 183s, by Albert Brisbane.
For nearly twenty years the principal amusement companies that visited
the city played in this theatre. The first gas used in the city was intro-
duced in this theatre, being manufactured on the premises. The theatre
was opened on the night of July 20, 1835, on which occasion "The
Hunchback" and "Katherine and Petruchio" were the attractions
offered.
Finally, after a long and varied career, the old Eagle Street Theatre
was burned to the ground in June, 1852. The famous woman, Lola
Montez, had appeared in the theatre on the evening before the fire, and
had met with a cold reception, some of the audience showing their lack
of appreciation in hisses, after which she declared she would never
appear in the theatre again, and ordered her trunks removed from the
house. Before morning the theatre was in ruins and all of the effects of
the incensed woman were saved. This circumstance led to a current
belief at the time that she was the means of the destruction of the thea-
tre, but this was probably not the case, as the place had been on fire
twice before and was only saved by the watchfulness of Thomas Dun-
can, who is now a trusted attache of the Meech Brothers' Academy of
Music. Little precaution seems to have been taken to protect the
theatre from fire. The night following the burning of the theatre, the
company opened in a place on Washington street directly in rear of the
" Gothic " building on Main street, which was fitted up by William Car-
land. "In 1835 Mr. Duffy, who came here from Albany, had a theatre
on the corner of Washington and South Division streets. This was
called the Buffalo Theatre.
544 History of Buffalo.
The new Eagle Street Theatre was built immediately after the
burning of the former place, and nearly upon the old site, by George
and Albert Brisbane, who conducted it for a short time. The old theatre
stood nearer the middle of the block than its successor, and had a yard
on each side of the building. The second structure was erected on the
corner of Washington and Eagle streets. The new theatre was opened
under the management of Carr & Warren, on the evening of Sept i,
1852, with Miss Estella Potter and a stock company in "Much Ado
About Nothing." A complimentary benefit was tendered the managers
of the theatre, on account of their loss by the burning of the old theatre,
and in appreciation of their successful efiForts to please the public. The
price of seats in the parquette on this occasion was one dollar. A prize
address " written by a citizen of Buffalo and dedicated to the patrons of
the Old Eage Street Theatre," was read by Mrs. Muzzy. The occasion
seems to have been an important one in Buffalo theatrical amusements.
In the meantime the new Metropolitan Theatre had been built by
Mr. Meech, as hereafter detailed, and it soon became apparent that the
city would not support two theatres. An arrangement was therefore
entered into by which the proprietors of the Eagle Street Theatre agreed
to close their house for theatrical purposes ; they did so, but afterwards
reopened it as St. James' Hall, giving up the lower floor for business
purposes. In 1859, C- ^- Flint took the management of St. James' Hall,
which he has continued to the present time with the exception of about
a year. In January, 1861, the hall was burned, and was immediately
rebuilt in its present shape.
In the same year that the new Eagle Street Theatre was built, (1852)
H. T. Meech completed the Metropolitan Theatre, which is now the
Academy of Music. This house was opened on the evening of the isth
of October, 1852, under lease to C. T. Smith, on which occasion Mrs.
Anna Cora Mowatt appeared in " The Honeymoon." An opening
address was written by Anson G. Chester and read by Mrs. Mowatt, and
there was dancing by the Kendall Sisters, etc.
The following season the theatre was managed by Carr, Warren &
Smith. Mr. Smith subsequently went to Rochester, where the firm had
a theatre in operation, and Carr & Warren managed the Metropolitan
three or four seasons ; Carr then bought out his partner's interest. In
1857, Carr having failed to make his theatre a success, Mr. Meech took
it into his own hands again, but soon after rented it to Olney & Whit-
man. Their bad management compelled Mr. Meech to again assume
control of the theatre and finish the season. About this time John H.
Meech took an interest in the management of the place with his father,
which continued until the death of the latter in 1870; since which time
it has been in the hands of the Meech Brothers, John H.. and Henry L.
Meech. In 1 875-76 the theatre was leased to Abbey & Schoeffel, of
Buffalo Theatres. 545
New York» who inaugurated its management on a scale much grander
evidently than its patronage would warrant. The opening night under
their management was given to Lester Wallack, who then made his first
appearance in Buffalo in '' Rosedale.*' Abbey & Schoeffel failed to make
the theatre pay, and again it came back into the Meech Brothers hands.
The house was remodeled and refurnished in the summer of 1882 ; a
new front was also erected and the Academy of Music is now a fair
example of the best theatres in the country. The Meech Brothers leased
the new Music Hall, of German Young Men's Association, for L883,
and fitted it up for theatrical, operatic and concert purposes. What was
at first called the Buffalo Opera House, (now the Adelphi) was built,
also by the Messrs. Brisbane and completed in 1861-62. It was opened
by Grau's Italian Opera Company, with Kellogg as the prima donna.
Mrs. English then took the house, placed a museum in thie lower portion
of it and gave dramatic performances on the stage above. This enter-
prise was not successful and was soon followed by a season as a theatre
under the management of the actor, Mr. Charles Thorne. After that
season the opera house was idle, except for transient entertainments,
until September 6, 1874, when it was leased to Messrs. John Level and
T. G. Riggs, who changed its name to " The Adelphi " and opened it as
a variety theatre. At that time Dan Shelby was managing a similar
place of amusement on the Terrace. The opposition between the two
variety halls promised to be disastrous to both, and Shelby finally
bought out the lessees of the Adelphi, January 3, 1875. Under his
management it was successfully conducted until the season of 1881, when
the management passed into the hands of Joe Lang, who still conducts it.
Wahle's Opera House is the latest addition to the places of amuse-
ment in the city. It is located on Court street, between Pearl and
Franklin, and is 165 by 58 feet in dimensions. The construction of this
house was begun on the 20th of April, 1882, and it was opened on the
1 2th of October of the same year, by the Strakosch Opera Company.
The house has two galleries and parquette, and during the summer of
1883 was remodeled on the interior, more descent given to the floors
and other changes for the better being made. It is now a convenient
and comfortable place of amusement.
There have at various times been other unimportant places of
amusement in Buffalo, but as a rule they were short-lived and not of a
character entitling them to particular mention in this work.
The Clubs of Buffalo.
Social intercourse, as it relates to the gentlemen of Buffalo, has
always been kept up to a healthlul and elevating standard, and has
developed into the formation of numerous organizations having for their
object the promotion of sociability and freedom of friendly intercourse
546 History of Buffalo.
among their members. The first and most prominent among these
organizations is : —
The Buffalo Club, — This Club was organized in January, 1867, and
incorporated under the laws of the State. The incorporators and first
directors of the Club were as follows: — Millard Fillmore, William G.
Fargo, Isaac A. Verplanck, William Dorsheimer, Delavan F. Clark. Josiah
Jewett, Bronson C. Rumsey, Sherman S. Jewett, Henry L. Lansing,
Asher P. Nichols, John M. Hutchinson, Harmon S. Cutting, Jewett M.
Richmond, H. C. Winslow, John T. Hudson, E. Carlton Sprague, Dexter
P. Rumsey, John B. Williams, S. K. Worthington, Myron P. Bush,
Albert H. Tracy, G. Stedman Williams.
The constitution of the Club makes the number of the Board of
Directors after the first year, twenty-one. Following is a list of the suc-
cessive presidents of the Club since its organization : — Millard Fillmore,
1867-68: William G. Fargo, 1869 to 1873, inclusive; Sherman S. Jewett,
1874; Myron P. Bush, 1875 ; Rufus L. Howard, 1876 to 1878, inclusive;
T. F. Rochester, M. D., 1879; Abraham Altman, 1880; James P. White,
M. D., 1881 ; Josiah Jewett, 1882 ; Franklin Sid way, 1883.
The number of resident members in this Club is limited to two
hundred. Among the present membership are very many of the lead-
ing men of the city, and the Buffalo Club is famous for its general high
character, its hospitality to distinguished visitors and guests, and the
elegance and tone of its style of entertaiments. Following are the
directors in office at the close of 1882 : —
(Term expires January i, 1883) — Josiah Jewett, Charles Cary, M. D.,
John C. Glenny, John George Milburn, C. H. Utley, Daniel N. Lock-
wood, J. M. Horton.
(Term expires January i, 1884) — Charles W. M'Cune, James N.
Matthews, Sheldon T. Viele, Charles A. DeLaney, J. Talman Davis,
Franklin Sidway, I. R. Brayton.
(Term expires January i, 1885) — Jewett M. Richmond, Edward H.
Movius. George E. Laverack, Robert P. Hayes, William Meadows,
William W. Sloan, George H. VanVleck.
The City Club of Buffalo. — This Club was organized March 10, 1877,
and incorporated in the following month. Its first officers were: — George S.
Wardwell, president ; J. L. Fairchild, vice-president ; Robert P. Hayes,
secretary and treasurer. These gentlemen and Townsend Davis, D. F.
Clark, H. T. Smith, J. H. Vought, Grover Cleveland and John S. Noyes
were the first board of directors.
In October, 1877, the Club occupied its present club house, at No.
351 Washington street. The present membership consists of 350 resi-
dent members and 150 non-resident members. Two commodious addi-
tions to the club house have been made, providing public and private
rooms, billiard'room, reception rooms, etc.
Buffalo Clubs. 547
The present officers of the Club are — George Gorham, president ;
John L. Williams, vice-president ; George R. Teller, treasurer ; S. M.
Welch, Jr., secretary. The directors are George Gorham, George R.
Teller, Henry Altman, Charles H. Daniels, John L. Williams, S. M.
Welch, Jr., C. G. Warren, Howard H.Baker and Lawrence Budd.
The Lotus Club, — This social institution was organized March 15,
1878, and incorporated May 6, 1879. The object of the Club is given as
" social and mutual benefit, dramatic and literary purposes," and for the
establishment of a library.
The first officers of this Club were : — William Hertkorn, president ;
M. I. Smith, vice-president ; A. I. Siebold, recording secretary ; C. J.
Becker, financial secretary ; George A. Weber, treasurer.
The present officers are: — Samuel J. Omphalius, president; Anthony
Weber, vice-president; A. Mospau, recording secretary; James Hill,
financial secretary ; A. F. Miller, treasurer. Trustees — William Hertkorn,
Ed. Williams. Regular meetings of the Club are held Monday evenings,
in room D, 83 Franklin street.
The Buffalo Polo Club. — This Club was the outgrowth of a meeting
of Buffalo gentlemen interested in horsemanship and kindred out-door
sports, which was held at the Buffalo Club House on the 9th of April,
1877. On the 14th of the same month a constitution was adopted. The
officers elected for that year were : — L. D. Rumsey, president ; W. Hodge,
first vice-president ; E. H. Mevius, second vice-president ; C. H. Williams,
treasurer; J. H. Cowing, secretary ; Charles Gary, H. A. Lindeman, H,
R. Hopkins, C. A. Blake, executive committee.
There were seventeen active and thirty-three honorary members.
The object of the Club was to encourage horsemanship, the game of polo
and other similar sports. In August, 1877, a match game was played at
Newport, R. I., with the only other Polo Club in America, resulting in a
victory for the latter. In September, 1878, a return match game was
played in Buffalo, resulting in a victory for the Buffalo Club.
The present officers of the Club are : — H. R. Hopkins, M. D., presi-
dent ; J. H. Cowing, vice-president ; Thomas Cary, secretary and treas-
urer ; John N. Scatcherd, Charles Cary, M. D., W. H. Heath, M. D.,
and L. D. Rumsey, executive committee.
The Falconwood Company, — This company was incorporated in 1879.
At that time the Falconwood, on Grand Island, was the property of D. R.
Morse, D. P. Rumsey, C. F. S. Thomas and Dennis Bowen, who purchased
it of Hon. Lewis F. Allen. The two gentlemen first named became sole
owners of the property and laid the foundation of the Falconwood Club,
and about the year 1879, ^ handsome house was erected at a cost of
$12,000. The grounds were beautifully improved and the Club has been
a successful and popular organization. In 1882 the club house was
burned to the ground, but was rebuilt on.a more extensive plan, the fol-
548 History of Buffalo.
lowing summer. The Club has now a large membership mad^up of the
heads of many of the leading families of Buffalo, who spend portions of
the warm season there. The directors are Messrs. George Howard, (who
is president) ; S. S. Jewett, J. M. Richmond, D. R. Morse, and E. B. Smith,
the latter being secretary.
The Acacia Club. — What was known as the Knights Templar Club,
was organized in Buffalo in April, 1875. The Fraternity Club was
organized in June, 1875. These two Clubs were consolidated May ist,
1880, forming the present Acacia Club, which was incorporated May
I7f J 883. The rooms of the Club were burned on December 21, 1882,
and re-opened in their present quarters in the Miller & Greiner Building
on \Yashington street, on the 26th of May, 1883. The Club derives its
membership solely from the Masonic fraternity of the city and county ;
its object is purely social intercourse. The rooms comprise an elegant
suite of parlors, card, chess, reading, cloak and toilet rooms, and a large
billiard parlor. The membership on May ist, 1880, was fifty-seven; at
present it is one hundred and eighty, and increasing steadily ; member-
ship is limited to two hundred. The officers for 1883 are as follows: —
William H. Baker, president ; William C. Barrett, M. D., ist vice-presi-
dent ; Cassius C. Candee, 2d vice-president , Charles R. Fitz Gerald,
secretary ; William H. Smith, treasurer ; William J. Runcie, Daniel E.
Bailey, directory.
The Beaver Island Association, — This Association was incorporated
in 1880, and has a club house on Beaver Island. Its chief objects are
social intercourse, piscatorial amusement and the enforcement of the
laws for the protection of fish. It has a membership of about twenty-
five, from the leading men of Buffalo. The officers for 1883 ^^^ • — James
P. White, president; Robert P. Hayes, ist vice-president; S. T. Viele,
2d vice-president; C. D. Marshall, secretary and treasurer; E. C.
Sprague, S. T. Viele, Robert P. Hayes, C. H. Utley, J. B. White, Jr.,
Charles D. Marshall, J. H. Cowing, J. G. Milburn and C. B. Germain,
directors.
The Unknown Social Club was organized April 5, 1878, and was
incorporated October 2, 1882. It meets at Scheu's Building, No. 241
Genesee street. The officers are: — E. C. Burgard, president; P.
Scheeler, vice-president ; Val. Specht, Jr., recording secretary ; E. W.
Kuhn, financial secretary ; Theo. Baetzhold, treasurer.
In addition to the organizations above described, there are in Buf-
falo ten or twelve other bodies bearing the title of clubs; most of them
are organizations formed for the purpose of developing an interest in
shooting, rowing, yachting, etc. Prominent among these are the Bay
View Rifle Association, with headquarters at 474 Main street; the
Audubon Club, with rooms at No. 30 Arcade Building; the Queen
City Shooting Club, the East Buffalo Gun Club and the Cold Spring
^. aO ^eU/^^^M.^Q
Hospitals, Asylums, Charities, Etc. 549
Gun Club. There are also the Buffalo Yacht Club, with the following
officers '. John S. Provoost, commodore ; T. P. Frank, vice-commodore ;
E. P. Field, secretary ; C. L. Abel, treasurer ; A. H. Allen, measurer.
The Queen City Rowing Club, the Buffalo Mutual Rowing Club, the
Buffalo Athletic Club and the Fritz Renter Club.
CHAPTER XXII.
HOSPITALS, ASYLUMS, CHARITIES, ETC.
The Buffalo General Hospital — The First Hospital Meeting — Successive PresidenU of the Insti-
tution — The Training School for Nurses — Hospital of the Sisters of Charity — The Good
Samaritan Eye and Ear Infirmary — The Homeopathic Hospital -- Buffalo Eye and Ear
Infirmary — Buffalo Surgical Infirmary — The City's Dispensaries— The Charitable Institu-
tions and Asylums of the City.
The Buffalo General Hospital.
ON the 2 1 St of November, 1855, a meeting was held with the view of
establishing a general hospital in Buffalo. There were present
Charles E. Clarke, George S. Hazard, Andrew J. Rich, Bronson
C. Rumsey, William T. Wardwell, Roswell L. Burrows, Drs. Phineas
H. Strong, Charles H. Wilcox, Thomas F. Rochester, Sanford B. Hunt,
William Gould, James M. Newman, John Root, Charles C. F. Gay, James
B. Samo, Charles H. Baker and Sanford Eastman. On the 19th of
June, 1858, the first medical staff was elected as follows: — Drs. Thomas
F. Rochester, James M. Newman, Cornelius C. WyckoflF. Consulting
physicians— James P. White, George N. Burwell, P. H. Strong. The
surgeons were Charles H. Wilcox, Austin Flint, Jr., and Sanford B.
Eastman : consulting surgeons — Frank H. Hamilton, John Root and
Charles C. F. Gay.
The hospital was located on High street, near Main, where it now
is. On the 6th of July, 1858, A. W. Dewey and wife were engaged as
warden and matron, at a salary of S300 a year for both. The presidents
of the hospital have been as follows: — Charles E. Clarke, nine years;
George Howard, two years ; James Bradley, James D. Sawyer, R. D.
Sherman, Hon. John B. Skinner and Jason Sexton, one year each ; R. J.
Sherman, seven years ; James N. S. Scatcherd, from 1S79 to the present
time. The secretaries have been Roswell L. Burrows, two years: Will-
iam T. Wardwell, seven years; George S. Wardwell, six years ; William
F. Miller, 1880, succeeded by the present incumbent, Robert P. Wilson.
The present warden is William S. Wheeler, who assumed the position
in September, 1880, his wife is matron.
550 History of Buffalo.
The training school for nurses in connection with the hospital was
established in 1877. Miss C. E. Seelye has been the superintendent of
nurses since 1880, and the school has been very successful.
The present officers of the hospital are as follows: — J. N. Scatcherd,
president; T. F. Rochester, M. D., vice-president; Robert P. Wilson,
secretary ; Franklin Sidway, treasurer.
Buffalo Hospital of the Sisters of CA^riV;/.— This hospital is situated
on Main street near Delavan avenue. It was established in June, 1848,
by the Right Rev. John Timon. The ground was purchased where the
buildings now stand, in 1872, and the corner-stone was laid by the Right
Rev. S. V. Ryan, August 16, 1875, and the hospital was dedicated No-
vember 5, 1876. The total cost of the institution was $168,368. This
hospital is under the charge of thirteen Sisters of Charity. Sister Flor-
ence, Sister Servant. Regular attending surgeons, Drs. John Cronyn,
W. H. Heath and D. W. Harrington. Attending physicians— T. F.
Rochester, G. W. xMackay, A. M. Barker.
In connection with the hospital of the Sisters of Charity is the Good
Samaritan Eye and Ear Infirmary, which was organized August i, 1882,
and incorporated November i, 1882. Its government is as follows: —
Trustees— T. V. Dickinson, president; L. C. Miller, vice-president ; A-
A. Hubbell, treasurer; W. H. Slocum, secretary ; George Clinton, Eli S.
Hubbell, Luman C. Miller, William H. Tibbs, Thomas V. Dickinson,
Alvin A. Hubbell, William H. Slocum. Medical StafiF— Charles C. F.
Gay, John Cronyn, consulting surgeons; Alvin A. Hubbell, surgeon in
charge ; William H. Heath, assistant surgeon.
The Homeopathic Hospital. — This institution was established in Octo-
ber, 1872. The first officers were:— Dr. G. C. Daboll, president; Rod-
ney Daniels, vice-president ; S. V. Parsons, treasurer ; P. G. Cook, Jr.,
secretary. The above named, in connection with the following, com-
posed the board of trustees :— Charles G. Curtiss, W. H. Gratwick, J. M.
Richmond, E. L. Hedstrom, G. W. Miller, Mrs. J. F. Ernst, Mrs. G. W.
Cutter, Mrs. S. N. Callender, Mrs. Levi Lewis, Mrs. A. R. Wright, Mrs.
A. C. Hoxsie; matron. Miss O'Connell. Mrs. S. V. Parsons was chair-
man of the executive committee. Mrs. Louise Allen is the present matron,
and Miss Sarah Calhoun, recorder. The hospital is located at 74 Cot-
tage street.
r/u Buffalo Eye and Ear Iujirmary,—Th\s institution was incorpo-
rated February 26, 1876, and is located at 568 Washington street. It is
tree to the poor and is supported by an appropriation from the county
and voluntary contributions. The first officers were :— J. P. White,
sZdl^^^^^^ ^^^o'^P' secretary; Josiah Letchworth, J. F.
The Dret?;7^ ^- ^^^»^^^^--> Sherman S. Rogers, Lucien Howe.
m'n TCZTr '''Vr'^'^-^-- F- Rochester, M. D., president ; Sher-
S. Rogers, James Mooney, John Hauenstein, M. D.! C. C. Wyckoff,
'Ou^ '<^.^:^^^.2).
The Buffalo City Dispensary. 551
Albert Ziegele, Lucien Howe, M. D. consulting surgeons ; Julius F. Miner,
Charles E. Rider, Lucien Howe^ surgeons in charge; Dougald Macniel,
assistant surgeon ; B. H. Grove, clinical assistant.
The Buffalo Surgical Infirmary, was incorporated December 5, 1876,
for the purpose of affording gratuitous surgical treatment at the Infirmary.
Charles C. F. Ga)% M. D., is the surgeon-in-chief. Dr. Gay was born in
Pittsfield, Mass., January 7, 1821. His father was William Gay, Jr., a
native ol Worcester, Mass.
While he was still a boy Dr. Gay's parents removed to Lebanon
Springs, Columbia county, N. Y., where he acquired a thorough
education in the select schools of that vicinity, one of them being the
classical school of Professor John Hunter, of New Lebanon. In 1843 ^^
attended the Collegiate Institute at Brockport, Monroe county, N. Y.
Dr. Gay began the study of medicine in 1844, in the office of Dr. Joseph
Bates, of Lebanon Springs. He soon afterwards went to Pittsfield, Mass.,
where be studied under Dr. H. H. Childs, who in 1843, ^^^ \^txi
Lieutenant-Governor of that State. He also attended a course of
instruction in Berkshire Medical College, and one in the Medical School
at Woodstock, Vermont A third course was taken by him at the
former institution, from which in the fall of 1846, he received his medical
degree. To more thoroughly complete his medical studies. Dr. Gay
repaired after his graduation, to Philadelphia, then the center of medical
instruction of the highest order, where he attended the winter course
of lectures in the Jefferson Medical College and Clinics of the Pennsyl-
vania Hospital.
The following year (1847) Dr. Gay began practice of his profession
in Bennington, Vermont, whence he removed to Byron, Genesee county,
N. Y. He remained. there in successful practice four years, when he
removed to Buffalo, which city has since been his place of residence. In
1855, upon the organization of the Buffalo General Hospital, he was
chosen consulting surgeon, and a few years later was appointed attend-
ing surgeon, which position he has held ever since. He has been a per-
manent member of the State Medical Society since 1861. He is also a
member of the Erie County Medical Society, and has been president of
that body. On several occasions he has been a delegate to the American
Medical Association, and has made valuable written and verbal reports
on surgery before that distinguished body ; and his reports and con-
tributions to medical literature published in medical journals have been
numerous and important He at present occupies the Chair of Professor
of Clinical and Operative Surgery in the medical department of the
University of Niagara. Of late years he has devoted his attention more
especially to surgery.
The Buffalo City Dispensa^y.-Thcre are three dispensaries in the
city, the oldest of which is the Buffalo City Dispensary, which was
41.
552 History of Buffalo.
organized in March, 1847, and incorporated in February, 1859. Its
present officers are: — Emmor Haines, president; D. C. Beard, treasurer;
Julius Walker, secretary. This dispensary does its work by means of
orders drawn upon the city drug stores, and accomplishes a most
beneficent work.
The City Dispensary is on the corner of Court and Pearl streets.
It was incorporated December 31, 1882. The following comprise the
Board.of Trustees :— Charles G. Curtiss, president ; Hon. A. W. Hick-
man, vice-president ; F. Park Lewis, secretary ; R. R. Gregg, treasurer ;
John Gordon, D. D., W. W. Brown, Henry Montgomery. The follow-
ing comprise the Medical Staff :—L. M. Kenyon, P. A. McCrea and A. M.
Curtiss, general practice ; C. P. Ailing and Sarah H. Morris, diseases of
women ; R. R. Gregg, diseases of the lungs ; W. B. Kenyon and E. A.
Fisher, diseases of children ; P. Erb, diseases of the skin and nervous
system ; Dr. F. Teller, dentistry. The following are on the Surgical
Staff :—E. P. Hussey and A. M. Curtiss ; F. Park Lewis, eye and ear.
The Buffalo Provident Disperisary and Hospital, 385 Washington
street, was opened for the reception of patients on the 14th of February,
1883. Its officers are as follows : — William S. Tremaine. president ; A. R.
Davidson, vice-president ; Dougald Macniel, treasurer ; Henry D. Ingra-
ham, secretary ; consulting staff — surgeons, Charles C. F. Gay, John
Cronyn, John Boardman; physicians, John Hauenstein, Edward Tobie,
George N. Burwell.
In addition to these hospitals and dispensaries, and acting in a similar
field of benevolence, there are in the city of Buffalo, fourteen different
asylums, the doors of which are open to all claims of unfortunate
humanity. The Buffalo Orphan Asylum was incorporated April 24,
1837. It is located at 403 Virginia street. Officers for 1883 — John D.
Hill, president ; J. B. Sweet, vice-president; Carl T. Chester, secretary;
John U. Wayland, treasurer; M. B. Folwell, M. D., physician; Mrs.
Hopkins, matron. Trustees — P. P. Pratt, Thomas Chester, Francis H.
Root, Hugh Webster, Joseph B. Sweet, Cyrus P. Lee, Henry H. Otis,
Truman C. White.
The Ingleside Home, an institution organized for the purpose of
reclaiming the erring, was incorporated October 22, 1869; it is located
at 527 Seneca street. Officers for 1883 — Mrs. G. C Stearns, president;
Mrs. L. D. Cobb, vice-president; Mrs. H. H. Otis, treasurer; Mrs. L.
D. Cobb, corresponding secretary ; Mrs. C. E. Walbridge, recording
secretary; Mrs. A. McPherson, assistant treasurer; Mrs. A. Prindle,
matron; Miss Helen Teal, assistant matron.
The St. Marys Male and Female Orphan Asylum^ (German) is on
Best street, near Johnson. It was incorporated August 16, 1856, and is
under the charge of the Sisters of St. Francis. Sister- Mary Xavier is
Superior.
Asylums and Homes. 553
The Church Charity Fatindation^ was opened as a Home for Aged
and Destitute Females, in 1858. In the spring of 1866, it was deter-
mined to establish an Orphan Ward in connection with the institu-
tion ; b}* this time the number of destitute women claiming the hospi-
tality of the house had greatly increased. To meet both of these
requirements^ the building now occupied by the Foundation, Rhode
Island street near Niagara, was purchased. The Society has general
authority to purchase real estate for charitable purposes and is not
restricted to any particular form of charity. The Right Rev. A. Cleve-
land Coxe, D. D., is \\i\\.or ex-officio. Officers for 1883 — James N. Mat-
thews, president; Thomas F. Rochester, vice-president; Edward S.
Dann, treasurer; Tbcodoie F. Welch, secretary; J. N. Matthews,
Thomas Thornton, Jan>es E. Ford, finance committee ; James \. Mat-
thews, Thomas Thornton, Thomas Lothrop, M. D., Thomas F. Roch-
ester, M. D., Chester P. Turner, James E. Fwd, A, Porter Thompson,
Thomas Dennis, Thomas Loomis, board of managers.
St. Joseph's Male Asylum* is situated outside of the city boundaries,
on Limestone Hill, and is directed by Rev. Nel^^on Baker, assisted by
Rev. John Biden. A large farm is connected with the institution. The
Sisters of St. Joseph, to the number of twelve, have charge of the
orphan's school.
TIte Evangelical Church Home, for Buffalo and vicinity, is on the
corner of Genesee and Broadway. Rev. F. Schclle, is president. The
Asylum of Our Lady of Refuge is at 485 Best street.
The number of other charitable and benevolent organizations in
Buffalo, covering all the broad field of public, corporate and private
charity, is most creditable to the liberality of the people of the city.
Every church has its benevolent society of some character, and the same
may be said of many of the trades and professions. Of most of these
it is not deemed important to present statistics here. Of the more
prominent chanties not yet referred to, however, it is proper to speak of
the following : —
5/. Marys Asylum for Wielows, Foundlings and Infants, No. 126 Ed-
ward street, was opened in 1848, and incorporated in 1852. The institu-
tion is under the charge of ten Sisters of Charity. Si&ter Mary Clarence
Walker, Sister Servant.
St. Vincent's Asylum^ {Female^ is located at No. 41 Broadway, and
was established in January, 1849. ^^^ asylum is under charge of ten
Sisters of Charity. Sister Mary Thomas Maynes, Sister Servant.
The LeCouteulx St. Mary's Institution for the Instruction of Deaf-
Mutes, 125 Edward street, was established October, 1857. It is under the
care of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Attached to the institution is a board-
ing school for young ladies. Mother Mary Ann Burke, superior.
*See history of West Seneca, in Vol. I.
554 History of Buffalo.
The Providence Lunatic Asylum^ is on Main street near Humboldt
Parkway, and is under charge of the Sisters of Charity. Sister Rosaline
is Sister Servant. During the year 1882, there were two hundred and
twenty-five patients in the asylum.
The Buffalo German Roman Catholic Asylum^ Best street, near Fox»
was incorporated in 1874, and is under charge of the Sisters of St. Fran-
cis. Sister Mary Ignatia, superior.
The Evangelical Lutheran St. John's Orphans Home, at 280 Hickory
street, was incorporated April 14, 1865. Its character is indicated by its
name. Rev. Christian Voltz is president ; Rev. George J. Long, House
Father.
The St. Francis Asylum, Pine street, between Broadway and Syca-
more, is a refuge for the aged and destitute without regard to nation-
ality or religion. It is governed by the Sisters of St, Francis. Sister
Mary Gabriella, superior. This asylum was incorporated November 14.
1862.
The Magdalene Asylum, at 485 Best street, near Johnson, is under the
charge of Our Lady of Refuge. Mother Mary of St. Bernard, superior,
At the same place and under the same direction, is the Catholic Protec-
tory for girls.
^S^^^€i^a/?nJ
|-jlSTOR)/ OF gjFF/>yLO.
P/^RT 3eC0[^D— glOd^AphjIC/^L.
JAMES ADAMS was bom in Mtrtha't Vineyard Mass.. on the 3xtt of December, 1833. When
he was bat two years old his parents removed to Newbnrgh, Ohio, whence he came to Buffalo
when he was ten years of age, and entered the employ of his ancle, Cyras Atheara, in a tobacco
factory, where he remained until 1854; when he bought and carried on the business himself. The
factory was located in a building next to the present postoffice, on Washington street, Mr. Adams' pres-
ent business office being upon the same site. During the war of the rebellion Mr. Adams took an
active interest in the raising of troops for the army and otherwise assisting the Union cause. He
became favorably known at that time to the Sanitary Commission, as one of the most charitable
men in Buffalo towards any measure designed to aid and relieve the Union soldiers.
In 1 86a he was appointed Quarter- Master and stationed at Fort Porter, where he efficiently
filled the responsible position. He went with the ii6th Regiment to Maryland, but soon returned.
Though never seeking public office, he was made one of the first Police Commissionen of the city,
and rendered valuable assistance in the organisation of the present police force. He was elected
Alderman of the Ninth ward in the year 1859, and held the office two years, discharging its duties
to the eminent satisfaction of his constituents. He was president of the Buffalo, New York &
Philadelphia railroad, and president of the Buffalo Creek railroad, which he built. He has
been president of the Buffalo & Jamestown railroad, and is now vice-president of the Brash Elec*
trie Light company.
In these various positions of trast and responsibility, Mr. Adams has developed and exhibited traits
of character and business qualifications of a high order, and by the efficiency and integrity of his
course, public and private, has gained the esteem of all with whom he has been associated.
Mr. Adams was married in the year 1853, to Miss Catharine Simons, daughter of Rndolphus
Simons, of Chautatiqua county, N. Y. Three children have been bora to them. George F. Adams
was bora June xa, 1853, and died from an injury in an elevator on the X3th of April, 1883. The
oldest daughter is the wife of Dr. W. H. Heath, a physician in the Buffalo Marine Hospital. The
younger daughter is Miss Jessie Adams.
Mr. Adams is now and has been for a number of years the senior member of the firm of Adams
& Moulton, among the heaviest lumber dealers of Buffalo. He has been eminently successful in
his business enterprises, and is still one of the most active and energetic men in the community.
STEPHEN GOODWIN AUSTIN.— The father of the subject of this sketch was Joseph Aus-
tin, of Suffield. Connecticut; his mother was Sarah Goodwin, daughter of Captain Goodwin, of
Goshen, in the same State. Stephen Goodwin Austin was the youngest of three sons and was bora
on the a8th of October, 1791. His educational advantages were exceptionally good for that
period, beginning with a preparatory course of studies at the academy in Westfield, Mass. In i8zz
he entered as a freshman at Yale College, completed the full regular coarse and graduated with
honor on the X3th of September, 18x5, under the presidency of Dr. Dwight.
History of Buffalo.
Immediately after his gradoaiion, Mr. Austin entered upon tbe stndy of the law in the
and under the guidance of Daniel W. Lewis, Esq., in Geneva, N. Y.. where he remained nmiil
fully prepared for his profession. On the 15th of January, 1819, he received at the hands of Hon.
Ambrofe Spencer, then Senior Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New Yoric, a license to
practice in that court. He soon after left Geneva and removed to the then small village of Buffalo,
(before the close of the year 18 19) and began the practice of his profession. His license to practioe
in the Court of Chancery for the State of New York, was dated February 22, 1822 — Kent,
Chancellor.
At the time of Mr. Austin's removal to Buffalo, the project of constructing a safe haibor for the
port, upon which the future commercial importance of the Tillage so largely depended, with the kin-
dred subject of making Buffalo the terminus of the projected Erie canal, were topics of anxious and
exciting discussion. Their favorable decision meant the building of a great dty at the foot of I.ake
Erie. That they would be favorably decided, Mr. Austin early foresaw, and this fact confirmed, if
it did not originate, in his mind the determination to make Buffalo his permanent home ; this deter-
mination was fulfilled by a long life of active usefulness in the city.
Mr. Austin, although possessing acknowledged ability, integrity and other qualificatioos that
fit a man for public service, never sought political or other public office ; indeed, he repeatedly
declined it, when solicited by his fellow citizens to accept high positions for which he was eminently
qualified. The only office he held was that of Justice of the Peace, the duties of which he dis-
charged, as he did all of his life-work, with fidelity and faithfulness.
In the year 1831. the d^ree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him by his Alma Mater.
In his profession Mr. Austin was characterized as a man of dear insight, a thorough knowledge
of the law and ita prindples as applicable to any case in hand, and of careful judgment based upon
close and generally accurate analjniis. He possessed a mind of quick perception and intellect at
once acute and active. These traiu, supplemented by untiring industry, unfaltering perseverance
and the most thorough devotion to the interests of his clients, made him a formidable legal oppo-
nent, and secured for him an extensive and lucrative business. In later life much of his time and
attention were devoted necessarily to the care of a large estate which had accumulated through judi-
cious investment and excellent business sagacity.
Mr. Austin's character was in all respects above reproach; he was at all times and in all places
the perfect gentleman, kind and devoted in his domestic relations, an honored member of the
elevated social drcles in which he lived, and eminently respected by the community at large.
On the 1st of October, 1829, Mr. Austin was married to Miss Lavinia Hurd, daughter ol
Jesse Hurd, Esq., of Middle Haddam, Conn., a union that was in all respects an auspidous one.
Four daughters were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Austin, one of whom died an infant and a second at
two years of age. A third daughter (Lavinia) married W. P. Russell, of Philadelphia, and died in
1874. The other daughter is the wife of T. G. Avery, Esq., a well-known citizen of Buffalo. Mr.
Austin's death occurred on the 19th of June, 1872.
DAVID S. BENNETT. — Among the citizens who have home a prominent part in the commer-
cial and political history of Buffalo, during the last quarter of a century, few have made more
durable marks than the Hon. David S. Bennett. He came to the dty in 1853, with a moderate
capital and an excellent business training. Bom and bred on a farm in the most fertile district of
Onondaga county, within the town of Camillns, he owed to that wholesome, industrious country
life the habits and the character which are at the bottom of so many successes in the world. The
▼igorous blood of New England was in his veins, his father, James Bennett, having been a native of
Connecticut, who emigrated westward into Central New York while a young man, and acquired, by
his own thrift and energy, a more than comfortable estate in well-chosen lands. Of the large family
which James Bennett reared, David was next to the youngest child, and the hardships which the
pioneer father overcame had disappeared before he came upon the scene. He was well disciplined
in industry, but not harshly. As a boy, he had good opportunities for common school education
and two years of study at the Onondaga Academy.
On reaching manhood, Mr. Bennett had two hundred acres of his father's farm made over to
him, partly as a gift, anticipating his share of the inheritance, and partly to be paid for by his earn-
^^a/2>^^yC^ Cy. C^A/.c^^^n^'t
Biographical
ings from it. He lOon after married Mim Harriet A. Benham. daughter of Mr. Traman Benham,
of Bridgewater, Oneida county, and made hit settlement in life mott happily complete.
For four or five years he continued the cultiTation of his farm with success, meantime buying and
selling other pieces of property with such judgment that his capital was considerably increased. The
commercial instinct, in fact, was native and strong in Mr. Bennett, and naturally it led him, ere
long, to withdraw from the pursuits of agriculture and to enter the more active arenas of trade.
First in Syracuse and afterwards in New York he established himself in the produce business, his
elder brothers, James O. Bennett and Miles W. Bennett, then cashier of the Salina Bank of Syra-
cuse, being at different times interested and connected with him. Finally, in 1853, the 'operations
of the New York firm, Bennett, Hall & Co., brought about his removal to Buffalo, where important
transactions were carried on. Since that time Mr. Bennett has been among the leaders of enter-
prise in Buffalo, so far as concerns the great giain traffic of the lakes, the canal and the rail.
One of the earliest of Mr. Bennett's undertakings in the city was the purchase of the Dart
Elevator, which is believed to have been the very original, not only here, but in the world, of those
warehouses with steam machinery, and with the endless belt and bucket contrivance for lifting grain
from the holds of vessels, which have since become so common in American ports. A little later,
in conjunction with the late George W. Tifft, he built an elevitor on the Ohio Basin. Again, in
partnership with Messrs. A. Sherwood & Co., he erected another on Coit Slip, which was afterwards
burned. In i86a he engaged, alone, in a far greater undertaking of the same kind, by commencing
the construction of the Bennett Elevator, a huge and massive structure which cost, with its site,
nearly a half million of dollars and which was not finished until 1866. The contiguous Union Ele-
vator was also rebuilt by Mr. Bennett, and both, with a combined capacity for handling 30,000,000
bushels of grain per annum and storing 700,000 bushels, are still his property.
The sagacity and energy which Mr. Bennett exhibited in business did not fail, in due time, to
mark him for selection by his fellow citisens as one who might serve them usefully in public affairs.
He had identified himself early with the Republican party and distinguished himself during the war
for the Union by the eager and unmeasured liberality with which his wealth and his personal exer-
tions were devoted to the National cause. In the equipment of volunteer officers and soldiers, in
the maintenance of soldiers' families, and in contributions to every movement and organization by
which the army was cheered and strengthened, he had expended more than a moderate fortune dur-
ing the four years of the war. There were many reasons, therefore, for the spontaneous movement
in the Republican party in 1865, which put him forward, quite against his inclination, as its candi-
date for the State Senate. He was elected by an overwhelming majority, and his service for two
years in the Senate proved eminently satisfactory to his constituents. He gave special attention to
the interests of the canals and urged strenuously a measure for the enlargement of the locks of the
Erie and Oswego canals to pass boats of six hundred tons burthen, foretelling the diversion of traffic
that has since been brought about as a consequence of the inadequate capacity of the boats em-
ployed. But his efforts were defeated by the selfish jealousy of the districU interested in the lateral
canals. Among the bills of most local importance which he carried through the Legislature was one
reorganizing the police department of the city, another which founded the now flourishing State
Normal School at Buffalo, and another which gave existence to the Reformatory for Boys established
by Father Hines at Limestone Hill,
The close of his State Senatorial term found Mr. Bennett without a rival m popularity at home,
and his nomination for Congress in 1868 was a foregone conclusion. Again his election was tri-
umphant, by a great majority, and he took his seat in the Forty-First Congress under auspices most
flattering. Although a new member, he was assigned to an important place on the Committee on
Commerce.
Convinced by his experience in the New York State Legislature that the State would undertake
no measures of canal improvement liberal enough and vigorous enough to meet the pressing de-
mands of commerce, and seeing how broadly national the question of cheap and adequate commu-
nication by water between the great lakes and the seaboard really is, Mr. Bennett boldly advanced
the proposition that it should be the duty of the general government to enlarge the Erie and Oswego
canals and to maintain them without toll, as free to navigation as the rivers of the continent. He
introduced in Congress a bill to that end and found much readiness among the representatives of
History of Buffalo.
the West to pre it support. The Committees od Commeice and Appropriatioii both shifted their
willingness to report the bill if the State of New York, by its Legislature, would indknte a disposi-
tion to accept the proffered aid. Bat the spirit of the New York Legislatnre was the spirit of the
dog in the manger. It woold do nothing for the canals on iu own part; it would suffer no one
else to do anything for them. And so they were left to fall into desuetude, their commerce to
seek other routes, their revenues to dwindle away, until eren the despairing policy of making them
free will not win traffic for their decaying fleets. There are not many now who will dispute that
Mr. Bennett surveyed the canal question in iS68, and in the after years while he pressed hisnation-
aliziDg policy, with more forecaste than those who opposed and fought him down.
In the two years of Mr. Bennett's service in Congress he accomplished a number of important
things: — The authorizing of the construction of the International Bridge across Niagara river at
Buffalo; the re-commission of the revenue cutters on the lakes, and the practical extension of the
park system of Buffalo over the grounds of Fort Porter, among the rest.
Since his return to private life, Mr. Bennett has occupied himself much with various important
projects for the advancement of the commercial interests of Buffalo. In 1874 he was instrumental
in organizing a company known as the "Buffalo Crosstown Railway Company." for the purpose of
establishing connections by rail through the city, and with its docks and warehouses, for the equal
and common use of all railroads. His sagacious plans were not carried out as he designed them to
be, by an independent corporation, extinguishing monopoly in the railway privileges of the city; but
they have been realized by the New York Central and by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western
railroad companies, each securing for itself the great advantages which Mr. Bennett strove to
open to all.
A tunnel under the Niagara river is another of the enterprises which Mr. Bennett has striven
for years to obtain encouragement for among his fellow citizens, and time will most likely vindicate
his judgment in that, as in various other matters of public policy; but the day has not yet come.
This sketch of Mr. Bennett cannot be closed more fitly than by the following extract from a
biographical article that appealed not long since in the Buffalo Sunday Miming Times:
"It will be seen from this brief sketch of Mr. Bennett's career that he has been through life a
man of tireless activity, showing marked and many-sided capabilities. The quality which distin-
guishes his character most of all is the unconquerable spirit of perseverance with which his plans are
pursued. That is the royal quality in human nature — perhaps rarer than any other — which masters
men and things and dominates the circumstances of the world. Hot, headlong and obstinate energy
is plentiful enough among men, and wrecks itself quite as often as it triumphs. But the patient,
f)ersisting, cumulative kind, which is generated from inexhaustible sources of invention and calcu-
ation and waxes stronger by exercise— that is something much more rare. It is this quality which
exhibits itself in Mr. Bennett to a surpassing degree. He is a man who will not turn — cannot be
turned — from the purposes which he has once deliberately formed. To that which he has under-
taken to do, being convinced that it is a right and needful thing to do, he is lastingly pledged, by
the resolution of his nature. If one path to his end is closed he goes back and seeks another;
but the object on which he has once hxed his eye is never abandoned. He pushes toward it through
all obstacles and discouragements; not doing so stubbornly, for stubbornness is blind, but with patient
persistence and the elastic high temper of mind which cannot understand defeat, it is impossible
to vanquihh such men, and this has strikingly been shown in all the encounters with misfortune
which Mr. Bennett has undergone. He has had more than his share of the buffetings of adversity
but not one spring of hope or courage or energy has ever seemed to be broken in him.
''That the undertakings of Mr. Bennett, both in oublic and private affairs have been sagacious,
almost always, is undeniable. Events have vindicaiea his superior foresight and his shrewd appre-
hension of the diift of things, in those cases where his views met with most antagonism at first. As
regards the canal policy of the State, the municipal policy of our city in relation to the railways,
and the general interests of our commerce, Mr. Bennett was far ahead of most men in discerning
exigencies and demands which all can now recognize very easily.
"It is inevitable that one so positive in character as Mr. Bennett, so fertile in progressive pro-
jects and so determined in pursuing them, will provoke animosities and raise enemies around him-
self. It is quite as inevitable on (he other hand that he will multiply friends. The two consequences
go together and cannot well exist apart. He who has no enemies can have no friends, is a state-
ment of fact which claims adoption among our proverbs. Mr. Bennett has both enemies and friends
in a proportion which is flattering to him. If his enemies are sometimes bitter, his friends have
warmth enough to more than meet them. In his own nature there is a warmth of kmdness and
geniality and generosity which kindles responsive feelings, and those who know him best, who see
the most of his daily life and how much of his time and care are given, with painstaking considera-
tion, to the serving and pleasing of other people, are sure to be the highest in their esteem."
Biographical. 5
PHILANDER BENNETT.— Nathaniel Bennett, the father of Philander Bennett^wasbom at Sau-
gatnck, now Westport, Conn., and about the year 1793 was united in marriage to Sarah Cable, a
native of the neighboring town of Norwalk. Shortly after their marriage they removed to Catskill,
State of New York, where Philander was bom on the agth day of April, 1795. They remained a
few years at Catskill, and then moved to Clinton, Oneida county, where Philander prepared for and
entered Hamilton College, from which institution he graduated in the year 1816. in the sum-
mer of that year he left Clinton, with a companion by the name of Scribner, and proceeding
across the Allegany mountains in a covered wngun, containing a stock of goods, established himself
in business with Scribner, at Delaware, Ohio. This enterprise not proving profitable as they antic-
ipated, they sold out the business, and Scribner, returning to the East, purchased a new stock of goods
which he shipped by lake to Sandusky, where they had a store; but the vessel containing the goods,
being driven by a storm upon the beach near Buffalo, they thought it best to dispose of the goods at
that place; accordingly Mr. Bennett joined Scribner at buffalo, where they rented a store on the
comer of Main and Eagle streets, and did business for two years under the firm name of Scribner &
Bennett.
On the 15th of December. 181 7, he married Henrietta, daughter of Nathaniel and Parael
Griffin, of Clinton, N. Y. In 1S20, withdrawing from the mercantile firm, Mr Bennett entered the
law office of Heman B. Potter, then District Attorney of the county of Erie. In October, 1S22, he
was admitted as an attorney of the Supreme Court, and in Febraary, 1828, became a counselor in
the Court of Chancery. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1823. In 1S28 he was, with
Silas Wright, Jr., secretary of the State Convention which nominated Van Buren for Governor, and
in the same year was nominated for State Senator, but the Democratic party being in the minority
in his district, he suffered defeat. In 1829 he was a Master in Chancery, and in the same year was
appointed First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Erie, which position he held
by three successive appointments, until January, 1S17, when on account of ill health, he resigned
the office. Upon the death of Martin Chittenden, in 1S32, he performed for several months the
duties of Surrogate of the county of Erie. He was elected an Alderaian of the city of Buffalo in
1832; was re-elected in 1833, and again in 1840 and 1 84 1.
In 1826 Mr. Bennett was appointed by Gov. Clinton, Judge Advocate of the 47th brigade of
infantry. He was for many years closely connected with the "Albany Regency," but in the latter
part of his life was deeply interested in the anti-slavery cause, and upon the organization of the
Republican party became one of its members.
He was for a short time president of the old City Bank of Buffalo, and for several years vice-
president of the Buffalo & Attica railroad company. Upon the visit of President Van Buren to the
city of Buffalo, in 1839, he was made chairman of the committee of citizens appointed to receive the
President, and upon that occasion delivered the address tendering to him the hospitality of the city.
In 183 1 he erected on the comer of Eagle and Pine strjcets, the old stone mansion in which his
widow now (1883) lives, and where may be seen the first marble mantels brought to this city.
Mr. Bennett's father removed from Clinton to Williamsville, in this county, in 1820. and resided
there until 1838. They were members of the old Buffalo Land Company and as such, were largely
interested in real estate in what are now the cities of Toledo and Cleveland.
Philander Bennett was for many years prominently identified with the interests and growth of
the city of Buffalo, and was conspicuously known as a lawyer, a Judge, a member of the City Coun-
cil and a buuness man generally. In all the relations of life his conduct was marked by integrity,
charity for the feelings of others, and kindness and benevolence to those who might look to him for
sympathy or aid. As a business man, in middle life, he was noted for his clear-sighted and adven-
turous policy. The old mercantile firm of Marvin & Bennett, of which he was the senior member,
was for many years the largest mercantile house west of Albany ; and the building of the Buffalo &
Attica railroad, which was the last link in the chain of railroads now forming the New York Central
& Hudson River road, was mainly due to the enterprise^ forecast and capital of some half dozen
individnals, of whom he was one. For the last sixteen or seventeen years of his life he lived in
quiet retirement, sometimes engaged in foreign travel, but mostly occupied with horticultural pur-
suits, and in studies and reflections suited to an enlightened Christian and philosophic mind. He
was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.
History of Buffalo.
Judge Bennett was in height nearly six feet, o£ a fine erect bearing. His eyes were hazel and
annsnally bright and penetrating. He died July 22d. 1863.
He had foar children : Griffin, who died at sea. on his passage from St. Croix to New York,
March 24, 1841, in his 22d year; Mary Henrietta, who died June ix, 1879. an<l who married the late
Germain; Edward, who lives at the old homestead: and Charles, lost at sea.
Martin H. BIRGE, one of the leading business men of Buflfalo, and a prominent manufac-
/ I turer, was born on the 30th day of July, 1806. He is descended from hardy and heroic New
England ancestors. His father was Elijah Birge, who was bom in Lenox, Mass., and rendered his
country valuable service in the war of 18 12, dying in Underbill, Vt., at 72 years of age. David
Birge, grandfather of M. H. Birge, was a native of Woodbury, Conn., bom in 1754; he was a.
soldier in the war of the Revolution, and died at the age of 82 years, at Underbill, Vt.
The early life of the subject of this sketch was divided between hard labor on his father's farm
in the town of Underbill, Chittenden County, Vt., and the common schools, supplemented by
studies at an academic institution. Arrived at the age of nineteen y«ars, the young man entered a
store as clerk, in Middlebury, Vt. Here he rapidly acquired those correct business principles and
laid the foundation of the thorough mercantile education that served him so well in later years, in
the upbuilding of a great establishment.
Mr. Birge first began busine>s for himself in a dry goods and general store in Middlebury, Vt.,
in the year 1829. In August of the year 1834, he sold his interest in this store to his partner and
came directly to the city of Buffalo, where he has ever since resided. In October of that year he
began his business career of fifty years in this city, during which perio<l he has by persistent eneigy
and active enterprise, built up a wall paper manufactory that is second to none in the country, the
sale of the product of which forms one of the leading important mercantile interests of the city.
Mr. Birge has never sought nor held public office of any kind. His life has been eminently a.
practical one. Of a naturally retiring disposition, he has felt little ambition to appear before the
world in any public capacity. His business reputation is one of which any one might well feel
proud ; his integrity and fairness have never been questioned ; his judgment and foresight, as shown
in the development of his extensive establishments, are remarkable, giving him a foremost position
among the leading business men of the city.
Mr. Birge has been for many years a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where he com-
mands the respect of the entire society ; he is now an Elder in the church.
On the 2ist of October, 1836, Mr. Birge was married to Elizabeth Ann Kingsley, daughter of
Rev. Phineas Kingsley and wife, of Sheldon. Vt. Four children have been born to them: —
Julia E. Birge, Mary O. Birge, George K. Birge »nd Henry M. Birge. The sons arc both married,
live in Buffalo and are engaged with their father in the manufacture and sale of wall papers. The
daughters reside at home with their parents.
Although Mr. Birge has not occupied a station in life that has brought him very prominently
before the public gaze, he has the satisfaction of knowing that he has acquired a reputation for
integrity, enterprise, industry and general worth as a man and a citizen of Buffalo, that cannot be
questioned.
SAMUEL NELSON BRAVTON.— The ancestors of the subject of this sketch were New Eng-
land people who were descended from three brothers who came from England about the lime
of the arrival of the Pilgrims. These immigrants, like the majority of those who left the mother
country in that early period, were tillers of the soil, and many of their descendants have followed
the same honorable occupation. They settled in the Eastern States and from there the family has
spread over the entire country. Among the descendants of the three early immigrants was Moses
Brayton, who was born and reared upon a farm in Queensbury, Warren County, N. Y. He was the
father of Samuel Nelson Brayton, of whom it is our purpose to write, and who was bom at the
parental homestead oi^the nth of January, 1839.
The boyhood home life of the average American farmer's boy is much the tame, whatever the
surrounding circumstances ; it is usually made up of attendance at district schools in winters (some-
times portions of the summers,) varied with such farm work as he is capable of doing. This was
the experience ot the son of Moses Brayton until he was fourteen years old, when he was fortnnate
•NT _V«J2S*=?^'-"- ' -# '
^yC'T'L
//3.
A
Biographical.
enough to be able to enter the High School at Lawrence, Mass., where he obtained a thorough
classical education. Leaving this institution, Mr. Brayton proceeded to carry out his already formed
resolution to enter the medical profession. To this end he entered the office uf the late Dr. Walter
Bumham, of Lowell. Mass., as a student. His studies were supplemented by attendance upon a
regular course of lectures in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in the medical department of
Columbia College, New York, where he graduated with honor in 1861. While attending lectures.
Dr. Brayton was employed as physician and surgeon in a hospital on Sixty-fifth street. New York,
where opportunity was given him to put into practice the knowledge of his profession gained lil
office and college. In 1861 Dr. Brayton, appreciating the value and importance of the medical and
surgical experience to be gained in the army and navy, entered the United States service as an assist-
ant surgeon and was assigned to duty in the P ^ Navy Yard. He was transferred thence to the
United States frigate, SaHne, and subsequtn *y to the ironclad Montauk^ which became so
conspicuous in the active operations of the xayy for the suppression of the Rebellion. The vessel
was in some of the severest engagements of the war, among which was the destruction of the Nash'
vilie, on the Ogeechee river, one of the most formidable of the rebel gunboats. Dr. Brayton was
on board of the Montauk during that engagement ; he was also on duty during the eight months
naval siege of Forts Moultrie and Sumter, off Charleston Harbor.
At this time Dr. Brayton*s impaired health, incident upon a long period of active and unremit-
ting service in the Southern climate, prompted him to a short period of rest. After three months'
retirement from duty, he was detailed for service on the Pacific, on board the frigates, St. Marys
and Cygne where he remained two years. At the close of this period of duty, and when plans
were about consummated for joining a squadron on a cruise in the Mediterranean and other foreign
waters, an attractive business opportunity was offered Dr. Brayton in New York city, and he resigned
his position in the navy to accept it. He remained in New York one year, engaged in the drug and
medicine business in connection with his professional practice, and then sold his business there and
established himself at Honeoye Falls, Monroe county, N. Y. Here he was in active practice for
ten years. At the end of this period Dr. Brayton felt that his varied experience and practice were
worthy of a broader field ; his ambition in this direction he gratified by a removal to the city of Buf-
falo in 1877, where he formed a partnership with Dr. Hubbard Foster ; this was continued for one
year, when Dr. Brayton succeeded to the business and has since practiced alone and with the most
gratifying success.
Previous to his removal to Honeoye Falls, Dr. Brayton adhered to the Allopathic school of
practice in which he was educated ; but when he left New York he determined to adopt the Homeo-
pathic tenets. He has not, however, confined himself strictly to the newer school of practice, but
freely uses the remedies and follows the principles in medical practice that his studies and experience
have taught him are best. He entertains no extreme views that might prevent him from treating
every individual case according to what, in his opinion, seem to be its need:«.
Dr. Brayton soon advanced to an honorable and successful position in the profession in Buffalo ;
his connection with Dr. Foster gave him prominence, as well as led to important professional engage-
ments. The large practice enjoyed by his former partner has not only been held by Dr. Brayton,
but has been also greatly increased. Dr. Brayton was one of the incorporators of the Buffalo College
of Physicians and Surgeons in 1879, ^i^d h<^ ^^n a member of the Faculty since the establishment
of the institution, as Professor of *' Theory and Practice of Medicine." In 1881 Dr. Brayton was
promoted to the rank of Dean of the, College, which position he still occupies.
In addition to the duties incumbent upon his college office. Dr. Brayton has editorial charge of
the Physicians* and Surgeons* Investigator^ a monthly journal of medicine and surgery; which is the
organ of the homeopathists of this vicinity. The journal is now in its fourth volume and its pages
show that its editor is as successful in that sphere as in the other branches of labor to which he has
been called.
Dr. Brayton was married to Miss Frances Hyslop, of Honeoye Falls, in 1868. Personally, Dr.
Brayton is a man of engaging manner, imposing presence and magnetic temperament, which favor-
ably impress those with whom he comes in contact ; he possesses a robust and vigorous physique and
a countenance that shows marked traits of character. He is untiring and unselfish in his profession,
which he loves for its own sake, and in which he has already attained a most enviable position.
8 . History of Buffalo.
ALEXANDER BRUSH.— Alexander Krush was born in a small hamlet called Brushland, io the
town of Bovina, Delaware County, N. Y., on the 8th of February, 1824. He was the third son
and fifth child of a family of ten children belonging to Jacob Brush and his wife, whose name before
her marriage was Thocbe Gushing ; she was from Duchess County, N. Y. The Brush family are of
Scottish ancestry, and Alexander Brush, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, emigiated from
New England and settled in Delaware county, where he became a well-to<do farmer, erected a ^ri»t-
mill, saw-mill and became a prominent man in his vicinity. The settlement that grew up around
him was called " Brushland" in his honor. He had three sons, Joel, Jacob and Alexander, the sec-
ond of whom was the father of the present Alexander Brush, of whom we are writing. Jacob Brush
removed from Brushland to Lebanon Columbia County, N. Y., in 1827. where he remained several
years, and again removed, to settle in Savannah, Wayne County, N. Y., purchasing there six hun-
dred acres of unimproved land. At the time of this last removal the subject of this sketch was eleven
years old. His boyhood was passed in a manner not essentially different from that of most farmers
boys of that period ; he worked hard at home on the farm about nine months of each year, attend-
ing a district school the other three months. Such was the life that disciplined many of the jrouth
of the early years of this century, who afterward profited by it in some of the walks of life. Soon
after the family were settled in Wayne county, Jacob Brush died, leaving his widow with ten minor
children to care for, and a farm of six hundred acres but partly paid for. It was not a very encour-
aging outlook for the family ; but the mother was possessed of the qualities necessary to carry the
family successfully through their time of trial. She undertook the management of the farm, placed
her sons out to work when they were not needed at home, their earnings helping to accomplish the
release from debt.
The purchase of the farm of six hundred acres was found to be too heavy a burden for the fam-
ily, after the death of its head^ and accordingly it was sold and a smaller one bought in the adjoin-
ing town of Gaylord, where the family remained until the autumn of 1843, when they removed to
Buffalo. In 1844, when Mr. Bru>h was twenty years old, he established himself in the brick-mak-
ing business in Buffalo. This he has carried on ever since, in connection with his brothers, increas-
ing it largely and extending it from the primitive manner of manufacture at that time to the use of
all the hter improved appliances. Alexander and William C. Brush have been connected in this
business for a period of nearly forty years, and are now among the most extensive brick-makers in
Western New York, manufacturing now from 18,000,000 to 20,000,000 per year.
Notwithstanding Mr. Brush has been so constantly identified with business pursuits, he has fre^
quently been called by his fellow citizens to the discharge of official duties. He has never sought
ofKce and has only yielded to the persuasions of others when he has consented to accept an office.
Mr. Brush is excessively modest and retiring, often distrusting his own ability in his reluctance to
even appear as intrusive. His judgment of men and things, and his practical knowledge of business
and affairs generally, are superior, and in this may be found the key to his success, not only offidaily
but in business concerns.
Mr. Hrush's ancestors for generations back were Democrats of the real old Jackson stripe. No
other sort could live in Delaware county fifty years ago, and the breed has not changed much since,
for that county has a way of rolling up Democratic majorities that astonishes rural counties of the
State. But Alexander, upon coming to his majority, identified himself with the old Whig party,
doing his first effective work, although too young by six months to vote in the memorable campaign
of 1844, when Henry Clay ran as the Whig Champion and candidate for President for the last lime.
Upon the formation of the Republican party Mr. Brush became one of its warmest supporters and
active workers. He was elected to the office of Alderman from the Third ward, as a RepublicaD,
in 1S60, at the same time that Lincoln was first chosen President. He was re-elected in 1S63 and
again in 1S65, serving three full teims of two years each, and rendering faithful and efficient service
as a member of the Common Council.
Without any solicitation on his part his name was presented to the convention in 1S67 for the
office of Street Commissioner. He was nominated and elected. As an evidence of his popularity,
it may be said that Mr. Brush and Joseph Ball, who was elected Overseer of the Poor, were the ouly
Republicans elected on the ticket that Democratic year.
S^0C&2k2>9Zai^^ ^^T'^a^
Biographical.
Before the expiration of bis term as Street Commissioner, Mr. Brush was nominated for Mayor
by the Republican Convention of 1869. To his knowled|{e his name had not been mentioned in
connection with the office before the meeting of the convention, but he was nominated with gieat
unanimity and upon hearing of the result, Mr. Brush determined to go before the convention and
decline the nomination. He was met on his way thither by some friends, however, who persuaded him
to wait and decline to the city committee, to avoid embarrassing the convention. The delay gave time
for other persuasions, and he finally, with great reluctance, consented to run. His opponent was
Mr. Thomas Clark, a man of great wealth and wide popularity, .and notwithstanding it was a year of
Democratic victory, six of the ten city officers being chosen from that party, Mr. Brush was elected
by a handsome majority, although Mr. Clark was under the impression until nearly daylight of the
day after election that he had been successful.
In 1871 the local Democratic leaders procured the passage of a new charter for Buffalo, dividing
the city into twenty-six wards and providing for charter elections in the spring instead of on the same
day as the State elections. The persons then in office were continued until the spring of 1873. Some
of the provisions of this charter were so distasteful to the people that there was a popular demand for
its speedy repeal — so much so that the question was made an issue at the election for State officers
and members of the Legislature in the fall of 1871. Upon the assembling of the Legislature, among
the first bills introduced was one to repeal the new charter and re-enact the old one substantially,
providing for a special election to be held in February to choose city ofiicera for the ensumg two
years. At this election Mr. Brush was re-nominated for the office of Mayor, by acclamation, and
elected by a sweeping majority, carrying with him every candidate on his ticket, a thing that had not
occurred before in many years.
At the expiration of his second term, Mr. Brush peremptorily declined to be a candidate for
re-election, and retired, as he supposed, although then in the prime of life, to the care and manage-
ment of his private business. But political parties, like individuals, have exigencies, and one of
these occurred to the Republican party in 1879, six years after Mr. Brush had retired from official
life. The exigency was a suitable head to the municipal ticket. The fitness and availability of a
score of persons was discussed, but none seemed to fill the bill like Alexander Brush. And so when
the convention was held he was again nominated for the high office, though greatly against his wishes.
He begged his friends to release him from the candidacy, but the fear of defeat with any other nom-
inee, prevented them from yielding to his solicitations.
His administration of the office has not been noted for any aggressive or radical efforts at reform,
yet it was always characterized by that conservatism which is generally in the inteiest of the people.
He managed public affairs as he did his private concerns, upon business principles. There was no
effort at public display or to seek popular approval, but his aim appeared always to be to accomplish
the greatest good for the greatest number.
Mr. Brush evinced a skill in administration which stands almost without a parallel in Buffalo, for
his popularity wiih the masses never suffered from any official act of his as Mayor. Few men have
passed through such an official ordeal with cleaner skirts. Fourteen of the twenty-one years since
the Republican party came into power he has been in office— six as Alderman, two as Street Com-
missioner and six as Mayor, and no suspicion of wrong-doing on his part was ever entertained by
any one. This is a gratifying tribute in these days of official malfeasance and derelictions in the pub-
lic service.
In April, 1863, Mr. Brush was married to Lorinda Bucklin, of Titusville, Pa. The honeymoon
had scarcely passed when his home was turned into a house of mourning. The young wife died in
less than a year after marri.ige. In 1866 Mr. Brush was married to Mrs. Sarah A. Leonard nee
Warner, daughter of D. S. Warner, of South Wales in this county. He never has been blessed
with children.
Mr. Brush was brought up in the Methodist faith, although he has never been a communicant
of any church. His ancestors were Methodists as far back as he has any recollection or knowledge.
Mr. Brush is literally a self-made man, for all his attainments have depended upon his own exer-
tions. The death of his father when he was a young lad and the subsequent care of the family by a
widowed mother, left the children to their own resources, and they became contributors to the needs
of the family rather than beneficiaries from its resources. His educational opportunities were lim-
ited. A few weeks in the winter at a country school-house i wo miles away, was all that was afforded
in his younger da}^. His education was completed by one term in No. 5 in this city, a luxury which
lo History of Buffalo.
he appreciated and regarded as the best part of his school life. Bat his good sense uul practical
knowledge have served him much better than a classical education would many persons.
BRYANT BURWELL was bom in Russia. Herkimer county. N. Y., August 26, 1796. After
completing the ordinary academic studies of that period, he entered the office of Professor WU-
loughby, of Newport, Herkimer county, N. Y., as a student of medicine. His studies were further
pursued at the Fairfield Medical College in 182^*23, and in Philadelphia in i826-'27.. In 1824 he
formed a partnership in Buffalo with Dr. Cyrenius Chapin, where he continued to practice his pro-
fession until his death.
Dr. Burwell attained the foremost rank as a physician, and none felt more strongly than he the
esprit de corps of the profession. He was prominent in the County, State and National Medical
Societies and Associations. He was ever active in measures to advance the science and promote the
honor and interests of his profession.
He was a man of wann sympathies, and his benevolent nature made him the special friend of
the poor and needy, who ever commanded his gratuitous services. Endowed with an eminently social
nature, his home was the centre of a genial hospitality. He was twice married. On the 28th day of
September, 1S17, he married Anna Clark, of Newport, N. Y. The children of that marriage were
Dr. George N. Burwell, .Mrs. Esther A. Glenny and Mrs. Anna C. Rathbone. Mrs. Burwell died
on the 14th day of September, 1818. On the 26th day of February, 1843, he married Mrs. Clary,
widow of Joseph Clar>', Esq., who was one of the pioneers of Buffalo and an eminent lawyer and
citizen.
Dr. Burwell died on the Sth of September. 1861.
JOHN WHIPPLE CLARK was bom on the 30th of June, 1799, in the village of Newport, Her-
kimer county. N. Y. His father, Stephen Clark, and his mother, Esther Whipple, were origi-
nally from Rhode Island.
Dr. Clark became a resident of the village of " Buffaloe " as early as Febraary, 1823. He drove
alone in his cutter from his home in Newport, reaching Buffalo after many days of constant driving,
but without accident or noticeable detention. Just before sunset on one of the last days of Febra-
ary he crossed the hill between what are now North and Allen streets, which overlooked the then
small, quiet village lying on the border of the lake.
He drove slowly down the rood through the village to the comer of Main street and the ** Ter-
race." This was then a precipitous bluff, on the brow of which, to the left, stood Landon*t Tav-
ern, now the Mansion House.
Here he stopped for a long look at the lake, the Canada shore beyond, and of " the flats," lying
between the Terrace and the Big Buffalo creek. Then turning around he drove back up the rood
in search of a good place to stop for the night.
On coming down he had noticed a very comfortable looking country tavern, with its bam in the
rear, and in the bam-yard a large stack of hay. The place struck him then as a comfortable one
*' for man and beast," and to it he now drove to seek lodgings for the night.
He found the proprietor to be ** Deacon Goodell," of honest fame, wiio, besides his ** tavern,"
owned the nice farm in the rear of it. The house, or ** tavern," was on the spot now occupied by
the residence of Hon. Elbridge G. Spaulding. Dr. Clark has been heard often to speak of the
comfortable kitchen, and the generous supper gotten for him that night by Mrs. Goodell.
Dr. Clark had gone through the regular curriculum of the study of medicine, and had graduated
in 1822 at the medical school, — then famous throughout New York, — situated in the town of Fair-
Held, and but six or seven miles from his father's home.
He came to Buffalo in the faith that it was some day to he a place of importance. It had already
become a certainty that the Erie Canal. — " Clinton's Ditch," — would be eventually finished through
to Buffalo, and the attention of enterprising young men throughout the State was being directed lo
this then frontier town. He came to seitle in the practice of his profession and he was not long in
making arrangements for a co-partneiship with Dr. Cyrenius Chapin, then a leading physician of the
village, and, indeed, of the entire country about it, including that part of Canada bordering on the
Niagara river.
Settled a fcAv miles to the east of the village was the tribe of Seneca Indians. The Indians
were great friends of Dr. Chapin and soon became friends also of Dr. Clark. His professional
experience with them was very interesting, as he knew personally all their chiefs and great men,—
.y/^i2.^A-.*-^
Biographical. i i
as Red Jacket, Young King. Cora Planter, Farmer's Brother, Daniel Two Guns, etc. Once, when
on a professional visit to the family of Red Jacket, his squaw (wife) thought the doctor was not suffi-
ciently protected from the cold and u light rain which at the time was falling. She got out her best
blanket and insisted that he should wear it home. She fastened it ciostly over his shoulders and
around him, and as it fell in graceful folds over his person (he being on horseback,) it completely
protected him during his slow and tedious return, by trail, along the numerous windings of the Big
Buffalo creek. Dr. dark could have lived a lifetime a neighbor to these wild sons of ihe forest with-
out once having a misunderstanding, much less a quarrel with them ; such was his thoughtfulness
and forbearance for them, and his unvarying kindness towards them.
But before his first year in Buffalo was past, with the same foresight that originally induced him
to seek his fortunes in Buffalo, he relinquished the practice of his profession for the quicker, larger
results of a business life. He then turned all his attention and his efforts to the development of the
interests of the already rapidly growing village.
The next fifteen years of his life were very busy ones, for in addition to his large private busi-
ness, he undertook the direction of public affairs. In 1830 he was chosen one uf the trustees of the
village, which office he held also in 1831 and iSja^previous to its becoming a city. In 1835 he was
elected one of the Aldermen from the First ward of those days.
He had in the meantime acquired very large landed interests in the toutheastera part of the city,
and in the organisation of this territory, then mostly farming lands, he was especially prominent ;
he did most of the planning, and laying out and the naming of the streets and canals, and the names
he gave are without exception those in use at this day.
These were bright, happy days for the citisens of Buffalo. Emigration set in largely to the
village, as well as through it to the " Western Reserve " of Ohio and to the wilds of Michigan.
Some venturesome people went as far west as the States of Indiana and Illinois ; and Chicago was
then just beginning to be spoken of as a "growing place."
Entire communities, cities and States shared in the general but fictitious prosperity of the time.
Buffalo, as a great center of commerce and trade, at the junction of the Grand Erie Canal and the
Lakes, became the seat of a great speculation, and affairs for awhile went on swimmingly. Buffa*
lonians all became rich on paper and in " corner lots." It used to be jokingly said that a man not
worth $50,000 was a candidate for the poor-house.
Dr. Clark shared in the general prosperity, ^nd was considered one of the wealthiest men in
Buffalo. But a great reverse came upon the city in 1836, '37 and '38, utterly prostrating, financially,
nearly the entire population of the city. Dr. Clark fell with the rt*st.
The next few years of his life were devoted to the saving if possible of something from the
wreck of his estate, and by the. generous assistance of a friend in the East he was enabled to save a
moderate competency, on which he afterwards lived a very quiet and retired life. He was in great
part forced to this by a naturally feeble constitution, rendered more feeble by his worry and strug-
gle with his disappointments. He was of a slender make and of a highly sensitive and nervous
character. A large generosity marked all his dealings with his family and friends, and his thoughi-
ful devotion to them was something exceptional. His ideas were definite, his conclusions quickly
reached, his hold upon theui most tenacious, and his expressions of opinion were always most clear,
positive and emphatic.
Jn spite of the great depression here after 1836, his faith in the destiny of Buffalo was supreme
and he never wavered in that belief. To be sure, " I seem to have anticipated largely," he would
say in his latter days, " but it will come." and it kasd^me, if not within his life-time, certainly within
the eleven years since his death. Even his " South Channel " scheme, abandoned by his successors,
will one day become an accomplished fact.
Dr. Clark was veiy fond of science and of books. He took a lead in the early days of Buffalo,
in founding and liberally assisting schools and societies of learning. Miss Dennison — afterwards Mrs.
Joseph Dart— opened a schbOl for girls which enlisted his active interest and support.
He was foremost in the village times in getting up courses of scientific lectures. He was one of
the most active supporters of the old " Buffalo Lyceum," the immediate predecessor of the " Young
Men's Association." Of the first contributors to this latter enterprise, he was one of the largest. To
all these objects his time and personal efforts were most liberally given, and his purse most freely
opened. He was also an active Mason, and the lodge of that day, on its disbanding in 1832, was
largely his debtor.
12 History of Buffalo.
His habit was to head the subscriptions for objects desired and then himself penonally to circu-
late them. All this was in his younger and more prosperous days. Later in life he was limited in
his aciiviiies by his great delicacy of constitution. This delicacy increased upon him with hisyeais»
and finally required of him, to make " life worth living," the most constant care in the regulation of
his habits and a total avoidance of the cares and anxieties of business.
Dr. Clark never married, but found always a comfortable home with a married sister as long as
she lived, and afterwards with a niece and her husband, where he was always made okost welcome
and in his invalid age cared for with all the devotedness of a daughter and son. Dr. Clark was ever
most liberal and considerate toward the beliefs and religious convictions of others. He died
November 25, 1872, in the communion of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
THOMAS CLARK. — About fifty years ago Mr. James Clark came from England to America, to
profit by the better opportunities afforded here in business than could be had in his native land.
He had a wife and several young children tb provide for — three of the latter being the offspiing of
his wife by a former husband — and he hoped to find in the new world the means to give them all a
start in life. Leaving his family in their native place until he could provide them a home on this
side of the Atlantic, he made the then somewhat tedious voyage in a sailing x'essel. He had been
bred to the trade of a miller, and he had no trouble in finding employment of this character as soon
as he reached America. In due time his earnings and savings justified him in writing for his family
to join him. Funds were sent to bear the expense of the trip, and the voyige was begun and prose-
cuted with all the bright anticipations that might be expected in the hope of a speedy reunion of a
long separated, loving family. Hut little did the wife and children apprehend the sorrowful disap-
pointment that awaited them. Little did they apprehend that the cherished reunion would never
occur. Mr. Clark was accidentally killed before the arrival of his family. He was employed in a
mill at Troy, N. Y., and in some way was drawn into a bin of grain and smothered before he could
be rescued.
The family were in straightened circumstances, and were left to depend upon their own
resources. After a brief stay in the eastern part of the State, they came to Western New York, and
settled upon a farm in Perry, Wyoming county. By hard work and rigid economy they were ena-
bled to gain the means of a subsistence from the little farm. The children were kept in school
when their services were not needed for farm work or domestic duties. One of the last injunctions
of the father before parting with his family was whatever might befall him to have the children
educated. In the fulfillment of this trust the wi<low made many sacrifices to give her offspring an
opportunity to attend school.
Thomas Clark was one of the sons of this widowed mother, and he was eleven years old when
the family came to this country. He was bom at Hull, England, on the 2sth of September, 1821.
and came to America in 1832. He remained on the Perry farm until he was nineteen years old, or
wrought for other farmers in the neighborhood for the stinted wages that w*ere paid farm hands in
those primitive days. His schooling was limited to portions of each year in district schools, bat he
made the most of his opportunities.
At the age of nineteen Mr. Clark starteil out for himself, first going to Oswego, where he
found employment for a short time, and then he went to Geneva and made an engagement with the
forwarding and commission house of Hastings ^: Field, at thirteen dollars per month. His atten-
tion to business and faithful perfonnance of his duties soon gained him the confidence of his em-
ployers, and he was promoted in position with an increase of salary. In due time he became the
confidential man of the establishment, and was entrusted with much of the management of its busi-
ness. In this capacity he frequently visited Buffalo, and thereby fonned a favorable opinion of this
city as a promising business point.
After a connection with the house of Hastings & Field of ab^ut five years, Mr. Clark came to
Buffalo in the autumn of 1S47, and first engaged in the distilling business, in connection with Horace
Williams, in a small building on Ohio street. The business was carried on under the firm name of
Clark & Williams. Mr. Williams was succeeded by B, F. Brown, and the firm was then Clark &
Brown. The new concern established a distillery on Elk street near Chicago street, and enlaiged
their business, but the establishment was soon devoured by fire. In 1S34 the Seneca street distilleiy,
that is ktill in operation, was established. Upon the death of Mr. Brown, Mr. Clark continued the
business in his own name. About the same time the premises at the corner of Washington and
<^'^^^^^.^i^.^^
^JS'^^^^^.^
Biographical. 13
Perry ttreetx were purchased and fitted up as a general office for the growing bnsinest of the con-
cern as well as a rectifying esublishment for the treatment of the products of the distillery. A very
large and profitable business was done by the house, and he became one of the laigest distillers in
the country. He also establisihed a reputation for the manufacture of a superior quality of goods.
In 1868 a company was formed under the name of the " Niagara Elevating Company," for the
erection of an extensive elevator, in which Mr. Clark was one of the principal stockholders. The
company built the Niagara elevator at a cost, including the site, of about $750,000, and after ito
completion Mr. Clark purchased the interest of his associates and became the sole owner of the
property. In 1879 Mr. Clark eommenced the oonstruction of a second elevator adjoining th^'
Niagara, and completed it in x88i. To distinguish the structures they are designated Niagara Ele-
vators "A" and '* B." Their capacity is about 8,000,000 and 14,000,000 bushels each respectively.
Their estimated value, including a malt house with an annual malting capacity of 125,000 bushels
that occupies a portion of the elevator site, is $1,500,000.
Mr. Clark also became the owner of one-third of the Brown elevator, with a collateral interest
of another third. He was an extensive operator in grain, having the means to take advantage of
the finetuations in the markets, thereby enabling him to realise gratifying profits. His success in
business has been largely due to the possession of superior judgment. lie rarely made a mistake in
his estimation of the character of men or in a business conclusion. Thix qualification enabled him
to succeed where others wotild fail He was not only attentive and industrious in his business pur-
suits, but he believed in a rigid economy as welL From the commencement of his business career,
he was scrupulously faithful to all financial engagements. His credit he held to be more important
than the accumulation of wealth.
One of the cardinal principles of his business methods was prompt payment of all obligations.
His transactions were almost invariably for cash, and he thereby realised the advantages that are
incident thereto. In all of his vast business, involving many millions, he never has had a * * bill
payable" entered upon his books, but of "bills receivable" there are plenty of entries. He dis-
liked the credit system, and his ample means enabled him to practice what he believed in.
Mr. Clark was a man of marked character and of decided ability. He possessed a large brain,
took a comprehensive view of things, and was well calculated to manage extensive enterprises. He
was not content with the narrow limits of retail affairs, but his mind rather grasped after larger
methods and more comprehensive operations. He was a thorough-going business man and was
known of all men as straightforward and strictly honest in all his dealings.
Mr. Clark has done much to promote the growth and pfosperity of Buffalo. He came to it
when it was but a large village, and few persons have been more intimately identified with its
material progress or taken a deeper interest in all that was calculated to promote its welfare.
His charities have been liberal and numerous, but not ostentatiously bestowed. He did not
seek notoriety through his benefactions, but he cherished the gratitude of deserving persons and
worthy institutions who were the recipients of his generous contributions.
Broad-natured, warm-hearted, genial, courteous, obliging and kind, he had hosts of friends
that were bound to him with hooks of steel and indissoluble cords of friendship. He was never
blessed with children, and yet his domestic relations and fireside associations were most endearing,
enriching one of the most elegant and attractive homes of Buffalo. He was extremely domestic in
his tastes, and found more pleasure in the seclusion of his courtly mansion than at places of public
resort. Mr. Clark married Naomi Macy, daughter of Mr. George Macy, of Geneva, on the ist of Sep-
tember, 1851. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Dr. Bissell, who is now the Bishop of Ver-
mont. Mrs. Clark is also a native of England, and came to this country with her parents when a
mere child, in 1830.
Eight ytan after their marriage, in 1859, ^^^' '^^ ^^n* Clark made their first trip abroad.
They spent six months visiting the scenes of their childhood and their relatives in England, and in
sight-sedng on the continent. They afterwards made five other journe}'s to Europe. They spent
Ibe winter season of 1879 on the Pacific coast.
Very few men with such a life beginning as Mr. Clark had, have been so successful as he has in
accumulating wealth. Commencing his business career at a salary of ten dollars per month, he lived
to see his possessions reach upwards of two millions, the result of well-directed management.
Mr. Clark was never much of a politician. He was nominally a Democrat, but not a rigid
partisan. He voted for Gen. Grant for President, and often supported Republicans for local offices.
M History of Buffalo-.
He repmentcd the Serenth Ward in the Common Council in i864-*65, and wot the DemoottdccaB-
didate for Mayor in 1869. Imt he shared the fate of the rest of the ticket in a defeat, the resnb of
an opfMisiog party majority.
Mr. Chirk was a strong union msn during the war, and contributed liberally towards the 1
tenance of the quota of Brie county in the army of the nation. He was an Episcopalian and m i
ber and attendant at Trinity Church, and a life member of the Young Men's Association. He i
on the 99th of September, 1883, four days after ccwnpleting his sixty-first year.
GEORGE COIT has been caued " one of the eminent fathen and founders of Buffsla" That he
was entitled to that distinction no one who is familiar with the history of the dty will qncstMo.
He was a continuous resident of the place from June, 18x1, until the day of his death. May 9. x66s,
—more than a half oentuiy. He saw the pioneer hamlet rise into an active and enteiprisaig Tillage^
only to be swept from the earth by the toidies of an enemy, and he again witnessed its rebuilding
and growth into a great city, step by step, and constantly identified himself in many ways and at aU
times with its advancemeiit and prosperity.
The Coit family are an ancient and honorable slock, being descended from John Cott, who came
to America from Glamoiganshire (probably) between 1650 and 16)8. There are reoofds in existence
of Coite Castle, in Wales, dating bade to 1091, which is supposed to have been hdd by anoeston of
John Coit. The latter had a grant of land in Salem, Mass., in i(^. In 1644 he removed to Ulou-
cester, where he hdd the office of Selectman. He wiOi the great-g'Hit-gmt-C'^a^'C'Ml^'^CT ^
Geoige Coit. The next in direct descent was Joseph Coit, who weui from Glondester to New Loo-
don in about 1651, where he was a ship-builder all the remainder of his life. Rev. Joseph Coit was
the second son of .the ship-builder, and great-great-grandfather of Gtoige Coit He was bom at New
London April 4, 1673, gnidnated at Harvard and was admitted to a Master's degree at the first Com-
mencement of Yale College. Cokwd Samnd Cott, son of Rev. Joseph, was bom at Plainfidd,
Coon., in 1708. He attained the military rank of Colonel and held various dvil offices. One of
his sons, William Coit, was a'giaduate of Yale and became prominent as a naval commander in the
Revolutwn. Another of hu sons, John Colt, built the first vesad known as a " smack," ^ving a
well for the canytng of fish dive), on the Atlantic coast. A third son was Benjamin Coit, who was
the father of Benjamin, Jr., the latter being the father of the subject of this sketch. Benjamin, Jr.,
was bom December ai, 1759, in I'restod, Conn., where he was a ship-master and afterward a omt-
diant. He dso commanded vessels in the Revolutionary war. He died at Norwich, December s8,
1 841, aged eighty-three. This brief record brings us to the birth of Geoige Coit, which occurred on
the loth of June, 1790, In Norwich, Conn. There his boyhood and youth>were tpeat in aoquirii^
his education and leaming the druggist's business.
In the further preparation of this biography, we extrsct as follows from a memorid sketdi pre-
pared by Mr. William Ketchum, who was long an intimate friend of Mr. Coit, and read before the
Buffdo Historicd Sodety on the nth of July, 1865 :
"He (Mr. Coit) and the late Judge Townsend were clerks together in a drug store in Norwidi,
and came to reside here in x8xi, and established themsdves in the same business. They continued
In it until 181 8, when they sold out to Dr. John B. Marshdl. ]>uring these fint few years of their
residenoe in this dty (then a village) they established for themselves a hl^ reputation for integrity
and pecuniary responsibility. It may be mentioned as a fact dmost without precedent, that dur-
ing the greater part of their co-partnership of more than forty ye4rs, they owned and used
everything in common. Even after they both had families this continued to be the case, each
taking from the joint stock what was required for the daily expenses of their families, no accunnt
bdng made as against either individual partner. * * It is believed no difficulty, in fact or
in feeling, was ever known to exist between them growing out of this drcumstance. After the sale
of their drug store, Townsend & Coit enmiged in the storage and forwarding budness. Their fiist
warehouse was at the foot of Commercial street, at the mouth of the Little Buffdo creek, where they
built a dock and a frame building, which was used inany years. After the Erie cand was extended
to this city, Messrs. Shddon Thompson & Co. removed thdr budness- from Black Rock to Buffdo,
which led to a union between the two firms of I'ownsend & Coit and S. Thompson & Co. The firm
engaged extensively in the transportation and forwarding business, forming connections with dl the
pnndpd points both east and west, doing business for many years under the name of the " Troy ft
£rie Line," enjoying a reputation attdn^ by few if any other companies among the numerous asso-
ciations engaged in the business at that or any subsequent period.
" Mr. Coit married a sister of his partner. Miss Hannah Townsend, on the 4th of April, 1815, by
whom eifht children were bom to him,- of whom a record is given hereafter. There are few men who
are permitted to enjov so much comfort in their children as did Mr. Coit. They had remained -under
the patemd roof until they were dl married and settled in the world, with the exception of John,
Biographical. 15
wIm was.abtent a few>jcpn pumitiiff his theolopcal studies in Europe. The family were renuuk-
ably affectionate, extremely attached to each other, and to their father and to their father's house.
Their mother, who was entirely devoted to her diildren while rile lived, died while they were all
youn^. Hat they nerer forgot her instmctions or the inlhience of her example. Mr. Coit was twice
named, after the loss of his fint wife; to Mary Smiti^ Atterbury, July 28, 1837, and to Emeline P.
Martin, in 1841; both of which connections leem to have been emmently judicious and happy.
" Althou^ Mr. Coit hAd lived to see Buffalo grow up from an insiniiBcant village to become a
large and populous city, his own diosen dwelling being, as it were, in the very heart of business, he
praerred to remain in his old home, and continued to occupy his plain, unpretending residence on
the oomer of Featl and Siwan streets, where he had firrt pitched his tent more than fifty years ago.
'* This record of our departed friend would be incomplete without some notice of his peculiari-
ties of character. Mr. Coit did not attempt great things. He seemed perfectly satisfied in the posi-
tion where Providence had placed him, and his ambition was to-dischaxirc the duties of that position
with fidelity and maintain with consistency the duiracter he had assumed of an uptight, conscientious
business man, and all who knew him will say that in this he was eminently successful. 1 here was
no period of his busineas career when the finn of which he was a prominent member did not stand
V A No. I " in ^e public estimation, not onljr for pecuniary responsibility, but for pnnctualitv, honor
and integrity. 'I he name of Townsend & Coit, associated as it was with that of others of tne high-
est business standing in almost evenr principal town from New Yoric through the Erie Canal and the
lakes to Chicago, was a guarantee that whatever was committed to 'their hands was safe and sure to
receive the moit vigilant care and prompt attention.
" In 1818, on the application of the citizens of Buffalo, the Legislature of the State authorised
the survey of die mouth of Buffalo creek with a view to the construction of a harbor. Tht next year
the Legislature authorised a loan of |f 2,000 for the construction of the work. This loan was secured
by the bond and morU^age of Charles Townsend,. Samuel Wilkeson and George Coit. A pier was
built, and in i8ti a chsnncl was formed of sufficient depdi to admit vessels of ordinary sise into
Buffalo credL, giving assufance of the succesa of what had been considered a doubtful experiment.
When, however, the agent of the steamboat company came on from New Yoric, in January, 1822, to
build a new steamboat to take the ^ace of the IVnikUm^ke- Wmter, which had been wrecked, he did
not regard the harbor improvements sufficiently advanced or secure to ensure the boat a safe passi^
out of the ereek If constiucttd upon its banks, and decided to build it at Black Rock. To induce
the buHdhig of the boat in Buffalo, however, the dtiaens offered to indenuify the company against
loas bj agreeing to pay $iso % dav for every day the boat should be detained in Buffalo creek after the
1st of Mav, bv reason of any obstruction of the channel. Charles Townsend, Samuel Wilkeaon,
Geotge Colt, Kbcneser Johnson, Elijah D. Efiaer and Eheneier Walden executed thb bond. The
boat was aecordlngly buUt on Ihiffalo ereek, and when completed and ready to sail, in the spring of
i8t$, the Smfiriwr foand an open, unobatiucted channel into the lake and the bond was cancelled.
ymfintr iouimI an open, unobatiucted channel ii
TUi was a great day of rejokuig and triumph in Huffalow
hat already been observed, Mr. Coit did not sec
'As 1mm already been oboerved, Mr. Coit did not sedc public notoriety out of the Mtimate
aplMie of his husinrss, yet his political opinions Were decided and freely expieised on aU proper
ocoaiions. In these, as in all else, he.wa^ conservative in hb views and principles. He hdd iris
icligioils views and principles in the same way, never obtruding them upon others, yet always exhib*
iting in hb daily life an example whidi created a favorable impression upon all who came within the
inliare of hb imieaoe. He professed no nsore than he practiced and he practiced what he professed.
Bis chaskicB were nnootenfatioua— the natural unpubes of a kind, sympathising heart, ever open
10 the woes and wants of odMrs, not piacticod by any rule, but the promptings of a tender qmpathy
with suffering wherever found.
" Townsend & Coit were afanost, if not the first, who came to settle m Buffalo who possessed
capilal. Moit» if not alU who had hitherto settled here, had Btde ebe than strong hands and u reso-
Inte purpose. Tourniend h Cost were reputed wealthy and. their means and credit contributed ^o.
give a permanency to the business here which it had not hitherto enjoyed. The first vessel registered
in the district of Buffalo creek was the sloop Hmmmmk, whkh was built hi part at least with their
means. Captain Oliver Coit, who was a relative of Mr. Geotge Coit, was master and part owner of
the vsssal. They oontinned to be interested fai the oommeree of the hikes from thb time to the
inyodnction of steamboats, and the firm lo which they bdonged were large owners, both in steam
and sailing craft, up to the time of its dissolution in 1843 or '44, and perhaps it b due to the truth
to say that the cq>ital and credit of Townsend & Coit contributed, as much or more than that of any
faidiiidual at that eariy day to develop the resources of the country and cany forward the commerce
of our internal urateia. The same may be said with ec|nal truth of the improvements of our city.
They, at an eariy day, became the ownent of a large amount of real estate,* mudi of whidh they
improved. The stores they built on Main street, and their warehouses on tbie dock were the best of
their class at the tune they were built, and it b na disparagement to others to say that during the
whole period of their active business, from 1811 to 1844, theirs was the leadfaig house in the city."
Following b a record of Mr. Coit's children :— Sarah Frances, bom November 11, 1816; Charies
f ., bom February 14, 1819; Geoige, bom March 22, 1821; John Townsend, bom May 3, 1824;
♦lealeslalehsi uMiigSil hands quite rscMtly for the first tfane, that was obtahied by Mr. Colt from the
i6 History of Buffalo.
Fiances E., born June 4, 1836; Natluuiicl T.. born October 36, 1899; Eliza Ripley, bora Jane
93* 1839; William Benjamin, born March 9, 1835. Of theve only tluce are now living, Mn. S. F.
Winsilow, MfK E. R. Harvey and Fiank K. Coit, of Bnialo.
A% inciflental to the life ol Mr. Out, in Bnffalo, the following from an obltnaiy printed m Ae
Buffalo Cnuritr ist hixtorically interesting :—
** The two yonng men procured a stock of drags in New York, and by way of the Hwbon, the
Mohawk, Lake Ontario and the Niagara river, arrived at Lewiston, and thence bnooght them by
wagons to this place. The pioneer merchanu reached the little trMlmg post or hamlet, of Baffsh»»
on the 4th of June, i8ii.
*' It was vinrin soil npon which the firm of TownMnd & Coit planted their little meramtile
enterprise, but they went forward with tUout hearts to the task of clearing the path of commerce. In
the fall of 181 1 they had started a primitive store on Main street, near the site of the old Eagle Hotel,
and Indians and whites, bnntent and backwoods farmers, were their cnstomers. The icJtowing
spring they bonght the property ranning from Main to Pearl, on Swan street, whereon the Townsend
Hall IS built as well ax the house where Mr. Coit afterwards lived and died. Whera the Hall now
stands they built their store and did InisinesK. till the fateful 30th of December, 1813. In the nigM
inectfding that day of trial, Mr. Coit loadetl a wagon with a part of his goods and drove his partner,
who was a cripple. aw.iy fn>m the lincM of the incendiary enemy, to Wilfiamsville.
'* Returning tt) the scene of deiiolation, the partners procured a small wooden building, located
on what is now Krie street, which, from its very insignificance, had survived the conflagration.
This they litte«l up and opened.
" Messrs. Townsend & Coif continued in the drag business till about the year 189a At that
date KufTalo Itegan to assert itself as an emporium of trade between the East ana West, several wagon
lines having lHx*n established l^tween AUnny and here, bv which goods were brought and conveyed
up the lake. The wagons usually took a return cargo of peari ashes and other products of thb
region. .Mr. (*oti and his partner, taking advantage of this opening commerce, established thcm-
seivcs cm the wharf .ns produce and forwanltng merchants. Upon the completkm of the Erie canal,
their business expanded into large and prosperous proportions.'*
Mr. Coit wax a prominent memlwr of the Buffalo Historical Society, of the Buffalo Board of
Trade, of the Water Works Company, and other oiganiiations, all of which testified to their appre-
ciation of his character, in ap|)ropriate resolutions.
Little more need Ik* said of the life of George Coit. His death was made the subject of an elo-
c|uent discourse, by Rev. Walter Clarke, D. D., of the First Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Coit
was a devote«l memlier for o\-er forty years. In that discourse Mr. Clark said of the deceased :
** I hear it said on ever)* side, as I conven«e with those who have known him best, that during
the fifty years and more through which his eminent business career has ran, since the dar that he
and his' ])artncr o|K*ned their little <lrag store on Main street, not a stain has fallen npon nis integ-
rity nor a shadow obscured the fair face of his honor. I confess it was with a tremulous joy that 1 heard
from his dying pillim* the deliberate declaration that on a careful ie%'iew of his past Kfe he couM not
ivcall the instance in which he h.id intentionally injuretl, or knowingly defrauded a single felknr nma.
It is so much to say that, and say it traly, o\*er a life that has coverecl a half centniy of yean. But
when I have the testimony of so' many i'mparthil obserx-ers who, without one discordani voice, (
firm the voolict. I rdin«|uish all hesitation ami offer henny thanksgiving^ to Goil that an '
was carrietl to his grav« when we bora that veneratetl dust to its burial."
What higher trilnite cotiltl |H>ssib)y Ite {Mid to the memor}' of any man ?
ABNER CUTLKk.— No ckiss of men, periiaps, accompiidi mora for the material adv
of communities, than successful manujfacturers ; men who an^ quick to lee the advantivei for
business and manufacturing possessed by villages or cities whera they ara located, and who have the
capacity to plan, grasp and control vast enterpriies, with the energy and pcneveraaoe to push them
to complete succetb. In the front rank of this class it b proper to phice the mbject of this sketch—
a man who has devoted more than a half century to the development of the mannfAetnra of fnmi-
tura in the city of Buffalo.
Abner Cutler's aaceston were English, their kter dcscendaau being of the hardiest New Eng-
land stock. Joseph Cutler was the father of Abner Cutler. He was born in Killingily, Mass.. in
the year 1755, and was conspicuous in fighting for hit coontiy through the Revolntionafy war. His
wife was Dotha Judd. daughter of Blnathan Jndd. To them eleven children were born. The Jndd
family of which Mffs. Cutler was a member, was of conaidendde importance, and traced iu lineage
back through a well>preserved reeord to honorable En^ish ancestry. ThooMs Jndd came fram
Bnghind in 1633, and settled in CambrMge, Mass., afterwards removing to Hartfoid, Coul Hit
son William married a daughter of John Steele, of whom the late O. G. Stede was a durfnilsnt.
The subsequent generations continued in the persons and order of Thomas Jndd, William Jndd and
Elnathan Judd. Mn. Cutler thus being a dauj^ter of the 'fifth consecutive gcnenrtion from the
Biographical. 17
paternal English stock. Dr. Elnathan Judd, Jr., was a prominent physician of Paris, Oneida
county, N. Y., whose son, Gerritt Parmalee Judd, went to the Sandwich Islands as a missionary in
1827. and was afterwards appointed by the King of the Islands tu the office of Minister of Finance,
which he still holds.
After Joseph Cutler's marriage he removed to Paris, Oneida county, N. Y., where Abner Cutler
was bom on the 22d day vf May, 1802. Joseph Cutler was a farmer, and his sons were brought up
to that vocation from the time they were old enough to be of much service. But this kind of labor
never .suited Abner Cutler ; the reason is a good one and the prime cause of his occupying the posi-
tion that he has reached — ^he was a lx>rn mechanic. A jack-knife was in his hands a far more
acceptable tool than a hoe or a rake. But the assortment of tools on his father's farm was 'sxtremely
limited ; so much so that on one occasion young Cutler was impelled to make an attempt to borrow
some from the more complete stock belonging to a neighbor, during his temporary absence, not for
any evil purpose, but for the gratification of his ever-present desire to learn and practice the use of
mechanical tools. A brother was induced to assist in securing the coveted tools ; he was to watch
at the door of the out-building, while Abner selected and carried away the tools ; but he was
destined to disap|5ointment, for when he opened the door to the tool house, lo, the proprietor stood
before him. He had to content himself, for the time, with his own meagre resources. The few
bits of board which the young mechanic was able to secure, were sawed and whittled into some
semblance of usefulness ; the crooked root of a sapling was bent and shaped into the runner of a
handsled, and thus the boy songht to gratify the bent of his genius.
In the year 1S06, the Cutler family removed to Sullivan, Madison county, where they settled
upon another farm. By this time, or a little later, the elder Cutler began to realize the hopelessness
of his endeavor to make a farmer of his son. Therefore, when the boy had reached the age of six-
teen, he was apprenticed to the trade of cabinet-making with Silas Sikes, whose shop was in Clin-
ton, Oneida county. N. Y. He served faithfully for three years, and left bis employer, endowed
with all the knowledge of the business to be obtained in a small country shop. The young cabinet-
maker then went directly to New York city, where he readily found employment with Thomas Con-
stantine ; he remained there, extending his knowledge of the business until he had mastered it com-
pletely, until the terrible visitation of the yellow fever in 1S22 prompted him to seek employment in
the country. He accordingly went to Chittenango, Madison county, N. Y., where he worked until
1824, when he made up his mind that there was a more promising field for his ambitious labor
farther west. Like everybody else in the East, young Cutler had often heard of the attractions of
** the Genesee country," as all the western part of the State was then called, and he decided to learn
of the magnificence for himself. He stopped a few days with relatives in Mendon, Monroe county,
where he made arrangements with another young man named Steams, by which they were to pro-
ceed farther westward and unite their energies in establishing a business. The young partners
loaded two wagons with tools and household goods of Ste«ims, who was married, and set out towards
Lake Erie. On the 6th of September, 1824, they reached Black Rock, where they immediately
began the business of cabinet making. Mr. Cutler's ready energy and unhesitating action in busi-
ness, is shown by the fact that the very next day after his arrival at Black Rock saw him on his way
to Lancaster for a load of lumber, and within forty-eight hours after the establishment of the firm of
Steams & Cutler, they offered for sale a ** fall-leaf table " of their own manufacture.
It was just five years after Stearns & Cutler located themselves at Black Rock, that Mr. Cutler
became convinced of the future supremacy of Buffalo, and he was not slow to act upon his convic-
tions and remove thither. He opened a shop on Main street, between South Division and Swan
streets. This event occurred in September, 1829. A year earlier than this Mr. Cutler had made his
first attempt to introduce power into his shop. In a building which had been furnished with water
power for the pur]X)se of flour-milling, he put rude examples of a circular saw, a jig saw and a turn-
ing lathe. From that time on Mr. Cutler has never hesitated to avail himself of every desirable
improvement in woodworking machinery, for the advancement of his business. Early in the year
1829 he started the first boring machiog ever used, and by it he came very near ending his career.
The machine consisted simply of the introduction of a boring bit into the end of the mandrel of his
buzz saw. While boring a plane handle on the machine he fell forward, and to save himself from
being pierced through the body, he struck his head against the saw. If that saw had been moving
at the speed given to those in his present works, Mr. Cutler's labors would have ended at that time ;
as it was he received a severe wound which partially destroyed one eye.
i8 History of Buffalo.
In his Buffalo shop of 1829, Mr. Cutler had no water power ; but he was not inclined to depend
solely on the flow processes of hand work. He accordingly rigged a large wheel seven feet in
diameter, which was turned by a blind man. FoUowiog this primitive motive power, he introduced
a sweep with a horse attached , which he used for some time. These rude appliances for expediting
his work were then far in advance of his contemporaries. He finally purchased from the old Buffalo
& Niagara Falls railroad company, a locomotive boiler and engine, and has ever since largely used
steam power. Shaping machines, one of the- first ** Daniels " planers, savs of all kinds, and in fact
all of the most improved wood-working machinery he has been quick to adopt, until now it is well
known that his extensive works are better equipped in this respect than almost any other similar
establishment in the country.
In the overwhelming financial panic of i8?6 Mr. Cutler failed in business, but he never suffered
his credit to be impaired in any res])ect whatever. In 1870 Mr. Cutler admitted hij* son to partner,
ship with him, and the firm has since been A. Cutler & Son. Their business is now one of the
largest in the country in this line, and their wareroom is the largest in the world.
As would naturally be expected, Mr. Cutler possesses a remarkable inventive faculty, and
numerous patents have been granted him, tome of which are of great value. One of the most im-
portant of these is the well known desk, iwith sliding, receding corrugated cover ; upon this desk
Mr. Cutler has obtained seven patents, covering all of its various ingenious features. The manu-
facture of the desk is now very large and it is sold in all parts of the world.
The Cutler Manufacturing Company was recently organized by A. Cutler & Son in connection
with some of their employes, for the manufacture of furniture separately from the original firm.
Abner Cutler is president of the company, which is largely interested in the manufacture of fine
furniture.
Mr. Cutler was married on the 2ist of July, 1828, to Miss Lydia Gray ; they have had seven
children, as follows : — Maria Cutler, 'who was married to Thomas Bassett, January 10, 1850; John
D. Harly Culler, born August 5, 1832, died January 21, 1836; Abner Culler, born September
30, 1836, died November 6, 1836; Grace Cutler, who married Oliver VV. Beldeii, September 28,
1858; Agnes Cutler, born March 31. 1840, died November 27, 1857; Fred. H. i^utler, born July
22, 1843; Katie Cutler, bom March $, 1848, died April 21, 1866.
In politics Mr. Cutler was a staunch Whig so long as the party lived, and then he naturally
drifted into its successor, the Republican party. He reserves the righ(, however, to vote for the best
man, whether belonging to his party or not. He has never held any public office, nor has he ever
tried to get one.
In religion he is a Presbyterian, and is, and has been for many years a member of the Central
Presbyterian Church.
GARRETT C. DABOLL was born on the 13th of December, 1839, at Mount Morris, N. Y. He
is descended on his father*s side from the French Huguenots. His father was John L. Daboll.
formerly from Groton, Conn., and his mother was Jane Peterson, of Nunda, N. Y. When Gairelt
C, was iwelvc years old, his parents removed from Mount Morris, to Rushford, Allegany county,
N. Y., where he remained at home most of the time until he was twenty years of age. He was a
thorough student and in the common schools and academies acquired a good academic education.
At the age of sixteen he began teaching school, to which he devoted a portion of his time for several
years. When Mr. Daboll was twenty years of age (in 1859) ^^ ^^"' ^^ Dansville, N. Y., and began
the study of dentistry. He remained there in the study and practice of his profession about eight
years, making special efforts during that period to broaden his knowledge and expand the limits of
his professional possibilities.
In 1867, Dr. Daboll removed to Buffalo, where he at once occupied an eminent position in his
profession as well as in social circles.
In April, 1862, Dr. Daboll was married to Miss Lucy C. Bristol, daughter of Porter B. Bristol,
and Catherine Hoagland. One year after this marriage Mrs. Daboll died, (April, 1S63), after giv*
ing birth to a son, Ix>uis H. Daboll, who was born March 23, 1863. Dr. Daboll was again married
in July, 1868, to Miss May C. Aldrich, daughter of Obed Aldrich and Melinihia Potter, by la-hom
he has no children.
Dr. Daboll spent two years in Paris, beginning with the winter of 1878, in the practice of his
profession, where he found a field so attractive and lucrative that he now has it^ in contemplation to
^/^^ ^
^^:^.
Biographical. 19
return there uid take up his permanent residence. In the city of Buffalo he stands at the head of
his profession, and his success has been commensurate with his thorough abilities.
Dr. DaboU is possessed of a social, cheerful disposition and temperament, coupled with a man-
ner at once dignified and attractive, which together win him friends in whatever circle he moves.
He is a musician of ability and has long been connected with the church choirs and musical societies
of the city.
Dr. DaboU is a vestryman in the Church of the Ascension (Episcopal) and is president of the
Board of Trustees of the Homeopathic Hospital.
ROBERT DICK.— The subject of this sketch was born January 12, 1814. in Bathgate. Linlith-
gowshire, or West Lothian, Scotland. He was the fourth son and ninth child of James Dick
and Janet Brown, married in 1798, who, so trained their five sons and six daughters that every one of
them became co-workers with Go<I, and four of the sons Christian ministers. In 1S21 the entire
family sailed from Scotland and landed at Que1>ec, on their way to Lanark, Upper Canada, now
Ontario. Lanark and vicinity was then a wilderness of stalwart trees, marred only by the " survey-
or's blaze" indicating the front and rear lines of the twenty-four two-hundred acre lots which con-
stituted each " concession." Guided by the stirveyor's tines and corner-posts, each settler made a
selection of his lot, which in the case of the Dick family was lot No. 13, on the tenth line of Lanark.
The selection was made blindly enough, but, providentially, it proved better than the average. Here
in his eighth year Robert Dick began the life of a backwoodsman ; and in its work of chopping, log-
ging, burning, potash-making, rail-splitting, fence-building, hoeing, reaping, mowing, at fourteen
acknow1edge<1 no superior.
The necessity for labor at that period so pressed upon young and old that day-schooling was,
early in life, out of his reach ; hut knowledge he would have, and therefore organized in the " Ingle-
comer " a night school of one, and lighting it up with the cheerful blaze of dry and rtrsinous vt ood,
he, in that grand school, wherein he was both scholar and teacher, ploughed through the Scotch
*' Gray's arithmetic," and then the American one of Adams, improved in writing, reading, English
grammar, composition, and made a beginning in algebra and geometry. On Sabbaths he gathered
theology, chiefly from the Bible, hindered some but helped more by the productions of the West-
minster divines and their compeers. At eighteen his thirst for a college course became intense. To
attain the pre-requisite Latin he began its study at Smith's Falls, under Neil Dunbar, continuing it,
in connection with Greek, under Robert (now Rev. Dr.) Crawford, late of Deerfield, Mass., then a
Junior in Williams College. The Professors of the College kindly permitted him, while yet a sub-
freshman, to attend all their lectures in Philosophy and Chemistry, which to him was a rare feast.
At twenty.lwo he entered what is now Madison University as a freshman, in order to be with
his brother William, two years his senior, who was then there preparing to enter. At twenty-three
he, with his brother and seventeen other students, were ituspended by the Faculty, of which Dr.
Nathaniel Kendrick was president, because they refused to abandon an anti-slavery society which
they had formed among themselves. The Faculty prevailed on fourteen of them to abandon the
society ; Culver, the noted abolition Baptist minister, withdrew his son Charles; another, Voorhees,
went westward in disgust, leaving the two Dicks alone members of the society, the younger being
the secretary. They prepared their lessons as usual and met with their classes, calmly waiting in
expectation of being expelled by the Faculty. When longer thus waiting seemed folly, Dr. Ken-
drick was called upon and respectfully requested to inform the suspended brothers when further
action would be taken by the Faculty in their case. The answer was — *' No further action is
intended." They then informed him that if their suspension was just their expulsion was imperative,
and that he must know that in order to enter another college they must be honorably separated from
that one. To this the same answer was given, followed after some further discussion with the assur*
ance that the brothers might ask for letters of honorable dismission and they would be granted,
which was done. On these letters, after examination, they entered Hamilton College, then under
presidency of Dr. Penney, William as a freshman and Robert as a' sophomore, because of his
advanced standing in mathematics, though he was deficient in the languages ; so conscious was he
of this defect that he voluntarily took the freshman year again, determined if possible to make
progress in Latin and Greek as easy to him as attainments in philosophy and mathematics ; but
after five years of faithful effort, three of them in college, he was compelled to give it up. Contin-
uing his other studies, he accepted a call from a church whose pastor was leaving for the far West ;
20 niSTORY OF BUFFALO.
as a stadent he had orten preached under a church license. His call at the age of sixteen was to the
work of an evangelist in the broade>t sense. Then accepting this as his life-work, alter four jcais
more than a half century, it ii still his chosen labor ; and never in all these rears did he make money,
much or little, a condition of work, not even in his foar years of pastoral work, nor in his fonr yeais
of strictly home-mission work. His f<mr years of home-mission woik was performed in Canada,
county of Lanark.
In 1847-4S he. with hi-i brother William, conducted an academy in Brockville, on the St. Law-
rence river, and preached nearly every Sabbath. In Brockville he helped organise the first Division
of Sons of Temperance in Canada, and also the Grand Division of Canada. Becoming folly con-
vinced that there was promise of goo<l to all men in this Order, he afterwards organized the first
Division of Toronto, in Coburg, Kowmansville. Oshawa, Markham. Newmarket, Brampton. Ham-
ilton, Gait. Guelph. and in mast of the intermediate villages — fifty-nine Divisions in all. After a
year of thi<i work he began th;: publicatipn of books for the promotion of Biblical knowledge ; first,
"Simmon's Scriptural Manual, or the Bible Ledgerized *' ; and, second, his "Laconic MannaL'*
Of these two works, in connection with others, he sold in Canada 20,000 copies. To still further
advance his special evangelistic work he began in 1854 the publication of a monthly journal in
Toronto, called the Gotptl Tribune^ which was inter-denominational in character ; this he continued
until x8s8. It was for this migazine that Mr. Dick invented his typographical book-keeping and
machine mailing system. Seeing that this invention made the whole continent his parish, he moved
to Buffalo as its best center, publishers being his co-operating parishioners. At the end of twenty-
five years he believes that his choice of location was wisely made. In Buffalo from i860 to 1876. be
did a great deal of evangelistic work, especially in '* the streets and lanes of the city.'* What he saw
and henrd durin<; thoie sixteen years compelled him at their close to lead in organizing the ** Law
and Order Society," in which he and ninety-nine others were each pledged in the sum of $100,
made payable to a committee of three choien by the " Hundred." five-dollar installments as needed
from time to time. The society, believing that the faithful enforcement of the Sunday liquor law
was indispensable to the moral well-being of the community, toiled energetically for that consumma-
tion till every lawful measure then known to them proved abortive.
Mr. Dick was married on the ixth of January, 1838, to Mary Muir. daughter of Thomas Mnir,
'a worthy elder in the Presbyterian <*hurch in Canada, and to the Dick family the nearest neighboring
farmer. Three years after their marriage their first child (a son) was born at Ames, near Sharon
Springs. He died from illness following upon fatigue and exposure during service in the One Hun-
dredth New York volunteers, and as captain in the Twelfth cavalry, and is buried in Forest Lawn.
Robert Thomas Dick was born in 1846, and also Nhouldered a musket when Lee invaded Pennsyl-
vania, although under the prescribed age for enlistment. He joined the ranks of the Seventy-fourth
New York militia, and hurried with them .towards Gettysburg to help drive Lee back across the
Potomac. During the battle of Gettysburg his regiment and one from Pennsylvania guarded a gap
in the mountains at Clear Springs, within hearing of the artillery carnage. On the Sabbath after
the battle, lo.ooD of Lee's hungry troops looked wistfully up their valley, but on seeing these regi-
ments spread out among the trees and ready for battle, they turned back. So much for the honor
of the Seventy-fourth.
The first-born sister of these brothers died at the age of eighteen months, before the younger
was born. Their younge<t sister, Mary P., died in her twentieth year. Her spirit ascended to God
in a marvelous ecsiacy of heavenly illumination, for which nothing short of the souPs consciously
entering into glory can possibly account. Hor body rests in Forest Lawn beside the ashes of her
brother.
The second daughter, Jennie E.. graduated from the Buffalo Central School in 1868. In 1872
she became the wife of Arthur M. Barker, the only son of the late Professor j. W. Barker, whose
recent death the city so sorrowfully mourned.
As to success in life, Mr. Dick has from his sixteenth year held that it cannot be measured by
what brgins and ends here ; that the success of gaining the whole world is a failure if the gainer's
soul is lost. The earnings of Mr. Dick's brain and hands have not only been sufficient for his use,
but have enabled him to spend many thousands for the good of others ; and as no one has ever suf-
fered a pecuniary loss through him, it will scarcely be denied that financially his life has been a
BfCKSRAPHICAL. 31
From A lengthy dclinefttion of Mr. Dick's cfaMictcristics, publicly given at sight by Professor
O. S. FoiHer, the first persgmph Is sikbjoined as it appeared on the following morning in the Buffalo
C^mritr:
" Professor Fowler said : * The gentleman before him hsd a very large brain, it being twenty-
three inches in circnmference. Better yet, he has a good body to support it ; and these, together
with an uncommon degree of enthusiasm, lend him a great deal of power-«he being able to work
with tremendous energy. A squarely-bnik head always indicates an impulsiTe temperament, which
is in this case a little too flashy— a weakness. A long and prominent organism indicates speed and
strength.' The Professor cautioned Mr. Dick to be careful as he grows older as his over-excitability
and inflammability would affect his brain. He lacks faiih, but his conscience is enormous, and
benevolence likewise. It i» his desire to make men happier by making them better. He can hardly
help being a speaker on moral and religious subjects. His unusual development o( the forehead
would show that he reasons much with matters involving conscience and right. His veneration is
considerable, but his whole character runs in a moral and religious channel. He has so little faith
that he will break away from anv dogmas or creeds running not according to his conscience, and he
is therefore a radical religionist.
CHARLIES CURTIS FENN GAY, M. D.— The subject of this notice was bom in Pittsfield,
Berkshire county, Mass., January 7th, iSax ; his father was William Gay, Jr., a native of
Worcester, Mass. The common ancestor of the Gay family in America was John Gay, who came
with his wife from the western part of England, making the voyage in the i^ip Marymmd Jokm
and landing in this country on the yAh of May, 1630. He first settled at Watertown, Msss., but a
few years afterward removed to Dedham (then called Contentment) where he died in the year 16S8,
at a ripe old age. Dr. C. C. F. Gay is a lineal descendant in the seventh generation from this
founder of the family. His mother was Maria (Stanton) Gay, a native of Richmond, Berkshire
county, Mass., in which place her grandfather. Augustus Stanton, who came from Rhode Island,
settled about 1760.
Among the members of this family who have become prominent in some direction may be
mentioned three Doctors of Divinity, one of whom, Et>enezer Gay, a Congregational minister of
Hingham, Mass., was especially distinguished for his piety and learning. John Gay, the great-
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, held a captain's commission in the American army in the
time of the Kevolation. The mother of Dr. Gay is still living at the age of eighty^nine years, and
is vigorous both in mind and body.
While he was still a boy Dr. Gay's parents removed to Lebanon Springs, Columbia county,
N. v., where he acquired a thorough edMcation in the select schoob of that vicinity, one of them
being the classical school of Professor John Hunter, of New Lebanon. In 1843 he attended the
Collegiate Institute at Brockport, Monroe county, N. Y. He taught school one winter in his native
place. Dr. Gay began the study of medicine in 1A44, in the oflice of Dr. Joseph Bates, of Lebanon
Springs. He soon afterwards went to Pittsfield, Mass., where he studied under Dr. H. H. Childs,
who in 1843, had been Lieutenant-Governor of that State. He also attended a course of instruction
in Berkshire Medical College, and one in the Medical School at Woodstock, Vermonu A third
conrM was taken by him at the former institutioa, from which in the fall of 1846, he received his
medical degree. To more thoroughly complete his medical studies, Dr. Gay repaired after his
graduation to Philadelphil^ then the center of medical instruction of the highest order ; inhere he
attended the winter course of lectures in the Jeffenon Medical College, and Qinics of the Penn-
sylvania Hospital.
The following year (1847) Dr. Gay beg»a practice of his profession in Bennmgton, Vermont,
whence he removed to Byron, Genesee county, N. Y. tie remained there in successful practice
four years, when he removed to Buffalo, which dty has since been his place ol residence. In 1855,
upon the oiganisation of the Buffalio General Hospital, he was chosen consulting surgeon, and a few
years later was appointed attending snigeon, which position he has held ever since. In x86i, he
was appointed by the ** Union Defence Committee" of Buffalo, as Saigeon^in-chaige of Fort
Porter ; while at this post he had charge of and examined the Forty*ninth Regiment of New York
Volunteers, Colonel Daniel D. Bidwell, commanding. He is one of the founders of the Society of
Natural Sciences, of Buffalo, and was a member of the original Board of Directors ; he was also
Cniator of Botany in that institution at an early period of its history. He has been a permanent
member of the State Medical Society since 1861. He is also a member of the Erie County Medical
Society and has bieen president of that body. On several occasions he has been a delegate to the
American Medical AsiociatioB, and has made vainahk written and verbal reports on sntgeiy btfoie
22 History of Buffalo.
that distinguished body ; and his reports and contributions to medical literature published in medical
joumab have been numerous and imporunt. Indeed, his entire life since he began practice, has
been devoted to the science of medicine, and he occupies an enviable position both as a physician
and a surgeon. Dr. Gay has performed all capital operations ; has successfully ligated the sub-
clavian, the external iliac and femoral arteries for aneurism ; resection of the hip and elbow
joinU, etc. He at present occupies the Chair of Professor of Clinical and Operative Suigery in the
medical department of the University of Niagara. Of late years he has devoted his attention more
especially to surgery, making it a specialty.
Dr. Gay was married in January, 1854, in Buffalo, to Miss Sarah A. Tifft» daughter of the late
George W. Tifft.
Aside from his standing in professional circles, Dr. Gay is deservedly popular in social life.
In all that pertains to the advancement of general education, and in whatever has a bearing on the
interests of the city in which he resides, he takes an active part. Dr. Gay is a Presbyterian, and is
a member of the Central Church.
JEROME FREEMAN FARGO was bom at Jamesville, Onondaga county, N. Y., February 20,
1820. He was the second child of a family of twelve children. His youth was spent on the
farm in hard work during the summers, and in attendance at school winters until he was fourteen
years old. It was then considered necessary that he should contribute in other ways towards the
support of the large family, and he was, accordingly, hired out to a neighboring farmer, with the
understanding that he should remain until he became of age. Farm life, however, did not agree
with young Fargo, either as regarded his health or his ambition, and in 1835 he left home and began
life on his own account. He first engaged as a clerk in a country store at Pompey Hill, Onondaga
county, kept by a man named Curtis, but he gave up that position the following year and found
emplojrment in the grocery store of Polley & Goetchius, in the city of Syracuse, with whom he
remained a few months only, and then began an apprenticeship with John Stone, in the baker's
business. In 1838 he removed to Weedsport, where he began work as a journeyman baker with
Peter Sampson. After a year's service he was offered an interest in the business, which he declined,
and entered the service of Baylis & Mills, as clerk in the grocery and dry goods trade ; he remained
there something over a year, when he joined his brother, the late William G. Fargo, in the business
of merchants and bakers in Weedsport ; this business he continued after the dissolution of the part-
. nership, until 1841. At that time he removed to Auburn, N. Y., where he began his career as a
railroad man in the employ of the Auburn & Syracuse road, as night-watchman in the company's
shops. Promotion soon came to Mr, Fargo, as a reward for faithful service, and he was made a
local freight conductor ; as such he ran the first tHroogh train over what is now known as the direct
road from Syracuse to Buffalo. He resigned Jiis position with the Central railroad in 1856, removed
to Buffalo and became one of the proprietors of the Com Dock Elevator, under the firm name of
Williams & Fargo. He had entire charge of the constraction of that elevator and was its manager
until it was destroyed by fire in 1865. He then, in company with O. L. Nims and the late William
Williams, held for five years the lease of the City Elevator ; this firm continued until 187a.
In July, 1873, Mr. Fargo entered the service of the American Express Company as superin-
tendent of real estate, personal property and supplies, in which position he had entire and exclusive
charge of that important branch of the great express system antil the day of his death.
On the first day of July, 1839, Mr. Fargo was married to Miss Hannah Watson, of Weedsport,
N. Y. They had seven children, bu: two of whom are now living — George W. Fargo, ol the
American Express Company, Buffalo, and an unmarried daughter. Miss Bessie Fargo.
In politics Mr. Fargo was a life-long adherent to the principles of the Democratic party, but
was of that retiring nature and disposition that he rarely came into public notice otherwise than in
connection with some church or charitable object, and though often approached with regard to the
use of his name for political honors, his consent to such overtures could never be obuined. He
found his greatest enjoyment and happiness in the home drcle, surrounded by his family, and his
hospitable nature and genial manners won for him hosts of friends.
Mr. Fargo was a strong believer in the Christian faith and for many years had been a com-
mnnicant with the Episcopal Church. At one time he was a member of the vestry of St. John's
church, but withdrew to join the Church of the Ascension. He was the leading spirit in the move-
ment which resulted in the constraction of the new church edifice for that congregation, he being
^. (J^:a>t^^^
Biographical. 33
tlic lai|*etl sabacribet to the Mldiiig fund aad demoting nearly two years of hi¥ time to the 6nandal
and iMtilding interetu of the new cbofch. He entered the vestry as Warden in 1867, in which
capacity he faithfnlly served the diarch for ten years. He was at one time President of the Homeo-
pathic Hospital, and for many years and at the time of his death was one of the executiye committee
of the Old Settleis' Festival, in which ofganisation, as well as in many of the chariUble organisa-
tions of the dty, he toolc a deep and active interest. He was a life member of the Young Men's
Association, and for many years and at the time of hb death was a member of the Lodge of the
Ancient Landmarks, F. and A. M.
Following is a brief extract from a newspaper notice of Mr. Fargo's life and character, printed
jost aAer his death :—
"Jerome F. Fargo was a man of execntive ability and conscientious in the discharge of every
dnty he assumed. In his long' identification with the business of the American Express Company,
he had become an imporUat constituent in the oiganization, and no department of that great cor-
poration was more faithfully and skilfully managed than that entrusted to him. He was never
above his business and was always master of its details, and gave them needed attention. He was
tn Industrious man, but his mind worked easily and he could always find time to look after
charitable enterprises and other matters of public interest, and he was always at home to bis friends.
The social qualities of his character were decidedly marked, and he was a devoted husband and
father, a loyal friend and a thoughtful, generous host. In the cause of charity he was enthusiastic,
untiring and efficient, and for the poor and deserving he did his full share of the work. He wss proud
of his ctty and interested in evemhing that was calculated to advance its interests and augment its
glory. He was a straightforward, honest man, unobtrusive, ambitious onlv to be useful and cared
nothing for prominence at the hands of political parties. He performed his duties faithfully and
well and his loss was an irreparable one to the city of fiuiSalo. He died Januarv 19, 1883, after an
illness of nearly three years. The Christian fortitude and patient submission displayed during his
long and terrible suffering, were of the kind seldom withessed under similar circumstances."
GEORGE B. GATES.— The subject of this notice, a resident of the City of Buffalo for fifty-four
yean, was bom in Gorham, Ontario county, N. Y., November 5, 18x2, and died at his residence
on Delaware avenue, Buffalo, June 37, z88o. He received a common school education, which at
that period only embraced the elemenury English branches. When fourteen years of age he came
to Baffalo, and began the humble duties of life, as any lad of courage and honorable purpose would.
From a modest and lonely beginning he worked his way bravely up, to be at last recognized as one
of the moat conspicuous figures among the solid men of the community. When a mere youth, he
was employed in the foundry of Wilkeson, Beals & Co., of Buffalo, and while there, as in all his
later life, he manifested the strictest devotion to the principles of integrity, and constant attention
to the obligations which rested upon him.
For a number of years Mr. Gates was Deputy Marshal for the Northern District of New York.
Those were indeed times of social disorder and political excitement, calculated to prove the force of
character and fidelity of any man who should attempt to administer the laws of the State. Mr.
Gates was found fully equal to the situation, and discharged his duties without fear or favor for any
public offender.
Later in life he became identified with the sleeping-car interests, and established " Gates' South
Shore Line" (over the Lake Shore railroad) which began at Buffalo, and extended first to Cleveland
and afterwards to Chicago. This line soon became one of the most important and successful links
in the great chain between the East and the West. The cars used were of the Woodruff Patent,
the exclusive right to the use of same on that road having been assigned to Mr. Gates by the inven-
tor on the 4th of January, 1858. It should be remembered that these were the first '* sleepers " used
upon $stf railroad leading out of Buffalo. They were built and placed in operation through the per-
sonal efforts and superintendence of Mr. Gates, and at his own risk at first. The line was named
after him, but subsequently the name waa changed, when the Lake Shore and the Wagner Lines, (of
the New York Central,) were consolidated. Mr. Gates remained, however, until the tune of his
death a heavy stockholder of the company. He was Vice-President and one of the Directors of the
Baidt of Buffalo from the date of its organisation. In 1876 he was chosen Vice-President and Gen-
eral Manager of the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia Railroad, and held this responsible posi-
tion for the remainder of his life.
He waa also President of the Kendall & Eldred Railroad Company, a line extending from
Eldied to Bradford, and Vice-President of the Olean, Bradford & Warren Railroad Company, ita
line extending from Olean to Bradford. He was also a Director in each of thesn three companies.
24 History of Buffalo.
For many years Mr. Gates was one of the Water Commissioners of the city, and in this capacity
rendered valuable service. Always a firm and impartial adherent to what he believed to be jnst, he
often stood between the city and those who sought to deplete its treasury. In that manner he
saved the tax-payers many hundred thousand dollars. Those who were best informed felt at the
time of his death that it was largely his clear head and capable manag«?ment which had put the
present water system in successful operation and had enabled the city at reasonable expense to
introduce the Holly System and put in working order the great machinery of the present complete
department. When the Common Council of the city was formally notified by the Mayor, of the
sudden death of Mr. Gates, that body expressed in strong and unmistakable terms its sense of the
worth of his public services as a prudent and wise advi<>er, an efficient helper, a capable and faithfol
head of the Water Department, and a man long identified with the best interests of the community.
He was one of the Trustees and Directors of the Falconwood Club and took great pleasure and
pride in the as<;ociation. Me was also a member of the Buffalo Club.
In early life Mr. Gates was a zealous member of the Whig party and believed in the political
measures advocated by the great Kentucky orator, Henry Clay. Afterwards he was not a strong
supporter of any party, but voted rather for men of ability and trustworthiness than for the machine
politicians.
On the 2oih of May, 1832. he was married to Miss Sarah A. Galligan, of Buffalo. Their union
was blessed with ten children, the only survivors of whom are Miss Elizabeth H. Gates and Mrs.
William Hamlin, of this city, and Mrs. Charles W. Pardee, of Oswego.
In home life he was kindly, generous and indulgent to a fault. In social life he was ever ready
to assist the^needy, and to befriend those whom he considered really deserving of his aid and sym-
pathy. At the time of his death, it was justly observed by those who knew him, that no man was
more averse to wearing his virtues on his sleeve than he was. His manner was often abrupt,
especially so when he came in contact with shams, bores, iroposters and others whom he heartily
detested — but underneath a rough exterior, lay one of the kindest and tenderest hearts and an
incorruptible integrity, that combined to draw to him ** as with hooks of steel" the friends who
knew him so well. Having been taught by his own experience in early life some of the trials,
hardships and difficulties of those who have to begin in humble circumstances, and slowly win
their way up to places of honor and emolument, his sympathies were with the poor and unfortunate.
To needy persons of this class he extended benefactions in his own quiet way. In every position of
life, his strong personality was felt and his peculiarities of speech and temperaxfient readily seen.
He often did by his abruptness of speech or his unstudied manners, injustice to himself. He had
little regard for the forms and conventionalities of polite society. He was positive and outspoken in
his likes and dislikes. He was <|uick to detect the weaknesses and pretences of others, ready to
expose imposture, and impatient with injustice and wrong. These qualities, while they estranged
sonic, drew others to him in cordial confidence and friendship. These qnalittes also made him
valuable and reliable as a man of business. His clear insight and sound judgment were recognized
by those with whom he was associated, and they appreciated the peculiar decision and energy with
which lie carried to a successful isNue whatever project had been entrusted to his management.
Thus bin sudden removal was felt as an almost irreparable loss to those enterprises in which he
was esiiecially active. * * * Upon the occurrence of Mr. Gates' death, the Bank of Buffalo
held a meeting and passed a series of memorial resolutions, from which we extract the following:
Resolved^ That in the death of Mr. George B. Gates, the Vice-President and one of the
Directors of this Bank, his associates in the Board of Direction feel that it has sustained a serious
loss. Mr. Gates was a man of unusual powers. His fidelity of every trust was perfect ; his judg-
ment sound and comprehensive ; and his energy and force of character remarkable. His devotion
to the interests of this institution from the outset, has been constant and untiring, and we desire in
this formal manner to attest the sorrow with which his sudden decease has afRictml us.
The Board of Directors of the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia Railway held a meeting also
at the Bank of Buffalo, to take suitable action in reference to the death of Mr. Gates, on which
occasion they tendered to his afflicted family assurances of their sympathy, and passed a series of
resolutions expre^ive of the great worth and character of the man, in terms similar to those in the
above resolutions, and adding : —
** Four years since, this Board selected George B. Gates as the general manager of the property
and affairs of this company. Embarrassed in credit and resources, burdened with debt, with public
confidence in the success of the enterprise almost lost, Mr. Gates entered upon the discharge of his
^^^"^^ '^- <^^^.
Biographical. 35
duties. From that daj to the hour when stricken with fatal illneu he went home to die, he guarded
the interests of the company as if ihey were his own. Wise and judicious in counsel, prompt in
decision, energetic and enterprising, yet prudent, mindful of every detail, yet generous in policy, his
watchful care has extended to every department and his active intelligence has controlled every
branch. Kefusing every adequate compensation, he has applied to the work his best powers of
mind and body. Generous to a fault, he has freely advanced from his private fortune for any needed
object connected with the administration of his trust. He lived to see, as the reward of his labor, a
prosperous corporation, practically free from floating debt. * * The i5oard of Directors feel
that in his death the company has sustained a loss which is irreparable."
The death of such a man causes a profound sense of lou and deep sorrow in any community
where he lived.
Wn.LIAM HAWKS ABELL, the subject of this notice, is a son of Thomas Griswold Abell, who
was bom at Bennington, Vt., on the 15th of April, 1791, and afterwards married Rhoda Hawks,
of the same place. He is a direct descendant of William Hyde, a native of England, who emi-
grated to America and settled at Hartford, Conn., in 1636; he probably came over in 1633 with the
Rev. Thomas Hooker, the first minister of fiartford. He is the fifth in descent from Caleb Abell,
who married Margaret Post, daughter of John Post and Hester Hyde. The latter was the daughter
of William Hyde. Caleb Abell's son Benjamin was the father of Simon Abell, whore son Thomas
was the father of Thomas Griswold Abell, the father of the subject. On his maternal side William
H. Abell tsmlso descended from William Hyde, through Matthew Griswold. who married Phoebe,
daughter of Samuel Hyde, the son of the original emigrant. William Hyde was the father of two
children^Samnel, bom about 1637, and Hester, bora probably in England. Samuel married Jane
Lee, of East Saybrook, (now Lyme.) She was a daughter of Thomas Lee and ' Brown, who
came from England in 164 1. Hester manied John Post, and their daughter Margaret married
Caleb Abell, from whom the subject of this sketch descended; as he also did from Samuel Hyde on
his maternal side.
Thomas G. Abell removed to Fredonia, Chautauqua county, N. Y., in the year 1814, where he
purchased the hotel property now known as the Taylor House. He subsequently, in connection
with Bela D. Coe and Nathaniel Bird, established the first line of stages between Buffalo and Erie,
Pa., which they conducted for many years; it is said that Mr. Abell built the first stage coach in the
county. He was a prominent man in Chautauqua county; was for many years a Colonel of the
infantry regiment. In 1852 he removed to Buffalo, where he died in the year 1857.
William Hawks Abell is the only son of Thomas G., and Rhoda Ab«*]l, and was bom in Beti-
nington, Vt,, January 29, 1814. the same year in which his parents removed to Fredonia.
Mr. Abell graduated from the Fredonia Academy, and at the Age of twenty years had made him-
Self of such prominence and popularity that he was given the office of Colonel of militia. A year
later, when he had attained his majority, he went to Buffalo, where he remained two years. During
the excitement of the Texas Revolution, he went to that Republic, wheie he spent the winter in
Matagorda, returning the following spring. In 1839 ^^ ^f^^ti departed for Texas and settled in
Austin, the capital of the then Republic, which had just been laid out as a city. He remained there
about three years, during which period he was honored with several civil offices — Acting Comptroller,
Postmaster and Alderman; he was also Captain of the Travis Guards, of Austin.
In the year 1842 Mr. Abell relumed to Fredonia, and two years later removed to Buffalo, which
city has since then been his home. He was given a position by Oliver Lee in the Oliver Lee &
Co.'s Bank, and in the fall of that year, Mr. Lee being then President of the Buffalo & Attica Rail-
road, sent him into the service of that Company as freight clerk, the only official of that character
in the employ of the road that winter. This movement was the first step towards Mr. AbelKs long
connection with the dock interests in Buffalo. After two years spent in the service of the railroad
company, he began the storage business, commencing with the unclaimed goods from the railroad.
This, in connection with a commission, transportation and elevating business he has followed ever
since.
In the year 1866 Mr. Abell was elected President of the Western Elevating Company, an organ-
ization which practically controls the immense elevating business in Buffalo. This position he has
held ever since, with the exception of one year following his first election. He is also a Director
in the Western Savings Bank. Mr. AbelKs business career in Buffalo has been one of success, and
in it he has acquired an honorable and respected name. Although decided in his political connec-
26 History of Buffalo.
tions, Mr. Abell has n«ver asked nor desired pabHc office. He was, entirely withoat his solicitatioii,
made an elector for Erie county on the Democratic ticket, when Gen. Hancock was the Presidential
candidate.
He was married on the 22d of October, 1846, to Eliza Lee, daughter of Oliver Lee; she was
born November 25, 1820. They had four children— William Oliver, bom March 18, 1848, died
March 18, 1873; Harriet Eliza, bom July 2, 1850, married Thomas Towers, of Buffalo; Charles
Lee, born October 4. 1856 ; Helen M., born March 12, 1864. Mrs. Abell died March 21, 1868.
On the 17th of January, 1871, he was married to Margaret Hussey, and has a daughter, Alice Louise,
bom March 5, 1S80.
DANIEL E. BAILEY, fomierly a prominent ship-builder, but for many years past a government
contractor of Buffalo, is a native of Madison county, Ohio, where his early life was passed. His
father was Harlow Bailey, a native of Winstead, Conn,, and his mother was Apphia (Bartlett) Emeiy,
grand daughter of Josiah Bartlett, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. She was
from Walpole, N. H., but settled first with her husband in Vermont, whence they removed in 1818 or
1 819 to the State of Ohio, making the journey by team. Mrs. Bailey still resides in Ohio and cele-
brated her ninetieth birthday on the loth of September, XS83, still in good health. Her husband
died in his cighty-.sevcnth year, after passing a long life of active business in his adopted county and
State. Daniel K. Bailey passed his early days on a fami in Madison county, Ohio, attending the conn-
try sciuH)l of his neigh lK>rliood during the winter seasons, and subsequently completing his educa-
tional career by a two-ycars' course in the Painesville (Ohio) Academy.
In 1S53 Mr. Bsiiley began the shi|>-building business on the Madison dock, which was the com-
mencement of the extensive enter])rise in that line that he carried on for so many years. He remained
at the Madison dock until 1863, when he removed to Fairport, where he built vessels and did other
contract work for the government. In 1S66 he establishetl a ship-yard at Toledo, which he left in
the following year to come to Buffalo to commence work on the outside breakwater ; this work he
has continued down to the present lime, with the exception of two years, in which the work was in
the hands of other parties.
The ship-yard is still continued and is operated by Mr. Bailey in connection with his brothers.
This company have built between sixty and seventy vessels of various tonnage, among which are the
David Dows, the Adams^ and many other well-known craft. In this branch of his business Mr.
Bailey, in connection with his associates, has established a most enviable reputation for the integrity
of his work and the eneig>' and vigor with which it has been carried out,
Mr. Hailcy has als^>l>een almost a constant contractor for the government during the past eiglitcen
years, priiici)ially upon the breakwater in the Buffalo harbor. This one piece of contract woric has
extended over a pcriiHl of fifteen years ; the breakwater being now over a mile in length. He is also
extensively engaged in the manufacture of shoes in the city of Philadelphia, and various other busi-
ness intea'sts of ini)>imance claim a share of his time and energ>*.
Mr. Bailey i> vice-president of the Buffalo Electric Works ; is trusted of the Buffalo Loon, Trust
and Safe Deposit Company ; is a director in the Toledo Street Car Railroad Company, and a director
of the Buffalo and Southwestern Kailri)ad.
Mr. Bailey was uiarrieil in 1S53 to Miss Donnelly, of New York city, and is the father of two
children— Eva Caroline, born in i;>54 and dieil on Christmas day, 1S73 ; and Harlow W. Bailey, bom
in 1S64, and now a student in college.
In person, Mr. Bailey is an affable and courteous gentleman whose social qualities are as promi-
nent as has been his success in his business career.
WILLIAM H. GLENNV.— Mr. Glenny was of Scotch descent and was bora in the North of Ire-
land September 23, 1S18. He came to Buffalo in iS36,entering as clerk in the book store of A.
\V. Wilgus. In 1S40 he opened a small crocker}- store. His business grew steadily and rapidly.
In 1877 he erected the block Nos. 251 to 257 Main street, one of the most perfectly appointed estab-
lishments in the country. Before his death his business had become one of the largest of its
kind in the countr}\ its relations extending to all the Western States and Territories. Starting
from small beginnings, his devotion to its interests, his sterling integrity, and his wise judgment of
the needs of a rapidly developing West, enabled him to build up a vast trade as honorable to his
city as to himself. Mr. Glenny's histor>- is another illustration of what high mercantile character
^:>-^L
//
^T^^^-'-^^
7
Biographical. 27
and ability can accomplish. Coming a ttnuiger from a foreign land, with little means and without
patronage, he steadily advanced nntil he attained the foremost rank of the great merchants of the
country.
He was identified with several moneyed institutions of the city ; was a director of the Manufac
tureis' and Traders' Bank from iu organisation ; was for many years a trustee of the Erie County
Savings Bank ; and was associated with the organization of what is now the Buffalo, New York &
Philadelphia Railroad Company. Mr. Glenny was for a long time a trustee in the First Presby.
terian Church, where he was a regular attendant.
In May, 1844, he married Esther Ann Burwell, daughter of Dr. Bryant Burwell, and sister of
Dr. Geofge N. Burwell. The children of the marriage are William H., Bryant B., John C, and
Geoige B., who succeed to their father's business. He died on the 87th of November, 1883.
JOSEPH C. GREENE. ^The subject of this sketch is a descendant from Samuel Greene, who
came over from England and settled in Boston in the year 1630. Later ancestors of Joseph C.
Greene, namely, Isaiah Greene and his wife, Mary, settled in Kensington, New Hampshire,
whence they removed to Ware, in the same State, in 1764. Their oldest son was Simon Greene,
who was bom in Ware, and married Naomi Tukesbury. Their oldest son was Stephen S. Greene,
who was the father of our subject. He removed to Starksboro, Vermont, in 1837, and the following
year married Lydta Chase, daughter of Joseph Chase, of Starksboro, Vermont, a prominent minister
of the Society of Friends, and a descendant of the early Holland-Dutch families that settled about
New York. Twelve children were bom to Stephen S. Greene and his wife, all of whom are still
living.
Joseph C. Greene was bora in Lincoln, Vermont, July 31, 1839. His early life until he
reached sixteen years of age, w«s passed in the arduous labors of the farm, except portions of each
year in school, after he was old enough to attend. At sixteen he won sent to Nine Partners Boarding
School, in Duchess coumy, N. Y. From there he went to Burris Academy, in Vermont, where he
finished a liberal education and graduated.
Having resolved to devote his life to the medical profeuion, Mr. Greene began study in the
office of Dr. Hugh Taggert, one of the most eminent physicians of Western Vermont. He after-
wards attended lectures in the Woodstock and the Castleton (Vermont) Medical Colleges, finally
grsduating from the Albany Medical College in June, 185s. In order to still better fit himself for
the successful practice of his profession. Dr. Greene subsequently aitended clinics in New York
City, in the different hospitals and colleges. He began practice in the year 1856 in Charlotte, Ver-
mont, and in 1863 came to Buffalo, which has since been his place of residence.
On the sist of September, 1856, Dr. Greene was married to Miss Juliette Taggert, daughter of
William and Ann Taggert, both of whom now reside in Buffalo, the former at the age of eighty
years and the latter seventy-six years. Mrs. Greene died on the 15th day of October, 1883, in
Buffalo. They have three children : DeWitt Clinton Greene, who is practicing medicine in Buffalo
and connected with the Board of Health as District Physician ; Anna Adelaide Greene, a graduate
of Buffalo Female Academy ; and Julia Delphine Greene, now attending school.
Dr. Greene was made one of the District Physicians to the Board of Health in 1873-4. He is
a member of the American Medical Association ; a permanent member of the New York State
Medical Society ; a member and President of the Erie County Medical Society ; President of the
Buffalo Medical Union ; member of the American Microscopical Society ; and member of the Ameri-
can Association forthe Advancement of Science. Dr. Greene has always shown a warm interest in
local societies, and is a member of the Buffalo Historical Society ; of the Buffalo Microscopical
Society ; and a member of the Acacia Club. He is a Knight Templar and thtrty-second degree
Scottish Rite. He is one of the building committee of the new structure of the Young Men's
Christian Association.
Dr. Greene is a Republican in politics, of the most pronounced proclivities, though he has never
taken an especially active part in politics ; he never hesitates or wavers in his political beliefs and
actions. He enjoys a large general practice, is esteemed by his brethren in the profession and
respected by the community at large.
ILLIAM HENRY GREENE, son of Samuel and Fanny (Harwood) Greene, was bom at Shrews-
bury, Mass., August 31, z8X3 ; fitted for college, at Ashfield (Mass.) Academy ; taught school at
w
28 History of Buffalo.
Skaneateles, N. Y., and read law there with Lewis H. Sanford, in i83o-'38 ; admmitted to Bar as
Attorney July 13, 1838, the Hon. Samuel Nelson, Chief Justice ; admitted as Counselor July 16,
1841 ; adniiited Solicitor in Chancery July 17, 1838, Walworth, Chancellor ; admitted as Counselor
in Chancery Januar}- 7, 1845 ; admitted to United States District Court, Northern District of New
York, a^ Attorney, Proctor and Solicitor, October 8, 1839, and as Counselor and Advocate, October
12, 1841, Hon. Alfred Conkling, Judge. Mr. Greene migrated to Buffalo in September, 1838, and
soon afterwards formed a partnership with I'homas T. Sherwood in the practice of the law, and
which continued until Mr. Sherwood's death, which occurred in j8 — . From the time of his adop-
tion of Buffalo as the place of his residence, until his death, which occurred on the 24th of April,
1882, Mr. Greene was accounted one of the ablest, most successful and most honored members of
the Bar of Western New York.
Although Mr. Greene was " to the manor bom," coming from good Puritan ancestry, his in-
heritance consisted only of what Mr. Emerson calls good deeds gone to seed — true nobility. Seeking
an education in the usual New England manner, he taught in summer what he himself studied and
learned in winter. At an early age, having completed his college course with honor, he came to
Skaneateles, N. Y., where he taught for several years, studying law at the same time, under the
direction of the Hon. Lewis H. Sanford, who, on the completion of his studies there, offered him a
law partnership in New York city. Circumstances relating to his own family home decided him to
settle in Buffalo, where he became the junior partner of the late T. T. Sherwood.
When Mr. Greene came to this city there were many able and accomplished men at the Bar.
He was only in his twenty-fifth year, with no social or family prestige to help him ; it required no
ordinary ability to achieve and hold a place among such men as Solomon G. Haven, George P. Bar-
ker, H. K. Smith, Joseph G. Masten, Henry W. Rogers and others of similar age and experience.
Yet thus alone, unaided and comparatively friendless, he soon accomplished, and these gentle
were willing to yield him a place among them, tacitly owning him as their equal and peer. 'He i
took high literary rank among his fellow citizens, being an enthusiastic helper in the Young Men's
Association and was, perhaps, among the very few who were invited to read lectures before them.
He delivered three lectures on John Milton, Edmund Burke and Cicero, all full of original thonght,
showing evidences of much study and great familiarity and personal admiration of these men, with
whose works and character he early became intimate and for whom, through his whole life, be main-
tained the closest sympathy and admiration.
Mr. Greene was a large practitioner in the courts ; his business was almost exclusively of that
class called litigated suits. It was a joke among his own family that mep who had little and profit-
able suits took them to some other lawyer ; but when there was hard work and severe controversy,
somehow they always drifted to Mr. Greene. Harassed and worn as he was in the achievement of
this measure of what is generally called success, he found the greatest consolation, comfort and rest
not only in the quiet and seclusion of his own family, but also in the society of those men of the past
generation with whom he held frequent, nay, daily intercourse and study. His familiarity with dates
and history was a remarkable feature of his mind. From the earliest days down to the present time,
events were so carefully arranged in his mind that he was never at a loss. The political and geo-
graphical changes of nations and peoples were tracked and stored away in his memory, and languagie,
which contains in itself more actual history than any narrator of events possible, was always a ddi^t-
ful study and recreation to him.
Professionally, I think his moral nature never stood higher and grander than in the case, well-
remembered by our older citizens, of Merrill B. Sherwood. He was the president of what was called
a joint-stock bank, doing business here and in Canada ; buying currency in Canada at very low rates
and circulating it here in Buffalo at par. In this nefarious business Mr. Sherwood had made a laige
fortune and was among the first of our fellow citizens to give expression to his wealth by baildinga
palace for his own occupation. Even at this day of large and extravagant dwellings it still remains
conspicuous by its size and proportions. Just as he had completed this most ambitious palace the
bank failed, having large amounts of unredeemed currency in the hands of many of our businessmen
as well a.H in those of poor widows and day laborers. It was a great blow to this community who
stood ready to tear the offending man into shreds. Excitement ran very high ; the passions of the
indignant and outraged people were universally aroused : threats were made of not only tearing down
his house brick by brick, but also touching his life itself. The whole city wais aioused against him.
Biographical. 29
The wretched mmn knew not what to do, when tome one tnid : ** Sherwood, why don't yon. go to
Greene ? He is the onlj man who can poll yon throo(^." Upon this he did apply to Mr. Greene.
It was a most embarrassing and disagreeable position in which to place any lawyer. To stand
between a man who had so thoroughly abused the confidence of a whole community and who were
determined to mete out to him his just deserts, demanded courage and magnanimity of no ordinary
kind. A meeting of bill-holders and losers was called and resolutions of lummary vengeance were
agreed upon. Mr. William Ketchum presided at the la^t meeting, to whom Mr. Greene sent a let-
ter requesting that it mi^t be read to the meeting. This letter has been lost, but its substance was
that, while Mr. Sherwood desired no consideration at their hands, this was not the right way to pro-
ceed ; that the law provided a proper redress for all grievances; and that if Mr. Sherwood's house
was pulled down every brick would have to be paid for by the city, thus increasing their taxes with-
out helping tq pay the debt. The consequence was the meeting adjourned without taking any steps
for furUier snmmaiy action and the law took its course. In thus defending Mr. Sherwood, as he did,
M r. Greene stood between .his client and a most respectable mob oK highly and justly incensed citi-
sens, many of whom were greatly offended that he too> and defended a case of such gross dishonesty.
But sttch were Mr. Greene's idcM-of the duties which a professional lawyer owed to the community
in which he lived that he could act no diffeiently. His courage, was thus put to a severe test, but it
stood the strain, thonghHt deprived him for several years of the friendship of men who had before
been friendly. Though Mr. Greene was thus ardent and indefatigable ai an advocate yet his sov-
ereign love of truth forbade him, even in defense of a client, ever to pass the simple boundary line of
exact probity and truth.
At the Bar meetitig held on the occasion of Mr. Greene's death, Hon. James M. Smith, of the
Superior Court of Buffalo, paid the following just thoa|^ glowing tribnte to the memory of the
*' When I came to practice my profession in 1838, Mr. Greene was already engaged actively
and industriously in a laijge pnctice, in company with the late Thomas T. Sherwood ; and from
that time until a comparatively recent period he was one of the most laborious and successful mem-
bers of this Bar. I have known few lawyers who were so well-fitted I7 sdiolarly training and by
careful and thorough study of the principles of the law to do honor to their profession and to render
intelligent and valuable service to their clients. He was a true scholar. He loved the study of the
ckssics and of English literature, and was familiar, as few are, with the best writings of the great
masters of the English tongue ; and considering the law as a noMe science, he brought all the pow-
ers of a logical, well-trained and vigorous mind to the mastery of lis learning. Shrewd and acute
beyond his fellows, in the analysis of cases and in the application of Itf al principles of the ever-
varying conditions and circumstances of business affairs, ne was ever a wise and safe counselor ; and
the sagacity with which he guided the manjr and important litigstions in which he was from time to
time engaged, was only equaled by the untiring industry with which he devoted himself to their con-
duct. He was wholly, truly and purely a ItLwyer, He sought no office, he yielded to none of the
temptations and fascinations of political life, but gave himself, heart and mind, wiih untiring devo-
tion, to the sti:«^ie8 and labors oc his profession. 1 need hardly add that he was successful beyond
most of his compeers. Those who have been longest at this bar best know that few, if any, of all
those who toiled by his side in an arduous professipnal career have achieved more con\plete and
gratifying legal victories than Mr. Greene. And yet he had few of the powers or arts of the advo-
cate. and none of those showy or brilliant gifts of speech or manner which attract and dazzle the
crowd, and sometimes give a popular repuUtion to lawyers whose real usefulness, learning and abil-
ity are very moderate in degree. His gifu and acquirements were of that solid and sulistantial
character which, more than all the arts of the orator, ensure to clients the best results of professional
skill and labor. And with these qualities you will all agree with me that he united powers of sarcasm,
wit and pleasantry of no ordinary kind and of a very delightful character, in that they were never
used maliciously or unkindly. We can all recall his epigrammatic speeches, his witty sayings and
his shrewd and keen observations upon men and things ; and how pleasant it is now to remember
that they were never morose or ill-natured and never wounded even the most sensitive. For. indeed,
in him, with great learning and ability, was found a most genial, gentle and kindly nature."
Mr. Greene was a sincere lover of truth and despised all shams and hypocrisy. Nothing caused
him greater annoyance when discussing a topic than a feigned and flattering acquiescence in his
views. Before the argument of an important case he was always willing to possess his adversary
with the grounds upon which he relied. He did not wish to succeed at the expense of sound logic,
or justice, or by means of any undetected fallacy or sophistry.
His religious convictions were deep, tender and strong, and although he never openly united
with any church, his friends knew him to be a reverent, loyal and humble Christian. For a consid-
30 History of Buffalo.
enble period he was a leading member of the Board of Trustees of the First Piesbjterian Omrdi.
wheie he nniformty exerted himself in the interest of harmony and progtcssive Christian woric.
He had exquisite and womanly sensibilities and was deeply moved at any tale of suffering or
distress. At such times his time and purse were liberally devoted to succoring the oppressed and
unfortunate. In his domestic relations he was the model of a loving, indulgent husband and father,
as well as a generous, genial host, finding his greatest enjoyment when surrounded by his family
and friends before his hospitable hearth, in the glow and warmth of which his winning and innefnl
nature (so rarely revealed to the world at large) found its greatest expansion.
Mr. Greene was twice married ; first to Catharine T. Bull, daughter of William Bi^U, of Wall-
kill, N. Y., who died in 1856, and next to Helen T. Bull, who survives him. He left five children,
William B., John B., Harry B., Keturah B., and Samuel B. Greene.
WILLIAM W. HAMMOND, the eldest of four children of Charles Hammond and Clarissa
Clark, was born in the town of Hamburg. Erie county, N. Y., on the 4th of November,
1831. HiM father was one of the pioneers of this county, arriving in it from the eastern part of the
State about the year 1820, and settling in the town of Hamburg, where he bought and cleared a
small tract of land ; this he exchanged about the year 1833 for a larger tract of wild land in what
wan then that portion of the town of Evans which was afterwards erected into the town of Brant.
William grew up amid the surroundings incident to the early settlers and gained his primary
education in the district school taught in the log school houses of those days, attending sdiool
winters and working upon the farm summers. At the age of fourteen he attended a select school
at Irving, in Chautauqua county, for one year, to do which he walked through the " Indian woods"
six miles each day : he afterwards for a short time attended the academy at Fredonia.
When sixteen years old he commenced teaching school, being first employed at the village of
Columbus, in Pennsylvania, and the next year he went to Louisville, Ky., where he taufHit school
for a time : he then traveled south through several of the Southern Sutes. into Louisiana, where
he was engaged until sickness compelled him to return North in the summer of 185 1. After a year
of illness he again resuitied his vocation of teaching school winters, teaching at North Evans. Bos-
ton Corners, White's (Vomers and other places, and working at painting and farming summers.
In the year 1855 he opened a country store at Brant, dealing in general merchandise, improv-
ing his leisure moments in reading law and practicing in Justice's Courts. After four years thus spent
he came to liuiTalo, and at the age of twenty-nine years entered the law office of Sawin & Lockwood,
where he completed his legal studies and was admitted to the bar in 1861, at the General Term
held at Buffalo in June of that year.
He then commenced the practice of his profession at Angola, where he remained about three
years ; during this period he, with the Sixty-seventh regiment of the National Guard, to which he
belonged, was ordered to Harrisburg to aid in repelling the invasion of the rebels into Pennsylvania,
under General Lee. He was mustered into the United States service as First Lieutenant, but after
the rebels were driven out of Pennsylvania, the regiment was ordered home and mustered out.
Mr. Hammond held the office of Justice of the Peace, and represented his town upon the
Board of Supervisors for ten years, ser^ ing there with both Judge Sheldon and Judge Haight. In
the fall of 1877 he was elected to the office of County Judge, running against Willis J. Benedict, Esq.
In the fall of 1878, to the surprise of the Republican party of this county, an election was
again ordered for County Judge, and rather than appeal to the Courts, he once more ran and
was re-elected, this time defeating Hon. Henry F. Allen, now one of the Judges of the Court of
Claims. It was then supposed that the question was settled ; but in the meantime the adminis-
tration at Albany having changed, an election for County Judge was again ordered in the fall of
1SS3, upon the theor)- that his election in 1S77 was for six years, and that his election in 1S7S was
void, because there was in fact no vacancy in the office, and no election could be legally ordered or
held to fill it. He again entered the canvass, was renominated and again re-elected, this time
defeating Mr. Charles F. Tabor, the Democratic nominee, by a small majority, although Mr. Tabor
was endorsed by the Liquor Dealers' and Saloon Keepers' Association, and Hon. Stephen Lockwood
was run as a temperance candidate, and Judge Hammond held court every working day during the
canvass and did not spend a day in looking after his own interests during the period between his
nomination and election.
Biographical. 31
Judge Hammcmd wm one of the incorpontton of the CoDgregational Chnrdi at Angola, and
has been a member and trustee of the First Congregational Chnrch of Bnfialo since its organization.
In the spring of 2883 he visited California, which State he characterises as the most desirable and
delightful portion of the United States. Little need be said of Judge Hammond's characteristics
and popularity in addition to what will be gained from a perusal of the above. He is at all times
an affable, courteous gentleman, and his professional standing is of a most enviable character.
Judge Hammond was married in x8k4, to Miss Amy A. Hurd, who died in z86o, leaving him
with one child, now Mrs. Charles Koepke, of Brant. In 1861 he married Miu Louisa A. Hurd,
who has borne him two children, a daughter, Lillie M., in 1869. and a son, Clark H., in 187s,
who, together with his wife's mother, Mrs. Sophia Hurd, now eighty years of age, compose his
family at his pleasant home. No. 35 Niagara Square, Buffalo.
EDWARD AND BRITAIN HOLMES.— It seems to be especially appropriate that this brief
record of the lives of two of the foremost business men and manufacturers shall be connected
together ; for they are not only brothers, but have been engaged in all their different enterprises as
a firm and have dwelt together in the same house for many years.
Edward and Briuin Holmes are the sons of the Rev. Benjamin and Susannah Holmes, who
came originally from Stratford-on-Avon, England, settling in Massachusetts ; the family afterwards
removed to Vermont, and finally in 1840, came to Lancaster, in this county. The two brothers
remained at home with their parents in New England, until the year 1840, their time being divided
between hard labor and the pursuit of a good common school education. In the last mentioned
year, the family came to Lancaster, wherk the brothers engaged in the saw-mill and lumber business,
which they successfully conducted for twelve years, when they removed to BuJBfalo.
The first business enterprise of the Holmes brothers in Buffalo, was the establishment of a
planing-mill and general lumber business on the comer of Michigan street and Hamburg street
canal. This was the germ of their present vast bustneu, a portion of which still occupies the original
site.
In the year 1859 they purchased the property now known as the Chicago Street iron works,
where they soon after began the manufacture of machinery for making barrels. Prior to that time
barrels of all kinds had been mostly made by hand, and the limited machinery in use for that pur-
pose was in a crude, imperfect state. The Meurs. Holmes set themselves the task of not only
building and improving the machinery already in use, but also of inventing new and improved
machines for most of the various branches of barrel making. In this broad field they have been
thorooglily successful, having invented and manufactured over fifty different machines, most of which
are patented, which have completely revolutionized the cooperage business. These machines are in
sucoessful operation in all parts of the United States and in many foreign countries. In this con-
nection the firm erected a larg^ barrel factory of their own, in rear of the iron works, which is not
only a source of profit, but enables them to exhibit their machinery in practical operation. On the
9th of July, 1879, the entire iron and barrel works on Chicago street were destroyed by fire ; and it
is an evidence of the energy and enterprise of these two gentlemen, that within two years both
manufactories were rebuilt on a much larger scale than originally existed. In the various branches
of their business E. & B. Holmes (that being the firm name) employ about four hundred hands.
Edward Holmes married Miss Clara Keeney, daughter of Allen and Julia Keeney, of LeRoy,
Genesee county, N. Y. Two children have been born to them— Edward Britain Holmes, born
February 3d, 187a, and Susac Bishop Holmes, bom September 26, 1874.
Britain Holmes married Miss Elinor Child, daughter of Joseph and Penelope Child, of Brook-
l]rn, N. y. They have no children.
Edward Holmes is a consistent member and a deacon in the Central Presbyterian Church, of
Buffalo ; while his brother is connected with the same church as a trustee and president of the Board.
The prominent personal characteristics of the two gentlemen of whom we are writing, will be
readily inferred from the foregoing record of their business achievements. They are thorough-
going, practical men in all respects. They possess minds of the inventive order, which have been
greatly stimulated in that direction by their experience in efforts to improve and create machinery
for the expeditious and economical manufacture of cooperage. Many of their machines are ingen-
ions in the highest degree, and all are practical in their operation, accomplishing what was intended
in the simplest manner. Aside from this faculty, the Messrs. Holmes are successful buuness men ;
32 BiSTORY OF Buffalo.
had this not been the case, their valoable inventions might have been of little use to the workL
Socially they are held in the highest respect by all who know them.
ETHAN H. HOWARD.— Among the early settlers of the town of Boston, Erie county, were
Ethan and Mary Howard. They were New England people, Mr. Howard being a native of
Bennington, Vermont, and his wife of Killingly, Conn. They were blest with four children, a&noog
whom was the subject of this sketch, Ethan H. Howard. His life did not differ materially from
that of other pioneer lads whose parents settled upon new and unimproved farms in Erie county
during the first quarter of the present centnry. Ethan H. Howard remained at home until he was
fourteen years of age, at that time he came to Buffalo and accepted a position in the postoffice,
where he remained the greater part of the years 1827 and 1828. The following year he spent at
home on the farm. In Februanr, 1830, Mr. Howard again came to Buffalo and entered the dry
goods store of Samuel N. Callender as a clerk, where he remained four years, and with hts successor,
James P. Darling, one year. During this period he made himself thoroughly familiar with the
business methods of the time and laid the foundation of that mercantile knowledge which served
him so well in later years.
It was not Mr. Howard's inclination nor intention to remain permanently in the employ of
other men, and in the spring of 1836, when he was twenty-three years old, he began the dry goods
business for himself, in Buffalo, which he continued with a satisfactory measure of success for thirty
years. In January, 1865, he retired from active business pursuits, with the exception that during the
years 1868 and 1869, he was a member of the C^urur Company and was chosen its treasurer. In
the dry goods business, Mr. Howard was successively a member of the 6rms of Dole & Howard,
Fitch & Howard, Howard & Cogswell, Howard & Whitcomb, and Howard, Whitcomb & Company.
He always occupied an honorable position in the business circles of the community in which he
lived, and when he retired, it was with the consciousness of taking with him the respect and cod-
fidence of his business contemporaries.
Mr. Howard was twice married ; 6rst to Mary E. Rumsey, of Stafford, Genesee county, N. Y.,
on the 24th of October, 1842 ; second, ro Caroline H. Cogswell, of Peterborough, N. H., on the
1st of September, 1846. Two children have been bom of these marriages — Maxy E. Howard, bom
February 18, 1844. and Henry C. Howard, bom September 20, Z847, the latter of whom only is
now living ; he is a well-known and respected farmer, of La Salle, Niagara county, and President
of the Bank of Kiagan, at Niagara Falls. Mary E. Howard died September 30, 1864.
Ethan H. Howard's worth as a business man, his general capacity and his unimpeachable integ-
rity have led to his selection for several positions where these qualifications are especially desirable.
He has been for many years a trustee of the Erie County Savings Hank ; a Director in the Buffalo
Gas Light Company ; a Director in the Bank of Niagara, Niagara Falls, and was Treasurer of the
Courier Company while he was connected with it. Mr. Howard is a member of the First Congre-
gational Unitarian Church, and was for many years one of its trastees ; he is at present one of the
deacons of the church and was for a time treasurer of its church building fund.
Mr. Howard has never sought public office. His natural inclinations have led him rather
towards the quieter walks of life, in which the approval of his own conscience and the respect of his
fellow men has satisfied his ambition. He still resides in Buffalo, in the full enjoyment which
follows immunity from labor at a time when it would prove a heavy burden, independent in a com-
petence earned by a successful life, and surrounded by numerous friends.
GEORGE HOWARD was bom in Charlotte, Chittenden county, Vermont, on the 26th of June,
iSio. He is a descendant of English parents who came to America in the seventeenth century;
his grandfather was a prominent baptist minister. His father, John Howard, was a tanner by trade
and he carried on the business of famiing as well. He was the owner of a farm of 200 acres in
Charlotte, and he had a tannery to which he devoted a portion of his time. He married Electa
Pentield, and four sons and one daughter were the issue of the union, of whom the subject of this
notice was the second born.
Mr. Howard was reared after the manner of bringing up New England boys. He attended
the public schools in the winter season, wrought upon the farm in the summer when the weather was
favorable, and when it was not, employment was found in his father's tannery. In this way his
time was all utilized to good advantage. Very little opportunity was had for sport and recreatioa.
0J!^A€^/?^/ <j7Z e.^^^^2^^^^^
Biographical. 33
The boyt were geneimUy allowed four hoUdayt each year— New Yean, Fourth of July* Thanks-
giving, and Fatt-dayt. Not much attention was given to Chrittmaa in those days in New England.
Sometimes a day was spent at General Training, and still rarer a circus or menagerie afforded a
day's amnsement. But for snch recreation, or a day's fishing, extra work had to be performed in
advance by allotted tasks so that n6 loss should be sustained thereby. This method of parental
discipline inculcated habits of industry, and taught the children the necessity of rigid economy in
order to get along in the world.
Mr. Howard's schooling was completed at the age of thirteen years, his services at that time
being deemed more important than the acquisition of more book knowledge. At the age of sixteen
years he was accounted fully competent to perform the labor of a man, and he discharged the duties
thereof both on the farm and in the tannery. When he was eighteen years old his father met with
business reverMS that resulted in a loss both of the tannery and the farm. The misfortune was so
complete that the family were stripped of nearly all their possessions. The property was not only
gone but unliquidated obligations remained that they were unable to meet. The laws of Vermont
at that time authorised imprisonment for debt, and rather than submit to this Mr. Howard's father
determined to seek a home elsewhere. He found an opportunity to trade a horse that he had
managed to save from the general wreck of his failure for an *' article " calling for X15 acres of
land in the forest, on the tract of the Holland Land Company, a few miles back of Westfield, in
Chautauqua county, N. Y. In company with one son Mr. Howard came to Western New York
to locate on the purchase in the spring of 1838. They cleared away three or four acres of the heavy
forest, planted it to potatoes and other crops, built a log cabin, and in the following autumn he
brought the remainder of his family to the home in the wildemeu, the expense thereof being borne
from the sale of fifty sides of leather that had also been rescued from the disastrous failure.
They came West by the canal that had been completed about three years, and from Buffalo they
shipped by a little schooner, landing at Portland Harbor, near Westfield, and from thence by a rude
cart hauled by a yoke of oxen to the humble log house in the little clearing on the forest farm. In
the course of two or three years the father and his sons cleared the timber from about one hundred
acres of the farm and subjected it to cultivation. George found this kind of work too hard for his
impaired health, and he resolved upon a seafaring life. To carry out this purpoiie he came to
Buffalo in the spring of 1831 to seek his fortune and if possible to get an opportunity to go as a
sailor upon the lake. He was obliged to borrow the money— four dollars — to pay his stage fare
from Chautauqua to Buffalo, and upon his arrival in the city he worked for the late ex-Mayor
Ebenecer Johnson for fifty cenu a day, until he had earned enough to repay the loan to his friend.
While waiting for navigation to open he found a chance to work for his board, and in the meantime
he was looking out for a situation on shipboard. This was at length found, and he shipped before
the mast at $12 per month. The duties of a sailor were not as he had fondly anticipated, and when
the vessel landed at a port near Westfield, he deserted the ship and returned to his home, and thus
ended his career as a navigator.
In the following year Mr. Howard went to Westfield and made an engagement to work in the
tannery of the late Aaron Kumsey for fifteen months at a compensation of $100 for the term. He
expected by this arrangement to be able to perfect himself in the trade which he had obtained a
partial knowledge of in his father's tannery in Vermont. At the end of six months however, he
made a compromise with his employer, left the situation and came to Buffalo on the 9th of April,
1833. and became foreman in Mr. Rumsey's tannery in the city at a salary of $280 per annum and
his board. Daring the first two years he found that $So per year would provide the necessary
clothing and incidental expenses, so that he was able to lay aside $200 per year. The third year
his salary was increased ao that he was able to lay up $300. This gave him a capital in the three
years of $700, whicit was the first money he ever had. The failure of his employer at this time gave
Mr. Howard a chance to lease the tannery, and he run it on his own account for six months, and
then he formed a partnership with Mr. Aaron Kumsey and carried on the business as Rumsey &
Howard. This connection began in 1837 and continued for about four years, when his partner was
succeeded by Mr. Fayette Rumsey, with whom he continued about two years.
In 1844 Mr. Howard formed a copartnership with Mr. Myron P. Bush, with the firm name of
Bush & Howard, each partner contributing $5 ,000 to the concern. This was all the means they bad,
and their business was therefore largely done on borrowed capital. They built a tannery on Chicago
34 History of Buffalo.
street and commenced in a small way, doing business to the value of from $20,000 to $30,000 per
annum, but they gained and increased from year to year until they reached $700,000 to $800,000 per
year. For twenty-four consecutive years the concern of Kusli & Howard made substantial profiu,
never making a loss in either year. They continued to operate together for about tbtrty-five years,
or until about four or five years ago, when their sons succeeded to the business, which is still carried
on in the old fmn name. The house is known as one of the staun chest and most responsible estab-
lishments in Western New York, and its financial standing ranks A I.
In 1S35 Mr. Howard married Miss Ellen Martin, of Warsaw, N. Y., by whom he had one
daughter that died at the age of five and a half years. Mrs. Howard died in 1846, and in Novem-
ber, 1848, he married Miss Louis« Corley, of Ithaca, N. Y., who died March 38, 1851. Mr. Howard
then married on the 9th of Noveml>er, 1852, Miss Amelia Flagler, of Lockport, N. Y. Two sons
and two daughters have been the issue of this union — Frank King Howard, bom April 21. 1854,
who is now traveling abroid; Anna Maria Howard, bom Febmary 7, 1S56, died August 26, 1879;
Nellie I^uise Howard, born September 20, 1S59, and died in infancy ; George Rumsey Howard,
born May 27, 1S61, and is now in the firm of Bush & Howard. The latter is married to the third
daughter of John B. GrifBn, Esq.
In politics Mr. Howard was an original Jackson Democrat; but believing that much of the
financial disaster that the country suffered during old Hickory's administration resulted from his sum-
mary treatment of the banking institutions of the period, Mr. Howard left the Democracy, and
became an anient supi)orter ef the Whig party. Upon the formation of the Republican party he
gave that organization his support. Although an earnest partisan, he has never sought any political
favors. He has never been a candidate for any political office, and never would accept any. He
has frequently served officially in charitable and benevolent institutions, and devoted much time and
contributed liberally to their support. He has served as trastee of the Buffalo Hospital, and been
Chairman of the Board. He was one of the tmstees of the State Insane Asylum, the Forest Lawn
Association, and Westminster Church Society. He is a meml)er of the Young Men's Association,
Buffalo Historical Society, Fine Arts Academy, and Society of Natural Sciences. He has been a
generous giver from his ample means to the support of all deserving objects that look to the promo-
tion of Buffalo's interests. Among his recent noteworthy contributions may be mentioned, $5,000
each to the Buffalo Hospital, Orphan Asylum, Hamilton College, and to the building fund of the
Young Men's Association.
Two years ago Mr. Howard spent the season in foreign travel, visiting all important points in
England and on the Continent.
Mr. Howard illustrates in his life the possibilities of individual unaided effort in this country.
As will be seen from the foregoing brief sketch of his career, his early opportunities and advantages
were limited. His minority w.is speni in aid of the support of his father's family, and upon attain-
ing his majority he left the parental roof to provide for himself, with a father's blessing, but without
the patrimony that p.irents are sometimes able to bestow upon their children. He had a partial
knowledge of a trade, which is often equal to, or better than, available capital. By following this
pursuit success attended him through life. The contrast between his condition when he came to
Buffalo to seek his fortune in 1531 — working for a few shillings a day to pay his way hither, and his
present situation, is a marked ami striking one.
RUFUS L. HOWARD. — The subject of this notice is an example of the prominent self-made
man of this country. He was born in the town of Litchfield, Herkimer county, N. Y., on
the 30th of October, iSiS. His parents were Rufus Howard and Nancy Hungerford, his wife,
originally of New Hampshire. They removed to Frankfort in 1824, and thence to Herkimer in
I S3 1. His early boyhood was passed at the home of his parents in the pursuit of such education as
he could obtain at the district schools, supplemented with some private instmction. At the age of
fifteen he entered a country store in Schuyler, Herkimer county, as clerk, where he remained about
eight months. He was then similarly employed in other stores in the same county down to the year
1837. The firm he was last engaged with in Frankfort was Stevens & Borden, and it was while in
their employ that he was taken sick and compelled to relinquish work for about two years.
In the year 1S39 ^^^ brother-in-law, Lyman Randall, then a resident of Buffalo, wrote Mr.
Howard to come to this city, enclosing $50 for his expenses. By boat, cars and stage he arri^-ed here
Biographical. 35
in the afternoon of May 6th, 1839. Mr. Randall had procured for him a litnation in the grocery
and ship chandlery store of Messrs. H. C. Atwater & Co. In this establishment his industry, faith-
fulness to his emplojrers and ability in business soon placed him in the position of head clerk. Such
confidence did he inspire in the firm that in the fall of 1841 he was offered a fourth interest in the
establishment, to be paid for at his convenience. The firm had then become Atwater, Williams &
Co., which it continued until the death of Mr. Atwater, when G. L. Newman was taken in and the
firm style changed to Williams, Howard & Co. ' In iSso-'si Mr. Howard bought the interest of Mr.
W^illiams in the business, and the firm became Howard, Newman & Co.
The year 1853 marked a turning point in Mr. Howard's business career, through the sale of his
entire interest in the chandlery business to Capt. Asa Hart, for the purpose of manufacturing the
Ketchum mowing machine. This was a bold venture at that time, for the machine had been experi-
mented with for several years, but had never worked very satisfactorily. Mr. Howard first saw it in
the summer of * 849, in Batavia, wbitherthe had gone with his family for refuge from the cholera
epidemic then raging. Mr. Ketchum had brought his machine to Batavia to give it another trial,
after having made some recent changes in it ; but he was disappointed in its work and thoroughly
discouraged. In this frame of mind he offered to sell Mr. Howard his remaining interest in the
patents — about one-half of the United States. Mr. Howard urged him to persevere, but without
avail, and finally took an assignment of the patents, without much consideration as to their real value,
but he had strong faith in the correctness of the principles on which tlie machine was built. Hit
first manufactory comprised a two-horse portable engine, a lathe or two, a drill and a bolt cutter,
and employed two or three men and a boy. Upon purchasing the mowing machine patents, Mr.
Howard hired Mr. Ketchum to work for him, ordered ceruin changes made in the machine, and in
the summer of i8$i had the satisfaction of seeing the remodeled machine cut several acres of grass
in a successful manner. During the winter of i85(>-*5i (before he had yet disposed of his interest in
the store,) he manufactured Ave machines, which number was increased to seventy-four during the
following year ; to 500 during i853-'53 ; to 1,500 in i853-'54, and to 3,300 the next year. Of course
Mr. Howard's establishment was gradually enlarged to meet the increased demands upon it. There
are now built annually throughout the United States from 150,000 to 200,000, every one of which
uses the Ketchum patents, or improvements made or caused to be made by Mr. Howard ; nor is it
probable that grass will ever be cut by machinery without them. Mr. Howard may, therefore, claim
with truth that he was the first person who put the first succeufui mower into the field, and Mr.
Ketchum the inventor of indispensable patents thereon. As the mowing machine patents expired
from time to time, Mr. Howard began the manufacture of general machinery and foundry work, the
establishment finally culminating in the well and widely-known Howard Iron Works, employing
from 350 to 300 men, and turning out from the raw material from $300,000 to $350,000 of work
annually.
Thus is given the simple business record of one of the prominent men of Buffalo, and it need
scarcely be said that the qualities which have wrought this success, combined with others of a social
character, have been recognized by his fellow citizenx in many ways. He became deeply interested in
the Young Men's Association as early as 1844, was elected one of its officers and subsequently was
honored with its presidency. He was one of the nine prominent men who started the subscription
with their names for $3,000 each, towards the fund for the purchase of the valuable property now
owned and occupied by the Association.
In 1854 he was elected a director and afterwards^ the vice-president of White's Bank of Buffalo^
which latter position he now occupies. He wa^ for several years a trustee of the General Hospital^
and gave to its affairs much of his personal attention. He was one of the twelve men who proposed
and inaugurated the laying out of the beautiful park, and with others organized and was made a director
in the Driving Park, He was one of the organizers of the Buffalo Club, was a director of that insti-
tution under President Fillmore and subsequently the president for three years. He became a mem-
ber of the Order of Odd Fellows in i839''4o and is now a Master Mason, having given $500 towards
fitting up the splendid rooms of that order in this city.
Mr. Howard u a vestryman and communicant of Trinity Church, and is now actively engaged
in the erection of a new church edifice, being chairman of the building committee ; he is also chair-
man of a committee on subscriptions, who have obtained pledges for over $50,000, himself sub-
scribing $3,ooa
3* History of Buffalo.
In connection with others Mr. Howard organized the District Telegraph system in Buffalo and
was one of its officers until the consolidation wiih the Telephone Company, now so well established
and of such great usefulness here.
Mr. Howard always had a decided taste for military life and was appointed aid on the staff of
the Major General commanding the Eighth Division N. C, S. N. Y., with rank of Major. He was
soon promoted to Chief of Staff with rank of Colonel. In 1865 he was appointed Major General of
the Division by Governor Fenton, which honor he felt impelled to decline, but upon urgent solicita-
tion, both civic and military, he accepted, and his apuointment was at once confirmed by the Senate.
The Eighth division then consisted of two brigades and five regiments. General Howard at once
appointed his staff and began to reorganize and instil new life into a very demoralized body. He
procured an appropriation through the Board of Supervisors of $32,000 for the construction of an
armory ; he bought the lot and supervised the erection of a building one hundred by two hundred feet
dimensions. With others he organized and constructed a rifle range on the lake shore and was its
president until he resigned his position of Division Commander in 1878.
General Howard was always an earnest lover of Nature, and might have made a very suc-
cessful career in the higher walks of agriculture. His financial circumstances have been such that
he has been able to gratify this taste ; in 1858 he purchased a plat of timbered land containing about
two hundred acres in the Thirteenth ward of the city, paying $95 per acre. The winter of that and
the following years was one long to be remembered by the poor. Men with large families, though
willing to work, could find nothing to do : the local poor fund was exhausted and hundreds of fam-
ilies became objects of charity. Under these circumstances General Howard performed a most
worthy work by employing at one time more than one hundred men in chopping and clearing this
land. In a few years this tract was converted, into a highly cultivated and improved farm, which he
still owns and vastly enjoys. Here he introduced Jersey cattle for the first time into Western New
York, and in later years turned his attention largely to the breeding of blooded horses, of which he
now has a large number (»f the finest in the country.
During the year 1S83 some of the new railroads entering the city were obliged to cross General
Howard's farm ; this fact, with the rapid increase of his stock, compelled him to look elsewhere for
more extensive accommadations. He accordingly purchased three hundred and fifty acres near the
lake shore in the town of Hamburg, to which his stock, etc., will ultimately be transferred.
General Howard was married on the 27th of September, 1842, to Miss Maria L. Field, daugh-
ter of John C. Field and Lydia Ketchnm, his wife. They have had six children, three sons and
three daughters, all of whom are dead.
Mr. Howard is a man of fine, commanding presence and impresses upon every one with whom
he comes in contact, rich or poor, the fact that nature made him the gentleman. He is a lover of
the right in all things, and despises a mean act while he can feel charity for its perpetrator. Hb
long life among the busiest and most important interests of Buffalo, has been one which has earned
him the highest respect of his fellows.
ELAM R. JEWETT was bom at New Haven. Vermont, on the lotb of December, 1810. His
father, Othniel Jewett, was a native of Tyringham, Mass., where he learned the trade of wool-
carding and cloth-dressing, in which business he established himself at New Haven, about the year
1800. He was a prominent man there, was a representative in the Assembly several terms, and |
served nearly forty consecutive years as Justice of the Peace. In connection with his wool-carding 1
business, Mr. Jewett cultivated a farm. Elam was taught to do farm work as soon as he was old 1
enough ; his first employment was riding a horse in front of an ox-team to plow, when he was seven 1
yeari old. He attended the common school in the winter months and worked on the farm in the I
summer, until he was thirteen years old, when he was apprenticed to the printer's trade. |
About the time that Horace Greeley went from West Haven, Vermont, to East Poultney, to
learn the printers' art, in the office of the Northern Spectator^ Elam R. Jewett who was less than
two months Greeley's senior, left New Haven in the same State, to learn the same trade in the office
of the National Standard at Middlebury, Vermont. The former subsequently gained distinction as
a journalist in the nation's metropolis, and the latter became eminent in the same profession in a
great city at the other extremity of the Empire State. 1
The conditions of Elam's apprenticeship were, to serve seven years, for his board, and a com
pensation of $25 the first year, with an additional $5 each year, and to have the benefit of six
Biographical. 37
months* schooling during the seven years. The contract was faithfully kept by both parties, and
young Jewett graduated a first-class printer at the age of twenty, but without much available capital.
After a term of two months' attendance at the Montpelier Academy, he became one of the
publishers of the Vtrmomt State JvurHal, Mr. C. L. Knapp, afterward member of Congress and
editor of the Lowell Ciiiten^ being his associate. Shortly afterwards they assumed the publication
of the Middlebury Free Preu^ and carried on both papers. 1'hey were both anti-masonic, that
question being then prominent in the politics of the country. All the financial assistance Mr. Jewett
received from his father in his start in life was the loan of $35, which he was not required to repay.
Three or four years' experience with these countrj- papers gave Mr. Jewett a desire for a larger
field and greater opportunities. These were at that time naturally sought for in the West, and tor
the purpose of suiting himself better he made a tour of observation through New York and into
Ohio in 1S3S, going as tar as Cleveland, and finally determined to establish himself in the book and
stationery trade and the publication of a paper at Ohio City, a name given to the settlement on the
opposite side of Cuyahoga river from Cleveland. He returned to his home in New England,
packed and shipped his newspaper material, bought a stock of books and stationery in New Haven,
Conn., and New York and returned to Ohio City. A Mr. Baboock, of New Haven, from whom he
had purchased a portion of his stock of goods, accompanied him West to cotisult and advise with
reference to the establishment of the new business. The ground was carefully looked over by the
dealer and his young customer. The result of the financtal crisis of 1837 still rested upon the busi-
ness of the country ; the succeu of Ohio City was an uncertainty, and all things considered, Mr.
Babcock thought the prospect anything but promising. It was therefore abandoned, Mr. Babcock
agreeing to take the stock Mr. Jewett had purchased from him upon the payment of $250 for
expenses already incurred.
While in Cleveland Mr. Jewett strolled into a newspaper oflice as newspaper men naturally will,
and incidentally picked up a Buffalo paper in which he read an advertisement announcing that the
Buffalo Daily youmal was for sale. He took passage on the first boat for this city, and sought an
interview with the advertiser. The paper was owned by the late Judge Samuel Wilkeson and was
published by his son-in-law, H. R. Stagg, and M, Cadwalader. It was a daily paper with a circu-
lation of about six hundred. A weekly edition was also printed under the name of the Patriot,
The papers were printed with a hand press. The city of Buffalo then had a population of 16,000.
Mr. Jewett purchased the Jomnnl establishment, and became the proprietor of a daily and weekly
newspaper and a pioneer in Buffalo journalism.
A strong rivalry existed between the yomrMotukd the Comweivial Advertiser. Both were Whig
papers, and the exciting presidential election of 1840 was approaching. Clay and Harrison were the
talked of candidates. The ^armaZ-supported the former and the Commereiai advocated the nomi-
natk>n of the latter.
In the meantime the youmal mwg selected as the official paper of the city, an event that widened
the breach between the two Whig organs. The proprietors of the Commercial were sorely grieved
in having a new comer to the city step in and carry off such a price.
At length a proposition was made to Mr. Jewett to unite the two papers, upon the plea that the
field was too small for two of the same party, and he was advised to purchase the Commeteial, Much
as he desired to have his rival out of the way, and anxious as he was to have his paper benefited by
such a union, Mr. Jewett was in no condition to purchase such an establishment. The Commercial
was owned by Messrs. H. A. and Guy H. Salisbury, and Dr. Thos. M. Foote. It was
finally proposed that Mr. Jewett purchase the interest of the Salisbury's, if in addition to certain
other payments he would assume a mortgage upon the property of twelve hundred dollars. The
proposition was accepted, and Mr. Jewett had no difficulty in finding twelve good friends who joined
him in a note, each becoming responsible for one hundred dollars, upon which the cash was obtained
from the late Hiram Pratt, President of the Bank of Buffalo, and the mortgage was discharged.
Mr. Jewett paid the note at or before maturity from the profitt of his business, and without troubling
his obliging endorsers.
The consolidated paper was called The Commercial Advertiser and Journal in order to protect
the legality of unexpired advertisements, for awhile, and then the Journal was dropped and the
Commtrcial Advertiser used only. The publishers were £. R. Jewett & Co., Dr. Thomas M. Foote
being the Company.
38 History of Buffalo.
Mr. Jewett had a narrow escape from astassination in 1847. A midshipman by the name of
Pollock, attached to the United Sutes lake steamer Mukigan, taking exception to an axtide in the
paper, came to the office and ioqaired of Mr. Jewett whether he was responsible for iU pnblication.
and being assured in the affinnatiTe, Pollock drew a horse-pistol and deliberately fired at him. The
weapon was loaded with large buck-shot, two of which lodged aboat midway in his wallet, filled with
miscellaneous papers, opposite the groin, and directly over the femoral artery, which would haye
been severed but for the wallet. Pollock was convicted and sent to prison for ^ye yean, bnt was
pardoned by Governor Young before the completion of the sentence.
In 1850, at the soliciution of numerous friends of President Fillmore's administration, Mr. Jew-
ett assumed the management of the Albany State Rtgister for nearly two years, traveling between
Albany and Buffalo, chiefly by night trains, and attending to business alternately by day in the two
cities.
In 1850 Messrs, Jewett and Foote formed a co-partnership with^ C. S. F. Thomas and S. H.
Lathrop for the transaction of book and job work, in connection with the stationery business, and
the concern did a large and profitable business. The desire of Messrs. Thomas and Lathrop to
extend the business beyond what the other parties deemed justifiable, led to a dissolution in 185s,
the former purchasing the interest of the latter, both in the newspaper and the book and stationery
business. The CommertUl^ under Mr. Jewett's administration, secured a national reputation for
its excellent job printing and relief-line engraving.
C. C. Bristol, in his history of Buffalo, published in 1865, says upon this subject : —
** The Commercial Advertitir printing house is now the oldest in that line in Buffalo. In its
early days it gave a reputation to the town for the best printing in the land. It inaugurated the
celebrated Chromotypic style, out of which has grown the beautiful colored work now seen in the
shape of cards and frame show bills for railroads, etc.
'* The Relief Line Engraving Establishment of Messrs. £. R. Jewett & Co. for many yean has
furnished the fine-line engraving for the Patent Office reports, which, until Messn. Jewett ft Co.
took the contract, was given out to numerous engraving establishments in the principal cities of the
United States. It is now all done in this establishment, where sufficient hands are employed to
produce the engravings as fast as they kre wanted.
" Copies of the work produced by Messn. Jewett & Co. were submitted to United States Com-
missioners of Patents, the Superintendent of Public Printing, the examinen in the Patent Office and
othen, who all pronounced it the handsomest and cleanest specimen of work ever submitted for
inspection. It is very creditable to us that Buffalo has done some of the best work the Government
has ever had."
Mr. Jewett finally disposed of the engraving department of his business to H. Chandler & Co.,
from whom it was passed to Messn. William P. Northrup & Co., thence to Messn. Matthews,
Northrup & Co.
Mr. Jewett was a warm personal friend of the late President Fillmore. The intimacy began
upon Mr. Jewett's arrival in Buffalo, and only terminated with the death of his associate. Upon
the invitation of Mr. Fillmore, Messn. Jewett and Foote accompanied him on a trip abroad in 1856,
meeting in Paris, and then visiting many points of interest in Europe. Circumstances preventing
Messn. Fillmore and Foote from going to the Holy Land, as was contemplated, Mr. Jewett joined
a party of Americans bound thither and traveled through Palestine. At Cannes, in France, the
summer residence of Lord Brougham, President Fillmore and companions were invited to the
chateau of the English statesman and cordially welcomed. At Rome they were given an audience
by His Holiness Pope Pius IX. While abroad Mr. Jewett had a very pleasant visit in London with
Sir Curtiss Lampson, a Vermont boy and a school companion, who had risen to distinction in Eng-
land. He left Vermont when young, going to Canada, and was connected with the American Fur
Co., under J. J. Astor. He finally became the successor of the company in its London business,
and in connection with his sons continues it to the present time. He became active and prominent
in laying the fint Atlantic Cable, for which he was baroneted by Her Majesty, a title which he
declined to accep'. until earnestly pressed to do so by American friends with whom he advised
including Minister Charles F. Adams, who felt that his acceptance would officially identify America
with the enterpri^\
Soon after .Mr. Jewett's return from abroad the panic of 1857 swept over the country, carrying
down his former partner^, who had extended and enlarged their business beyond what Messrs. Jewett
& Foote would consent to do and which was the cause of the dissolution. They failed for $300,000,
and made an assignment for the benefit of their crediton, of whom Messn. Jewett & Foote were the
Biographical. 39
lai^gest. They pnithased the business of the conoem from the assignee in order to protect their
interests, and thereby again became the publishers of the Commnxial AdverSiur. In 1869 Messrs.
Jewett & Foote sold the esUblishment to Messrs. Rufus Wheeler, James D. Warren, and Joseph
Candee. The interest of Messrs. Wheeler and Candee was soon after transferred to James N.
Matthews, and the paper was published by Matthews & Warren until 1877, when Mr. Warren
purchased the interest of his partner.
Mr. Jewett then engaged in the manufacture of envelopes, establishing the first envelope factory
west of New York city, in which he was assisted by his nephew, E. M. Jewett, and carried on the
sUtioneiy business for a while, and in 1864, he retired from active business, and purchased the old
Chapin farm on Main street near the Central Railway Crossing. He added to his purchase adjoin-
ing farms, until he became the owner of 450 acres, which he proceeded to cultivate and improve in
the most elaborate manner. When the Park was laid out about 200 acres of his farm was taken for
Park purposes, leaving about 250 acres, which is now one of the choicest and most attractive spots
in the vicinity 6f Buffalo and is known as Willow I^wn.
The farm is cultivated for the pleasure and amusement of its venerable proprietor rather than
for profit. Anything which promises comfort and enjoyment is indulged in, his aim seeming to be
not only to minister to his own pleasure but to the happiness of his host of kindred and friends as
well. In his retirement he is surrounded with all the luxuries that can be desired. A well selected
library and rare pictures grace his mansion, choice fruits and luscious vegetables abound in his well-
kept garden, broad and extended lawns stretch out in all directions to please the eye, gently curving
avenues fringed with nicely trimmed hedges invite strolls through their serpentine meander ings,
graceful shade trees shut out the rays of the scorching sun, while unnumbered blossoms lend their
enchanting fragrance to render this unequaled suburban retreat— Willow Lawn, the Val Ambrosia
of Buffalo.
Mr. Jewett finds infinite pleasure in entertaining his friends and acquaintances at his country-
like home. His social habits, genial disposition and generous nature are well suited to the means
at his disposal for doing the honon of host. Willow Lawn is a sort of half-way house for the legion
of Mr. Jewett's kindred in the East and West, and they always find a hearty welcome and hospitable
entertainment at his mansion. No sooner had Mr. Jewett become established at Willow Lawn, and
prepared the facilities for entertainment than he extended an invitation to his former associates of
the press of Buffalo to meet at a social gathering under his roof. This event occurred in August,
1869, and the Comwurdal AdverHur published the following reference thereto :—
" One of the most delightful reunions or quiet social gatherings it was ever our good fortune to
participate in took place at the elegant and delightfully beautiful country seat of E. R. Jewett, Esq.,
on Saturday afternoon last. The ex-publisher of the Commireiat Advertiser^ at his 'model farm'
just beyond Cold Spring, luxuriates in the good things of this worid and has demonstrated to what
perfection a country residence and farm can be brought. He has expended a large sum of monev
m adorning and developing his estate with the greatest success. We congratulate him on his well-
earned fortune.
'* Amonff the incidents of the day was the discovery of Mr. Jewett's intention to raise a simple
monument otstone upon the site of the burial of a number of the soldien of the war of 181 2, who
died in camp at this place."
In reference to the proposed monument, it should be said that soon after the reunion about one-
half of Mr. Jewett's farm, including the burial-spot, was taken by the city for Park purposes,
thereby frustrating Mr. Jewett's patriotic intention, and now the two willows standing in the Park
are the only objects that mark the sacred spot where rest the remains of three score and ten of the
defenden of their country.
These soldien were a portion of General Smyth's Regulars who were encamped in the fall and
winter of x8i2 on *' Flint Hill," a rise of ground over which Main street passes from the crossing of
the Parkway north to Chapin street. The troops remained here until the following spring. During
this time a typhoid epidemic prevailed among them, which carried off about three hundred. They
were buried on the hill in cheap, plain pine^board coffins, but the rock came so close to the surface
that their graves were only about one foot in depth. The frosts of winter caused many of the bodies
to be exposed the following spring, and upon application to the Government an order was obtained
for their re-interment in more secure graves. By permission of Captain Rowland Cotton and Doc-
tor Chapin the remains of seventy-one officen and men were buried directly on the dividing line
between their respective farms, and Dr. Chapin stack down a willow sprout at each end of the
40 History of Buffalo.
trench, which have grown to the sUlwart trees that now stand gnard over the unknown hot patriotic
dead.
On the loth of December, 1880, Mr. Jewett celebrated his seventieth anniversary, and his
friends thought it an occasion that should have some formal observance. The venerable septenarian
assented to the proposition, and the affair was described in the Buffalo Express as follows : —
*' Willow LAwn, the beautiful suburban residence of our esteemed fellow-townsman, Mr. £. R.
Jewett, was on Tucsiday last the scene of a delightful reunion of relatives assembled to celebrate the
seventieth birthday of the host. There were about thirty of them, and the youngest among them
did not appear much livelier than did Mr. Jewett. Rare and fragrant flowers made one almost for>
get the cold outside. Th^ table was spread with a feast of good things, the central object of attrac-
tion being the birthday cake, surrounded by seventy candles and festooned with smilax. All pres-
ent rejoiced in the good health and happiness of their loved and respected relative, and departed
expressing themselves delighted with the evening's entertainment.
The veteran ex-printer, ex-publisher and ex-editor is most fortunate in his circumstances and
surroundings ; but few men have better deserved by hard and honest work in their younger days,
the ease and comfort which Mr. Jewett enjoys in a hale and hearty age that is not old."
Mr. Jewett refers with just pride to his numerous 'Mx>ys,'* as he calls those who have been in his
employ, and gone out to fight the battle of life successfully. Among these are W. F. Story, editor and
proprieter of the Chicago Times, James N. Matthews, editor and proprietor of the Buffalo Express, S.
P. Rounds, the present Government Printer, and others in the newspaper profession, as well as some
who have entered the pulpit or been admitted to the Bar.
Mr. Jewett was married in 1838 to Miss Caroline Wheeler, of his and her native town of New
Haven, Vt. The venerable couple have not been blest with living children.
In reli|;ion Mr. Jewett is an Episcopalian, nnd In politics he is an ardent Republican. His
admiration of Lincoln, the great apostle of Republicanism, is duly attested by an original painting
by Sully, that graces his drawing room.
He has never been an office-holder or an office-seeker. He was elected Supervisor of the Twelfth
ward a few years ago, much against his wish, but having been chosen he discharged the duties of the
office faithfully and well.
SHERMAN S. JEWETT.— Joseph Jewett was a resident of East Lyme, Conn., until in the
Revolutionary war he displayed his patriotism by entering the Continental army. He became
a captain in Col. Huntington's regiment and was engaged in the battle of Flatbnsh ; being taken
pris<mer he surrendered his sword to a British officer, who instantly plunged it through his body.
His fourth son, Josiah Jewett, moved to Cayuga county, N. Y., and settled at Moravia as a farmer.
There he married as his second wife, Sophia Skinner, who was also of New England ancestry.
Their eldest son was Sherman S. Jewett, the subject of our attention. He was born at Moravia,
January 17, 1818.
His early life was passed upon his father's farm, engaged in such work as he could do to assist
in the support of a large family. For three or .four years after he became ten years of age, he
attended the district school in winter. In 1833 he acted as clerk for his half-brother, who had a
small country store. Leaving there he returned home to remain a few days and then started in life
for himself. He appreciated the lack of opportunity in Moravia and, favored by the suggestions of
relatives, he intended to work for his uncle, Isaac Watts Skinner, who owned a small foundry in
Buffalo and was a manufacturer of plows, mill castings and mill machinery. He left ^oravia in
company with a man who was taking a load of producs to market ; consequently he walked nearly
all the way to the Erie Canal at Jordan. There taking passage on a packet boat, he arrived in Buf-
falo on the 3d of May, 1834. Charles Coleman and his son, William Coleman, were fellow
passengers. Buffalo appeared to him very small, compared to the reports about its growth'and the
pictures of it which were then in circulation. Its population wan then about 12,000. On reaching
Buffalo he commenced work in his uncle's foundry, painting plows and cleaning castings.
In the winter of i834-'3^ he attended Silas Kingsley's high school. Afterwards for several
months he applied himself to learning the moulder's trade ; then acted as a clerk in the warehouse,
taking the time of the men and other similar work, until Mr. Skinner was burned out. On Sep-
tember 1st, 1836, a cppartnership was formed consisting of Franklin Day, Francis H. Root and
Sherman S. Jewett, under the firm name of Day, Root & Co. They erected a small foundry on
Mississippi street, near Elk. In a few months Mr. Day withdrew and Mr. Skinner took his place,
changing the style of the firm to Skinner, Root & Co. In a few years Mr. Skinner and Mr. Root
-i^u/^e^^.'
Biographical. 41
withdrew and * new firm was organised, composed of Thomas J. Dudley and Sherman S. Jewett;
nnder the style of Dudley & Jewett After two yesrs of existence this firm was dissolved by Mr.
Dudley telling his interest to Mr. Jewett, after which the business was continued by him alone until
1843, when Sherman S. Jewett and Francis H. Root established the firm of Jewett & Root, who
continued to mannfacturt stoves. Business increased with them as rapidly as they could secure
means with which to handle it. In 1854 the Chicago branch was opened in order to retain and
increase their hold upon the trade of the growing West. It 1875 Mr. Josiah Jewett was admitted
to the firm of Jewett & Root. In 1878 Mr. Root parted with his interest in the firm, thus dissolv-
ing a partnership of thirty-five years of prosperity. Then the firm of Sherman S. Jewett & Co. was
formed, composed of Sherman S. Jewett, Henry C. Jewett and Josiah Jewett. The house now have
flourishing branches in Detroit, Chicago, Milwaukee and San Francisco. Mr. Jewett has always
been very energetic in the management of his business, and is still actively at the head of the firm
in every sense of the word ; is early at worlc and nearly the la>t to leave. He is never known to
speculate, and is remarkable also for his keen insight into matters of finance and his intuitive knowl-
edge of circumstances affecting future calculations. To all these is to be attributed his success in
business, from which he has realised a handsome forune, which he not only enjoys himself, but uses
to increase the comfort of those connected with him, and to benefit many others with whom he has
associated in other business enterprises and in various social relations. His only amusement is fish-
ing on the Niagara River, where he uses his elegant steam yacht TUnmia, and devotes himself with
passionate energy to the destruction of perch, black bass and muscalonge.
Mr. Jewett was elected to the Common Council in 1845, and ser\-ed during 1845, 1846 and 1849.
He was elected Mayor //v tern, two or three times and served as such during the Mayor's absence.
At this time occurred the Ohio liasin and Erie Basin fight in the Common (Council, the advocates of
each making every exertion to kill off the other. Mr. Jewett took a positive position that the city
needed both, and the Council adopted this course, which has proved the most beneficial to the city of
Buffalo. The Blackwell canal was also an enterprise of this time.
In 1878, Mr. Jewett received without any previous knowledge the nomination for Representa-
tive in Congress, at the hands of the Republican party. Owing to his poor health he felt compelled
to decline this unanimous and unsolicited nomination. In 1880 he was elected upon the Republican
ticket as a Presidential Elector and cast his vote in the Electoral College for James A. Garfield and
Chester A. Arthur.
In social life and in private enterprise, a brief summary of his efforts cannot fail to be interesting
in this record of a busy life :-^
Park CammisjioH.^A meeting of citizens was held August 5, 1S68, at his house, to consider
the subject of a public park. As a sequence the Park became an established fact in 1871. Mr.
Jewett has been a Commissioner since the organisation of the Board of Park Commissioners, and its
president since 1879.
Mr. Jewett was one of the founders of the Buffalo Club in 1867, a director during the first nine
3rears of its existence, and its president in 1874.
During the war of the Rebellion, Mr. Jewett served on various committees ; was a member of
the Buffalo branch of the Christian Commission, and joined in every movement to aid and perpetuate
the Federal Union. At all times he was among the foremost to aid in strengthening the power of
the government by his counsel, his personal labor and the use of his private means.
His name also appears as one of the originators of the Falcon wood Company, in 1869, and as
its first president, holding the oflSce until 1877.
His relations with the Young Men's Association have been at times of a peculiar and im-
pressive importance. In the year 1863, a meeting of nine gentlemen occurred at the old American
Hall parlors, to discuss a project about buyii^ St. James Hall and St. James Hotel, to improve the
facilities of the Association. After several hours* discussion without any definite result, all mutually
agreed to follow whoever led off in subscribing, and do the same. Mr. Jewett, as such leader,
promptly solved the delicate problem by subscribing $3,000, and thus contributed to the success of
the effort. In 1883, when a further scheme was suggested, looking toward the erection of a fire-
proof building upon the property bounded by Washington, Clinton and Ellicott streets, and Broad-
42 History of Buffalo.
wfty, the first meeling of citizens was held at Mr. Jcwett's bouie, at which time it was his privilege
to again head the liKt of subscriptions, which was completed so trivnphantly, with ttntirerHd approvaL
He was president of the Association in 1865.
The Bank of Buffalo owes its origin to the efforts of Mr. Jcwett and hb frienda. He has
always been its president and b largely entitled to the credit of iu success, which b withoaC a.
parallel in the history of Buffalo banks. The Manufacturers' and Traders' Bank of IMUo also
claims him as one of its originators and a director ever since, lie waa alao one of the ongunton
ami a director of the Clinton Bank during its entire existence. When it withdrew fron twninrifc
every stockholder and depositor was paid in fall. Mr. Jcwett has been a director of the Marine
Bank since 1869, and is now a stockholder in several other banks.
He was also an originator of the Buffalo Matnal Insurance Company, which had a most sncoess-
f ul career and gained the entire confidence of all business circles. Finally, under the re-oi^ganized
name of Buffalo Fire and Marine Insurance Co., it continued to increase in popularity until com-
pelled to retire from business owing to the terrible losses suffered in the great Chicago fire of 1871.
Then the three principal insurance companies of Buffalo—'* The Western," the '* Buffalo City **
and the " Buffalo Fire and Marine,'* were all placed in bankruptcy and by the action of the Chicago
creditors Mr. Jewett was appointeil assignee of all. Thb was one of the most impoitant worics of
his life and to it he applied himself with such zeal that in three years he received hb official dis-
charge from the entire work, which he had completed to the unbounded admiration of all interested
parties. The Comnurdml Advertiser of December 18, 187 1, refers to this matter as follows :—
" The appointment of S. S. Jewett, Ksq., of this city, as the assignee of all the companies, b
a guarantee that the best disponiiion will \yt made of their several effects, and that their creditois
wilt be honorably dealt with. The fact that he was elected by the creditors of each of the compa-
nies is certainly very creditable to Mr. Jewett's reputation ; such a thing is very seldom done. The
general opinion was that a different assignee would be elected for each company, and it was sup>
posed that the gentlemen who had been appointed receivers would be elected assignees. Mr. Jbwect
was receiver of the Buffalo Fire and Nlarine, Mr. Gibson T; Williams of the Western, and Mr.
r. J. Ferris of the Buffalo City. Mr. Jewett and Mr. Williams were the presidents of their com-
panies, and Mr. Ferris was the vice-president of the Buffalo City. But while the election of Mr.
Jewett by the creditors of each company was highly creditable to him, it does not follow that the
non-election of the other receivers involved the expression of any want of confidence in them. The
Chicago creditors were largely in the majority and, of course, had the control of the matter. Proba-
bly Mr. Jewett was l>etter known to them than any of the other gentlemen, as his firm has a large
branch establishment in Chicago."
The Buffalo Fine Arts Academy is proud to include Mr, Jewett as one of its originators, who
in its darkest hour endowed it with a permanent fund of $10,000, of which the interest could be
used for its maintenance. Inspired by thU act, however, the friends of the Academy at once raised
another fund of similar amount to perform that service, aud set apart the orif;inal donation as a dis-
tinct fund, to be called the Jewett fund, the interest to be devoted solely to the purchase of works
of art for the Academy. Under the silent influence of this fund already (1884) a valuable collection
of oil paintings now adorn the walls of the Academy and bear testimony to the thoughtfulness of
the donor. Mr. Jewett served as curator of the Academy for eight years and was its president in
18C5. Mr. Jewett is a tnistee of Forest Lawn Cemetery, in which he takes a deep interest.
He was one of the earliest promoters of the construction of the Buffalo, New York and Phila-
delphia Railway and a director from 1867 to 188 1. In 1876 he was called to the presidency. The
affairs of the road needed just the ability which he brought to the work. In order to provide feeders
for this road, Mr. Jewett and the friends of the enterprise constructed several narrow guage roads
which paid back to the stockholders more than the entire capital invested in them, and were
finally sold at a handsome profit. At the same time the B. , N. Y. & P. Railway had so improved
that it was sold by Mr. Jewett so as to repay to the stockholders every dollar of the capital ; thus
saving to the city of Buffalo its $700,000 of stock which it took to encourage the building of the
load. This is a record of integrity to the trust reposed in him, and it is without a parallel in the
history of municipal investments in railroads. In all of the negotiations to effect a sale of the
property^ the poiut proposed by Mr. Jewett and mainUined by him persbtently was, that all of the
stockholders, including the city, must share alike and receive full value for their stock. A reference
to the daily journals gf Buffalo will show how they tendered praise to him for the ability and honor
displayed by him in the entire transaction. We qnote from the Buffulo Courier oi April 19, 1881 : —
Biographical. 43
*'The sale of the Buffalo, New York & Phtladelnhia Railroad would, under the ordinary
circumstances which attend the disposition of a railroad, he in and of itself a matter of ordinary
importance in these days of grand negotiations. But there are some points connected with the
transfer of the Buffalo & Philadelphia, and antecedent tu it, that make it a matter of unusual local
interest. When Sherman S. Jewett plays anything like an important part, he is reticent to the last
degree, and a newspaper man might as well interview the sphinx ; but if he can give any valuable
facts about the successful enterprise of another, or can speak of any brilliant stroke of diplomacy on
the part of a neighbor or a friend, he is not only a free talker, but an enthusiastic one, and becomes
exc(»edingly interesting. A personal experience with him during the time that he was working the
B., N. Y. & P. up to a place where it could have recognition, bears us out in this, for it was next to
impossible to get even an admission from him that he was rescuing the road from the utter ruin that
threatened it. Indeed, Courier reporters gave him up, and almost uniformly reported him to the
office as having nothing of importance to communicate. The interests of the city, if there were
none other, compelled us to watch the nitention paid to the B., N. Y. iV: P., and' we recall some
facts in connection with the history of the road which enable us to si>eak intelligently at this time.
It was in the faU of 1876 that Mr. Sherman S. Jewett and Mr. George B. Gates took chaiigc of the
road in question ; and it is no exaggeration to say that at that time the road was bankrupt and the
stock worthless. The first mortgage bonds were put upon the market and sold very deliberately in
1876. We called attention to them at the time, believing them to1)e a safe investment under the
then administration. The>- are now worth tig and will go to a higher figure. Later in the same
Tear the second mortgage' bonds, drawing 10 percent, interest, could only find a few purchasers ;
but Mr. Jewett retired all of these and issued a new series liearing seven per cent, in their place.
Within eighteen months all of this issue — a million dollars — ^has been placed at par and is now
quoted at no.
"When Mr. Jewett took the road the floating debt was $1,250,000. — something tremendous,
all the facts considered. That debt is now all wiped out ; and rf any better evidence of masterly
management can be cited, it does not occur to us at the present writing. It was under Mr. Jewett s
management that all the narrow-guage roads connecting with the Buffalo & Philadelphia were built
and coal mines opened. By going outside of his road and levying legitimate tribute where he could,
he extricated the B., N. Y. & P., from ruin and saved it to the stockholders, of which the tax-
payers of Buffalo are no small numl)er. The saving to Buffalo is nearly three-quariers of a million
of dollars or in round numbers, $700,000.
'* Now, anybody who is familiar with the alphabet of railroading or the manipulation of stocks,
will readily understand that, moved by a less upright and patriotic motive, Mr. jewett could have
literally frozen out the city and the smaller stockholders and made himself absolute master of the
situation. He didn't do this even though he could have made a handsome fortune out of it, but
preferred to carrv the whole load on his own shoulders for the benefit of everybody interested ; and
these facts and the resurrection of the road from nothingness, all considered, make the sale one of
the most remarkable in the history of American railroads. We take infinite pleasure in placing to
the credit of one of our most prominent citizens, a transaction so rare and so successful in every
feature of it. Negotiations have been pending for the past five months, but had they not succeeded,
the property had been so thoroughly built up, Mr. Jewett would have paid a dividend next August.
" The work of Mr. Jewett will be the better appreciated, when it is remembered that his own
every extensive business, both as a manufacturer and a banker, required a great deal of his time
axkl attention, and assuredly these have not been neglected.
** Mr. Jewett has one of the best business and diplomatic minds in this country. He is a
thinker ; and when he proceeds about negotiations of any kind he knows precisely what he is doing.
There is no trickery about him, and when he puts a thing into the market, the fact that his name is
back of it is ample guarantee that it is worth what he asks for it. This is a cood enough record for
any man, but it holds good through all Mr. Jewett's business career ; and Uie railroad transaction
under consideration is primarily valuable to us as revealing the fact that we have a modest business
gentleman in our midst who is capable of dealing with lam enterprises in the best possible style,
with reference to the best interests of all concerned. Mr. Jewett ought to have pleasure of a sum-
mer on Niagara river without disturbance.*'
The assisUnce given to religious enterprises is also worthy of mention. The Washington
Street Baptist Church, Prospect Avenue Baptist Church, Delaware Avenue Baptist Church, Roch-
ester University and similar institutions elsewhere, some of other denominatioi^s can attest his
liberality to them. In 1882 Mr. Jewett erected in Chicago a mercantile building which ranks among
the first in that city of commercial palaces, and is valued at a half million dollars.
Sherman S. Jewett was married August 14, 1839. to Deborah Dusenbury, of Buffalo. Their
children are as follows : — Henry Clay Jewett, Josiah Jewett, Emma Alice Jewett, Jennie Matilda
Jewett, Frank Webster Jewett, died in 1859, George Sherman Jewett, died in 1862. Henry C. and
Josiah Jewett are associated with their father in the business of Sherman S. Jewett & Co. Emma
married Charles H. Williams ; Jennie married Henry C. Howard, all of Buffalo, where they now
reside.
44 History of Buffalo.
Since the foregoing sketch was prepared the following has been contributed by a friend :
*' In 1863 S. V. K. Watson was elected President of the Young Men's Association. The oppos-
ing candidate was Sherman S. Jewett, but to strengthen both tickets the names of six of the most
prominent business men of the city, including both Messrs. Watson and Jewett, were placed on
both tickets, so that whichever ticket was elected the president-elect might have their advice and
influence in support of any |)ian that he might devise lor obtaining a suitable building for the Asso-
ciation. The election was one of the mosi hotly contested in the annals of the Association, and
although the heads of the tickets manifested none but the most friendly feeling, yet it cannot he
denied that among their immediate personal friends no little feeling was shown. Time rolled on
and Mr. VVat^>on succeeded in obtaining a refusal of what was then known as the St. James' property
(now occupied by the Voung Men's Association) for $112,000. The question then was, could an
amount be raised by subscription which would render it safe for the Association to purchase the
property ? After carefully considering the matter, Mr. Watson invited eight of the most prominent
business men of the city, including the Hve on his ticket, to meet him at the American Hotel. In
addition, some of the younger members of^iis committee >aho were on the building committee, were
also invited. The evening arrived and Mr. Watson laid his plans before the meeting and took his
seat. There was a dead pause for about five minutes. It was by far the laiigest scheme that had
ever been planned in Buffalo ; we had but few wealthy men. It is safe to say that there are two
such here now where there was one then, and of the, wealthy men, of whom those present were, per-
haps, the most prominent, it is safe to say that every one is now worth at least double the amount
he was then. I mention this matter to show the great doubts that existed whether any such sum
could be raised. At last Mr. S. S. Jewett arose. The writer, who was present as one of the build-
ing committee, is frank to confess that his heart sank within him. A most vivid recollection of the
last Y. M. A. election passed through his mind. The election, as before stated, had been an unu-
sually excited one, and after it was over hot and bitter words passed between the younger men on
the respective tickets. I had ihen but little personal acquaintance with Mr. Jewett. Would he
heartily support a plan originating with a man who had just defeated him ? A look at the anxious
face of Mr. Watson showed me that the same thoughts were passing through his mind. It was not
merely necessary that he should speak favorably of the plan ; it was absolutely necessary to have the
hearty and cordial support of the leading business men, and if a man of the standing ot S. S. Jewett
expressed the slightest doubt about the scheme, the thing was up. Fortunately he came loyally and
nobly to our supi)ort. Over twenty years have elapsed yet I remember bis speech as if I had heard
it yesterday. Said he : —
" • Mr, Watson and Gentlemen : — I have listened with great attention and the deepest interest
to the details of Mr. Watson's plan. In my judgment there is no doubt as to what our duty is in
the matter. The Young Men's Association is entitled to our most earnest support. It seems to me
that the advantages of a great public library cannot be sufficiently extolled. It places within the
reach of every family, for a mere trifle, the advantages of such a library as no private individual, however
wealthy, can possess. The ([uestioii is, what shall we do in regard to the plan before us ? There
is but one thing for us to do ; we must do all in our power to carry it through. If there is any bet-
ter plan it has not been shown. We have had too much throwing cold water on any plan that has
been brought up. I have got thoroughly sick of hearing — ' Well, the idea is a pretty good one, but
can we not find a better one ? ' I tell you, gentlemen, we want a little less seeing and a little more
subscribing. Now, I have three propositions to make to you, gentlemen, and you may take either
one of them. I will go in with you eight and purchase this building and present it to the Young Men's
Association ; or I will go in with you eight and build a fire-proof building that will cost not less than
$250,000 ; or, I will give as much as any other inan in KufTalo.'
**From that moment the success of the project was secured. After consultation the nine men
subscribed each $3,ofx>, and with this start the enterprise was pushed through to a successful conclu-
sion. Comment is needless. ^In the words of the late Dean Richmond to one of the younger men
of Mr. Watson's committee — * Young man, it is seldom you will find a man who, after he Is oeaten,
will turn around make an offer that might cost him $30,000 in order to carry throueh a project that
his successful rival has originated,' The name of S. S. Jewett should always be lield dear by all
friends of the Young Men's Association, as one to whose loyal and unselfish support the institution
kwes so much of its present prosperity."
HKNRY KIP was 1>orn in Whitesboro, near Utica, Oneida county, N, Y., on the 2d of January,
181 7. His father was Henry Kip, Sen., who was born at Kip*s Bay, New York city, August
1st, 1785, and died in New York city October 16, 1849. He was a grandson of Samuel Kip. born
at Kip's Hay, June 7, 1732, and died there February 14, 1804. His mother was Christina Dakin,
born in Liverpool, England. October 24, 1784, and died in Brooklyn, N. Y., March 15, 1862 ; she
was a daughter of Thomas Dakin and Elizabeth Middleton, of Hope, Derbyshire, England.* Henry
* The 6rst ancestor of the Kin family In America was Hendrick Kip, who was born in Amsterdam, Holland,
in 1576, ami came to New Amsterdam (New York City) in 1635, with his son, Hendnck Hendrickien Kip, bom in
Amstcnlam in 1600, who died in New Amsterdam in 1680, at Klp*s Bay. tKor full records of the family bistor>'
see lloli^aie's American (venenlof^y ; also l^ssing's Field Book of the Revolution, which contains a cut of the
family mansion at Kip's Bay, Genealogy of Wells, of Southold, and Mrs. Lamb's History of New York city.)
Biographical. 45
Kip's parents removed to Buffalo on the 2d of July. 1819. His younger days were passed at home ;
he attended school until he was seventeen years old, at Col. McKay's Military Academy, and the
best private schools. When he had reached reached the age just mentioned, he was ambitious to
engage in business and gained his father's consent to enter the employ of Robert Hollister, a whole-
sale drag and grocery merchant, of Buffalo. He remained there two years, and spent the next two
years until he he was twenty-one, in attendance at a private school at Westchester Farms, (now
Fordham), Westchester county.
On his return from school in iSjS, Mr. Kip again entered the drug business, but shortly after-
wards formed the firm of Kip & Clark, dry goods and groceries. This proved to be an unfortunate
venture, and the firm was dissolved. He then obtained a clerkship in the Wells, Fargo & Co.
Express in 1845. A change occurring in the company's interests, he entered the service of the
American Express Company, becoming its Superintendent ; he held this position until the formation
of the United States Express Co., when he' accepted the offer of the general superin tendency of that
company in 1854, and at the time of his death in 1SS3, was its general manager, vice-president and
director.
Mr. Kip was married on the 6th of November, 1S45, at Canandaigua, N. Y., to Miss Charlotte
Miriam Wells. Mrs. Kip was born April 11, 1S20, at Canandaigua, and was daughter of Dr.
Richard Wells and Miriam Hayden ; Dr. Welb was born at Brattleboro, Vt., June 24, 1774, and
died September 12, 1841, in Canandaigua ; (son of Dr. Henry Wells, who was born at Connecticut
Fanns (now Union). Essex county, N. J., June 14, 1742, and died August 24, 1S14); Miriam Hay-
den was born December 25, 1780, at Conway, Mass., and died at Canandaigua, July 26, 1S31.
Miriam Hayden was the daughter of Dr. Moses Hayden, (born September 23, 1742, and died June
28, 1 8 13, at Canandaigua) and Tryphena Childs.
The children of Henry Kip's marriage arc Henry Wells Kip. born March S, 1857, now a manu-
facturer of Buffalo ; Edward Dakin Kip, born May 30. 1850, and died November 29, 1S51 ; William
Faigo Kip, bom April 8, 1855, now a lawyer, of Buffalo ; and Charles Hayden Kip, bom June 27,
i860, who at the date of this sketch has just finished his college life.
In politics Mr. Kip was an earnest, uncompromising Republican ; but he took no active part in
the political field, sought no political office, and lived a quiet, simple life, yet was full of useful-
ness in his sphere. In addition to his offices in the United States Express Co., he was a director of
the Buffalo & Southwestern Railroad. He was one of the oldest parishioners, and, at the date of
his death, next to the oldest communicant of Trinity Church, and was several times one of its
vestrymen. He died at St. Luke's Hospital, New York city, where he had gone for medical advice
and treatment, on the 17th of January, 1883.
Mr. Kip was a man of unostentatious benevolence, giving largely to charity and doing much
good in many ways unknown to the world at large ; and he enjoyed in the largest measure the
respect, confidence and esteem of the community. In a series of resolutions passed upon Mr. Kip's
death by the Board of Directors of the American Express Company, was the following: —
** For nearly thirty years Henry Kip held a place in the Express business of the country that
found its measure only in the unsparing confidence of the directors of the United States Express
Company, which for the last decade, was proved to be unlimited by his advancement and main-
tenance in the chief position of trust and honor in its management. Respected and wholly tmsted
by his business associates, esteemed and valued as a member of the church and society, revered and
idolized by his family, his death was the occasion of saddened accents of grief throughout the wide
circle by whom he was known, respectively as father, brother, associate and friend."
The resolutions of the Directors of the United States Express and Adams Express Companies
were equally remarkable, as the expression of friends and business associates. The New York
Tribune said : —
" In private and public life Mr. Kip was known as loyal to his friends and most unselfish in all
his relations. He was brave, earnest, self-controlled and universally esteemed."
At the funeral services in Buffalo, the Rev. Dr. Van Bokkelen, Rector of Trinity Church, said,
among other things : —
" As a citizen and friend, Henry Kip was too well known to need eulogy from me. Descended
from the good Knickerbocker stock, to which this State owes much of its manly virtue, Mr. Kip
illnstrated in his business life its firm adherence to all that is just and of good report. He was fixed
as a rock in holding what is right, and never disappointed those who committed to him any trust."
46 History of Buffalo.
The Sunday following the funeral. Right Reverend A. Cleveland Coxe, the Bishop of Western
New York, preached at Trinity Church, and said : —
" 1 have come to Trinity Church to-day. to express to the congregation ray high appreciation of
the late Henry Kip. I felt for Mr. Kip not only great admiration for his work as a churchman, Imt
I can lay on his grave the tribute of warm personal friendship. I always found Mr. Kip ready with
counsel and substantial aid."
u
RI C. J^YNDE. — ^John Lynde was a native of Burlington, Vermont, where he was bom in 1785.
His wife was Mehitable Horton, who was bom in Providence, R. I., in 1792. John Lynde
was an officer in the American army and fought for his country in the war of i8i2. In 181 s he
settled in Erie county, where he remained until his death. These were the parents of the subject of
this sketch, who was bom on the 26th of March, 1834, tn the township of Concord, this county.
His early life was spent in acquiring an education and afterwards in teaching in this State and in
Kentucky.
In i856-'57 Dr. Lynde attended one term at the Medical College of Geneva, following it with^a
term in New York City in 1857-58. The next year (i858-*59) Dr. Lynde studied his profession in the
Buffalo University, from which he graduated. He afterwards studied two terms tn Jeffenon Medi-
cal College, Philadelphia, where he graduated in 1866.
Dr. Lynde first practiced in his native town of Concord, at the village of Springville, in 1859.
continuing there until 1862, when he raised Company F, of the ii6th N. Y. S. Volunteers, and
entered that regiment as first assistant surgeon. With the services of this gallant regiment our
readers are already familiar, and in it Dr. Lynde gained a large experience in army surgery, which
has been of great value to him in his later practice. In his official position, he was placed in charge
of the hospitals at Springfield Landing, near Port Hudson, where the wounded were brought from
the battles in the rear of that place.
Since 1872 Dr. Lynde has been in active practice in Buffalo, where his work in accidental sar-
gery has been, perhaps, as large as that of any physician in Western New York, and in which he
has reached an enviable degree of success.
In 1854 Dr. Lynde was married to Miss Susan Loveland, daughter of William Loveland and
Rebecca (Barnes) Loveland. Three children have been bom to them — ^James U. Lynde, bom in
1859, is a dmggist in Angelica, N. Y. ; Charles C. Lynde, born in 1865, is a paper hanger in Chi-
cago, HI. ; and Frank Lynde, a short-hand reporter of Buffalo.
Dr. Lynde's professional career, both in Buffalo and elsewhere, and also his private life, have
been such as to gain him a lucrative business and the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens,
JOHN A. CRESWELL was bom in Hanover, Beaver county, Pa., July 11, 1850. He removed
to Ohio with his parenu in 1856, and in April, 1866, left the parental roof and went to Midi^an.
Here he worked his way through the academy and to the senior class in college, as farm laborer,
teacher, and afterwards as editor of the village paper. He was graduated from Albion CoUeg«,
Albion, Mich., in June, 1876 ; began in joumalism as editor of the college paper, and August 30,
1S72, became editor of the Albion Recorder, He continued there fourteen months, and in Novem-
ber, 1873, became night news editor of the Detroit Tribune^ leaving that in December, 1874, to
accept a position in Grand Rapids, Mich., as city editor of the Morning Democrat^ which position
he held until May, 1S75, when he was recalled to his old post on the Detroit Tribune, and renuuned
there until November, 1875. He was obliged to resign on account of ill-health, and by nervous
prostration was incapacitated for work for over a year, but returned to journalistic duties March $,
1877, as managing editor of the Detroit Evening News. He remained on this suff uniil December,
1879, when he purchased the Saturday Evening Post, of Grand Rapids, Mich., a literary weekly.
Here he remained as editor until December, 1882, when he sold out and came to Buffalo, and has
held the editorial chair of the Buffalo Evening Telegraph since March 12. 1883. In November of
the same year he took an interest in this paper in connection with A. N. Safford, who is business
manager.
Mr. Creswell was united in marriage August 12, 1876, to Miss Lief A. I^onard, of Grand
Rapids, Mich. She was a noble woman of great intellectual power and an efficient helpmate to her
husband. She died October 26, 1883, leaving one daughter, and a son who ha$ since died.
't^n.' .-^^yy^y^-
Biographical. 47
FREDERICK HELD, publisher and proprietor of the Buffalo Democmt and Wehbuerger^ was
bom in Gennany on the soth of December, 1830. He came to this country with his mother, at
the age of eleven years, and soon after found employment as a carrier boy for the Weekly WelU
buerger^ then under the control of Messrs. Brunck & Zahm. Shortly after arriving at his majority,
Mr. Held established the Daily Democrat^ in partnership with Mr. H. Domedion. In the year
1853 the Democrat was consolidated with the WeUbuerger^ the daily edition continuing under the
name of the Daily Democrat^ and the weekly edition as the Democrat and Weltbuerger, Mr.
Domedion retired soon after the consolidation, and the firm remained Brunck & Held until 1875,
when Mr. Held assumed full control of the establishment, which he has kept until the present time.
This publishing establishment is fully equipped for all kinds of printing, and the publicatiohs
issuing from it under Mr. Held*s management exert a wide influence.
EDWARD HUBERT BUTI^EK, editor and owner of the Evening News and Sunday News, is
one of the youngest newspaper proprietors in the State. He was bom in the village of LeRoy,
Genesee county, N. Y., on the sth of September, 1850. His father, D. F. Butler, was an old resi-
dent of the village, and was ever mindful that his children should have opportunities of an educa-
tion. He died while his children were quite young, leaving the subject of this sketch, who was the
eldest, to assist the widowed mother in caring for the family.
After attending the common schools of his native town, Mr. Butler attended a private school in
Buffalo, and subsequently took a course of instraction in an institution in the eastern part of the
State. When only a boy he had his first experience in a printing office, in the establishment of the
LeRoy Ganette^ under C. B. Thompson. Before attaining his majority he went to Scranton, Pa.,
and became city editor of the Scranton Daily Times. He afterwards became interested in the Free
Pness, with which he continued about two years, when, in 1873. he came to Buffalo and established
the Sunday News. It was the first successful venture of a Sunday paper in this city, and it soon
became a recognized power in local affairs, holding an independent but never neutral position on all
matters of general interest and largely contributing to mould as well as to express public opinion.
The Sunday News rapidly grew in circulation and has had an average sale of 15,000 copies for the
past five years.
In 1879 Mr. Butler started the Bradford, Pa., Sunday News, and made it a success, as the
previous venture, in the face of the greatest difficulties. The Bradford Sunday News was, like the
Sunday News of Buffalo, the leading Sunday paper of its city. A few months ago Mr. Butler dis-
posed of the Bradford paper to Mr. P. H. Linderman, of Bradford, having conducted it with remark-
able success for four years and aiding much through it in the local development of the metropolis of
the northern oil field.
In 1880 Mr. Butler founded the Buffalo Evening News, which he is said to look upon as the
greatest of his successes. Like the Sunday A'ews, of which it is an outgrowth, though a separate
paper in all things except location and ownership, it is an independent popular paper, and rejoices
not only in an unrivalled circulation and prosperous patronage, but in the confidence and esteem of
the public, which has been manifested in the success of nearly every popular movement it has started
or championed. The Evening sjidi Sunday Nexus are members of the United Press, of which Mr.
Butler is vice-president and one of the organizers.
In person Mr. Butler is below medium height, but of commanding appearance, stout, florid,
with abundant surface indications of mental vigor, elasticity of temi>erament and rare determination
of character. He is married and has two children, a son and daughter, his eldest son having died
in infancy. His wife was Miss Mary £. Barber, of West Pittston, Pa., a relative of Ralph Waldo
Emerson. In politics Mr. Butler is a pronounced Republican, but does not allow his politics to
control the conduct of his papers, both of which are independent.
JOHN LYTH. — In the early years of the present century there lived at Stock Ion- upon-Tees,
County of Durham, England, a man and his wife whose individual names were John Lylh and
Frances Grey Lyth. The paternal head of this family and his ancestors were originally from the
town of *• Lyth." adjoining Whitby, England. To this John Lyth and his wife was bom on the
24th of September, 1820, the John Lyth whose portrait appears herein. At the age of thirteen
years, previous to which time he had attended the public schools, the young English lad was
apprenticed to Smith & Co., earthen ware manufacturers, at the Stafford Pottery, near Stockton-
48 History of Buffalo.
upon-Tees. For this finn the young man faithfully served seven years and became a master of the
business ; at the same time he roundrd out the limited education he had obtained at school, bj
reading and studying before and after his daily work was done.
Having concluded his apprenlice>hip. John Lyth went into the tile business with friends of his
mother, at York, manufacturing drain and roofing tiles, in the year 1850, when John Lyth had
reached the age of thirty years, he determined to emigrate to America, which 'he did, settling in
Buffalo on the 9th of July of that year ; his first employment in this city was working in the brick
yard of P. A. Halcom, at Cold Spring ; his wages were seventy-five cents per day. He shortlj after
engaged to work for W. H. Cvlenny, in the crockery business, where he remained six years. In
1857 he began in this city the manufacture of farm drain tile, and here began the baud struggle o€
his life ; it was a nei*' industry in*this country ; there was almost no demand for the gqpds ; during
the first two years of Mr. Lyth's business, not more than $50 worth of his manofactures were told.
But he hsu\ a firm faith in his ultimate success and he was not a man to be easily discouraged ; so,
he worked on, gaining at the same time a livelihood for his family by labor in other directions, yet
alwajTs keeping the manufacture of tile in the foreground. Two winters he labored in the Buffalo
gas works, making tile in the summer. In cmler to advance his business he finally began the work
<»f laying tile, for the main purpose of c«lucating farmers and gardeners to the value of their use and
th^ grea*. bjnuliu to lie derivetl therefrom. The business soon after began to pay enough to support
himself and family, and aoconlingly his entire atimrion was devoted to it. the manufacture of sewer
pi|K*, ft»r house sewerage lieing added.
In the year 1864, Mr. Ljrth entered into basineu arrangemeats with Mr. P. A. Balcom, and tlie
liasis «>r the present extensive business was laid ; his three sons were given interests in the business
as fast as they l>ocame of age, and in 1874 they purchased the interest of Mr. Baloom, and the
present firm of J. Lyth & Sons was established.
In 1872 Mr. Lyth discovered a bed of clay in this vkinity suitable for the successful manufacture
of salt-gla/etl vitrifietl sewer pipe. He immediately visited England with the view of getting the
latest improved machinery and methods for its manufacture ; this movement resulted in the extensive
works now in oi>eration at Cold Spring, Buffalo, N. Y.
In 1S82 the firm established a branch works at Wellsrille, Ohio, which was placed in charge of
John Lyih, Jr., the second son in the family. There advantage is taken of the large deposits of
fire-clay and coal, for the manufacture of goods for the western trade. Mr. Lyth was the pioneer
of the sower i>ii>e and terra cotta manufacture in this country.
John Lyth \v.is mnrrieil in 1843, to Mrs. Mary Ann Dale, of York, England. Their children
arc five in number, as follows :— Alfretl, bom April 21, 1844 ; John, bom May 2, 1846 ; Mary,
bom August 30, 1S4S ; William IL, born June 14, 1851; Frances, bom November 16. 1856. These
children all nmv reside in Buffalo, exct* pt John who lives in Wellsville, Ohio, as above suted.
John Lyth is endowed in all essential respects with the characteristics of a successful business
man : energy, |ierscveranee far beyond the ordinar}-, daring in enterprise, far-seeing and of excellent
judgment, it is no wonder thai the business in which he was the pioneer in America has prospered to
his eminent satisfaction.
Mr. Lyth has never entered the field of politics, though not without sincere political convictions
himself, and has never sought nor held public oAicc. He is a Unitarian in principle and a strong
advocaie of temperance since he was thirteen years old. In 1877 he was one of the hye persons who
originated the ])resent order of Royal Templars of Temperance, a mutual benefit organization now
numbering 20,000 members. At the organization of the order, he was elected Supreme Treasurer,
which ortice he has held ever since ; up to the present time he has paid out in this capacity, over
$750,000 in death benefits alone.
CHARLKS WILLARD McCUNE, I'resWent of 77*/ Bufa/o Courier Qompany, was bora in
Bratilel)oro,Vt., on the isi of September, 1S32, and his earliest acquaintance with the elementary
principles of knowledge were obtained in the common schools of that village. At the age of eight
yeirs he entered Uie Brattlehoro Institute, of which Professor Harris was the principal, and here he
remained until he was twelve year> old. With his training in the institute temiinated his oppor-
tunities for scholarship, and from the halls of learning he was transferred to the country store kept
by Orlen Pr.iti. Naturally bright, active and industrious, the boy found much in his new place that
Biographical. 49
was interesting and instructive and his service to his employer was intelligent and faithful. During
the two years he remained with Mr. Pratt he learned the first practical lessons in life and business,
and when at the age of fourteen he accepted a clerkship in the store of A. E. Dwinnell, in the east
village of Brattleboro, he brought to the discharge of his duties as clear a knowledge of business affairs
as any youth of his age and experience could boast of. A year with Mr. Dwinnell satisfied his ambi-
tion for mercantile pursuits in the country and, shaking the rural dust from his shoes, he started for
New York, with the firm conviction that the metropolis would afford him a few advantages which
were not to be looked for in his native village. On the 1st of August, 1847, he entered the house of
A. T. Stewart & Co., in New York city, and in due time won favor with the merchant princb.
Industrious, intelligent and faithful to the interests of his employers, he was advanced in position
rapidly and successive promotions placet^ him in time at the head of one of the most important depart^
ments of the great dry goods establishment. He remained with A. T. Stewart & Co. for thirteen
years, and during the last seven years of this period he spent most of the time in Europe purchasing
goods for the house. When the important trust of representing the firm abroad was devolved upon
him he had only attained his majority, and a higher compliment to his ability and integrity cannot
readily be imagined. On the ist of September, i860, he left the employ of A. T. Stewart & Co.,
and accepted a clerkship in the commission and importing house of Morton, Grinnell & Co. He
was admitted to a partneiship in the house on the 1st of January, 1861, and the firm subsequently
became L. P. Morton & Co. On the ist of January, 1864. the firm of McCune, Scott & Cooper
succeeded to the business of L. P. Morton & Co., and on the 1st of January, 1867, Mr. McCune
retired and went to Europe, where he remained for a period of fifteen months. Returning, he
engaged in business on Wall street for a time, and still later he yielded to its fascinations for a brief
period; but he preferred more legitimate trade, and, any way, he had not seen all he desired to see
of the old world, and a nine months' additional experience proved practically valuable as well as
delightful to him.
While in I'aris, in 1873, he was invited to an important place in a large concern in that city,
and was about to accept it when he was induced to visit some friends in Buffalo. On the ist of
December, 1874, he entered the office of The Courier Company, Buffalo, as manager, and in January
of the following year, a month later, he wa^ elected secretary and treasurer of the company. Here
he found himself in a new field of enterprise and practically at the head of one of the most extensive
printing establishments in the world. To make himself acquainted with all its departments, to
master all the details of its large and complex business, to familiarize himself with all the conditions
of its growth and prosperity, and to learn to know and estimate at their true value the hundreds of
men and women employed by the concern and the numerous clientele of the company was a most
fonnidable undertaking. When it is understood that The Courier Company publishes two daily
papers— 1 he Buffalo Couriered the Buffalo Republic, and one weekly paper Tfie Weekly Coutier,
and that its business includes the largest illuminated show printing establishment in the world, and
extensive departments devoted to book printing, commercial and railroad printing, book-binding,
the manufacture of blank books, wood engraving, lithography, the printing of illustrated catalogues,
the publication of ** The Buffalo City Directory" and many other branches of printing — we say,
when this is understood, the responsibility assumed by Mr. McCune will be recognized as one which
only a man of rare business qualities and splendid executive ability could hope to carry successfully.
His administration of the affairs of the house was eminently judicious and energetic from the first
hour of his identification with it, and the business of the concern soon reached proportions which
had been regarded by his predecessors as unattainable. His clear and comprehensive views, his
thorough business training, his faculty for organization, and his courage and enterprise were given
full play and each contributed to the great success of his management and gave to his administration
a force and brilliancy rarely equaled. With the death of Joseph Warren, in 1876, he became
responsible for the policy of the different journals published by the company, and all who arc
familiar with the character and influence of The Courier and other publications of the house, need
not be told that, as of old, they are distinguished for their ability, dignity, enterprise, fairness and
purity of tone. In 1877 Mr. McCune was elected a member of the Democratic State Committee
and has been re-elected to this important place each successive year, till, as we write, 1S83, he is
serving his seventh term. On the 3d of March, 18S0, he was unanimously elected president of The
Buffalo Courier Company, and continues to hold that position at the present time. Mr. McCune
so History of Buffalo.
was married, in 1852. to Miss Sarah C, daughter of Judge Beard.>Iey, of St. Albans, Vermont, who
bore him three children, one of whom only, Miss Ella McCune, survives. He has lor several yean*
l>cen secretary and treasurer of the State Associated Press ; he is one of the original founders and
the pre>ident of the Buffalo Gentleman's Driving Club ; he is one of the directors of the Merchants
B.ink of Buffalo, a director of ths Buffalo Club, a member of the City Club, a niember of the Mer-
chants Exchr.nge, and is actively associated with other civic organizations.
Charles W. McCune is a man of marked qualities and would win success anywhere. He is of
the medium height, is compactly built, and combines strength and activity in equal proportions. His
terapemment is of the nervous bilious order, his brain is large and well balanced, and his power of
en<lurance is remarkable. He is pliant and versatile, adapts himself readily to men and circumstances
and is an excellent judge of humaft nature. His mental resources are abundant, and, al^though he
is inclined to be impulsive and sometimes willful, the success of his enterprises attests the wisdom
of his plans and the effectiveness of his work. He is thoroughly independent and self-reliant, and
will yichl his convictions to no man's views. What others do is no guide for him ; he prefers to
solve his problems in his own way and stoutly niiintains the accuracy and conclusiveness of the
results he arrives at. He is always fair, straightforward and direct ; he is public spirited and
))atriotic, nnd he is widely known for his hospitality and kindness. Personal pride is a marked trait
in his character but it is not marred by egotism or affectation. He is earnest in all his work ; and
although he is a splendid specimen of a man of the world, his life is an active one and business
affairs engross his attention very largely to the exclusion of the lighter pleasures. In politics he is
theoretically and practically a Democrat ; he is prominent in the counsels of his party and displays
in an unobtrusive way the qualities which become a leader. He speaks the French language fluently
nnd with elegance ; he is a connoisenr in the fine arts ; he is a true lover of the horse ; politics and
the lawi of trade and finance are familiar to him, and he is equally at home in the drawing-room
and the counting house. Bold in enterprise, prompt and vigorous in action, resolute in execution,
true to his wonl and loyal to his friends, he is at once a thorough business man, and a patriotic and
valuable citizen.
NORMAN E. MACK. — There are to-day in all communities yoang men who have risen to posi-
tions of honor and trust in so short a perio^l of time that they are looked upon as somewhat
remarkable; they are, and very properly, objects of pride and emulation.
The subject of this brief notice was born on a farm near London, Ont., in 1854. Taking advan-
tage of the growing West and its more promising future, he went to Michigan in 1865 with his
]>arents. where he soon secured a clerkship in a store at Pontiac, remaining there until 1S71. Detroit
was at that time fast becoming a business center, and having a natural taste for the printing business,
he removed there and began the publication of the S:itnn/.ij' Advertiser. Disposing of his interest
in this paper one year later, he cime to Buffalo, where he has since resided. Up to the year 1S7S
he was engaged in the advertisint; and publishing business, when he started the Sunday Gatetie in
Jamestown, N. V., which he owned and successfully managed for two years, finally disposing of it
to Mr. J. McCann, who changed its name to the Lender. In 18S3 the paper again fell into his hands,
and soon became a power in Chautauqua county, enjoying better prosperity than ever before. Mr.
Mack recently sold his entire establishment to J. H. Monroe, of Jamestown.
In 1S79 <hc *•«'** ^^ journalism was quite well covered, it was thought, in the Queen City.
There were large and prosperous dailies, popular weeklies and well-established Sunday newspajiers,
so that the expressed intention of this progressive young man to begin the publication of another
Sunday paper was jeered and ridiculed. He met with opposition on every side, the other newspa-
pers, individuals, and corporations all agreeing that " it is not needed." But in his experience he
had learned to cast aside the smaller obstacles to his success, while preparing to meet and overcome
the larger ones. .\t times his prospects seemed dark and his opponents likely to succeed ; but by
close attention to his business with continued improvements in the character of his journal, he gained
for it the appreciation of the public and more prosperous days came; success was finally assured and
the Sunday Times was acknowledged as one of the best family newspapers in the city.
This success was the result of a long struggle, and in the very height of it a rex-erse came. In
the early part of Febniary, 1S83, the Times establishment was completely destroyed by fire; but it
never missed an issue, and deciding to increase his facilities so as to be able to compete with other
Biographical. $%
local establishments in all branches of the business, he pnrchased the laige printing establishment of
Heniy Nauert, known as the '* Mercantile Printing House;" this establishment, with an excellent
reputation for the finest of job printing, soon became the office of the Buffalo J>aify Times^ which,
though at this writing but a few months old, has found a welcome with the reading pubtic that must
be a source of sincere gratification to its energetic publisher.
Mr. Mack promises, by exercising the same ability and attention to his business that he has in
the past, to stand at an early day in the front rank of publishers, and take his place among the promi-
nent self-made men of the country.
JOHN BAKER MANNING.— Among the emigrants from Ireland to this country during the first
quarter of the present century^ was John Manning* who settled in the city of Albany. In that
city he married Miss Eleanor Oley, who wai of Holland descent. The subject of this sketch, John
Baker Manning, was born to John Manning and his wife on the 13th of July, 1833. The boy was
sent to the public schools until he was twelve years old, where he showed marked natural abilities
and a faculty of rapidly acquiring education. In the year 1845 Horatio Seymour was Speaker in the
Assembly, and through him young Manning was appointed one of the pages. In 1847, the year fol-
lowing the Constitutional Convention which limited the sessions of the Legislature to one hundred
days, a long extra session was held in the fall, for the purpose of disposing of all accumulated busi-
ness, preparatory to a fresh start under the new order of things. Hon. William C. Hasbronck then
presided as Speaker in the Assembly, and young Manning was appointed by him as one of the pages
and was the only one retained during the regular and extra iiessions of 1847.
The lad is rememliered as just the one who would be most likely to retain such a position,
although it was sought after by many aspirants. He w.is cheerful, amiable, active and attentive to
the wants of Legislators, the newspaper men, and, indeed, made hini^lf a general favoiite. These
c|«ia1ifications attracted the especial attention of William H. Bogert , then correspondent of the New York
Courier and Enquirer^ who took him to Mr. Hasbrouck (the Speaker) and said: ** Mr. Speaker,
cannot we make Johnny a Senator?" The response was favorable and Mr. Hasbrouck at the first
opportunity recommended young Manning to Hamilton Fish, then Lientenant>Govemor and Presi-
dent of the Senate. The boy's appearance evidently pleased Mr. Fish, for he kindly j^atted his head
and shortly afterwards appointed him one of the two pages in the Senate. He was continued in that
position by the Hon. G. W. Patterson, who succeeded Mr. Fish as Lieutenant-Governor in 1849.
The experience gained during his term of service in the legislative halls of the State was of
great value to Mr. Manning, and gave him a thorough knowledge of the workings of politics in the
Capital. In l860''6i Mr. Manning acted as Albany correspondent of the Brooklyn Ea^U^ and
from that time onward there was undoubtedly a iKilitical career of distinction open for him. had he
chosen to pursue it; but he had other views and inteittions, and .suddenly severing his political rela-
tions in Albany, he came to the city of Buffalo nnd made immediate preparations to extend his small
malting and commission business, which he had established about two years before. He immediately
l>egan a produce and commission business with Canada, which he continued with success until 1S67,
at which time he turned his attention wholly to matting. Three thousand bushels annually was
the extent of his business at first, but so successfully was it conductcil and so rapid its increase, that
in 1 88 1 he malted the enormous quantity of 500,000 bushels, .ind at this writing his business is
probably the most extensive of the kind in the world, lie is the owner of two se|>arnte ni.ilt houses,
the smaller one having a capacity of rx>,ooo, while the larger one, to which extensive additions were
made in 1881, has a capacity of 940,cxk» bushels; it covers three hundred and sixty by one hundred
feet and is nine stories in height. Two elevators arc connected with this malt house, each of which
has a ca|iacity of 175,000 bushels.
It will readily be assumed that the building up and successful conductor thisenormou> business
enterprise, from a small beginning, and in the Ci>mparaiively short ]Krio«l of time devoted to it, lias
re«|uire<l executive ability, business sagacity niul judgment of the higho>t onler. Much of the imme-
diate superintendence of .Mr. Manning's business is at the proent time vested in Mr. J. Oley Mannin]i[,
his son. In dosing a sketch of Mr. .Manning's mailing business, a HufTalo pa|H?r thus alludes to it : —
** In commendation of this house as one with which to otablish the most pleaMU}; business
re1atii>n$, we canmH say too much, and the |M»sition Mr.iManninj; has achieve<l in the lni>ine>v com-
munity of Buffalo, as a manufacturer of a Miperior article nnd pnunoicr of the general induMriat
52 History of Buffalo.
thrift, is such a.s to have endowed him with the considermtion uid esteem of the public and of those
generally with whom he has established business relations."
At the National Convention of Malsters held at Niagara Falls, Jane 15th, 1881, Mr. Manning
was unanimously chosen as the president of the body. Over four hundred of the most prominent
firms of malsters in the country were represented in the Convention. On this occasion Mr. Man-
ning delivered an address which showed the most thorough knowledge of his subject and that he
was keenly alive to the best interests of the trade ; the address was universally r^arded as a masterly
effort.
Although a man of strong political convictions, .Mr. Manning has taken little public part in
politics since hi:; residence in l^ffalo ; but his fellow citizens recognized his ability and fidelity to
the general welfare of the community, by placing him in the Mayor's chair which was vacated by
the election of Grover Cleveland as Governor of the State. Mr. Manning is a Democrat in politics,
but his sympathy with the principles of that party have never prevented him from supporting any
measure which he believed to be for the public good, regardless of all party feeling. In his admin-
istration of the office of Mayor, he was fearless and independent in the discharge of his doty to the
city at large, even to the alienation of many party adherents ; once convinced that his support-or
his opposition to a measure, (no matter what its source or character), was for the best good of the
community, Mr. Manning never wavered in his course. In the fall of 1883, Mr. Manning was again
a candidate for the office of Mayor, but owing to party divisions, was defeated. Mr. Manning has
also been vice-president and president of the Buffalo Board of Trade, one of the leading commercial
organizations in the country, in which office his marked ability as a business man was conspicuous.
Immediately after his election to the presidency of the Board of Trade, in the month of April, 1881,
ho initiateil steps that led to the enterprise for the erection of that lieautiful and magnificent Board
of Trade building, now nearly completed. It is an ornament to the city and reflects credit upon
the enterprising business gentlemen who were instrumental in having it built.
On the 14th of January, 1856, Mr. Manning was married to Miss Elizabeth House, of Cam-
bridge, Washington county, N. Y. This auspicious union has resulted in the birth of seven children,
six of whom are now living. Among the self-made men of the day Mr. Manning is accorded a
prominent place, and his record while building up his own fortune, is above reproach.
DR. JOHN ELLIS MARSHALL, the only child of Thomas and Satah Edgerton Marshall,
wa,s l>orft in Norwich, Conn., Maivh iS, 17S5. His mother dying in his infancy, he was
adopted by Daniel Ellis, of Franklin, Conn., and educated by him as his son. He was lineally
descended from William Hyde, John Post, Richard Edgerton and Francis Griswold, four of the
original proprietors of Norwich. He was a pupil of the Rev. Samuel Nott, 6f Franklin, having as
fellow students, Eliphalet Nott, subsequently president of Union College, and John Trac}*, after-
wards Lieutenant-Governor of this State. At the age of twenty he commenced the study of medi-
cine with Dr. rhilemon Tracy, of Nonvich, under whose careful instruction he enjoyed peculiar
advantages ; and he attributed to Dr. Tracy's assistance and teaching, much of the success he attained
in hi:* profession. According to the testimony of a fellow-student, since a distinguished physician
in Ohio, young Marshall was thorough in hii medical studies, was gifted with a sound judgment and
a discriminating mind ; and by his diligent application to study, he laid broad and deep the founda-
tion for his future eminence. He was licensed to practice by the Connecticut Medical Society on
the 3d of August, iSoS, and soon after left for the West, taking up his residence in Oxford, N. Y.,
where he opened his first office. Not satisfied with his location, he removed in October, the follow-
ing year, to .Mayville, Chautauqua county, where he practiced his profession for several years with
marked success.
On the gth of Febniary, iSii, Dr. Marshall was commissioned by Governor Tompkins as clerk
of Chautau [ua county at the time of its organization. On the 20th of September, xSio, he was
married to Ruth Holmes, daughter of Orsamus Holmes, of Sheridan, N. Y. On the 15th of April,
1S12, Dr. ALirsliall was appointed Surgeon to the Second Regiment of the New York State Militia..
On the 20th of December, 1S13, he was ordered to join his regiment at Buffalo, and sen-ed five
months on the Niagara frontier, when his regiment was disbanded. He again took the field on the
1st of August, 1S14, his regiment being encamped near Buffalo, where he remained during the
remainder of the season. The fevers, diarrhceas, and other diseases which prevailed in the army,
crowded the hospitals and devolved upon Dr. Marshall, as senior surgeon, arduous and responsible
Biographical. 53
duties. His cares, exposure and fatigue seriously impaired his health and rendered him an invalid
during the remainder of his life.
After the close of the war Dr. Marshall continued the practice of his profession and to discharge
the duties of county clerk, at Mayville, until March, 18C5, when he sought a more promising field
for professional labor in the then rising village of Buffalo. He soon took the front rank among his
professional brethren and acquired a solid reputation as a physician and surgeon. On the 2d of
March, 1619, ^^ ^^^ commissioned by Governor Clinton as clerk of Niagara county, which then
embraced the present counties of Erie and Niagara, the duties of which he dischaiged until February
17, 182 r. On the 27th of March, 1819, he was appointed by Governor Clinton, assistant hospital
surgeon of the Fifth Brigade of New York State Infantry, and re-appointed to the same position by
the same Governor, July 12, 1826. He subsequently received the honorary api)ointments as a
corresponding Fellow of the Medicine and Philosophical Society of New York city, and as an
honorary member of the Medical Society of Geneva College. For many years he was a meni1)er of
the Masonic fraternity and in 1819 rose to Mark Master Mason.
During the prevalence of the cholera in 1832, when Buffalo was particularly exposed to its
invasion, and when little was known of its treatment, Dr. Marshall was appointed Health Physician
by the Common Council of the city. The duties of this position were of the most arduous and
responsible character. No vessel or canal boat was permitted to enter the city, without the certfi-
cate of the Health Physician. Those approaching in the night were detained until daylight at the
mouth of Buffalo Creek, or in Black Rock harbor. This required his attendance at these ports at
daybreak. These fatiguing duties were performed with great efficiency, in addition to his large
private practice, which left him scarcely an opportunity for rest.
While in the full vigor of his intellect, in the midst of a wide and successful practice. Dr. Mar-
shall was attacked with pleurisy on Saturday, the 22d of December, 1838, and after severe illness,
died on the following Thursday. His medical brethren paid a just tribute to his professional talents
and worth, and of respect to his memory ; and the Rev. Dr. Hopkins, pastor of the First Presby.
terian Church, of which Dr. Marshall had long been a ruling elder, preached to a lai^e audience,
his funeral sermon, in which his exemplary life and Christian virtues were eloquently portrayed.*
ORSAMUS HOLMES MARSHALL.— Orsamus Holmes Marshall was bom on the 1st day of
February, 1813, in the town of Franklin, Conn. His father was Dr. John E. Marshall, a dis-
tinguished pioneer physician of Buffalo, a sketch of whase life precedes this. During the exciting
scenes on the Niagara frontier in the war of 1812, in which Dr. Marshall bore a prominent part,
his wife took refuge among his relatives in Connecticut, and it was during her sojourn there that
Orsamus was born. After the close of the war Mrs. Marshall joined her husband in Mayville,
Chautauqua county, where he had settled in 1809. In Septeml^er, 18 15, Dr. Marshall removed to
Buffalo, himself and wife making the journey on horseback, and bringing with them their infant
son, then two and a half years old.
Dr. Marshall purchased from the Holland Land Company a lot on the corner of Washington
and Mohawk streets, subsequently sold to Trinity Church, and built upon it a home, with which Mr.
Marshall's earliest recollections of Buffalo are associated. The next few years were devoted by him
to the acquirement of an education. His first school was kept by a Miss Underwood, in a dwelling
occupied by her brother-in-law, a Mr. Fales. whose descendants now live on Grand Island. He
next attended school ^epl in the second story of a house which stood near the site of the Church of
the Messiah. Other teachers under whom he studied were Brace and Oilman, Peter Miles, Deodatus
Babcock, a Mr. Pease in the Atkins house, corner of Pearl and Church streets, John C. Lord and
Lucius B. Corastock.
In 1827, when twelve years old, Mr. Marshall was sent to the Polytechnic School at Chittenango,
N.. Y, where he remained one year. Among his fellow students in that institution were John L.
Talcott, since Judge of the bupreme Court of the Stale, and William L. Yancy, the noted Southern
fire-eatet.
Returning to Buffalo in the year 1829, Mr. Marshall joined a military school founded by Capt.
Alden Partridge and kept by Col. James McKay, in the building afterwards occupied by the Sisters
• Sec biography of Hon. O. H. Marshall, in these pages, and the chapter devoted to the medical profession
of Buffalo.
54 History of Buffalo.
of Charity Hotpiul. Jn 1830 Mr. Marshall entered the Junior class at Union CoUege, where he
graduated the following year at the early age of eighteen. The late Hon. Judge Verplanck wa; a
classmate.
Returning to Buffalo, Mr. Marshall entered the law office of Austin & Barker, on Main street
next below the preseot Bank of Buffalo. He read with this firm until the spring of 1833, when he
entered Yale College for a courw of law lectures, und^r Dr. David Da^sett, then at the head of the
school and Chief* Justice of <Jonnecticut. He was admitted to practice as attorney at law, at the
October term of the Supreme Court in 1834, sitting at Albany, and as solicitor in chancery the fol-
lowing month, by the Hon. R. H. Walworth.
Mr. Marshairs first law partnership was with William A. Moseley, after dissolving whidi he
formed a partnenthip wjth the Hon. Horatio J. Stow, which continued until Mr. Stow's appointment
as Recorder in 1840. Mr. Marshall then entered into partnership with the Hon. N. K. Hall, who
had recently withdrawn from the firm of Fillmore, Hall & Haven. They enjoyed a huge and
lucrative practice uotil Mr. Hall's appointment as First Judge of the county in 1841. Mi. Marshall
continued practice alone for several years, wnen he formed a connection with Alexander W. Harvey,
which Gontioued until the latter removed to New York in 1863. After this he took his scm, Chaiiea
D., into partnership, and in 1867 retired from active practice of the profession.
Few men have been more prominent and active in affairs directly connected with the welfare ot
the city of Buffalo than Mr. Marshall. The Buffalo Historical Society was founded in his office in
t863, and at a later date the Buffalo Cemetery Association was also formed there. Witkthese insti-
tntions he has been connected from their foundation-— of the former as one of its managers and at
one time as iu president, and with the latter as one of its trustees. He has been a member of the
Board of Trustees of the Grosvenor Library from its foundation, with the exception of one term,
being associated with Millard Fillmore, George R. Babcock, Joseph G. Masten and David Gray; he
has also served as president of the Board. He has been connected with^the Board of Trustees of
the Buffalo Female Academy, serving as its president for several years. He was a member of the
Board of Trustees of the University of Buffalo, and served as its president maoy years, until elected
its Chancellor in 1883. He is also a trustee of the Society of Natural 3ciences, of Buffalo, and presi-
dent of the Thomas Orphan Asylum for Indian children. In all of these positions Mr. Marshall
has honored himself and rendered inestimable services to the different institutions named.
In the year 1850 or 1851, Mr. Marshall was offered the appointment of Commissioner to China,
but on account of ill-health and pressing business engagements, was compelled to decline. Hum*
phrey Marshall being appointed in his stead. He was also offered by Postmaster-General M. K.
Hall, the appointment of Assistant Postmaster-General, but for the same reasons was compelled to
decline. He was apppinted a United State Commissioner by the United States Circuit Court for
the Northern District of New York, about the year 1868, and now (1883) holds the office.
As a historical writer Mr. Marshall is entitled to high rank, many of his pi^rs and contribu-
tions to periodicals being of great value. Among his papers of this kind may be mentioned the fol-
lowing: '* Expedition of DeNonvtlle," published by the Kew York Historical Society in volume
II.. new series; ** LaSatle's First .Visit to the Senecas. 1669," privately printed in pamphlet form in
1874; *' Expedition of DeCaloron; " *' Historical Sketches,of the Niagara Frontier; " " The Build-
ing and Voyage of the Griffon in 1679," read to and published by the Buffalo Historical Society.
Mr* Marshal] united with the First Presbyterian church of Buffalo, and has since been it mem-
ber and attendant of the same.
On the 30th of February, 18.^8, Mr. Marshall married Miss Millicent Ann De Angelis. young^t
daughter of Pascal De Angelis, one of the pioneer settlers of Central New York, resident at Holland
Patent, Oneida county. Kibm this marriage there are three children, all of whom are living: — ^John
Ellis, born August 5, 1839; Charles De Angelis, bom November 14^ 1841, and Elizabeth Coe
w
ILLIAM GEOAgE FARGO. — One of the most conspicuous examples of self-made business
men is furnished by the life and career of the late William, G. Fargo. Beginning life in s
country town, without means or influential friends, he achieved a national reputation and left a name
as familiar throughout the country as household words.
His father, William C. Faxyo, was bom at New London, Conn., March 29, 1791. At seven-
teen years of age, as was custpmary with many New England boys, he took a cramp to-' ' the West,*'
Biographical. 55
consisting of a trip through the State of New York — looking for employment and seeking a future
home among the frontier settlers. He journeyed as far as buffalo, where he was employed for three
years upon a small salary, and at the breaking out of the war of 18x2 he enlisted and served until
peace was established, having been seriously wounded in an engagement on Canadian soil, on the
13th of October, 1812, in which the British General Brock was killed. At the conclusion of the
war young Fargo resumed his prospecting adventures, and finally settled in Pompey, Onondaga
County, N. Y., where he was married to Tacy Strong, on the loth of August, 181 7.
William George Fargo was born on 20th of May, 1818, at the homestead farmhouse in the town
of Pompey, near the village of Watervale, Onondaga opunty, N. Y. He was the oldest of twelve
children — nine sons and three daughters — that were bom to William C, and Tacy (Strong) Fargo,
and all of whom, with one exception — a son who died in infancy — ^lived to the age of man or
womanhood.
When but thirteen years old William G. Fargo was employed to carry the mails on horseback
twice a week from Pompey Hill by way of Watervale, Manlius, Orun, Delphi, Fabtus and Apulia
and back to Pompey Hill, a circuit of about forty miles. This was his first employment other than
on the farm, and may be said to have been the beginning of his subsequent remarkable business
career. Although very young for such an important trust, nevertheless the service was performed
with promptness and fidelity, nnd the young mail carrier became very popular throughout the entire
route. Until seventeen years old he wrought at different jobs, besides carrying the mail, in the
neighborhood of his home, chiefly as an assistant in a hotel at Watervale kept by Ira Curtis. For
four or five years thereafter he was employed as clerk in the grocery business in Sjrracuse, where he
acquitted himself manfully, winning the confidence of his employers and giving promise of the
possession of sterling business qualifications.
In January, 1840, when nearly twenty-two years old, Mr. Fargo was married to Miss Anna H.
Williams, daughter of Nathan Williams, one of the early settlers of Pompey. Now that he had a
family on his hands his ambitious spirit chafed under the restraint of a clerkship, and he longed to
be in business for himself. He-I^gan to feel that to serve was not his forie^ and he preferred to be
in command even though his realm of authority was circumscribed. We find him, therefore, shortly
after his marriage starting a grocery store on the joint account of himself and next younger brother,
Jerome F. Fargo, of Wcedsport. The fate of the new firm was that of a majority of mercantile
houses — failure — ^and it was dissolved at the expiration of a year.
In 1841 Mr. Fargo removed to Auburn to accept the freight agency of the Auburn & Syracuse
Railroad Company, then just completed; and in 1842 he resigned this position to accept that of
messenger for Pomeroy & Co., who had established an express line between Albany and Buffalo.
At this time the rails were only laid to Batavia, and express packages were carried by stage from
Batavia to Buffalo, until the completion of the Buffalo & Attica Railroad. After a year's experience
as a messenger, Mr. Fazgo was appointed agent for the company at Buffalo, to which city he
removed in November in 1843. '^^^ express business was in its infancy then, but Mr. Fargo recog-
nized in it the elements of indefinite growth and expansion. In January, 1844, in company with
Henry Wells and Mr. Daniel Dunning, he organized an express line from Buffalo to Detroit by
way of Cleveland, under the firm name of Wells & Co. The capital these parties possessed was
princi]>ally industry, energy and determination. The one who was able to borrow $200 onr a short
note was regarded by the firm as a financial success. At this time the only railroads west of Buffalo
were the one in Ohio from Sandusky City to Monroeville, and the one in Michigan from Detroit to
Ypsilonti. These expressmen employed the steamers on the lakes in the season of navigation, and
stages and express wagons in winter. They did not do a very heavy business, but if was a growing
one, and they pushed it forward as rapidly as practicable. They extended the line to Chicago,
Milwaukee, Cincinnati and St. I^uis, and westward to Galena.
After a year's experience Mr. Dunning withdrew from the partnership, and in 1846 Mr. Wells
sold his interest to William A. Livingston, and the firm name was changed to Livingston & Fargo.
Mr. Livingston came to Buffalo and Mr. Fargo was located at Detroit, where he remained about
one year, returning to Buffalo in 1848, when Mr. Livingston took up his residence in Cincinnati.
The express business west of Buffalo was managed in this way until March, 1850, when the
American Express Company was oi^nized, consolidating the interests of Johnston, Livingston and
Henry Wells and the firm of Livingston, Wells & Co., proprietors of the line. between New York
56 History of Buffalo.
and Buffalo ; those of Butterfield* Wasson & Co., proprietors of a rival Hoe between these cities,
ami those of Livingston & Fargo, who owned the lines west of Buffalo. Henry Wells was ihe first
president and William G. Fargo the first secretary ; these positions were held by these gentlemen,
respectively, until the consolidation with the Merchants' Union Company, in December, i86S,
when Mr. Fargo was elected the president.
In 1851, Mr. Fargo, Henry Wells, and their associates organized a company, under the firm
name of Wells, Fargo & Co., and commenced to do an Express business between New York and
San Francisco, by way of the Isthmus, and to operate interior lines on the Pacific coast. 1 his
enterprise proved successful, and was continued over this route until the completion of the Union
and Central Pacific Railroads, when lue water was abandoned for the rail, and the management pf the
company transferred to San Francisco. While the control was in New York Mr. Fargo was Director
and Vice-President. This Company has a capital of $5,000,000, and is doing a lucrative and con-
stantly increasing business.
In iH6f he was elected Mayor of Buffalo, and re-elected in 1863. His administration was
characterized by that sagacity which distinguished his management of the affairs of the great cor-
poration of which he was the recognized head!. He was thoroughly identified with the growth and
prosperity of the city and he did much as Mayor as well as a private citizen to promote its interests
and develop its resources.
Kight children have been bom to Mr. Fargo, only two of whom Georgiana and Helen are living.
JAMES N. MATTHEWS.— A proper biographic sketch of James N. Matthews cannot be written
within the brief limits here prescribed riis life has been too busy and too much has been accom-
plished in it to be chronicled in a few brief pages. He was born in Suffolk, England, in 1828, and
came America in 1845, at the age of seventeen years, soon afterward taking np his residence in Buf-
falo. He served as an apprentice to the printer's trade in the office of the Commercial Anhtttiur,
When he had mastered the trade he became a partner in the Morning Express Printing House, under
the firm name of Clapp,. Matthews & Co.
In 1S63 Mr. Matthews retired from the above named concern and purchased a half interest in
the Comnurciai Advertiser^ which was conducted by Matthews & Warren, the former assuming the
editorial management of the paper while the latter had charge of the business affairs, This relation
continued fourteen years, or until 1877, when Mr. Matthews transferred his interest in the paper to
Mr. Warren and soon after purchased the Buffalo Morning Express newspaper establishment and
added thereto a comprehensive job office, including designing, engraving, electrotyping, stereotyp-
ing, and other facilities for carrying on the printing and publishing business.
Further particulars of .Mr. Matthews* business career, and of the journal of which he is the mas
ter spirit, will be found in the chapter devoted to Buffalo journalism, in these pages.
As a printer, M r. Matthews is a master of the profession. His skill is only equalled by his exquisite
taste, excellent judgment and comprehensive knowledge of the fitness of things. As an editor Mr.
Matthews occupies apostion in the first mnk of modern newspaper writers. His style is easy and
graceful, and yet forcible and incisive. Using no superfluity of words he treats his topics with a
force aiid directness that carries conviction to his readers. He excels in sarcastic repartee, and no
man knows belter how to successfully parry the foil of an antagonist. His diction is far'above the
average newspaper writer, and his arguments and conclusions are accredited with honest convictions.
Few men are so well equipped in a perfect knowledge of the printing and publishing business
as is the subject of this notice. He has risen from the printer's case to the editorial chair, and com-
pletely mastered every detail of the several intermediate positions. Thoroughness in whatever he
undertakes is is one of his chiefest characteristics. Anything worth doing at all is worth doing well,
is seemingly an ever present motto.
In politics Mr. Matthews is a Republican, but in the management of his paper takes pride in
being independent. While the Express is nominally Republican, it is anything but a party paper.
He condemns the idea of publishing a party "organ." Under his auspices and management the
paper has attained a wide circulation and a powerful influence among that class of readers (that is
becoming more numerous) who refuse to be bound by party shackels.
Mr. Matthews is a liberal supporter of Buffalo's social, benevolent and scientific affairs. He is
member of the Buffalo Club, the Young Men's Association, the Historical Society, the Society of
^-^
MICHAEL MESMER.
Biographical. 57
Natural Sciences, the Fine Arts Academy, and other kindred associations. He is an Episcopalian,
and a member of St. John's Church.
nICHAEL MESMER.— Among the emigrants from Alsace, in the year 1828, vras the father of
the subject of this sketch and his family. They sailed from Havre for New York, came thence
by canal to Buffalo, and settled on a small farm of fifty acres, situated on Main street just beyond
Amherst street. He resided there two years and then returned to Europe to secure a patrimony.
In 1832 he came again to Buffalo, and the following year purchased a farm in the town of Lancaster,
where he died in 1863, aged eighty^ne years.
Michael Mesmer was bom in Surbourg, Alsace, on the 31st of October, 1815. He began his
long life in Buffalo as second porter in the Buffalo House, on the corner of Main and Seneca streets.
From that humble beginning, he has raised himself to a station in the foremost rank of the leading
Franco-Germans of this country. After one year of faithful service in the Buffalo House, the young
man engaged in similar service at the City Hotel, junction of canal bridge and Commercial street,
where he remained eighteen months. He then took a trip to New York city, working his way us
cook On a canal boat. There he was disappointed in finding the employment he had hoped for, and
being without money, he was unable to get away. In this dilemma he met by chance a man who
had been a friend of his father, to whcim he made himself known, and who gave him ten five-franc
pieces. This friend would not tell the young man his name, nor has the latter ever known who it
was that befriended him at such an opportune time. The money thus obtained enabled young
Mesmer to reach Syracuse, where he found employment in the old Syracuse House, then kept by
Daniel Comstock. He remained there three years, carrying the mails from Syracuse to Oswego on
horseback during two winters of this period, making the trip one way each day — ^thirty miles.
In the fall of 1836, when he was twenty-one years old, Mr. Mesmer found himself in the posses-
sion of $400. With this capital he returned to Buffalo and entired into partnership with his brotlier-
in-law, Joseph Sour, in the wood-turning business. A Httle later he began driving teams for Theo-
<iore Bunvell and afterwards worked for Alanson Palmer, the then Buffalo millionaire, whom
Mr. Mesmer placed in the county poor house while superintendent of that institution in 1S63. He
afterwards worked for General Burt one year, and then three years for Letitia Evans as carriage
driver and gardener.
By industry and economy, Mr. Mesmer had by this time accumulated quite a fund in cash,
which he applied towards the purchase of sixty-four acres of land in the town of Lancaster ; but he
did not feel contented on a farm, and when what is now the Erie railroad was begun in the town,
running near the place, Mr. Mesmer hired out to the company as a carpenter, at fourteen shillings
a day. Mr. Mesmer leveled the wooden ties, fitted the wooden stringers thereon and fastened the
half-inch iron strip thereto, which combination constituted the track from Town Line to Buffalo.
In the year 1841 Mr. Mesmer again came to Buffalo, where he engaged as clerk in the flour,
feed and grain store of Horace Wells, on Main street. He afterwards purchased the store, added
groceries to the stock, and continued there until November, 1871. He then, in company with Jacob
J. Weller and Charles E. Brown, bought the large cabinet manufactory on Elm street and also the
large furniture store on Main street from Thompson Hersee. In 1872 he turned the store over to
a young and faithful clerk, who afterwards removed the business to No. 50 West Eagle street, near
Franklin.
The cabinet business was successfully conducted until January ist, 1882, when Mr. Mesmer
retired from active business and now lives in well-earned enjoyment of a competence, and surrounded
by his family and a circle of friends whose respect and confidence must be gratifying to the recipient.
Mr. Mesmer has never been a seeker after public office or honors, but those who know him best
have called on him to fill several positions of trust. In 1861 he was elected Superintendent of the
Poor, which office he held three years, and he was Park Commissioner for eight years. He has been
a director of the German Insurance Company of Buffalo since its establishment in 1867, and a
director of the Western Savings Bank since 1865.
On the 31st of December, 1840, Mr. Mesmer was married to Miss Barbara Knauber, daughter
of John Knauber, a farmer of the town of Lancaster. Eight children have been bom to them, five
of whom are now living, as follows : — Mrs. Catharine Lipp, of Dayton, Ohio; John Mesmer, who
has been superintendent of the Citizens' Gas Works since 1875; Louis Mesmer, paying teller in the
S8 History of Buffalo.
Eric County Savings Bank since 1873. and the Misses Utillea and Louisa Mesmcr. The names of
the three children deceased were Martin. Magdalena and Michael.
In 1 87 1 Mr. Mesmer erected his pleasant home on the comer of Prospect avenue and Virginia.
street, where he now resides.
In 1883 he demolished the old flour store building, and erectrd a splendid four-story building
on the site known as No. 347 Main street.
SYLVESTER FREDERICK MIXER.— Judge Nathan Mixer, formerly of Forestville, Chau-
tauqua couuiy, wliere he lived more than sixty years, was well known as a maa of prominence
and distinguished abilities. He was Judge for many years and represented his district in the
Assembly several terms. He was of English descent and his immediate ancestf^rs settled in New
England. One of his children was the subject of this sketch. Sylvester Frederick Mixer was bom
at Morrisville, MaJison county, N. V., on the 27th of December, 1815, and was brought by his
parents to Forestville during his infancy. He was one of a family of fourteen children, all of whom
lived to maturity. Judge Mixer gave his son a liberal education ; he graduated from the Medical
Department of Vale College in 1841. He was an ardent student andvras imbued with an earnest
desire to attain a high rank in his profession ; this led to the further study of medicine in the New
York College of Physicians and Surgeons, from which he received the degree of M. D., in 1847.
Dr. Mixer had in the meantime, begun practice in liuffalo, having commenced a few months after
leaving Yale College. From that time onward he rapidly built up a practice as successful as it was
satisfactory to himself and his friends. Dr. Mixer was elected President of the Buffalo Medical
Society in 1852 ; he was also in the same year made a member of the American Medical Association,
over many strong competitors for that honor. From the year 1852, he was one of the prominent
members of the Erie County Medical Society, between the years 1858 and 1874, he was one of
the attending physicians of the Buffalo General Hospital, and from that time until his death was a
member of its Consulting Board.
On the 23d of February, 1853, Dr. Mixer manied Mary Elizabeth Knowlton, daughter of Dr.
Perrin Knowlton, of Cincinnati. Mrs. Mixer's mother's name was Elizabeth Carter, of New York
city. Dr. Perrin Knowlton is still living in the West, at the advanced age of eighty-three years.
He belongs to an honored family, one of his ancestors being Colonel Thomas Knowlton, of Revo-
lutionary fame. Dr. and Mrs. Mixer's married life was productive of all the domestic happiness
that ever falls to the lot of humanity, and their home (for many years after their marriage, on Swan
street and later on Virginia street,) was the abode of a family blest in all its relations, and the social
resort of a wide circle of friends. Four children have been bom to Dr. and Mrs. Mixer, two only
of whom Hre now living, Frederick and Knowlton, both of whom have reached years of youi^
manhood and fill as far as it is possible to do, the vacancy caused by their father's death. Minnie
Mixer, a beautiful and accomplished daughter, lost her life in the railroad catastrophe at Ashtabula^
Ohio, Deceml)er 29, 1876, a blow from which h^r parents never recovered and which made a marked
impression upon the mind and demeanor of Dr. Mixer to the day of his death. Previous to the
deplorable event, he had always entertained sincere religious convictions and was an earnest Epis-
copalian, but he had not formally united as communicant with the church, but after that event he
was publicly confirmed, giving evidence of a firmly grounded Christian faith — a faith that never
after wavered.
Dr. Mixer lived until 1862 before he experienced his first illness, from a disease that was
destined to end his days twenty-one years later, but during the latter named period he was able to
give almost constant attention to his lai^e practice until the winter of 1882, when his failing health
prompted him to make a trip to California. He returned in June, 1883, not materially benefited,
though his health somewhat improved between that time and his decease. The few remaining
months allotted to him on earth were passed at his home on Vii^ginia street, in Buffalo, in the
enjoyment of constant intercourse with his family and the immunity from labor which he bad so
fully earned.
Dr. Mixer died /it three o'clock on Sunday morning, September i6th, 1883. The obsequies
occurred on the Tuesday following, at Trinity Church, and were attended by many members of the
Eric County Medical Society in a body, besides a large concourse of friends and relatives. The
service was conducted by the Rev. Dr. L, Van Bokkelen, assisted by the Rev. Mr, Grainger. In
the course of his discourse the Rev. Doctor said : —
■<- J^' ^'(f. ^£r?
<>f?t£^/
Biographical. 59
*' I may be permitted to bear my testimony to our departed friend, as he was best known to me,
as a gentleman of dignity and culture, earnest and faithful in his duties as an officer and nieml)er of
the churchr He obeyed the injunction of Solomon, * Fear God and keep his commandments, for
this is the whole duty of man.' * 4 * He had no fear of death, no anxious thout^hts. He
knew that his course was run, and with calmness he moved on toward the prize of his high calling
in Christ Jesus. He was never more lovely, courteous, considerate and kind ; never more gentle
and humble than during the last week of his life temporal. He trusted in God and was not for-
saken."
Ill a carefully prepared and judicious obituary of Dr. Mixer, which was printed in the Buffalo
Courier, we find the following deserved tribute : —
" A citizen so well known'and so highly respected as Dr. Mixer wa.s, might easi|y have taken a
conspicuous part in public affairs ; but he had absolutely no ambition outside of his profession, which
yielded him a handsome income and enabled him to accumulate for the loved ones left, a comfort-
able competency. He was an earnest Republican, but naturally a thorough reformer, and habilunl-
ly took a lively interest in all political and other movements having the pubic good in view. Take
him all in all, he was an excellent type of the ideal American citizen— a man of simple goodness,
but so modest and unassuming withal that his biography could not have muqh of eulogy in it with-
out doing violence to his wishes, as known to those who knew him best, and they are those that
loved him best."
A meeting of the Erie County Medical Society was held to take action upon the death of Dr.
Mixer, at which were expressed sentiments of the most profound respect for the deceased and of
sympathy for his stricken family, an appropriate series of resolutions were drawn up, testifying to
the regard and esteem in which Dr. Mixer was held by his professional brethren. He was a man
whose loss will be long felt by the entire community.
AUGUSTUS C. MOORE, the subject of this sketch, was born in Fabius. Onondaga county,
N. Y., on the 31st of March, 1799. He was in business at Sauquoit, Oneida county, until J 831,
when he removed to Buffalo and at once invested in real estate, which engaged his attention during
the remainder of his life. He was a man of unusual business ability ; a great reader and of good
judgment in all things ; straightforward in all his dealings and of remarkable decision of character,
he left a lasting impression upon the community in which he lived.
Mr. Moore died at Buffalo on the 17th day of August, 1883, and was buried at Forest Lawn.
He was a devoted member of the Universalist Church and by his large gifts for charitable and benev-
olent purposes, be aided materially many of the most prominent and worthy of our public insti-
tutions.
JOHN F. MOULTON was born on the 3d of February, 1 841, at Beverly, Mass., the native place
of his parents. His father, Charles Moulton, was a son of Captain Tarbox Moulton, a well- .
known sea captain and ship owner, who lost three of his vessels in the French war of iSx3. His
mother was Abby Cole, a member of an old and respected family of New England.
The subject of this sketch received an excellent English education in the schools of his native
place, and at the age of eighteen years engaged in the general mercantile business with his father.
This partnership continued three years, when John F. Moulton, then twenty-one years of age,
removed to Battle Creek, Mich., and entered into mercantile business. Three years later, when but
twenty-four years old, Mr. Moulton became one of the chief organizers of the Bank of Battle Creek, and
was elected a director of that institution. Since that time Mr. Moulton's career has been a wonder-
ful example of what may be accomplished by energy, activity and business sagacity of the highest
order. In the same year that the City Bank of Battle Creek was organized, Mr. Moulton was
chosen as alderman of the city and in 1867 was elected President of the Battle Creek Gas Company.
About this time Mr. Moulton interested himself largely in the Peninsula Railroad, now known
as the Chicago & Lake Huron railroad, which is the western connection of the Grand Trunk road.
This was followed by his securing the contract for building the Buffalo & Jamestown railroad, when
he removed to this city. The road was completed in 1875, soon after which event Mr. Moulton
was appointed its General Manager, and in 1878 was elected its President, an office which he has
filled with signal ability ever since. The cost of the road was $3,300,000, and under Mr. Moulton's
vigorous management has proven one of the best paying roads in Western New York.
In May, 1881, Mr. Moulton was elected President of the Buffalo Electric Light Company, which
office he still holds. He was also elected Vice-President of the United States Concave Spring Com-
pany and the United States Equipment Company, in which offices his rare executive ability was still
6o History of Buffalo.
further demonstrated. Mr. Moulton has also been largely interested in Colorado mining operations,
Mr. Moulton is a member of the heavy coal and lumber firm of Buffalo, Adams, Moulton & Co., in
which his son. Frank T. Moulton is also engaged. It is one of the leading firms in the city in
their lines of business.
Mr. Moulton married Miss Lucy O. Giles, of Beverly, Mass.. who is a descendant of an old
and respected New England family. Three children have been bom to them — Frank T., already
mentioned, and two daughters.
In his business intercourse with men. Mr. Moulton is prompt and magnetic in manner, courte-
ous to all. bold and vigorous in counsel and decision upon important measures, almost unerring in
his judgmsnt of msn and projected enterprises and of sterling integrity. These are some of the
prominent (|ualities that have enabled him, while yet a young man, to stand in the front rank of the
great army of Buffalo business firms.
CHARLES DAVIS NORTON.— In a biographic sketch and graceful tribute to the man whose
name appears above, written by Hon. Sherman S. Rogers and read before the Buffalo Historical
Society, February 13, 1871, he said :
** There are some men whose individuality is so marked that neither absence nor death can
efface or greatly obscure the impression which it ha.s made — men the mention of whose nxmes alone,
recalls to minfl the dead and gone with such power that they seem to stand before us in their bodily
presence. We hear their voices, we look in at their eyes and feel the grasp of their hands. Such a
man was Charles D. Norton."
This brief tribute to the writer's dead friend is as truthful as it is beautiful.
Charles D. Norton was ]>orn at Hartford, Conn., on the 20th of November, 1820. His father
was Joseph G. Norton, a shipping merchant of Hartford, Conn., who was bom m Hebron, Conn.;
he was a descendant of one of the two families that first settled the island uf Martha's Vineyard —
hardy, honest, sea-taring families. In the year 1827 Joseph G. Norton reihoved with his family to
Black Rock, where he embarked in tne dry goods business with Judah Bliss ; the firm name was
Norton & Bliss. Three years later Mr. Norton removed to Buffalo, where he died in 1844. He is
remembered as a man of fine personal appearance, social in his habits, courteous, genial and worthy
as a citizen. The maiden name of his mother, who was descended from Puritan ancestry, was Lucres
tia Huniint^ton. She wa.^ the daughter of Dr. Joseph Huntington, a Congregationalist minister in
Coventry, Conn., a brother of Samuel Huntington, signer of the Declaration of Independence and
Governor of Connecticut. Dr. Huntington was a graduate of Vale College, of high intellectual
endowments and fine personal appearance. He died in 1794. One of his sons was Samuel Hun-
tington, second Governor of Ohio and afterwards Chief Justice of that State.
Regarding Charles D. Norton's youth and his educational advantages, we will quote from Mr.
Rogers' paper, already referiied to, as follows: —
" From his mother's family Mr. Norton doubtless derived in a large measure his superior intel-
IcJtual endowments and his refined and scholarly tastes. His education in Buffalo began at the old
academy (in the building now occupied by the Hospital of the Sisters of Charity) then taught by
Theodolus Burwcll, Esq. Mr. Burwell continued to teach but a short time after Charles' entrance
to the academy, and as the school broke up on Mr. Burwell's departure, Charles entered a select
school taught by a Mr. Laihrop, a law student, in the basement of the First Presbyterian church.
Charles was regarded as a fine scholar in both schools, and in the latter received the highest prize
for scholarship. Upon the death of Mr. Lathrop. or shortly therej^fter, the old academy was reopened
by Mr. Silas King^ley. Here Charles was again entered, but Mr. Kingsley having resigned his
position not long after, and Mr. Cyrus M. Fay, who had come to Buffalo as Mr. Kingsley's assistant,
having opened a private school in the basement of the old church, Charles resumed his studies with
him and was l)y him fitted for college. Mr. Fay wa>, I believe, a graduate of Union, and probably
directed the choice of young Norton to that institution, where he was entered as a sophomore in
1836. He graduated with honor in the winter of 1840."
From one of his college mates comes this testimony of his attainments and bearing while in that
institution: —
'* As a college youth he was marked for a glowing enthusiasm and a manly bearing so combined
as to win both affection and respect. He was prompt in his manner, open and genial in his expres-
sion, jovial in his'temperament, with a mingling of wit and humor, which never infringed upon the
domain of refined taste, nor invaded the precincts of sacred things. As a student he stood high
throughout his college course; and I think he was for a time at the head of his class on the merit
roll of the college."
/'■
r Mm
./^t?-^^yn^ '^. ^VyO^U^e^^
Biographical. 6i
In the winter of 1839, Mr. Norton began the study of law in the office of Horatio Shumway,
which he continued until the autumn of i84i» when he was attacked by what was supposed to be a
violent hemorrhage of tlie lungs, confining him to his house from November until the following
May. His condition of ill health continued and became quite alarming ; he seemed to be the
victim of wasting consumption. In October, 1842, he sailed for Florida, where he remained under
skillful treatment until June, 1843 ; he returned greatly benefited, resumed his law study and
in the autumn of that year was admitted to the bar. Thereafter Mr. Norton, although not very
robust in health, was able by constant care to attend to the duties of liff during most of his remain-
ing years.
Mr. Norton began his professional life just at the commencement of the famous struggle which
resulted in the election of Mr. Polk, the annexation of Texas, the Mexican war and attendant
events. Mr. Norton was a Whig in his political beliefs, and he took an active and earnest part in
this struggle, becoming at once noted for his power and eloquence on the rostnim ; but the con-
dition of his health was such that he could not devote his energies to a Beld of labor wherein he
could undoubtedly have earned the highest honors. In 1849, he was elected by the Whigs to the
office of City Attorney. In 1851 he was elected Surrogate of Eric county, which office he held for
three years ; it is needless to state that both offices were most ably and honorably filled. In Febru-
ary, 1851, Mr. Norton was elected President of the Young Men's Association, of which he had Icmg
been one of the most useful members ; he delivered its historical address in 1S61, on the occasion of
the twenty-fifth anniversary of the .Association ; he was also one of the first commissioners of its
real estate and held that position at the time of his death. From the first organization of the Buffalo
Historical Society, Mr. Norton took the liveliest interest in its work ; he was one of its founders
and its first recording secretary, and from that time until his death, the society held few meetings at
which he was not present. Its work was peculiarly suite<l to his tastes and was greatly aided by his
efforts.
In October, 1851, Mr. Norton married Miss Jeanette Phelps, daughter of Oliver Phelps, of
Canandaigua. Two children were born of this marriage — Porter and Charles.
In the fall of 1854 Mr. Norton was placed in nomination by the Republican party for ^re-election
as Surrogate, but the Democrats were successful in the county that year. Of his legal career from
that time until he was again called into public life, Mr. Rogers wrote as follows : —
" * * Until again called to public life, Mr. Norton pursued the practice of the law at
Buffalo with assiduity and substantial success. He sought, however, the quieter walks of the pro-
fession, and seemed to avoid the labors and responsibilities of an advocate. He was a painstaking
and diligent man of business, giving his attention to all its details and neglecting nothing that a
sensitive regard to duty required of nim."
In the summer of 1865, President Johnson appointed Mr. Norton Collector of Customs for the
port of Buffalo ; this honor was bestowed entirely without solicitation on the part of the incumbent,
and the important duties of the office were discharged by him with fidelity in all their details, until
his death. This event occurred on the nth of April, 1867, when he was but forty-seven years old
and just as he had apparently entered upon the best and most successful period of his life. He was
mourned not only by relatives and intimate friends, but by the entire city where he had passed most
of his life. In summing up the prominent characteristics of Mr. Norton, his eulogist says :
*' Mr. Norton's character was one of remarkable symmetry. Its defects were not many and so
slight that they did not mar its beauty. His life was in the best sense exemplary. In youth and
early manhood he sowed no foul seed from which to eather bitter sheaves in. later years. In all the
elements of true manhood he had strengthened to the last. * * * Socially his gifts were super-
lative. It would hardly be too much to say that in this respect he had no peer among us. His
mind was enriched by a varied and generous culture, but he did not possess the slightest tinge of
pedantry. He enjoyed literary labor, and the triumphs of the library were more attractive to him
than those of the bar. He found heavy burdens to carry, from early life ; how cheerfully and quietly
he bore them, devoting his life to the discharge of his duty, rather than the pursuit of pleasure or
fame, we all know. The city mourned for him with more than usual sorrow. He was a citizen to
be proud of and his death was a public bereavement."
JOHN T. NOYE.— John T. Noye was bom on the 21st of March, 1814. in the city of New
York. He died at his residence in Buffalo, April 6, 188 1. His parents originally came from
England ; his father, Richard Noye, came to this country when eighteen years old, and is said to
have been the first merchant miller in the State of New York. Mr. Noye passed the early years of
62 History of Buffalo.
his life in the various towns of Westchester county, and when seventeen years old look charge of the
flouring mill at Rye. N. Y., where he remained until the spring of 1835, when he came to Bufialo
and was employed in the Frontier Mills, at Black Rock. A few months later he was engaged to
take charge of the mills at Springville, Erie county, but returned to Buffalo in a short time and
accepted a position with Elisha Hayward, who was at that time interested in the flour and grain
trade and carried on in a small way the manufacture of millstones. From that smadl shop, estab-
lished in 1828. has grown the immense business of the John T. Noye Manufacturing Company.
where some three hundred and fifty men And employment, the name and reputation of which is
known wherever wheat is made into flour.
After a brief apprenticeship as clerk with Mr. Hayward, Mr. Noye became a member of the
Arm, the name of which, after the death of Mr. Hayward, inri846, was Hayward & Noye, Nelson Hay.
ward acting as trustee for the widow of Elisha Hayward and representing her in the business. The
oflice was at that time on Hanover street. This partnership lasted until 1850, when Mr. Noye
assumed the entire control and ownership of the business, and removed to the location on Washing-
ton street with which the business has so long been identified. In 1883 the Lehigh Valley Railroad
Company purchased a part of the property and the works have recently been removed to their new
location on Lake View avenue.
Up to the year 1850 .Mr. Noye had not given up the grain business, but carried it on extensively
and profitably. In 1848, memorable as the year of the Irish famine, he purchased and
shipped wheat and other produce to an amount exceeding in value $3,000,000. In those days no
Atlantic cable was in existence to flash the newi from continent to continent, and the arrivals of
foreign steamer.s were anxiously awaited to enable operators to judge of the advisability of purchasr
ing or selling commodities. The reputation Mr. Noye enjoyed for sagacity and promptness of deci-
sion was by no means mediocre and aided him in the realization of his most sanguine expectations.
To him belongs the credit of having purchased the first cargo of wheat shipped from Chicago.
About the year 1856 Mr. Noye turned his attention almost exclusively to the manufacture of
machinery for flour mills, which business grew rapidly under his energetic and intelligent manage-
ment, until probably no other man in the business was better known, personally or by reputation, or
more respected in his business as well as in his social relations; his name became a synonym for
excellence in everything that left his works. At the time under consideration bank accommodations
were practically unknown in Buffalo. Discount could not be obtained for a larger period than thirty
days and the banks,were all operators in grain. When the dark days of 1857 came, financial embar-
rasshients involved him to many times the amount of his capital; but without credit he still perse-
vered and never relinquished his business enterprises nor avoided his responsibilities. With rare
persistence and unfaltering courage he was able, after many years, to place his business on a firm foot-
ing and to discharge his obligations in full.
Mr. Noye never felt any inclination to public life and held no public oflice. He devoted his
time and energies to the management of his manufacturing and business interests, finding therein his
most congenial occupation.
In character Mr. Noye was entitled to the most profound respect; integrity, force, intelligence
and intuitive knowledge of men were happily blended in him, enabling him to leave an unblemished
record and gaining him the esteem of the entire community. He was a sincere Christian and held
for many years the office of deacon in the Presbyterian Church; he was also elected ruling elder and
trustee, and although he had not for years (owing to deafness) heard a word of the service, he was
always prompt and constant in his attendance upon divine worship.
Upon the death of Mr. Noye, the Buffalo Board of Trade, of which he was one of the founders,
represented by a committee composed of Charles J. Mann, Conway W. Ball and George B. Mat-
thews, prepared and passed an appropriate series of resolutions, which were accompanied by the foU
lowing memorial notes: —
"Another member of the Board of Trade has gone the way of all the earth — ^John T. Noye, whose
business career commenced with the business of our lake and canal trade; although the firm of Hay
ward & Noye were engaged in the mill furnishing business as far back as 1840. They were also
engaged in the flour and grain trade of the dock. Mr. Noye was one of the incorporators of the
Board in 1859— known to all of us as a Christian gentleman through a loiig life of great activity. He
spent his life in building up our city, and by his great enterprise and indefatigable energy, estab-
lished one of the largest manufacturing industries in the land. His honor was unquestioned. His
GEDRG-E PALMER.
Biographical. 63
laige heart showed itself in his generosities and his daily life proved his Christian character. We
cannot let his death pass without notice and tendering to his afflicted family our heartfelt sympathies,
and rejoicing with them that he has lived and leaves to usi all the most enduring and grandest mon-
ument— a good name."
This memorial minute was adopted and engrossed upon the record, and a copy furnished to the
family and press.
Mr. Noye was married to Miss Maria Kirby, of Rye, Westchester county, N. Y., March 19,
T835. She was a daughter of David Kirby and Leah Bird, and died March 18, 1876. The children
of this marriage are Richard K. Noye, born Februarj' 28, 1838; Helen Maria, bom December 26.
1S39; Elizabeth Coles, bom Hlebruary 5, 1844; E. Hayward. bora October 17, 1848, died in 18S2.
Six other children died in infancy. Richard K. Noye has for some years managed the business of
the firm of John T. Noye & Sons, and is now president of the John T. Noye Manufacturing Co.
GEORGE PALMER* was bom in Tiverton. Rhode Island, April 24. 1792, and died in the city
of Buffalo, New York, September 19, 1S64. His grandfather settled in Tiverton about the
middle of the eighteenth century and the father of George was born there in 1766. It is probable
that they were the descendants of Benjamin Palmer, who resided in Stonington, Conn., in i(>C5,
and the genealogical records of the early New England settlers state that from that period no
generation of the Palmers has failed to have in it both a Joseph and a Benjamin. The father and
grandfather of George wert each named Benjamin. For two hundred years past the name has been
common in Rhode Island and the eastern portion of Connecticut, while it has representatives in
every State in the Union.
Benjamin Palmer, the father of George, emigrated to Palymra, in Wayne county, in 1796,
where he died shortly after, leaving his family with small means to struggle with the hardships
incident to life at that period in such a wilderness as was Western New York. The toils and
privations of boyhood served to nurture the qualities of self-reliance, endurance and daring for
which Mr. Palmer became conspicuous in his maturer years. He leamed his trade as a tanner, of
Mr. Munson, of East Bloomfield, Ontario county, and after working for Mr. Henry Jessup at Pal-
myra, for two years, formed a partnership with him in 1814, which continued successful and mutally
satisfactory until 1828. On March 24, 1817, Mr. Palmer was married to Miss Harriet Foster, of
Palmyra. Six sons and two daughters were born to them. Of the sons, Everard Palmer alone
survived him. Their daughter, Cynthia J., married Mr. Peter Curtiss, and Harriet F., married Mr.
James O. Putnam.
Mr. Palmer moved to Buffalo in 1828 and entered into partnership with Noah H. Gardner, in
the leather manufacturing business. Jabez B. Bull was aftenvards a member of the firm, which
was continued to the time of Mr. Palmer's death. Foreseeing the growth of this city, he made con-
siderable purchases of lands in eligible localities, which he largely built up for commercial and
manufacturing purposes. He devoted himself to his manufacturing interests with little diversion to
outside affairs, until the larger relations of Buffalo demanded railroad connections with the West.
Mr. Palmer was one of the first to see this necessity and he entered with characteristic energy into
the enterprise of constracting the State Line railroad. In June, 1849, Mr. Palmer took hold of the
enterprise in earnest and was elected president of the company, and continued in that position by
successive re-elections until his death. The office with him was not merely nominal. During the
constraction of the road he gave bis whole time with unceasing labor, to the supervision of the work
in all its details. He was liberal with means and gave his credit to the extent of his fortune in
conducting it to completion, and carried into all its affairs the same economy that characterized his
private business.
He was one of the originators and largest stockholders of the Marine Bank of Buffalo ; became
its president in August, 185 1, and held that position until his death. To his financial skill is that
institution largely indebted for the success which it achieved during his life.
Soon after the development of the rich deposits of iron which abound on the shores of Lake
Superior, Mr. Palmer turned his attention to the subject of its manufatture in Buffalo. He con-
fidently anticipated the period as not remote when Buffalo would become the center of the largest
iron trade upon the continent. In conjunction with the late General Wadsworth whose untimely
* From a sketch prepared for the Buffalo Historical Society, by the late Hon. George R. Babcock.
64 History of Buffalo.
death upon the battle-field a nation mourns, he established a large furnace which was soon blended
with a similar enterprise entered upon by Messrs. Warren & Thompson, forming the extensive
furnaces and rolling mills known as the Union Iron Works.
Apart from his regular business and the enterprises enumerated. Mr. Palmer was often interested
with others in mercantile pursuits, to the conduct of which he gave but little personal attention.
Young men of industry, good character, and talent for business, often received great assistance from
him in the way of capital and credit, fur which no compensation, beyond simple interest for cash
advanced, was asked or paid. No man was more liberal in the use of his name as surety for his
neighbors, and often he met with severe losses and inconveniences from the freedom with which, in
this way, he assisted others in business. His pecuniary liabilities for others, where he had no
security except the integrity of those in whom he confided, and no apparent motive for the risk
incurred except a desire to be of service, were oftentimes very lai^ge, and sufficient to excite liTely
apprehensions of disaster to his own fortunes.
His labors and liberality for the advancement of the material interests of himself and his neigh-
bors by no means constituted the sum of his efforts. The various institutions of a benevolent scope*
which to so remarkable an extent characterize the civilization of our country, found in him mn
efficient friend and liberal contributor. From an early period in his life he was a man of decided
religious views. His faith and character were of the New England, PnritaA stamp. Upon cooiuig
to this city he united with the First Presbyterian Church. Upon the division of that ecdestasticad
lK>dy he adhered to the Old School, and wa* a liberal contributor to the ereaion and support of the
Pearl Street Central Church, under the ministry of the Rev. Dr. Lord. In 1857 it was thought
advisable to establish a new church farther up town and some steps were taken in that dtiectioa,
which were entirely frustrated by the financial revulsion that occurred in the fall of thut ycftr.
Although his associates in the enterprise were unable to continue it, Mr. Palmer resolved that it
should not fail and soon set hiiuself to the work of building upon the site which had become his
individual property by purchase, the beautiful structure on Delaware street known as Calvary
Church. The whole work was carried on under his immediate supervision. This edifice with its
appurtenances cost $85,000, and the whole was conveyed a free gift, July 7, 1862, to the society
now worshiping in it. He imposed a few wise conditions to insure its preservation and continued
use for the advancement of the Christian faith which he professed.
Mr. Palmer possessed a good physical constitution which was improved by constant exercise in
the open air and preserved by habits of temperance. His power of endurance was great : his activity
both of mind and body almost ceaseless ; and he little felt the effects of advancing years. He was
in attendance upon two services in Calvary Church the day before his death, apparently in perfect
health. He died September 20, 1864, from an aitaxk oi an^^ina peciorit, Mr. Palmer's life was
frugal and unostentatious. His intellectual qualities were of a superior order. With clear percep-
tions, comprehensive views, and rapid evolutions of thought, he united a resolution that was rarely
shaken.
Mr. Palmer's posterity at the present time are Everard Palmer, Harlow C, son of Everard,
and an infant daughter of Hariow C. ; George Palmer Putnam, and his children, George Palnier,
James Osborne, Mary Hall and Edward Hall ; Harriet Osborne Putnam, and Mrs. Robert Keating
and her children, George Palmer, Jeannette and Harriet.
ORSON PHELPS was born at Fabius, Onondaga county, N. Y., December 17th, 1805 ; he was
one of a family of seventeen children, the parents of whom were Oliver Phelps, bom at Sal-
mon Brook, Granby county. Conn., December 12, 1779, died May 4, 1851 ; and Abigail St. John,
daughter of Samuel St. John, of Connecticut. They were married on the i6th of January, 1800,
and came into Central New York about the beginning of the present century. The boyhood of
Orson Phelps did not differ materially from that of most boys of that period ; it was a period of
labor, alternating with attendance at the primitive schools of that day, during portions of each year,
until he was fourteen year»old. From that time he was actively engaged with his father in various
kinds of business involving enterprises of much importance. They established the first stage line
over the Catskill mountains, from Ithaca to New York city. They built the first steamboat on
Cayuga lake, and Orson was her captain at fourteen years of age. They also built the first bridge
across the foot of Cayuga lake, as well as the first canal locks at Lockport. They constructed the
^
y^/td'e?^
Biographical. 65
" deep cut " of the Welland canal, at St. Catharines, C. W., and in 1837 had the contract for
building the Genesee Valley Canal. While residing in St. Catharines, they built a Presbyterian
Church, of which the son was a member for many years.
Mr. Phelps came to Buffalo to live about the year 1S40, and bought the old United States Bank
property on the corner of Main and South Division streets, where he erected a hotel which for some
years was known as the Phelps House ; it was subsequently called the Clarendon Hotel and was
•destroyed in 1859. Mr. Phelps was one of the original projectors of the Buffalo Water Works, and
was the first to suggest the tapping of Chautauqua lake as a source of pure water tor the city. He
Avas one of the original Councilors of the Medical Department of the Buffalo University and held
that position to the time of his death : he was also instrumental in the establishment of the General
Hospital.
On the 6th of October, 1S46. Mr. Phelps was married to Miss Calista Maria Fisk, daughter of
Abram J. Fisk and Maria St. John Fisk. of the State of Illinois, both deceased. Three children
Avere bom to them, two of whom are dead ; the other is Calvin F. Phelps, of Buffalo. Mrs. Phelps
is also a resident of the city at this time.
This sketch may be appropriately closed with the following extract from an obituar)' notice
printed in the Buffalo Courier:—
*' It will be readily inferred by those who did not know the man, that his life was one of activity
■and usefulness. His mind had a strong mechanical bias, and he ifollowed whither it led, with the
t>est results. He preferred large projects to small ones and handled them with the same ease that
men of lesser menial calibre would show in dealing with schemes of minor importance. He was
admirably fitted, during his active life, to assume great responsibilities, for he belonged eminently to
that class of men who master their business and are not mastered by it. Indeed, he Mras such a
man in his energy, uprightness, public spirit and irresistible earnestness as would make himself
felt anywhere in those enterprises which look to the building up of a city. He was for many years a
<:ommunicant in the Presbyterian Church and a constant attendant. Mr. Phelps was a hearty,
genial man, warmly attached to family and friends, a man of liberal views and unimpeachable integ-
rity, and a citizen whose history is inwoven with the prosperity and growth of Buffalo."
Mr. Phelps died on the 15th of March. 1S70, leaving a record of which his friends may feel
proud, and his loss regretted by the entire community.
WILLIAM WARREN POTTER was bom in Strykersville, Genesee (now Wyoming) county,
N. Y., December 31, 1837. His father. Dr. Lindorf Potter, a native of the town of Sheldon,
Genesee (Wyoming) county, was a son of Dr. Benjamin Potter. The latter married Phoebe, daughter of
Dr. Eastman, of Connecticut, and came hence to Western New York in 180S, and was, therefore,
one of the earliest physicians in the Holland Purchase. Of four sons, two (Lindorf and Milton £.)
became physicians and settled in the same county of their birth, where they became distinguished in
their profession. Dr. Lindorf Potter, father of the subject of this sketch, married Mary G., daugh-
ter of the Rev. Abijah Blan chard, D. D., a prominent clergyman in the Episcopal Church, Febraar}*'
12, 1837, and settled in Strykersville, N. Y. He removed to Warsaw, in 184?; thence to Var}'s-
burgh in 1844, where he practiced medicine until his death, which occurred March 27, 1857.
Dr. Milton E. Potter, uncle of William W., settled in Bennington Centre, whence he removed
to Cowlesville. and thence to Attica, N. Y., where he died in 1875, in the ripeness of years and the
full enjoyment of a busy practice up to the last days of his life. He was the father of Dr. Milton
Grosvenor Potter, late Professor of Anatomy in the Buffalo Medical College, who died in Buffalo
January 28, 1878.
The early life of William W. Potter was passed in the vicinity of his birth, and his lay educa-
tion was received in the private schools, at Arcade Seminary, and at Genesee Seminary and College
at Lima, N. Y. He came to Buffalo in 1854, receiving his medical education at Buffalo Medical
College, where he gtaduated Febraary 23, 1859. Soon after graduating he was offered a partner-
ship in the practice of medicine, by his uncle. Dr. M. E. Potter, of Cowlesville, N. Y., where he
located in the spring of 1859. Upon the breaking out of the civil war he made haste to offer his
services in a professi6nal capacity to the Government, and passed the examination of the Army Med-
ical Examining Board at Albany, N. Y., April 25, 1861. He became interested in the organization
of the Second Buffalo Regiment (the Forty-ninth New York Volunteers) in the summer of 1861, and
was commissioned by Governor Morgan its Assistant Surgeon, September 16, 1861, at the instance
of the Union Defense Committee, which was composed of Mayor F. A. Alberger, Dr. Edward
66 History of Buffalo.
Storck, James Adams, Isaac HoIIoway, Alderman A. A. Howard and others. Colonel D. D. Bid-
well was selected to command the regiment and, under hi» exi>erienced and able leadership il bore its
part honorably and well in the great contest which so sorely tried the metal of American soldiers.
The hi&tuiy of the Forty-ninth Regiment has become a part of the History of Eric County, and need
not be recounted here.
Dr. Potter served as its junior medical officer during all of its earlier career, from the dale of its
organization; was \%'ith it when it joined the Army of the Potomac; followed its fortunes during the
peninsitiar campaign; then when it was temporarily under Pope; again when it was under McClel-
lan in the Maryland campaign; and finally when under Burnside in the Fredericksburgfa disaster. He
was left with the wounded of Smith's division on the night of the 29th of June. 1S62, by order of
(fcneral Franklin, commanding the Sixth Corp*, when the army was retreating by the flank to Har-
rison's I^anding, and next morning fell into the hands of the enemy, when he had an interesting inter-
view with the redoubtable " Stonewall " Jackson. In a few days he was removed to Richmond and
given cjuarters in Libby prison, then under command of the celebrated Lieutenant Turner. He was
released among the first exchanges under the cartel arranged between the hostile powers, and deliv-
ered to the hospital steamship Louisiana, July 18, 1862. and immediately thereafter rejoined his
regiment at Harrison's Landing, Va. On December 16, 1862, just after the battle of Fredericks-
burgh, he was promoted surgeon of the Fifty-seventh Regiment New York Volunteers, in Han-
cock's division of the Second Corps. He served with his regiment during the Chancellorsville and
Gettysburg campaigns; and. in August, 1S63, was assigned to the charge of the First Division Hos-
pital, Second Corps, continuing upon that duty until his muster-out of service with his regiment near
the close of the war. He was breveted Lieutenant-f>>lonel United States Volunteers for faithfuL
and meritorious service, by the President of the United States, and of New York Volunteers by the
Governor of the State of New York, for like reasons.
After the war he performed service for the Govemmeot in connection with the Pension Office
as General Examining Surgeon, and was appointed Coroner of the District of Columbia. He resigned
the latter office to return to the more congenial field of private practice, and located temporarily in
Mount Morris, Livingston counfy. For several years he resided in Batavia, Genesee county, where
he was physician to the New York State Institution for the Blind; he was a member of the Genesee
County Medical Society, which his grandfather, Dr. Benjamin Potter, joined in 1813; which his
father. Dr. Lindorf Potter, joined in 1833; and which his uncle, Dr. Milton E. Potter, joined in
183S. Finally he returned to Buffalo in i8Sr, where he has since resided pursuing the practice of
his profession.
He is a Curator of-the Medical Department of the University of Buffalo; permanent member
of the American Medical Association (1S78); permanent member of the Medical Society of the Sute
of New York (1883); member of the Erie County Medical Society; member of the Buffalo Medical
and Surgical Association; member of the Buffalo Medical Union; and life member of Alumni Asso-
ciation of Buffalo Medical College. He wa»one of the founders of the latter association, and its
president in 1877. His professional tastes, largely cultivated by association with his father, led him
early into the field of surgery and he has performed many of the more important operations, both in
military and civil practice.
Of late he has turned his attention quite largely to diseases of women, having performed many
important operations in this department of medicine. He has been a frequent contributor to medical
literature, and has, likewise, written many unpublished papers for medical societies and other
bodies. Amon(); his published writings may be mentioned the following : " Umbilical Hernia in
the Adult, with the report of a successful operation," Buffalo Medical Journal^ 1879; "Rectal
Alimentation for the Relief of the Obstinate Vomiting of Pregnancy," American Journal of Oh-
sUirics, New York, 1880 ; ** Remarks on Rectal Feeding in Disease," New York Medical Record^
1880; "Epithelioma of the Cervix Uteri," Transactions of the Medical Society of the State of
New York, 1881 ; '* The Genu- Pectoral Posture in Uterine and Ovarian Displacements," Tran-
sactions of the Medical Society of the State of New York, 1882; "The Gynecic Uses and Value of
the Genu- Pectoral Posture," Transactions of tfie American Medical Association^ 1882 ; *• Induction
of Premature Labor in Puerperal Eclampsia," Transactions of the Medical Society of the State of
A\'w York, 1 883 ; " Address to the Alumni of Buffalo Medical College." delivered in St. Ja
■ft^
'^^^r^^r
Biographical. 67
Hall, February 33d, 1S75. He is a contributor to the Army Mtdical Museum, and to the Mtdical
and Surgical History of the War.
Dr. Potter was married March a3d, 1S59, to Emily A., daughter of William H. Bostwick, Esq.,
of Lancaster, Erie county. His wife, a native of Erie county, is a lineal descendant of Ethan
Allen, of Revolutionary fame, and her family came from Vermont to Erie county in an early day.
He has three children, vii: — Dr. Frank Hamilton Potter, born January 8, i860 ; Helen Blanchard,
bom February 13. iS63 ; and Alice F., bom November 33, 1S70 ; all living in Buffalo. His son.
Dr. Frank H. Potter, is engaged in the practice of his profession, and is clinical assistant to the
Chair of Surgery in the Medical Department of Niagara University.
SAMUEL F. PR ATT.— It is eminently proper that a brief sketch of the lives of Samuel F. Pratt
and of Pascal P. Pratt, should be given a place in this connection. They were brothers between
whom existed during all of their mature lives not only the most intimate business relations but a bond
of fraternal affection that was severed only by the eider brother's death. Samuel Fletcher Pratt was
bom in Townsend, Vt., May 38, 1807, and came to Buffalo with his father about the first of Sep-
tember following, making the long journey in his mother's arms. The family came into Buffalo
when it was a mere frontier hamlet, in the first carriage that ever passed through its streets. Amid
those pioneer scenes the boy grew up to manhood, carefully nurtured by a devoted mother and a
fond father. When he was but twelve years of age he went to Canada, where he spent three years
in a store, returning to Buffalo to enter the hardware store of 0. & T. Weed as a clerk on a salary of fS a
month. After five years of close attention to the interests of his employers, and when only twenty
years old he was admitted as a partner in the firm. Ten years later he became sole owner of the
establishment and there laid the foundation of the great business enterprises in \vhich he aftenvard
became the leading spirit, and which will be referretl to in the sketch of his brother's life.
Samuel F. Pratt was in all respects one uf the most useful and respected citizens of Buffalo. At
the time of his death it was written of him that ** while he was not conspicuous for remarkable
traits of character, except those fundamental principles of honor, honesty, integrity and truth in
which he was never found wanting — while the influence he exerted over men was not by noisy dec- .
lamation, for he was a man of few words, yet he was so free from that which mars the character and
darkens the life of so many, as in this to be worthy of notice. As one who knew him most intimately
said since his death, ' his negative qualities were splendid.' He was especially free from suspicion
and envy and willing to accord to every one around him his proper place. He would not involve
himself in the angry contentions or unnecessary quarrels of his fellow men, but w^hile he had and held
his own opinions on every subject most tenaciously, yet he never allowed them to be so prominent as
to aronse any ill feeling among those who might disagree with him."
In this connection a brief quotation from the memorial prepared by the tate O. G. Steele, will
further delineate Mr. Pratt's characteristics and worth: —
"As a citizen, Mr. Pratt commanded the respect and confidence of our whole community. No
man could be a more just and devoted husband and father, and no man better represented the good
citizen. In all movements for the public good, his co-operation was certain and effective. His
fatrly-eamed wealth was freely contributed to every public object which commanded his confidence.
His charities were numerous and liberal, but never blazoned to the world with his consent."
In his history of the Pratt family Mr. William P. Letchworth thus refers to Mr. Pratt's charac-
ter and some of the positions of trust to which he was called: —
** It is superfluous to speak of the integrity of one who fulfilled in his daily walk so nearly, if
not entirely, the requiremenU of the divine law. He was ihe soul of honor and justice, and one
soon felt in an acquaintance with him' that these attributes were at the base of his character. When
financial panics swept through business centers, bankrupting the strongest firms and shaking every
business house to its foundation, then the moral power of this man was like a rock in the tempest, a
pillar of strength to the house of which he was a member and around which the fury of the storm
Deat in vain.
'* He was never inclined to push himself before the public, and yet he did not shrink from
the responsibility when he thought his duty called him to act. During the late war he was treasurer
of a citizen's committee of three organized to collect and disburse money for the defense of the
Union. This fund was required to be variously appropriated. It was a position of considerable
care, requiring discretion and involving on the part of each member of the committee not a little
personal responsibility. His duties were so discharged as to give the highest satisfaction. He was
several times importuned to allow his name to be used as a candidate for Mayor by the popular
party, but he always declined. He never displayed any ambition for political honors. He accepted
68 IIisTORV OF Buffalo.
the post of A Merman in 1S44. Theu* were ihen but five wards and ten aldermen, and his
a-M>ciaie-^ were a fine da-.^ of men. Hr aiiendcd to (lie diitie^ of his poi»ilion with j»cnipulous
care, allc.winj; no mailer to \>a>s out of his hands which did not receive the necesiar}' attention.
He marlr it a p'unt to iindcrNiand (he merits of every quesiion and voted and a.ted conscientiously
in relation thereto. Me was ilje hrsl pie^idenl of the liuffaio Gas Light Company, a poMtion he
held from the time of his election, in 164:5. to that of his death, in 1S72. He in ve!»tcd largely
ill this enterprise and wurked h.ird to e^iauli>h it. He foresaw at the beginning that the erecliou
of complete yas works htMC was to be a great acquisition to the city, and he put forth his be>i
efforts to induce citizens i;encrally to l>ecome interested and take slock in it. He even went so far
as to say to some vviio thought they could not take money from their business for i his object,
' Sul)Mribc. and if you hnd you cannot spare the money. I will take the slock off your hands.' These
])]edges were siii)setiuently redeemed. ** He was elected in 1851 ihe first president of the Buffalo
Female Academy, and was a trustee from the time he relinciuiahed the office of president to the time
of his death."
Mr. Pratt united with the Presbyterian Church when he was eighteen years of age, and his life
wa> guided by the teachings of Christianity. He was very fond of music and during nearly all of
liis mature years he was a member of the choir of Ihe First Presbyterian Church.
In the fall of 1S35, when Mr. Prait was twcnly-eight years old, he was married to Miss Mary
Jane Strong, a lady " endowed with rare personal charms, all of which had been carefully and relig-
iously nurtured." Tw<> daughters, feannic, born February 18, 1841, and Helen, were the offspring
of this union — a union thai was productive of all ihe domesiic happiness and ptace that is ever vouch-
safecl lo humanity. Jeannic Pratt was married to William J. King in June, 1S60, and died .Septem-
ber 24, 1 8 72. Helen Pratt was raariied to Frank Hamlin. February 27, 1872, and died in Paris
January 17, 1873.
In CJctober, 1S66, Mr. Prail, accompanied by his wife, one of his daughters and Miss King, a
sister of his son-indaw, made an extended European tour, being absent about a year. At another
time he accompanied his brother, Pascal P. Prait, on another visit to Europe.
Mr. Pratt died on Sunday morning. April 27, 1872, at the age of bixty-five years, and his remains
were buiicfl in the beautiful Forest Lawn Cemetery, on Wednesday, May I, 1872. The eloquent
funeral discourse spoken by the Rev. Dr. A. T. Chester concluded as follows: —
** Al nine o'clock on Sabbath morning, just as the worshipers were preparing for the sanctuary
below, he went up to begin the ceaseless worship of the upper courts. And if that is in some respects
as we are taught, a service of song, may he not be especially fitted for it by his life on earth ? You
that remember him as joining so long and so heartily in the chuir below, may yet hear him again as
with a spirit's voice he unites with the great company of the saved, as they sing (he praises of redeem-
ing love."
JAMES O. PUTNAM is a descendant in the seventh generation, of John Putnam, who came
from Uuckin^rhamshire, England, in 1634, and settled in Salem, Mass. At a later day his family
became principal pro|>rietors of Danvers, Mass. The father of James O. was the late Hon. Har\-ey
Putnam, who was bom in Brattleboro, Vermont, and settled in Attica, Wyoming county, N. Y.,
in 18 1 7. He was a lawyer and represented his district many years in the Stale Senate and in the
United Stales House of Representatives. His mother was a daughter of James Osborne and a
grand-daughter of Colonel Benjamin Symonds, of Williamstown, Mass. Colonel Symonds was one
of the original proprietors of that town and an officer in the army of the American Revolution.
James O. was born in Attica, July 4, 1818. He graduated at Yale College in the class of 1S39.
He entered upon the study of the law with his father and was admitted to the Bar in 1842. Im-
mediately after his admission he settled in lUififalo and was for two years a partner of the late Hon,
George K. Habcock. In 1844, he was appointed secretary and treasurer, and in 1846, attorney and
counselor of the Altica & lUiffalo and HufTalo & Rochester Railroad Companies ; positions he held
until their consolidation wilh the New York Central Railroad Company.
In 1S51 he was appointed postmaster of the city of Buffalo by President Fillmore, which
position lie retained during the residue of Mr. Fillmore's term. In 1S53 he was elected Stale Sena-
tor. While his political studies led liim to sympathize wilh the conservative branch of the Whig
pariy, he unifoimly resisted the aggre>sions of the slave interest, which was then trying to force the
insiilulion of slavery upon the new territories. l>y speech and vote in the Senate he united in the
protests of his State against the repeal of the Missouri Compromise.
As a Senator he was best known as the author and supporter of what is known as " The Church
Property I Jill," which rerpiircd real estate consecuited to religious uses to be vested in trustees in accord-
^l^fU/J
Biographical. 69
ance i¥ith the general policy of the State, and with the statute relating to religious corporations. As his
action in that connection grew out of a movement in the city of Buflalo, and within the Roman
Catholic Church, and as it has had a marked influence upon the policy of that communion, it is proper
to state briefly here its history. In the general council of Roman Catholic bishops held in Baltimore
in 1829, an ordinance was passed thai —
*• In future no church be erected or consecrated unless it be assigned by a written instrument
to the bishop in whose diocese it is to be erected, for the divine worship and use of the faithful
whenever this can be dime."
This was approved by Pope Gregory XVI. Little attention was paid to this ordinance, and in
1849. A^ another council held in Baltimore, the following ordinance was passed : —
Article 4. — *' The Fathers ordain that all churches and all other ecclesiastical property which
have been acquired by donations or the offerings of the faithful or for religious or charitable use,
belong to the Bishop of the Diocese, unless it shall be made to appear and be confirmed by writings,
that it was granted to some religious order of Monks or to some congregation of Priests for their use.'*
Several German Roman Catholic churches in the United States refused to surrender their
charter in obedience to the ordinance, and a very bitter controversy grew up between them and
their respective Bishops. Among them was the church of St. Louis, of ButTaio, composed of Ger-
man and French citizens, which was incoq)orated under the laws of the State of New York relating
to religious corporations. The whole power of the Catholic hierarchy was brought to bear to com-
pel this church to convey its splendid property to the Bishop of the Diocese. The church petitioned
to the Legislature for relief and in their petition they said : —
•* For no higher offence than simply refusing to violate the trusr law of tmr State, we have been
subjected to pains of excommunication and our names held up to infamy and reproach. For this
cause, too. have the entire congregation been under ban. To our members the holy rites of baptism
and of burial have been denied. The marriage sacrament is refused. The priest is forbidden to
minister at our altars. In sickness and at the hour of death the holy consolations of religion are
withheld."
This condition of affairs continued for five years. The question raised by this petition of .St.
Louis Church was squarely presented, whether the ordinance of the Council of Bishops or the policy
of the State in relation to religious corporations should prevail. Mr. Putnam prepared and intro-
duced into the Senate a bill requiring religious societies to be incorporated under the general law as
to religious corporations, under i^nalty for non-compliance, of forfeiture to the State of its real
properly, which was to hold the same in trust until the proper organization of such corporation.
Mr. Putnam advocated his measure in a speech which is remarkable for the profound impression
it made upon the country at the time. It is not too much to say that no words have ever been
spoken before nor since in the Legislative halls of New York, which echoed so far and moved so
wide a feeling.
The speech was published in the public journals in every section of the Union and everywhere
called out the most cordial expressions of admiration and approval. His bill passed the Legislature
by an almost unanimous vote. The great effect of this speech on the church property bill was due
not more to its power and brilliance as an effort of oratory, than to the large liberality of the view
in which he exhibited the momentous issues of the question in dispute, and the conscientious temper
in which it discussed them. It was not for Protestantism that Mr. Putnam spoke, neither to sound
its alarms nor to summon its defenders, but simply and altogether for the Republicanism of America,
and for the spiritual independence which is the soul of all its franchises. The immediate con-
stituenc}' which he represented in speaking, was a body of faithful worshipers in the Roman Catholic
communion, who claimed protection in their own liberties as such, against the policy of the Catholic
hierarchy.
It was a singularly apt and fortunate occasion for examining freshly the grounds and principles
of the polity of the Republic in religious concerns, and for confirming anew among the people the
wise jealousy of ecclesiastical power, in which they have been traditionally trained. Mr. Putnam
lost nothing of the opportunity. When he had finished his speech the controversy was ended. The
Roman episcopacy had suffered defeat in its long-cherished design to acquire possession and title in
itself of the entire real property of the Roman communion. The courageous trustees of the St.
Louis Church of Buffalo were vindicated victoriously, and the religious corporation whose legal rights
70 History of Buffalo.
they so valiantly and successfully maintained, has enjoyed peacefully ever since the spiritual fellow-
ship that was being denied it. The same is true of other churches in the country that made like
resistance to the Baltimore policy.
Some years later, and after the end of this controversy with the churches, another act wms
passed by the Legislature of New York and accepted by the church authorities, providin|r for tlie
incorporation of Roman Catholic churches under the general act relating to religious corporations.
The act places such corporations under the supervision of the Legislature and the Courts, as all
other corporate trusts are placed ; and so has ended the claims and discipline of the Baltimore
councils.
In 1857 Mr Putnam was the candidate of the American party for the office of Secretaiy of State.
He labored for the union of the American with the Republican party, newly organized to resist the
aggressions of the slave interest, and in i860 was one of the two (Lincoln) Sute Presidential electors-
at-laige.
In 1861 he was api>ointcd by President Lincoln, United States Consul at Havre, France. His
absence under this appointment covered the period of our civil war, when Paris was a center of loyal
Americans on the continent. Upon our national occasions in the French capita], he was repeatedly
called to act a principal part. The address of American citizens abroad, to their government, upon
the death of President Lincoln, was from his pen. The oration at the celebration of the 22d of
February, in Paris, after the close of the war, was by him.
In 1S80 he was appointed by President Playes. United States Minister to Belgium. While
abroad upon this mission, he was ai)poinicd by the United States Government its delegate to the
International Industrial Property Congress, which Jtat in Paris in 1881.
A published volume of Mr. Putnam's '* Orations, Speeches and Miscellanies," reveals iu some
degree his relations to the institutions of the city during the last thirty years, and the scope of his
public services as an interpreter of its benevolent sentiment and patriotic feeling. He was for a
time trustee of the State Agricultural College, in Ovid, Seneca county. After the passage of the
law authorizing a State Board of Public Charities, he was appointed by the Governor member of the
Boanl for the Eighth Judicial District. His health did not admit his acceptance of the trust. He
has been a member of the Council of the Buffalo University since its reorganization in 1846. He is
a trustee of Houghton Seminary, in Clinton, N. V.
Mr. Putnam has been twice married. On the 5th of January, 1S42. he married Harriet Palmer,
d.-iughterof George Palmer, of Buffalo. She died May 3, 1853. The children of that marriage arc
George Palmer Putnam, Harriet Osborne Putnam, and Mrs. Robert Keating.
On the I5ih of March, 1S55, he married Kale F. Wright, daughter of Rev. Worthingtou
Wright, of Wtxxlstock, Vt. The children of that marriage are Kate E. Putnam, Dr. James Wright
Putnam, Harvey Worthingtou Putnam, and Frank Curtiss Putnam.
GORHAM FLINT PRATT.— The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Redding,
Mass., on the 4th of July, 1S04. His boyhood, until he was about sixteen years old, was spent
at his home, during which period he enjoyed the advantages of the union schools of his native place.
Between the year 1S20 and the time when he left his home, Mr. Pratt taught school several tenns.
The death of his mother when he was quite young, and the subsequent second marriage of his
fathei, resulted in the young man's departure from home and locating in the State of New Hamp-
shire, where he pursued a collegiate course. He then began the study of medicine, subsequently
taking the degree of U. D., in the Medical College at Fairfield, New York, then a prominent insti-
tution, in 1 83 1.
Before the completion of his medical studies, he removed to Black Rock, but soon after located
in Buffalo, where he continued in active i>ractice until his death. Dr. Pratt formed a partnership
soon after his arrival in Buffalo with Dr. CyreniusChapin, the pioneer physician and heroic defender
of Buffalo in the war of 1812. This partnership continued until the death of Dr. Chapin, in 1S36.
Dr. Pratt afterwards continued his practice without office associates.
As a physician, Dr. Pratt occupied a prominent position, met with excellent success and was given
a large practice. He was particularly successful as an occulist, and performed many operations
requiring the highest professional skill.
Biographical. 71
On the 4th of Novfmber. 1834, Dr. I*ratt was married to a lady of the same name, though in
no way related — Miss Sophia-C. Pratt, daughter of Samuel Pratt, Jr., and Sophia Fletcher, of Buf-
falo, and grand-daughter of 5>amuel Pratt, Sr., the pioneer who came to the little frontier hamlet of
" New Amsterdam " in 1804, bringing his family and effects in the first carriage that ever traversed
the roads of Erie county. Samuel Pratt, Jr., was born in February, 1787, at Westminster, Vt., and
was married in June, 1806, to Miss Sophia Fletcher. In the year 1807 he brought his wife and
child to Buffalo, locating first on the North side of Exchange street, between Main and Washington ;
he afterwards removed to the comer of West Eagle and Main streets, where the family resided when
the village was burned in the winter of i8i3-'i4.'
By a life of integrity, industry and public spirit, aside from his honorable and successful career
as a physician, Dr. Pratt attained a position in society and in his profession that was enviable in all
respects. He is survived by his widow, who still resides in Buffalo, and one son, William F. Pratt.
The latter was bom July 26, 1835, and is a well-known farmer of the town uf \Ve>>i Seneca. He
was married June 17, 1867, to Miss Antoinette Fisher.
ORKIN P. RAMSDELL. — Among the most successful and respected business men of Buffalo is
Mr. Orrin P. Ramsdell, wholesale boot and shoe dealer. The subject of this sketch m'os bom
in Mansfield, Conn., on the igth of July, 181 1. His immediate ancestors were of Scotch descent,
his father being Isaiah Ramsdell, a native of Lynn, Mass. His motfier was Clarissa Collins, who
was bom in Mansfield, Conn. The boyhood of Orrin P. Ramsdell was spent at the home of his
parents, in Mansfield, where he attended the common schools regularly until he was about sixteen
years old, acquiring a gooil English education.
Mr. Ramsdell's first business enterprise on his own account was the establishment of a retail
boot and shoe store in New London, Conn., previous to which he gained a good knowledge of mer-
cantile' business as a clerk in a dr)' goo<U store, a portion of the time in New York city.
His career since that time stamps him as a self-made man, in the broadest sense of the tenn.
His first business venture in New London was made on a borrowed capital of $1,000, which was
invested exclusively in boots and shoes; his failure was freely predicted, his store being the only one
of the kind in that section. Within a year of his start, however, the general stores in the vicinity
were forced to drop boots and shoes from their lines, and Mr. Ramsdell found himself m.ister of a
profitable business, which he continued until 1835. He then sold out to good advantage and came
to Buffalo, where he permanently located and established a retail boot and shoe store in 1S37, which
soon developed into a wholesale establishment, and is now one oi the leading houses of the city.
Mr. Ramsdell has always shown himself a public-spirited citizen ; he h.ns been closely identified
with all enterprises having for their object the welfare and advancenient of Buffalo. lie has long
been connected with all of the public and charitable institutions of the city, giving freely of his
of time and means for their benefit. While he has always been looked upon as the pioneer shoe dealer
of Buffalo and has for over forty years continued at the head of a prosperous boot and shoe house, still,
that business for many years past has received but a small share of his attention — has lieen a sort of
side issue. His enterprise led him to throw off the details of his regular business, leaving them to
the care of trusted associates, while he turned his attention to other imix>rtant enteri>rises. In 1861
he built the Erie Basin Elevator and purchased large pieces of property adjoining it, and although
he afterwards associated with him John C. Clifford and Charles Rams<lell, (formerly of Buffalo) and
his brothers Albert N., and Thomas Ramsdell, of Connecticut, his was the directing hand in a large
elevating business. He finally, in the year 1867, sold the entire properly at a very large profit, to
J. Langdon & Co., the great coal firm, of Elmira, X. Y. These and other operations secured for
Mr. Rams4en & wide reputation as a man of rare business sagacity; the elevator enterprise was
pronounced on all sides as one of the most successful undertakings of the kind ever carried Out in
Buffalo.
Mr. Ramsdell was an early and enthusiastic believer in railroads, investing largely in different
lines. His early ventures in this direction proved very successful, and ever since he has been largely
interested in various roads both East and West. Mr. Ramsdell was also early identified with the
banking interests of Buffalo; he was one of the original stockholders of the Manufacturers' and
Traders* Bank, and has remained a stockholder ever since. He is also intereste<l in several other
^2 History of Buffalo.
Buffalo banks, serving on several of their past Boards of Directors. He was one of the Directors of
the Buffalo & Southwestern railroad, from which he retired at the last election.
Mr. Ramsdell has been a man of large charities, and although this has been shown by many
public gifts, he has in a more modest way made himself loved and respected.
Mr. Ramsdell's personal characteristics, as shown in his business career, are a strong prefer-
ence for conservative methods, an intuitive and generally correct judgment of men, a manner always
courteous and gentlemanly. These traits contributed in no small measure to his success and have
given him a very extended circle of business friends and acquaintances, it has been said by one
who possesses complete knowledge of Mr. Ramsdell's life, that ' ' after so many years of active
business competition, it can scarcely be said that he has an enemy." Mr. Ramsdell is a staunch
friend to all whose interest he has at heart; a business man whose integrity and uprightness have
always been above reproach, and a citizen who enjoys the respect of the entire community. He has
never cared for, sought, nor held puClic ofHce.
Mr. Ramsdell was married in 1851 to Miss Anna C. Titus, of Brooklyn, N. Y., a daughter of
Thomas W. Titus, of New York, and Deborah Smith, of Flushing, L. 1. Nine children have been
born to Mr. and Mrs. Ramsdell, as follows: Albert N., lx)m in 1853, and died in 1878; Thomas T.,
born in 1S54, now in business with his father in Buffalo; Orrin P., Jr., born in 1856, and died in
1S60; Belle C, born in 1857, now Mrs. £. A. Bell; Bessie H., born in 1858, and died in infancy;
Alfred C, born in i860, died in infancy; Anna K., born in 1862; Clarissa C, born in 1865; and
Evelyn, born in 1S6S, living with their parents in Buffalo.
Though advanced in years, .Mr. Ramsdell still devotes much attention to his large business
and estate interests, and lives in the enjoyment of his well-earned competence.
JEWETT MELVIN RICHMOND.— The ancestors of the subject of this notice, on both sides,
came originally from England and were among the early settlers of New England. His father
was Anson Richmond, who was born February 4, 1790, near Taunton, Mass. He was the son of
Josiah Richmond, and his mother's maiden name was Betsey Hatheway, who was also born near
Taunton. Boih were lineally descended from members of the Plymouth Colony. Josiah Richmond
was a farmer by occupation and fought as a volunteer in the war of the Revolution. He removed
from Taunton to settle in Barnard, Vt., where his son Anson became one of the volunteers of the
Green Mountain State in the war of 181 2. In 1813 or 1814 he left Vermont and settled in Salina,
(now the First ward of the city of Syracuse, N. Y.,) which was then quite. a flourishing village, and
the seat of the manufacture of Onondaga salt. From the time of his arrival in Salina until his death,
which occurred September 23, ZS34, Anson Richmond was engaged ih the manufacture of salt. He
became a man of prominence in the village; was several times elected a trustee, and once or twice
was chairman of the Council. He was for many years before his death a member of the Methodist
Church. He left a reputation for unimpeachable integrity and a character that gained him the
unqualified respect of his acquaintances. The mother of Jewett M. Richmond was Betsey, daughter
of Capt.iin Moses Melvin; she was born January 7, iSoo, and her mother's maiden name was Betsey
Bracketi. She died January 23, 1SS3.
J. M, Richmond was born on the 9th of December, 1S30, in Onondaga county, N. Y. His
boyhood was passed at the home of his parents, where he availed himself of such limited educational
advantages as were furnished by the common schools. \Vhcn he had reached about sixteen years of
age he first began the active business career which has continued almost without interruption to the
present time. His first occupation in this direction was as a clerk in the store of Sampson Jaqueth in
the village of Liverpool, near Syracuse, N. Y. He remained there two years, when he entered the
employ of Lucius Gleason as clerk, in the same village. Two years were spent there when he was
engaged to take charge of the grocery store of William F. Gere, in Salina, (now the First ward of
the city of Syracuse.) This brought him down to the winter of i853-'54. at which time he formed a
co-partnership with William F. Gere,' William Banies and two of his own older brothers, A. and M.
M. Richmond, as dealers in and manufacturers of salt and aour. This connection constituted a
strong business alliance, and offices were opened by them in Syracuse, Salina, Oswego, Buffalo and
Chicago. In the spring of 1844 Mr. Richmond also began business in the same line, under the firm
nime of J M, Richmond & Co.. at the same place, which was continued until i860, when he retired
lri>ni the finn< of Gere, Richmond & Co., Syracuse; Gere, Barnes & Co.. Salina; A. Richmond,
Biographical. 73
Chicago, and J. M. Richmond & Co.^BaffAlOi (<^1 forming the before-mentioned alliance) and formed
a co-partnership with H. A. Richmond, second son of the late Dean Richmond, under the firm name
of J. M. Richmond & Co. , for »he purpose of carrying on the grain, commission, storage and elevat-
ing business in Buffalo. Three years later, in the winter of i863-'64, he erected the Richmond Ele-
vator in Buffalo.
From the time when Mr. Richmond first began business down to 1864, his life had been one of
the utmost activity, resulting in a large degree of success not often attained by men in the same
period of time. He therefore felt the more inclined to gratify his earnest desire for foreign travel.
The firm of which he was then a member was dissolved and he spent the greater portion of the year
1864 in Europe. Returning in the following year he again took up the active duties of life by form-
ing the co-partnership of J. M. Richmond & Co., with M. M. Richmond. Alonzo Richmond joined
the firm at a later date. This firm continued until 1881, carrying on a large forwarding and ele-
vating business.
In 1867 Mr. Richmond was elected president of the Marine Bank of Bufllalo. The following
year he made a second European tour, being absent the greater part of the year. Returning in the
latter part of 1868, and finding his large commission business and his official position in the Bank
too much of a tax upon his energies, he sold, in 1869, the controlling interest to S. M. Clement and
present owners, but still retaining an interest in the institution, of which he is at the present time
the vice-president.
In the year 1871, after the city had voted to take a million dollars of the stock of the Buffalo &
Jamestown Railroad, a meeting was held for the organization of the Company. As had been his
custom in all enterprises promising benefit to the city, Mr. Richmond had subscribed for a few thou-
sand dollars of the stock of this railroad; at the meeting of stockholders he was, entirely without his
solicitation, and even without his knowledge or desire, elected a director and president of the road;
the latter office was urged upon him until he finally accepted it, expecting that the raising of the
necessary funds for its completion would be a work of comparative ease and the road be finished in
a year. The stringency of financial matters in 1873 operated against the project, rendering neces-
sary the most vigorous and active work to save it from failure. In short, it needed just such a man
as J. M. Richmond proved himself to be to place it upon a firm footing, and it is no disparagement
to the active participation of others in the successful accomplishment of the work to say the final
completion of the road was largely due to his material aid.
On the final completion of the line in 1875, he refused a re-election to devote his attention to
his own laige private business. He retired from active business in 1881, now finding his chief occu-
pation in looking after his large real estate interests, in which he has been liberally investing for a
number of y^ars past. He is tiow (1884) just completing the Richmond Block, comer of Seneca and
Ellicott streets— one of the finest business blocks in Buffalo.
Mr. Richmond has been a familiar figure upon the docks and in the streets of Buffalo for many
years, where, by his affable manner and especially by his open-handed promptness in supporting any
enterprise that promised material benefit to the city, as well as in aid of deserving individuals, he
has gained a host of earnest friends. His chief personal characteristic is, perhaps, his indomitable
nervous energy in the prosecution of any undertaking to which he turns his attention. No obstacle
has ever yet arisen in his business path of sufficient magnitude to turn him from his settled purposes.
He is a far-seeing, sagacious operator, who weighs well and judiciously all the features of an enter-
prise; but when he has once decided that it is worth his energies, no man could be more daring in
devoting his means to its accomplishment or more energetic in his efforts. His faith in Buffalo as a
future great city has never wavered, and if he has ever refused to aid and encourage any enterprise
or institution calculated to benefit the community it is not known to the writer. He is a life mem-
ber of the Young Men's Association; of the German Young Men's Association; a member of the
Buffalo Historical 5)Ociety; life member of the Fine Arts Academy and Society of Natural Science,
and a member of many of the social institutions of the city. He is president of the Buffalo Mutual
Gas Light Company, and vice-president of the Buffalo Insurance Company. In none of these posi-
tions of honor or trust has he ever failed to justify the good opinion entertained of him by his
friends.
Mr. Richmond was married in 1870 to the daughter of John Rudderow, of New York city.
They have had six children, four of whom are now living.
74 History of Buffalo.
SHELDON PEASE was bom in Derby, New Haven county, Conn., on the 26th of August, 1809.
In 1 81 7 he left Derby and came to Black Rock, Erie county, to reside with his uncle, Sheldon
Thompson. While residing in Black Rock in the year 1818, he witnessed the building of the
steamboat, IValk-in-tfu- IVaUr, and was on her deck when she was launched into the Niagara river,
at Black Rock. The IValk-in-t/u- Water made an excursion from Black Rock to Point Abino, on
the 14th of September, 1818, and Sheldon Pease witnessed it as an attachee of the " Horn Breeze
Brigade." After navigating Lake Erie until 1821, she encountered a severe gale and was driven
ashore in Buffalo Bay a complete wreck; he assisted in taking care of a portion of the cargo shipped
by S. Thompson & Co., as it came ashore. He also witnessed the launching of the steamboat
Superior, the immediate successor of the fVaik-in-the^ Water, into the Buffalo creek at the foot of
Main street, Buffalo, on the i6th of April, 1822.
For a number of years subsequent to 18 17, Robert Hunter and associates at Albany managed
a transportation line from Albany to Black Rock, composed of freight wagons drawn by five or sis
horses, transporting light and valuable goods to the latter point, and returning loaded principally
with furs belonging to the American Fur Company, which were collected at Green Bay and Mac-
kinac, and vicinity, and brought to Black Rock by water.
Sheldon Thompson contracted to excavate a portion of the channel for the Erie Canal between
Black Rock and Buffalo ; this was the first movement of earth in the construction of the canal
between those points, and the first day's work thereon was performed by Curtis Thompson and
Sheldon Pease.
In 1822, Mr. Pease left Black Rock and went to Oswego to reside, where he entered the
employment of Alvin Bronson, who was engaged in the transportation business. While in Mr.
Bronson's employ, he discharged the canal boat Qtmarvon, Captain P. F. Parsons, at Osw^o, she
being the first canal boat that came from Troy to Oswego with merchandise. While in the same
employ he assisted in loading the schooner Witiftebago, Captain V. R. Bill, of Oswego, being the
first vessel that passed through the Welland Canal with a cargo of merchandise, destined to Cleve-
land, Ohio. Her cargo each way did not exceed fifty tons. In the year 1832, while a member of
the firm of Gidings, Baldwin, Pease & Co., he loaded the canal boat Cievelatid^QMpXtXa W. T.
Mather, at Cleveland, with merchandise for Portsmouth, Ohio, being the first canal boat that
reached the Ohio river from the lakes. In the year 1837 while a member of the firm of Griffith,
Pease & Co., they loaded the schooner Ohio, owned by Sheldon Pease, with a cargo of flour, pro-
visions, etc., and disposed of the same at the ports of Chicago, Michigan City, St. Joseph, and
Racine, for the wants of emigrants.
The firm of Gidings, Baldwin, Pease & Co., was dissolved at the end of the year 1836 and was
succeeded by the firm of Griffith, Pease & Co., who built the steamboat Cleveland, at Huron, in
1835 or 1S36. intended for carrying passengers exclusively between Cleveland and Buffalo; and one
of the finest passenger steamers then afloat.
The firm of Griffith, Pease & Co. was dissolved in 1S38, and was succeeded by the firm of
Pease & Allen in the same year. This finn did a large and successful business for many years,
building propellers, sailing vessels and canal boats, and flouring mills at Buffalo and Oswego. The firm
built the propeller Emigrant at Cleveland, it being the third built on this continent. The firm also
built the P/uvnix, propeller, which burned at Sheboygan Pier, The next propeller built by them
was the Oneida, All of the above were built at Cleveland in the years i84i-*42-'43. They also
built the brigs Ash/ami, Fashion, and the schooners Trident and Andover, The above sailing ves-
sels were built between the years 1S41 and 1S45.
In ZS43 Sheldon Pease planned and caused to be built for the propeller Oneida, then building at
Cleveland, Oiiio, the first horizontal tubular boiler used in America. Had he patented it, he could
have realized millions of dollars from it, as it is in general use in America and Europe, and no essen-
tial improvement has been made in it up to the present time.
About 1S3S Professor Ericsson came to the United States and made the acquaintance of Cap-
tain Van Cleve, at Oswego, where he exhibited to him his submerged propeller wheel to propel steam
vessels. Captain Van Cleve called on Mr. Doolittle, a vessel builder at Oswego, and induced him to
build a vessel on his principle, which he did; she was named the Vandalia, The second was buUt
at Buffalo and named the Hercules', the Emigrant was the third and was built at Cleveland; the
fourth was built at Buffalo and was named the Samson,
'•^* .
SHELDON PEASE.
Biographical. 75
In 1853 Mr. Pease was appointed General Western Freight Agent of the Eric Railroad, located^
at Cleveland, and occupied that position until i8s7. During the period of his agency of the railroad
he contracted and built the following propellers at Cleveland: Oiean, Elmiru; and the New York
at Buffalo. Tliese propellers operated and run between Cleveland and Dunkirk.
In 1857, in connection with Dean Richmond, the New York Central railroad and the Cleveland
& Pittsburgh railroad, a line of propellers was established between Buffalo. Cleveland and Chicago,
under the manigement of Mr. Pease, who was part owner of propellers Galena^ Mendota^ Wino9ta
and Dakota,
The propeller Idaho was built at Cleveland in 1861 by Dean Richmond, Sheldon Pease, Henry
A. Richmond, J. M. Richmond. In i86o-'6i Dean Richmond and Sheldon Pease purchased the follow-
ing propellers: Fountain City^Evergteen City, CMieago and Cuyahoga. The propeller /'<MVit/^fM CtV^ was
rebuilt at Buffalo in i86s,and made the finest passenger propeller running between liuffalo and Chicago.
About 1842 the schooner Acorn zxkA another schooner collided about two and a half miles from the
pears at Cleveland and sank in eighty-two feet of water; she was believed to be an entire loss. At
that time Pease & Allen owned the steamboat United States^ and with her and (he aid of a vessel on
each side of the wreck, the Acorn was raised and taken into harbor; the vessel was saved and the
cargo in a damaged condition.
In the month of February, 1870, John Allen, president of Western Transportation Company,
purchased of the Buffalo, Cleveland & Chicago Line the propellers /r/<n^, Fountain CitytJid Chicago^
and Sheldon Pease tlien retired from the lake transportation business.
Nothing need be added to the above to indicate that Sheldon Pease has been one of the most
prominent men in Buffalo in connection with the lake marine. During his long life his character
has been fully established as one reflecting honor upon himself and his associates.
Mr. Pease was married to Miss Marianne Humphreys, a family of prominence in Revolutionary
days. It was her great uncle who took Cornwallis*s sword from the hands of General Washington at
the surrender of the former. He was afterwards Minister to Spain, whence he exported to America
blooded horses, with cattle and sheep from England and established stock-breeding at Derby, Conn. ;
where he also operated the first woolen factory in America.
Mr. Pease has been the father of three children, all of whom, with his wife, are dead. The
first was Catharine, who died in childhood. The second was Alfred H. Pease, a pianist who had
won a national reputation, when he was called from earth before he had reached the zenith of his
power. The third child was Arthur W. Pease, who, with his wife, was killed in a railroad accident
near New Hamburg, February 6, 1S81.
JAMES COOKE HARRISON, the subject of this notice, was the son of Jonas Harrison, whose
name has necessarily often been written in this work, as that of one of the most prominent of
the early residents of Buffalo. He was bom on the 14th of December, 1819, at his father's home,
comer of Batavia and Washington streets, then the most pretentious brick dwelling in the village,
and erected soon after the burning of the place. A few years later his mother removed to Lewiston,
N. Y., and her son remained with her until he was fourteen years of age, at which time he joined his
brother, Jonas Harrison, in Erie, Pa., entering the store of Tracy & Harrison, (the latter being his
brother) as a clerk. Soon after, Jonas Harrison died, and James C. entered the store of Aaron
Kellogg, where he remained until 1838. It was during this period that Mr. Harrison made the
acquaintance and friendship of General Charles M. Reed, a fact which proved to be the governing
influence over his after life, as far as his business career was concerned. Mr. Reed was largely
interested tn the building and running of passenger steamers on the lakes, and Mr. Harrison was em-
ployed by him to come to Buffalo, open an office and take charge of all of his interests at this port.
Mr. Harrison had previously, in 1S38, accepted a clerkship on board the steamer Erie^ which was
burned with great loss of life, in July, 1841, Mr. Harrison having given up the clerkship the previous
year. His successor lost his life in the ill-fated vessel. He devoted himself to the utmost in the
recovery and burial of the victims of the disaster. It has been said by those who knew him well,
that this sad work undoubtedly contributed largely in developing those qualities of sympathy with
suffering which were so characteristic of him in after life. The passenger traffic on the lakes at
that time was very extensive; the present railroads to the West were not in existence and nearly all
of the heavy emigration in that direction was by water. This led to the establishment of extensive
76 History of Buffat.o.
passenger lines of steamers and the organization of large transportation companies. One of the
largest operators in this direction was General Reed, in whose employ Mr. Harrison found himself
before he had yet reached man's estate. The passenger boats on the lakes were many of them
magniticent examples of ship-building, and ( ieneral Reed was owner and bnilder of a lai^e number
of the finest ones. The construction of several of these passenger steamers was placed under the
direction of Mr. Harrison, a fact which clearly indicates the degree of confidence placed in him by
General Reed.
Of his management of Mr. Reed's business in Buffalo, a newspaper of Erie thus spoke at the
time of Mr. Harrison's death: —
*' Ml-, Harrison took charge of General Reed's commercial interests at Buffalo and continued to
do so with great acceptability so long as General Reed had either steam or sail vessels in commis-
sion. Indeed, for nearly the whole of the ensuing forty-two years up to the time of death, as a^nt
or executor, he continued his oversight of these important interests, while largely engaged in later
years in commercial business. In the meantime by his sterling integrity, his keen foresight and
systematic business habits, he had acquired a reputation among the foremost of the business men of
his adopted city. His name had become a synonym for honesty and reliability."
In the year 1861, in connection with General Reed, he built the Reed Elevator in this city, which
they operated in conjunction with a large transportation business. Mr. Harrison was elected one of the
trustees of the Erie County Savings Bank at the time of its organization, and served several succeed-
ing years as its vice-president. On the death of Colonel William A. Bird, then president of the
Bank, Mr. Harrison succeeded to that important office, which he held until his death, discharging
the responsible trust with fidelity and ability.
Mr. Harrison possessed artistic taste of a high order and was an enthusiast in his love for the
works of the best artists. This was gratified by the purchase and accumulation of a large and val-
uable collection of paintings, the selection of which evinced the best of critical judgment. He was
for many years a curator of the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy, to which position he gave much atten-
tion. He was formerly a director of the Buffalo & Erie Railroad, and was a director in the old
International Bank. He held the oflice of Alderman and was a candidate for Mayor against Eli
Cook. In politics he was a strong Republican since the formation of the party. His judgment in
real estate matters, where large interests were involved, was highly valued, and he was frequently
sought in the capacity of appraiser. None of the positions to which he was called were sought by
him; they were the unsolicited and deserved bestowals of those who knew him best.
Mr. Harrison was a prominent member of Trinity Church, wherein he often served as a ves-
tryman. His church interests, as well as all other deserving causes and charities, received liberal
and substantial aid from him.
In an extended notice of his death the Commercial Advertiser said: —
*' In social life he was of a most genial temperament and delighted to entertain his friends with
a hospitality surpassed by none. He was of the most sterling integrity and uprightness, and prob-
ably no man in Buffalo enjoyed to a greater extent the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens.
Ill short, he was a good man in every respect and his memory will long be cherished. He was espe-
cially kind and charitable, and look the utmost pleasure in doing good in a quiet, unostentatious way."
Mr. Harrison's death occurred on the 21st of November, 18S2, at his home on the comer of
Delaware avenue and Virginia street. An eloquent eulogistic address was pronounced by Rev. Dr.
Van Bokkelen, from which the following extract contributes to the portrayal of his character : —
•* Mr. Harrison was a Christian /w//^/ sunshifte. He had faith in God as a Father. He found
great pleasure in the impressive ser>'ices of the book of common praytr, and loved to worship God in
the beauty of holiness and with those accessories of music and symbolism which reach the heart
through the ear and the eye. When in health he was seldom absent from his place in church. His
piety was none the less genuine because unostentatious; nor was it the less pure and fervent because
ii was mingled with those qualities of wisdom and wit which made him the most delightful of com-
panions and at times the embodiment of genial, glowing mirth.
•* He knew how to rebuke insincerity and scourge actions of meanness and doubtful integrity;
yet he did it kindly and oftener by withholding his confidence than by harsh words of condemna-
tion. I have yet to meet the man who justly spoke harshly of James Cooke Harrison, I can em-
phasize the words of one who knew him intimately— words which in themselves are a brilliant eulogy:
• Of few men can it be truthfully said that they enjoyed throughout life the respect and good will of
all who knew them; but James C. Harrison was one of those rare men.* "
Mr. Harrison was married in August, 1842, to Miss Mary Pearce, daughter of the late Lieuten-
ant George Pearce, of the United States navy, who, with a daughter, Mrs. G. Stedman Williams, of
Buffalo, survive him.
y;v:--i*---
•«i&"
Biographical. 'n
GERHARD LANG. — ^Among the German emigrants of 1848 who resolved to seek more remun-
erative fortune and wider possibilities in America was Jacob Lang, father of the subject of this
notice. His occupation was that of a butcher, which business he engaged in immediately after his
anrival in Buffalo. This business he followed for nearly Ihirty years, and until a short time before
his death, with regular and gratifying success. He was not a public man in any sense and devoted
his' life to the quiet pursuit of his business and the proper rearing of his family. But, though seek-
ing no public office or recognition of any kind, nor making himself conspicuous in any way, he was
yet a man of superior mind, of the highest character, excellent business qualifications and a sense of
right, truth and justice that was never at fault and which never slept.
His son, Gerhard Lang, was bom in the Fatherland in 1834. He was, consequently fourteen
years old when he first reached Buflfalo— a German boy with the foundation of an education, but
ignorant of the English language. But he ¥ras not long in acquiring it, while assisting in his father's
business, cultivating at the same time, correct business habits and a general knowledge of aflfairs
which proved of future great value to him. He labored faithfully in his father's business until
i860, when he was marriedto Miss Bom, daughter of the late Philip Bom. of Buffalo, and assumed
the proprietorship of the brewery, formerly owned and operated by Mr. Bom, on the comer of
East Genesee and Jeflferson streets; for this purpose, a partnership was formed between Mrs. Bom
And Mr. Lang. The brewery was at that time one of prominence and good repute, and under its
new management the business was increased and the establishment considerably enlarged. The
partnership was dissolved in 1874, previous to which time (in 1870) Mr. Lang bad begun operations
looking to the erection of a splendid new brewery on the corner of Jefferson and Best streets. Mr.
Lang visited and inspected all the most prominent breweries in the country and from the data thus
obtained, designed the plans for what is, perhaps, the finest equipped brewery in America. Tn this
•connection it will be proper to reproduce what was recently said of this famous establishment in
the columns of a local newspaper, as follows: —
' ' Learning that the brewery was located on the comer of Jefferson and Best streets, we wended
our way thither, but on arriving discovered an immense stracture on a hill, with an elegant sloping
lawn in front, bordered with trees and shrabbery, and a fountain in the center. The approach to
the building is by a long semi-circular drive, kept in most perfect order. Thinking to have lost our
way. we stopped in this (what seemed to us public institution) to inquire, and great was our astonish-
ment to find that we had actually entered the brewery sought for. On entering the building we
found ourselves in a lofty lobby or hall, with a flight of polished stairs on either side leading to
broad galleries, above where Lang's renowned beer is made. Everything is orderly and clean, the
very vatn or tanks being covered with black walnut and ash, bound with wide hoops of polished
brass. The machinery moved noiselessly, every man seemed to know his especial duty, and did it.
After viewing the surroundings, we entered the spacious and handsomely furnished office, and there
met the proprietor of all this splendor and order. We found Mr. Lang to be one of the most
affable and genial gentlemen it has ever been our pleasure to meet, and though he cannot but be
aware that his is the most elegantly appoioted brewery in the world, he modestly disclaimed the
great credit due him. We have therefore named Mr. Lang's as the Palace Brewery."
Mr. Lang's brewery has a capacity of 100,000 barrels and is now making about 60,000. Almost
the whole of this vast product is sold in Buffalo, which shows the estimation in which it is held at
home. The old brewery on the corner of Genesee and Jefferson streets, has been changed to a malt
house, where the greater portion of Mr. Lang's malting is carried on; and preparations are now
making to largely increase the product of the establisment.
Mr. Lang was elected Alderman of the Sixth Ward a few years since, in which office he served
with great acceptance for two terms. He has been for many years a Trustee in the Westem Savings
Bank, and has been identified with the progress and growth of the city in- many ways. He is a
prosperous and respected representative of the large German element of Buffalo.
On the 2ist of February, 1883, Mr. Lang suffered the loss of his estimable wife, who left
seven children.
HENRY W\ ROGERS.^The life of Henry W. Rogers illustrates the trath that a successful, noble
and useful career is the result, in the great majority of cases, not of genius, nor of any brilliant
intellectual gifts, but of early, energetic, persevering industry, purity of life and a supreme regard
lor virtue and integrity. These elements of character may not invariably command success, but
they will always deserve it.
78 History of Buffalo.
Mr. Rogers was the son of Samuel Rogers and his wife, Sarah Skinner, and was bora April 4*
1806, at Unadilla, Otsego county, N. V. He was the youngest of a large family of children, all of
whom attained an honorable position in life an useful and worthy members of society. His parents
were from New England, and of English puritan descent. They emigrated early in life to Otsego
county while that region was yet called " the West; " and, like most of its early settlers, they had
little capital, save their sialwiurt frames and the stern virtues of their race — industry, economy, the
love of independence and the fear of God.
Parental teaching and the common school in his native town gave Mr. Rogers the first rudiments
of education and inspired in him that love of reading and study which in later years enabled him io
store his mind with useful knowledge, and though self-taught, to take good rank as an educated and
well instructed man. He had, indeed, tlie advantage of one term of three months in the summer of
1824, at the Oxford Academy, in Chenango county. Thirty years later, (in 1854) at a great festival
of that academy, which gathered many of its distinguished sons, Mr. Rogers was the honored presi-
dent of the day, and his speech on that occasion gives not only a curious picture of the primitive
times, but also exemplifies the self-reliance, energy and resolution of the youth of seventeen, and
gives token of the fnils of maturer years. He said: —
"In order to raise funds to defray the expenses of a quarter's board aud tuition at the Academy,
1 contracted with the trustees of a school district in the town of Guilford to teach their common
school for four months for the compensation of ten dollars a month, and * board 'round,* to take that
portion of the public money appropriated to the winter's term and the balance in rye and corn at
seventy-five cents a bushel. ♦ * * * i taught— or perhaps I ought ratAer to say, Jte^i the
school, replenished my purse and came to Oxford; and when in the short space of three months my
treasury became an ' exhausted receiver,' I graduaUd ^Xid. left."
In September, 1824, Mr. Rogers removed to the village of Bath, in Steuben county, where he
entered upon the study of law in the office of Henry Welles, then a prominent and successful law-
yer and afterwards one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of this State. For one or more years-
Mr. Rogers taught the village school, and thus eked out his slender 'income. But he pursued his
legal studies with such assiduity and indilstry that in June, 1827 he was admitted to practice in the
Court of Common Pleas of SLeul>en county. Soon after he was chosen a Justice of the Peace of the
town — then a far more important office than now — and he discharged its duties with marked ability
and fidelity. On his admission to the Bar of the Common Pleas, he formed a co-partnership in the
practice of the law with David McMaster, of Bath, which continued until Mr. Rof:ers' admission as
an attorney of the Supreme Court, when he entered into partnership with Joseph G. Masten, who
\vas admitted to the bar about the same time and who was afterwards a distinguished Judge of the
Superior Court of Buffalo.
In 1S29 Mr. Rogers was married to Kezia, daughter of John and Harriet Adams, of Litchfield,
Conn,, a most estimable lady, and thenceforth through all his life his beloved companion, counsel-
lor and friend.
Messrs. Rogers and Masten, after practicing a few years at Bath, removed in the spring of 1S36
to the city of Buffalo, aud continued practice there for another year. In this wider fie!d Mr. Rogers
made such rapid ])rogress in his profession, and especially as an advocate, that in June, 1837, upon the
resignation by George P. Barker of the office of District Attorney, he was, with the almost unani-
mous concurrence of the Bar, appointed his successor. He continued in this office until i843,when
he was succeeded by S. G. Haven. Perhaps at no period in the history of Erie county have the duties
of that office—always a thankless one — been more onerous and responsible; and certainly they have
never been discharged with more signal ability and zeal. 'The Bar of this comity was then one of
the foremost in the Slate, embracing in its ranks such men as Millard Fillmore, Nathan K. Hall,
George P. Barker, Henr>' K. Smith, Thomas T. Sherwood, Solomon G. Haven, John L. Talcott,.
George W. Clinton, George R. Babcock, Seth E. Sill, Eli Cook, and many others, forming a brilliant
galaxy of genius and learning. In his contests at the Bar with these men Mr. Rogers won bright
laurels as an advocate and commanding rank in his profession.
In 1S45 he was appointed, by President Polk, Collector of the Port of Buffalo, an office which
he held for four years, giving to its duties his personal attention, and being thus almost wholly with-
drawn from his profession. On the expiration of his tenn of office he resumed his profession and
conducted a very lucrative and successful law business until 1S63, when he finally retired. The
Biographical. 79
summer and autumn of 1863 he passed in European travel, and later he enjoyed another year of like
delightful recreation.
As a citizen of Buffalo Mr. Rogers exerted a large and benign influence in social life, and was
active and prominent in every public enterprise. He was for several years president of the Water
Works Company, and was one of the founders and a liberal benefactor of the Academy of Fine
Arts and of the Historical Society, succeeding Albert M. Tracy as president of the former, and Mil-
lard Fillmore as president of each of the two institutions last named.
In 1870, deeming the climate of this city in the winter and spring too rigorous for his health,
he removed to Ann Arbor, Mich., where he purchased and fitted up a charming rural home; and,
surrounded by his books and in the society of cultivated and congenial friends, he passed the
remainder of his days. And there, on the 2d of March, 1881, after a short illness, he died, passing
from earth with the calm and peaceful assurance of an immortal life beyond the i;rave.
His widow yet survives, cheered in her declining years by the memories of a useful and happy
life, and beloved and revered by a large circle of relatives and friends.
Mr. Rogers left none but adopted children, but it may l>e most truly said of him (as it was of
another) " though he was never a father, yet he left disconsolate children."
This sketch of his life cannot be more fitly concluded than in the appreciative words of a friend
who had known him long, intimately and well: —
*' Henry W. Rogers was a noble example of a man who thrrnigh a long and active life was ever
mindful of his duties to his fellow men, and was at all times ready and earnest to promote the wel-
fare and to labor for the good of the community in which his lot was cast. Of a free and generous
nature, warm in his friendships, and of noble impulses, he was loved most by those whu knew him
best, but all honored and esteemed him for the manly attributes i>f his character. As in every rela-
tion of private life he was faithful to duty, so in the places of public trust which he tilled, he served
with scrupulous fidelity and integrity. A character so worthy demands our highest tribute, and the
memory of such a man should ever be cherished with profound regard."
SHERMAN S. ROGERS, one of the ablest members of the Har of Erie county and conspicuous
in State and National politics, was born in Hath, Steuben county, on the i6th of April, 1830.
His father was Dr. Gustavus Rogers, for many years a prominent and respected physician of Bath.
His mother was Susan A. Campbell, of Bath. I^r. Gustavus S. Rogers was formerly from New
England and partook of the hardy characteristics of that stock; he was of English extraction. The
family of his wife were of Scotch descent and came originally from Ayrshire.
Sherman S. Rogers was given opportunities to acquire a g<Kxl English education, which he
improved regularly until he was sixteen years old, securing a certificate from his last teacher that he
was fitted for the Junior class in any college. He then entered the law otVice of McMaster & Read,
in Bath, for the study of that profession; his studies were aftenvards pursue<l in the offices of Haven
& Smith, and John Ganson, in the city of Buffalo. Mr. Rogers' law studies were continued, with
brief intervals devoted to teaching, until 1S5X, when he attained his majority. He then formed a
co-partnership for the practice of law with his maternal uncle, Robert Campbell, (Lite Lieutenant-
Governor) and Charles W. Campbdl, of Bath, X. Y. This business connection continued until
1854, when Mr. Rogers sought a broader field in Buffalo, becoming a partner with his uncle, Henry
W.. Rogers, and Dennis Bowen. the style of the firm being Rogers, Howcn c\: Refers. In 1S60,
Mr. Rogers left this firm and continued practice alone until 1S64, when he formed a partnership
with Dennis Bowen, the firm being Bowen & Rogers. Mr. Franklin D. I^jcke was afterwards
admitted to the firm, under the style of Bowen, Rogers & Locke. Mr. Bowen died in 1877; but
the old firm name was perpetuated until 1883, when John G. Milburn and Charles B. Wheeler were
admitted to the partnership and the present firm name adopted— Rogers, Locke & Milburn.
During these changes in his business connections, Mr. Rogers' advancement towards the eminent
position he was soon to occupy, was rapid; he was early recognized as possessed of the talents and
acquirements which would place him in the front ranks of the legal profession. In 18 58 he was
married to Christina Cameron Davenport, of Bath, N. Y. Her parents were Ira Davenport and
Lydia Cameron, of English and Scotch descent, respectively.
When he was yet comparatively a young man, Mr. Rogers showed himself to be peculiarly
fitted for usefulness in public life, and he has since honored and been honored with various trusts
of this character. In 1S72 he was appointed a memlicr of the Commission entnisted with the very
important work of revising the Constitution of the Stale of New York, in which task he took a
8o History of Bukfalo.
prominent port. In politics Mr. Rogers begmn his career as a Democrat, but at the outbreak of
the Rebellion, he identified himself with the Republican party, in which political oiganixation he
has ever since occupied a conspicuous and honorable position; not throngh persistent seeking and
obtaining of office, but through his constant efforts to advance the interests of the people at-Jai]ge;
thi« he has accomplished in various directions, through his general popularity and the sincere respect
in whidi he is held by people whose political faith differs from his own, as well as by those of his
own party. In the fall of 187$, Mr. Rogers was prevailed upon to accept the nomination for Sena^
tor from the Thirty-first Senatorial District, comprising the whole of Erie countjr— one of the most
important districts in the State. Two years before, at the time of the preceding election, this dis-
trict had sent a Democrat to the Senaje by a majority of nine hundred and eighty-four votes. This
fact aided in influencing the Republicans to place in nomination the strongest and most' popular
man in their ranks, leading to the selection of Mr. Rogers; it was an important emergency and Mr.
Rogers was induced to accept the nomination. His opponents were Cyrenius C. Torrance, Demo-
cratic candidate, and Charles W. Pike, the nominee of the Prohibitionists. The result demonsliated
the wisdom of Mr. Rogers* friends in putting him forward for the office, as well as his popularity
throughout the district. He wsm elected by a plurality of three thousand five hundred and fifty-four
votes; the largest majority given up to that time for any Senator in this district.
Of Mr. Rogers' work in the Senate, it may be stated that he served as Chairman of the impott-
ant Committee on Commerce and Navigation, and was also a member of the Judiciary, Canals, and
Engrossed Bills Committees. His Senatorial career as a whole, was a most successful one and
made a marked and favorable impression. He is a fluent, graceful, and at the same time a forcible
speaker, while his power in argument upon whatever legislative subjects attracted his attention,
showed the min of wide research, extensive knowledge, advanced ideas and wise judgment.
It was while Mr. Rogeri was a member of the Senate, that the Republican party of the State,
not unmindful of what Mr. Rogers had already done and was doing to demonstrate his fitness for
public office, nominated him for the office of Lieutenant-Governor on the ticket headed by Edwin
D. Morgan. In this campaign, 1876, the Democrats had placed in nomination for President, their
ablest leader, who also had the advantage of being a resident of New York city, and was at the time
Governor of the State of New York; under these circumstances the Republicans were defeated.
Mr. Rogers, however, received the highest number of votes of any Republican candidate on the
State ticket. In the year 18S1 he was given strong support in the State L^islatnre, for the l^^h
office of United States Senator. Mr. Rogers is one of the leaders of the Civil Service Reform
movement and is President of the Civil Service Reform Association, of Buffalo. He is one of tht
Commissioneri of the Niagara Falls Park Reservation. In the city where he resides he is Director
of the Bank of Buffalo, and holds positions in various other public corporations; he is also President
of the Board of Trustees of the Calvary Presbyterian Church, of Buffalo.
As a lawyer, Mr. Rogers ranks with the foremost lawyers of the State. He is spoken of as
"keen in analysis, logical in his inferences, profoundly versed in authorities, and eloquent in the
presentation of cases; " his professional career has been a distinguished success.
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rogers; their names are Fanny, Lydia, and
Robert Cameron, completing a family circle unbroken and harmonious in all of its relations.
nATHIAS ROHR was born in the little village of Zemmer, near Treves, (Trier.) in Rhenish
Prussia, on the 25th of February, 1S40. Following the profession of his father, he very early,
at the age of sixteen, commenced teaching in another small town, in the meantime preparing himself
for the examination to enter the Normal School at Bruehl, near Bonn. This he entered when nine-
teen years old, and at his graduation was honored with the first prize for the students from the
Department of Treves. In this institution he first conceived the idea of going to America. The
fortune of an American banker who had returned on a visit to the old fatherland, from whence he
had immigrated as a schoolmaster, induced the young student to begin the study of the English lan-
guage, which he was obliged to do clandestinely in his leisure hours, as no such study was allowed
by the rules of the institution. At the same time he learned French and devoted himself with par-
ticular zeal to German literature, thereby laying the foundation of his future accomplishments as a
journalist. After his graduation he was appointed teacher in the city of Bitberg, served his time in
the Pnissian army at Saarlonis, and was soon promoted to a position at the High School (academy)
Biographical. 8i
in Bitberg, teaching literature, history, French and English. He ivas a regular contributor of the
Schul'BhiH and correspondent for several political papers in Germany, and furnished translations
from English and American publications. His sharp criticism of some of the evils in the old insti-
tutions of the country was not relished by his superiors and his long cherished dream of going to the
land of freedom and promise was realized in May, 1868, when he was encouraged by a young Ger-
man-American priest from Buffalo (Rev. P. J. Schmidt, now in Rome, N. Y.) who lived for a time
in his neighborhood, to accompany him to America, ^f r. Rohr was granted a year's furlough by the
.school department and the military authorities, but when eight months in this country asked for hi«
discharge, reporting that he had formally declared his intention here to become a citizen of the
United States. The papers of discharge were sent and Mr. Rohr had thereby secured the privilege
to return to the fatherland at any time without being regarded and punished as a deserter.
He arrived in New York early in June, and was immediately engaged there for editor of the
Central Zeitung^ a weekly then published by Joseph Hoagg, in Buffalo; at twelve o'clock noon he
arrived in the city, and 'at two o'clock we could sec him already at his desk editing an American
paper. This paper was conducted by him for two years, when he was induced to enter into partner-
ship with a wholesale wine dealer. But this business did not suit his taste, and soon after we see
him the managing editor of the Buffalo Daily Volksfrennd^ in which capacity he is serving up to
the present time. In September, 1S69, he was united in marriage to Miss Sophia C. Richert, and is
at present the happy father of eight children and in comfortable circmnsiances. The Volksfretuid^
which was first published August i, 1S6S, by the Buffalo Cierman Printing Association, entered
under the management of Mr. Rohr on a new career of success, and is to-day one of the most
prosperous and influential German papers in the country.
For many years Mr. Rohr has been one of our ])ublic speakers in both languages, and is
regarded as one of the local leaders in the Democratic party, which he, originally a Republican,
joined in 1S72, with so many others in the so-called Liberal Republican movement for the election
of Horace Greeley.
In February, 1874, he was elected by the then existing Catholic Union of Buffalo, Right Rev.
Bishop Ryan, presiding, as their delegate in the first great American pilgrimage to Rome and
Lourdes, which started from New York May 16, of that year. The few months intervening were
utilized by Mr. Rohr for the study of the Italian lan;;uage which he afterwards for a time continued.
His pilgrim-letters were read with great interest and would form a valuable little volume. After
the trip through France and Italy, he visited his old home and his parents.
He. is a member of a number of societies, was elected twice as treasurer of the Buffalo Press
Club, and at present is a member of its executive committee. The J'olks/reund has under his
editorship acquired the reputation of an excellent family paper, consenative, independent, defend-
ing the interests of religion and of law and order, against revolutionary principles, thereby trying to
serve best the public interests and to promote harmony between the different elements in this
country of many nationalities.
HENRY RUMRILL was born in the town of Windsor, Vt., on the i6th of November, 1805. His
father, Luther Rumrill, was a native of New Hampshire, whence he came and settled in the
Green Mountain State in early life. He was a skilled mechanic as well as something of a genius,
having invented several useful and time-saving improvements on the old primitive method of domes-
tic weaving, and on many of the tools and utensils then in use. He married a lady of many excel-
lent qualities. Miss Mercy Bailey, daughter of Mr. Bailey, of Windsor, Vt.
When the subject of this sketch was one year old the family moved from Windsor to Derby,
Vermont, where they remained nine or ten years, and then came to New York and settled in Verona,
Oneida county. Young Rumrill was kept at school after he was old enough, at least during the
winter months. He was passionately fond of books, and became an inveterate reader and perused
every book that came within his reach. He was a student at Utica Academy for four years, where
he acquired a good education. When fifteen years old he was employed at farm work in Verona
at four dollars and a half per month. A single year's experience of this character satisfied him that
farming was not his forte, or at least that it was a vocation for which he had no fancy.
At the age of sixteen, seeing that many years must necessarily elapse before he could attain the
education he so much desired, and being thoroughly convinced that he never could be a farmer, he
82 History of Buffalo.
looked about to see in what direction he could best support himsdf. He inherited his fathen*
mechanical genius, was fond of the use of the tools, and decided it was best to hafc a piactical
knowledge of some trade. He therefore determined upon that of a mason, and equipped with a trowel
and an apron, he went to Utica to seek employment and to obtain a knowledge <^ masoorj. He had no
trouble in getting a situation with an experienced builder by the name of Jesse Sellock, at $40 per year,
little over $3 per month, board being furnished by his employer. Three years of this kind of experience
and disdpline fitted young Rumrill for the duties of any branch of the trade. He was now prepared to
go forth in the world, with certain capital of which he could not be divested by his own mistakes or
the knavery of others. He felt that a ggod trade was something he conld always rely upon in what-
ever pUce or circumstances he might be placed.
While Mr. Rumrill was in Utica the Erie Canal was completed, and he participated in the
grand demonstration that celebrated the event. The people gathered at the villages all along the
route, and had a day of general rejoicing. A part of the ceremonies was the firing of signal gnns,
thirty pounders being used, that were placed at soch distances apart as would enable the report of
one to reach the next station. The firing commenced at Buffalo, the western terminus of the canal,
at the moment the water was let in, and in an hour the last gun was discharged at Troy, the eastern
end of the great ditch. There was no telegraph then to convey intelligence from distant points,
and the signal gun system was therefore improvised, and served a very good purpose. Mr. Rum-
rill was also a witness of the demonstration in honor of General LaFayette, during his triumphal
tour through the State by way of the £rie Canal.
Mr. Rumrill came to Buffalo upon the invitation of the late Benjamin Rathbun. He came by
stage, arriving on the 20th of March, 1835. There were uo railroads then as far west as Buffalo,
and at that season of the year the canal was closed. Mr. Rathbun was extensively engaged in build-
ing enterprises here and At Niagara Falls. Mr. Rumrill #as at once employed by the great finan-
cier, and was very soon promoted to the rank of foreman, a position that he held until the memorable
misfortunes came upon Mr. Rathbun that overwhelmed him, and created a financial panic in Buffalo
and Western New York.
After the failure of Mr. Rathbun in 1837, Mr. Rumrill then thought it necessary to determine
what his after life should be. During all these years he had been a close 'student, and his love for
learning had carried him into extensive researches. He had thought of making the law his profes-
sion and read and studied with James Crocker for that puropose. He had also prosecuted a careful
study of chemistry, the principles of which he delighted to demonstrate practically to his friends and
associates in his own private laboratory.
Still with his trade he had been successful. Would he, being very near sighted, be successful
as a lawyer? The outlook for the young city was most promising, being the connecting link between
the great lakes and the new water route to the East. He thought he foresaw the brilliant destiny
of the future city of Buffalo. Business men would be needed as well as professionals, and although
he would have delighted in giving his whole time to literature, he determined that hereafter it must
only be as a pleasure and recreation after the day's business.
So it was that Mr. Rumrill decided to carry on the business of builder and contractor. He
therefore formed a copartnenhip with Mr. W. A. Sutton. The firm continued about five yean and
was succeeded by another, wherein Rossen Gorham was his partner. The latter concern existed
another five yean, and then Mr. Rumrill continued the business alone for a period of twenty-five
years, and until the formation of the present firm of Rumrill & Rupp in 1875, wherein Alderman
Charles A. Kupp is his associate. Mr. Rupp had been employed by Mr. Rumrill for a number of
yean, affording an opportunity for th6m to know each other pretty thoroughly. The confidence
reposed in Mr. Rupp by his former employer and present partner has never been betrayed. The
junior member of the firm is now entrusted with the general management of their large business,
and Mr. Rumrill is confident of their faithful and efficient administration.
Mr. Rumrill's lite has been an active one, and while it is not marked with any unusual
occurrences, it has at the same time been eventful and useful. His residence in Buffalo began
shortly after the incorporation of the city, so that he has seen most of its subsequent growth, and
has probably done more than any other one man to build it up. He has left his impress upon its
substantial structures in all parts of this great city. For forty-seven. years he has been piling up the
brick and mortar in Buffalo, and he may almost be considered the builder of the ^ity.
Biographical. 83
Among the most important structam he has erected, either alone or with his partners, are
chmrhes, halls, warehouses, school-houses, stores, banks, shops, factories, and dwellings almost
wkiioat number. He built the Church of the Messiah twice ; he eiiected Westminster, Asbury, St.
Michael's, Free Will Baptist. Church of the Ascension, Wells Street Chapel, Grace M. £., i^erman Ve. ,
St. Paul, and other smaller church edifices. He erected the Nonnai School, Central School, Young
Ladies' Seminary, Medical College, St. Michael's Academy, and many of the public schools ; the
Erie County Savings Bank, Western Savings Bank, Buffalo Savings Bank, Bank of Attica Building,
Young Men's Association Building, St. James Hall, and the new Fitch Institute ; this is a substan-
tial fire-proof building, donated by the late Benjamin Fitch of New York to the charity organiza-
tion of Buffalo. He built the Genesee Hotel, American Block, Arcade Block, Harvey Block,
Phelps Block, Hayne Block, W. H. Green's Block, Richmond Block, Miller and Greiner Block,
Brown's building, Glenny's building. Dr. Pierce's Infirmary and Factory, General Hospital, Buffalo
Orphan Asylum, Erie County Penitentiary, depots, elevators, market-houses, packing-houses, malt-
houses, gas-works, sugar-works, engine-houses, ware-houses, factories, scores, shops, and all sorts of
buildings in all parts of the city show his handiwork. Dwellings he has constructed on all the
principal streets of the city too numerous too mention. Some business blocks in New York City,
Reformatory at Elmira, a church at Binghamton, and other outside contracts, which, however, never
interfered with his business in town. In fact few men in this locality have done as much in the line
of business as Henry Rumrill, and it has been done well and faithfully.
There is something in a well spent private life that commands as much admiration, and deserves
as much tribute, as does the record of men called to fill public stations. Indeed it is in the private
character of men, whether in official position or not, that their true worth and merit must be looked
for. fThere is less concern with the people generally in the career of private citizens than in those
who are called upon to administer public affaiYs ; for when a man consents to discharge the duties of
an office, he is in certain sense public property, and his life and history are pertinent matters of
inquiry. To make an important discovery, consummate a valuable invention, form a benevolent
institution, project some grand enterprise^ or to practically build a city, are matters that deserve
recognition in some proper manner even though the actors are private citizens. In our sketch we
briefly trace the career of a man who has done more than any other person in the building of Buffalo,
one who has had deep interest in all public affairs, but one who«^ active and eventful life has been
exclusively a private one.
Mr. Rumrill had five sisters and two brothers. Through his exertions his youngest brother,
Levi H. Rumrill, also cune to Buffalo ; he obtained employment for him on the dock. Subse-
quently his brother became a large stockholder and treasurer of the Western Transportation Com-
pany, and at his death in 1877 left a large fortune.
Mr. Rumrill has been three times married. His first and second marriages were with two
sisters, Augusta E., and Melissa A. Cummings, both of whom died comparatively young. His
present wife is the daughter of Mr. Barnes, of Black Rock. He has a daughter by the first wife,
and three sons by the present one.
In all public charities Mr. Rumrill is greatly interested. He has always done whatever he
could to help, and encourage progress in learning, in science and in art He has taken a deep
interest in the educational, scientific, and benevolent institutions of the city, and has done his full
share in establishing and maintaining them. He is « life member of the Young Men's Association,
and is connected with many other local societies and organisations.
Mr. Rumrill has never lost his habit of constant study. He is not only a great reader but an
earnest thinker, and few men are better posted upon scientific topics or current events. His extreme
modesty and well known reticence have obscured what in others would have gained notoriety. His
literary attainments are of a high order, and there is no place so enjoyable for him as in his well
selected libnry.
As a citizen Mr. Rumrill is scrupulously upright in all his dealings. His word is regarded as
binding and as reliable as a sealed instrument could make it. He is generous and benevolent almost
to prodigality in needful things, but he rarely lets his left hand know what his right hand does in
this diiectkm. Nothing affords him so much pleasure as to render an unexpected and therefore an
nnlooked for £svor or kindness. There are multitudes of deserving persons who have shared his
generous benefactions, and have sikKntly blessed the benefactor.
84 History of Buffalo.
During the Ule war he was untiring in htf efforts so ameliorate the sufferings and trials of the
soldier boys who went from Buffalo to fight the battles of the country. Repeatedly he was instrv-
mental at his own penonal cost, in the shipment to the front, of medicines, wines, cordials, dothing
and such luxuries as he thought would conduce to the health and comfort ni those enduring the
hardships of camp life. It is in such acts as these that his true character is sera; unsdfiaih as the oib
of day that shines for all; undeviating as the needle to the pole in his fidelity to principles, he is, as
a neighbor and one who has known him longest and most intimately, recently expresses himsdf —
" Henry Rumrill is a rare man."
SOLOMON SCHEU. — Prominent among the German residents of Buffalo, who have contributed
so laigely to the growth and prosperity of the city, is the subject of this sketch, Solomon Scfaen,
nearly fifty years of whose mature life have been passed here in active business or in the perform-
ance of those official duties which his fellow citizens have imposed upon him.
Solomon Scheu was bom in what is known as Rhenish Bavaria, on Jannaiy 6, 1822. His
parents were Henry Jacob and Catherina (Hepp) Scheu. His youth waa passed on his father's fann
and in the schools of his native place. Following the tide of German emigration to America, he
reached this country in the year 1839, when he was seventeen years old. Arriving in New York he
immediately went to work learning the trade of baker and in the meantime studying the English
language.
In [844 Mr. Scheu went to Buffalo, where he first began business on his own account in 18461
opening a bakery, which he successfully conducted for several years. From 1850 to 1855 he was
engaged in the grocery business. In 1856 he was made Receiver of Taxes for the city, which ofhce
he held, satisfactorily discharging its duties, until i860. In that year he first engaged in the malting
business, and laid the foundation of the great industry of which he is yet the controlling spirit. His
first malt house was located at the comer of Hudson street and the Erie canal. In 1870 he extended
his business operations by building another malt house adjoining this 6ne. He now also owns the
malt house in St. Paul street, and for a number of years has leased the Niagara Malt House on Ohio
street; he is also member of the Lancaster malting firm of Scheu Brothers, his sons being the other
partners in the firm.
The above is merely a simple business record of one of the leading representative German-
American citizens of Buffalo, but it represents a successful career in that respect, that many might
envy. But what reflects still more honor upon Mr. Scheu is the fact that in the years 1854, 1855
and 1856, he was elected to the office of Alderman, and his action in that position was so satisfactory
to his constituents that they again called him to occupy it in 1866 and 1867. He was also elected
on the State ticket as State Prison Inspector for a term of three years and re-elected on the expira-
tion, making six years in all. His oSScial fitness was further recognized by his fellow-citizens
throughout the entire city in the years i878-'9, by his election to the high office of Mayor. In this
responsible position his record was one noted for its devotion to the best interests of the city and the
wisdom of its measures for the public good. He is now a trustee in the Board of Trade, and holds
other positions of tmst in the city.
In 1847 Mr. Scheu was married to Miss Mina Rinck, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Diehl)
Rinck. Six sons have been bom to them, the elder of whom is thirty-five years old and the yoangest
twenty-one years. They are either in business with their father, as above stated, or have formed
successful business connections elsewhere.
This brief sketch 'may be closed with a reference to Mr. Scheu's personal characteristics. He
is, of course, eminently a self-made made man, having reached the prominent station he now
occupies solely through his own unaided efforts. He is a man of broad and liberal views, with a
mind of comprehensive scope; a friend of his expresses it that " he is a wholesale rather than a
retail dealer," preferring to lead rather than to follow. He is far-seeing into public measures and
their probable results; careful in forming a judgment, but when his judgment is once fixed, per-
severing and energetic in acting upon it. Mr. Scheu is cordial and warm in his friendships, domestic
and social in his habit's; fond of amusement, jovial, and devotedly attached to his home andfitmily.
As a consequence of these traits, his circle of friends is a large one, and is made ap of those who
believe in him in all respects.
Mr. Scheu's success in life is based, as is most always the fact, when real sncoen is attained,
upon the broadest and most perfect pnnciples of integrity and personal honor. He can neither do
J. F. SCHDELLKDPF.
Biographical. 85
a mean or dishonest act himself nor tolerate one in others. He is an honor to his native country
and adopted city.
JACOB F. SCHOELLKOPF.— Pr6minent among" the successful and honored German business
men. of Buffalo is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. Jacob F. Schoellkopf was bom
on th« 15th of November, 1819, in Kircheim U. Teck, a small town of about live thousand inhab-
itants, in the Kingdom of Wurtemburg, Germany. His boyhood until he was fourteen years old,
was passed in the schools of. his native place, where he acquired the foundation of a good practical
education. His business life was commenced as an apprentice for his father, when he was fourteen,
in the tanner's trade, which had also been followed by his grandfather. After serving his full term
of five years, hp en^^iged as a clerk in a mercantile house, where he remained about two jears. At
this time, in common with numy of his countrymen, his thoughts turned towards America as offering
a broader field for energy and enterprise, and he emigrated to this countr>\ where he arrived in
December, 1841, in the twenty-second year of his ige.
The first two year* of his life in his adopted home were spent in working at his trade in New
York city, where he quickly acquired the English language. In the spring of 1844 he removed to
Buffalo and began business in a small leather store on M<Aawk street, with a capital of $800, which
was loaned him by his father. During that year he purchased a small tannery at White's Comers
(Hamburg) agreeing to pay $1,200 for it in six years. He made his business successful from the
first, and in 1846 started a sheepskin tannery in Buffalo, which enterprise was followed by the estab-
lishment in 1848 of a tannery in Milwaukee, and three years later another one in Chicago. The
Milwaukee firm was G. Pfister&Co., in which Mr. Schoellkopf retained an interest until 1857.
The name of the Chicago firm was C. T. Grey & Co., Mr. Schoellkopf remaining a member of it
until 1856. Both of these establishments met with success and are now among the most prosperous
of the kind in the West. In 1853 another tannery at North Evans, N. Y., was added to his already
large property in this industry, which he successfully conducted for twenty years. In 1857 Mr.
Schoellkopf first engaged in the milling interest by the erection of the North Buffalo Flouring Mills.
Another tannery was built by him in 1864, in Sheffield township, Warren county. Pa., which is
still in successful operation. In 1871 he purchased the Frontier Mills, in Buffalo, and has since
erected extensive flouring mills and a brewery at Niagara Falls, utilizing the immense water power
at that point. This water power is made further available through a system of canals in connection
with the rapids in the Niagara river, an enterprise under the management of the Niagara Falls
Water Power Company, of which Mr. Schoellkopf is president. He is senior proprietor of one of
the largest sheepskin tanneries in the United States, located on Mississippi street, in this city.
Mr. Schoellkopf is also senior partner of Schoellkopf & Mathews, the latter in the milling
interest. He is Vice-President of the Third National Bank; a Director in White's Bank and the
Merchants' and German Bank; Vice-President of the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia railroad,
before its recent sale; has been a Trastee of the General Hospital since it was founded; and has at
different periods been a director in many other important Buffalo corporations. In his many vast
business enterprises, Mr. Schoellkopf has amassed a great fortune, which he knows how to use and
enjoy in a rational manner. His mind is capable of grasping extensive' business operations, which
his almost unerring judgment enables him to always turn to success. This u particulariy shown by
his establishment of large enterprises not only in Buffalo, but at different points.
In 1848 Mr. Schoellkopf married Miss Christiana Dier, a lady who was bora in his native town
and emigrated to this country soon after her husband's arrival. Eleven children have been bora
to them, eight sons and three daughters; the sons are actively engaged in the various business
operations which engage their father's attention.
Mr. Schoellkopf is to-day one of the most respected German-American citizens of Buffalo, and
is looked up to by a laige portion of the community as a safe counselor and an able assistant in all
large enterprises for public or private good. He is in every sense a representative man of diis
thriving community.
JOHN B. SKINNER.^John B. Skinner was bora July 33d, 1799, in Williamstown, Berkshire
eounty, Mass. His paternal grandfather was the Rev. Thomas Skipner, a graduate of Har-
vard University, and during his long ministerial life, pastor of the Congregational Church of West-
86 History of Buffalo.
Chester. Cono.* John B. Skinner gndnated from WUlians College in 1818, and soon iltcrwanis
entered the law office of Hon. David Bnell, of Troy, N. Y., and it was white punning his sdidics
in that office that he formed a life-long friendship with the Ute Governor Marcy. He finished his
preparatory law studies in the then celebrated law school of Judges Gould and Reeves, at Litchfield,
Conn., and was admitted to the Supreme Court of the State in August, 1821. The advantages he
had enjoyed and the position he occupied when only twenty-two years of age and at the OQtiet of
his career, were unusual for that period and foreshadowed the future eminence of the man.
Mr. Skinner began the practice of his profession at Mtddlebury, in the old county of Genesee
(now Wyoming village, in the county of the same name). Hu success was ample from the fint.
He was a thorough lawyer in every sente of the word, indnstrious and faithful in the interest of hts
clients, eloquent and powerful before juries, and he soon attracted widespread attention and a large
practice, which increased until he retired from Irasiness. Although brilliant inducements were
repeatedly held out to him to remove from the field where he began his career to more ambitioias cen-
ters of business and society, he resisted all sndi efforts until his final retirement. Judge Skinner's
sUnding as a lawyer will be inferred from 'the foUowing extract from a memorial prepared by Hon.
James O. Putnam, of Buffalo :—
"His success, solid and brilliant, was assured from the first. His industry, his fiddit^ to pro-
fessional trusts, his learning and his marvelous power before juries, gave him a leadership at the
circuits which he never lost. The jury trial was the favorite theatre ofnis professional contests, and
it was as the advocate that he was without a peer. The methods of conducting litigation in his time
differed from the present. Then the great object was to secure a verdict from the twelve men. On
their decision hung the issues of life and death and fortune. This made the counsel who could
carry the jury, whether by ma^c or storm, an indispensable ally. Appeals were comparativdy
rare. Now-a-days when the lury in so many trials is but an incident, and law, as has oecn said
with much humor and some wisdom, is the power of decision by the last judge that can hear the case,
the eloquent advocate holds a position less relatively important in the trial of causes. But Judge
Skinner was learned as a lawyer, as well as eloauent as an advocate, and it was this rare combiiia-
tion that gave him a position so 4>»tinguidied before the courts."
At a meeting of the Bar of Erie county, convened to give some expression to its sentiment on
the occasion of his death, were several appreciative addresses.
Ex-President Fillmore, in the course of his opening remarks as chairman of the meeting,
said: —
'* My acquaintance commenced with Mr. Skinner in 1829, when he and I were both members
of the Assembly. This was my first year, but I think it was his third year, and he had then an
enviable reputation for so young a man in that distinguished body as yet free from the sus-
picion of bribery, and adorned by the talents -of such men as John C. Spencer, Erastus Root, Ben-
jamin F. Butler, Frank Granger, and of others. The revision of our statutes, the great work which
did so much to methodize and relieve them from the cumbrous language and accumulated contra-
dictions and inconsistencies of 3rears, was then just completed, and in that great work Judge Skin-
ner bore a conspicuous part, i know that he was listened to with confidence and respect, and'no
member of the House seemed to exert a more salutary influence. My subsequent acquaintance with
him was mainly at the Bar. He was distinguished for his legal arguments and forensic eloquence.
I have often felt a tremor of anxiety when I have had to meet him. He was a man religiously
devoted to the interest of his client, without ever compromising his own conscience or dignity. He
prepared bis case with ^reat labor and assiduity, and whatever could be said in favor of his client's
interest he presented with great clearness and force, and when that was done he conceived he had
discharged his professional duty, and he patiently awaited the result. The highest encomium that
can ever be passed upon a man of his profession may with great propriety be passed upon him, and
that is, he was a learned, conscientious lawyer."
But it was not, perhaps, as a lawyer that Judge Skinner gained his greatest renown. In the
year 1826, when the two political parties were under the great leaders, DeWitt Clinton and Martin
Van Buren, without his solicitation he was nominated for the Assembly, and, although the opposing
party had been in the ascendency for years, he was elected by an overwhelming majority. He was
re-elected the two succeeding years without opposition, a compliment which had never before and
has never since' been paid to any individual in the district. As a member of the Legislature, he was
among the most prominent. He was the Chairman of the Committee on Literature, and of many
important select committees; and th<f journals of the House and. the political history of the period
supply ample evidence as to how admirably he discharged his duties. In the year 1838 he was, at
* Hit father, Reivjamin Skinner, was one of the early settlers of Wllltamstown. He waa prominently identi-
fied with the founding of Williams CoUeflre and ever liberal and efficient in all Christian and benevoleaC
enterprises.
-^^^^ /^ c^^^
Biographical. 87
the solicttatioii of the Bar, nomiiuUed by Governor Marcy and ttnanimonsly confirmed by the Senate,
Circnit Judge and Vice-Chancellor of ihe Eighth District. In 1846 he was appointed District
Jodge of the Court of Common Pleas, which office he held nntil the change of the Constitution
abolished the office. In 1853 he was, with the Hon. Horatio Seymour, a^>ointed State delegate to
the Baltimore Convention, which nominated Gen. Pierce for President; and the next year was one of
the Presidential Electors to cast for him the vote of the State. In 1853 he was appointed Attorney of
thelTnited States for the Northern District of New York, an office of much responsibility and
greatly sought for, bnt which, owing to his business in the State Courts, he respectfully declined.
At an early period of his residence at Wyoming, Judge Skinner united with the Presbyterian
Church, of which he was soon appointed an Elder, and his liberal and active efforts contributed
mudi to raise this church from a feeble beginning to a position of influence in that community.
In 1830, Mr. Skinner was married to Catharine, only daughter of Richard M. Stoddard, one
of the most prominent of the early settlers of Western New York. This amiable and accomplished
lady died in 1833. He was again married in 1S37 to Sarah A., daughter of Henry G. Walker, of
Wyoming, who bore him one daughter, his only child, the late Mrs. Josiah Letchworth.
In i860. Judge Skinner removed to Buffalo, where he enjoyed the well-earned honors and for-
tune of his life in comparative retirement. From this time his history is closely identified to that
of the religious, charitable and educational institutions of Buffalo and its vicinity. He died June 6,
1 87 1, at which time he was a member of the Board of Education of the Presbjrterian Church; President
of the Board of Trustees of the New York State Asylum for the Blind; an institution recently estab-
lished at Batavia^ and one of the noblest charities of the age; President of the State Normal School
in Buffalo: Vice-President of the Reformatory at Warsaw; a member of the Board of Trustees of
the Buffalo Female Academy, and also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Buffalo City
Savings Bank. All of these with other institutions to which Judge Skinner had given his aid in
some direction, paid tributes to his memory and worth in series uf resolutions and otherwise.
Of Judge Skinner's personal characteristics the following was written by one who knew him
well:—
'* He was not only a man of ability and culture, but a Christian gentleman in all his impulses,
speech <ind bearing towaids others. He delighted to exercise hospitality, and have his friends
gather around him. Associates were not kept at arm's length, but were admitted to his generous
confidence. He possessed traits of character, qualities of mind and heart, and cultivated attain-
ments that greatly endeared him to friends and acquaintances. Approachable, easy of access, he
was capable of greatly attaching others to himself. And how heartily he cherished the friendships
with which God had enriched him, we all well remember. His social intimacies were very pleasant,
and embraced all ages and various classes. He was a man for others to lean on — true, sympathetic
and strong. He drew others to him by his unaffected cordiality, earnest sympathies ancl affable
manners. As to his domestic life and relations, I need hardly say that they were singularly attrac-
tive. He knew what the joys, sympathies and refinements of a Christian home were; and to swell
the fund of domestic happiness brought his own affluent contributions of piety, culture, fidelity and
love."
PASCAL P. PRATT.^The Pratt family, of which the subject of this sketch is a member,
were originally from Westminster, Vermont. Captain Samuel Pratt first visited Buffalo in
1803, and became a permanent settler there in the following year, bringing his family from the East
in the first carriage that ever passed over the streets of the frontier village. His son, Samuel Pratt,
Jr., remained in Vermont, and in 1806 was married to Miss Sophia Fletcher, daughter of General
Samuel Fletcher, a prominent citizen of Townshend, in that State. In 1807, Samuel Pratt, Jr.,
with his wife and infant son, Samuel F. Pratt, moved to and permanently settled in Buffalo, where
he died in 1822.
Pascal P. Pratt, son of Samuel Pratt, Jr., was bom in Buffalo, on the 15th of September, 1819,
and has ever since made that city his residence. His education was begun in the schools of the
village, continuing until the year 1833, when he pursued his studies one year at Hamilton Academy,
Madison county, N. Y. This was followed by nearly two years of study at Amherst, Mass. At
the age of sixteen, the young man began working as a clerk for his elder brother, Samuel F. Pratt,
in his hardware store in Buffalo. Five years later, when he was twenty-one years old, he was taken
into the firm as a partner, to which firm Mr. Edward P. Beals was soon afterwards added; the firm
name was then Pratt & Co., and so it has remained until the present time. Samuel F. Pratt died
in 1880, his interest in the business being absorbed by the remaining partners. In addition to the
88 History of Buffalo.
wholesale hardware trade, the firm has been largely engaged in the manufacture of iron at Buffalo,
having formed the corporation and owned the entire stock of the Buffalo Iron and Nail Company,
with its blast furnaces and rolling-mill located in the suburb of Black Rock. This corporation
began operations in the fall of 1857 and continued until about 1880, since which time the blast
furnace has been leased to and managed by other persons, and the rolling-mill has been changed
for other manufacturing operations. The rolling-mill and blast furnace gave steady employment
for many years to a large number of men. ranging from 500 to 800, and to several vessels during the
seasons of navigation, in the ore trade. The necessary resuU of thtstt extensive manufacturing
operations, was to settle a large number of families in the immediate neighborhood of the mill
building up a portion of the city which would otherwise have offered little inducement to settlers.
rascal P. Pratt married Miss Phofbe Lorenz, on the ist of September, 1845. Miss Lorenx
was the daughter of Mr. Frederick Lorenz. a prominent business man and glass and iron manu-
facturer of Piltsbuig. Pa. The names of Mr. Pralt's children are as follows: — Catherine Pratt,
married Mr. John M. Morton and resides in Buffalo; Frederick L. Pratt, unmarried, reside^i with
his father and manages the property of the Buffalo Iron and Nail Company; Melissa D. Pratt,
married Mr. Robert L. Fryer, a lumber merchant, and resides at Albany. N. Y.; Samuel F. Pratt,
unmarried, resides at Alden. N. Y.; Emma Pratt, unmarried, re.«ides with her father; Edward P.
Pratt, unmarried, resides at Des Moines. Iowa, is a member of the firm of Pratt, Craig & Warren,
wholesale hardware merchants.
Pascal P. Pratt was a Presidential Elector in 1872 elected by the Republican party. He was
President of the Buffalo Park Commission from the time of its organization in 1869, up to 187S,
when he resigneil; during that period the present park system was fully inaugurated and carried
into successful operation.
Mr. Pratt has always made it a rule of his life to avoid and refuse the acceptance of office,
except in the matter of strictly business corporations. His success in business has been of such a
character as to place him amun^ the foremost of the front ranks of business men. He is affable
and pleasant in intercourse, strictly attentive to business in business hours, has a clear head and is
prompt in action; reaches conclusions intuitively, as a rule correctly, losing no time in debating
probabilities or possibilities, and jiroceeds at once to execute the plans he has determined upon.
He is positive in his likes and dislikes, detests shams, is a strong and true friend, a liberal giver to
religious institutions and all deserving charities; he has positive views of his own on all religious
and political questions, standing squarely out and in the light to be read by all that know him. In
religion he is a Presbyterian and an active member of this church. In politics he is and has been
since the organization of the party, a Republican, active and earnest. For a long time he has been
Vice-President of the Manufacturers' and Traders* Bank; he is also a Director in the Bank of
Buffalo, the Bank of Attica, and the Third National Bank; he is a Trustee in the Buffalo Gas Light
Company, Director in the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia Railroad Company, a Trustee in (he
Buffalo Street Railroad Company, the President of the Buffalo Insurance Company. President of
the Buffalo Female Academy, Trustee of tlie Buffalo Orphan Asylum, President of the Board of
Trustees of the Young Men's Christian Association, and is also connected with nearly all of the
benevolent and charitable societies of the city, to all of which official positions he gives his special
time and attention, believing that the duties pertaining to each should be carefully discliarged.
In addition to the foregoing, Mr. Pratt has been a member of the firm of Pratt Sc Letch worth,
since its organization in 1845, up to the present time, the special charge and management of the
business being in the hands of Mr. Josiah Letchworth and Mr. George J. Letchworth, Mr. William
P. Letchworth having several years since retired from the business, now and for several years past
having been a prominent member of the State Board of Charities. The business of this firm grew
up from a small beginning and now has a very prominent standing in the saddlery hardware trade,
as manufacturers and merchants; its trade extends to every State in the Union.
AUGUSTUS ROCKWELL.— Augustus Rockwell, the subject of this notice, was the eighth
generation in direct descent from Deacon William Rockwell and Susannah Chapin, who emigrated
from England in the year 1630. settling in Lebanon. Conn. His parents were Daniel Rockwell and
Prudence Wattles, his wife, who located their home in Manlius. Onondaga county. N. Y., in 181 1.
Here the subject of this sketch was bom on the 7th of April, 1822. His early life was spent at the
Biographical. 89
parental home in such pursuits as were common to the youth of the period. He attended the best
common schools to which he had access and gained therein a good English education; but from his
boyhood he studied and learned lessons, from nature that are never taught in schools. His fondness
for this kind of study was a part of his nature and foretold the existence within him of the artistic
genius that at a later period would not and could not be repressed. He was bom with a mind of
the sensitive, reflective and contemplative character; he loved solitude, and his natural inclinations
took him away from the haunts of men into the fields and forests, where he imbibed and cultivated
his inborn love of the great works of his Creator; thence came his best aspirations and there were
fostered his dearest ambitions.
Mr. Rockwell's earliest business, if such it may be called, was with the palette and bnish, and
nothing could divert him from his chosen labor. As an artist he was self-taught (an unfailing
evidence of genius), with the exception of a few months in the studio of the late A. B. Moore, of
Troy, N. Y. In the year 1S40. when he was eighteen years of age, he opened a studio in his native
town, where he labored with varied success for about ten years. The story of his experience during
that period would, doubtless, be a deeply interesting one; but it cannot be told here.
In January, 1850, Mr. Rockwell was married to Jane, eldest daughter of Hon. John Merritt,
of Manlius. Immediately following the event he removed to Buffalo, where he opened a studio at
No. 1 1 South Division street. This was soon given up for one in the Kremlin Block, comer of
Niagara and Main streets, where he remained for a period of nearly thirty years. There some of the
most eminent men and women of Buffalo and vicinity sat to him for their portraits, and there were
reproduced in living colors and with faithful fidelity the beautiful studies of nature in her loveliest
scenes, in works that now adorn homes of culture and refinement in all sections of the country.
Mr. Rockwell's ambition was directed more towards perfection in his art, than to success in a
business sense; yet he was awarded a degree of success which was eminently gratifying to himself
and his friends, as well as justly complimentary to his ability as an artist. So he labored on year
after year, contented in the consciousness of work well done, of a happy home and the warm attach-
ment of a large circle of friends. He never sought or desired public office or station of any kind;
it could not be that he would do so, with his disposition and temperament. While he was naturally
retiring, yet he was not unsocial, and his genial nature and generous, unostentatious hospitality is
pleasantly remembered by all who were fortunate enough to enjoy it.
Mr. Rockwell was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a life member of the Buffalo His-
torical Society and the Society of Natural Sciences. He was also an honorary member of the Bisby
Club, which has a park and lodge of that name in Hamilton county, N. Y. Following is an extract
from the proceedings of the Club at the time of his death: —
'* He was a man as free from guile as it was possible to be; a true friend, a tender husband and
father and a g^od citizen. Loving nature as the mother of all beauty, he developed in early life the
tastes of a painter, and ere he had attained mid-age, won high rank in the various branches of his
profession. His fame is embalmed in his masterly limnings of the human features and expression
m his beautiful landscapes and exquisite sketches of forest scenery. In all these he exhibited the
rare taste and skill which belong only to genius. As was fitly said of the poet Goldsmith, * He
touchnl nothing he did not adom.' "
Mr. Rockwell was a brother of the poet James Otis Rockwell, whose work is honored with
extracts in the pages of Cheever's ** American Poets.'*
Mr. Rockwell's death occurred May 14, 1882.
nOSES SMITH, the subject of this notice, was bom on the 12th of August, 1824, at Springfield,
Essex county, (now Union county) New Jersey, and is descended from the oldest pioneer stock
of the State. His father, Samuel C. Smith; his grandfather, Moses Smith; his great-grandfather,
William Smith, and his great-great-grandfather, Walter Smith, were all born and lived at the same
place. The family have been unusually long-lived; Moses remembers seeing his great-grandfather,
while his own father is still living at the advanced age of eighty-one, in the township where he was
bom, and in the same house he has occupied during the past half century. He has three children
living. A son, Henry C. Smith, and a daughter, Mrs. William Wade, are residents of New York
city.
Mr. Smith attended the schools of his native place, securing the foundation of a good common
school education, after which he was employed as a clerk in the village of his birth for about
90 History of Buffalo.
two years. He then removed with his uncle, N. Robbins, to Oswego, where he was engaged as
clerk in a dry goods and forwarding business for eleven years; six years of this period he was in the
employ of Moses Merrick & Co., of Oswego.
Soon after October ist, 1853, Mr. Smith removed to Buffalo and engaged in the lumber busi-
ness on his own account. By his energy, perseverance and excellent business ability, he made this
undertaking successful and has continued it for twenty years.
In 1874 he opened a private banking house at No. 179 Main street, where he conducted a sue- :
cessful business until 1877, when he removed to his present handsome offices in the German losur- 1
ance building, 451 Main street. This business he has also made a success. During a business '
career of over thirty years in the city of Buffalo, Mr. Smith has so prudently and judiciously man-
aged his several interests that he has encountered no failure of any description, and has, on the con-
trary, made for himsel/ an enviable reputation for int^;rity, liberal enterprise, interest in ihe pro-
gress of the city and general success.
Although entertaining sound political views of his own, which he upholds at the ballot box and
otherwise, Mr. Smith has never been allured from his watchful care over his business by the strifes
and agitations and hopes of the political field. His attention and energies have all l>cen claimed
in the fulfilment of an honorable determination to make his life a practical success. This determina-
tion has made him to-day one of the respected, solid men of the city, while he is still in the prime
of a vigorous manhood and endowed with the valuable experience of years.
In February, 1854, Mr. Smiih was married to Miss Esther M. Davis, of Buffalo. She was the
daughter of Luther Davis, of Vermont, and came to Buffalo in 1838 in company with her mother,
three sisters and a brother. She died on the 4th of January, 18S3 — an estimable woman and a
worthy member of the Trinity Church.
WILLIAM H. SMITH. — Among the pioneers of the town of Colden, Erie county, was Mr.
H. Smith, who was for miny years a successful farmer and cheese maker of that town. He
was the father of William H. Smith, the subject of this memoir, who was bom in Colden on the
29th of December. 1832. He passed the first twenty-two years of his life at his parental homestead,
and during that period pursued his studies to such purpose as to give him a good English education.
In 1854 Mr. Smith removed to Buffalo, where he engaged in the grocery business on the comer
of Clinton and Michigan streets, in partnership with W. C. Dinwooddie. This business connection
lasted about three yean, at the expiration of which Mr. Smith established himself in the same
business on the comer of Michigan and Eagle streets; he renuiined there until 1867, when he opened
the drug store at the same location, of which he was proprietor at the time of his death. Mr. Smith
had a natural taste fur the science of chemistry and spent much time in the study of it, until he
finally became efficient as an analyst and compounder. He also attained considerable skill in the
healing art, and attended the Buffalo Medical College one year.
So deeply interested was Mr. Smith in pharmacy, that much of his time and means were devoted
in the later y^A^s of his life, to the establishment of an extensive laboratory; the fulfillment of this
project was prevented by his death. Mr. Smith in conjunction with William H. Cutler, perfected
what is known as Cutler's Pocket Inhaler and Carbolate of Iodine Inhalant, for the cure of Catarrh
and kindred diseases.
Mr. Smith was in all respects what is generally spoken of as a self-made man. He possessed a
naturally inventive mind, was an ardent investigator, and made himself master of every subject to
which he turned his attention. Generosity was a marked trait of his character, and he will be long
remembered by the many poor who felt the benefits of his unostentatious benevolence.
On the i6th of November, 1857, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Georgina B. Manning, daugh-
ter of Aaron M. Manning, of Buffalo. Mr. Smith's death occurred on the 17th of November, 1879.
His widow subsequently married Henry Howard Terry, of Buffalo, a descendant of an honorable
English family. Mr. Smith's only daughter is now the wife of D. Bradley Sweet, son of Charles
A. Sweet, and President of the Third National Bank of this city, a well-known business man of
Buffalo.
EDWARD L. STEVENSON.— The subject of this notice was bom in Auburn. Cayuga county.
N. Y., on the 31st of March, 1806. His father was Edward Stevenson andhts jnother was
Ann Lock wood; they came westward from Massachusetts, the former being a native of Greenwich^
V.
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Biographical. 91
and the Utter of Pittsiield. The family remained in Auburn until Edward L., was seventeen years
old, during the most of which period, after he had reached a suitable age, he attended the com-
mon schools of that village, at the same time applying himself in his leisure hours to the acquire-
ment of such education as was obtainable with his limited advantages.
During the last three years of his life in Auburn Mr. Stevenson was in the employ of Chauncey
H. Coe, who then kept a hotel there and had chaige of that division of the great stage route run-
ning from Buffalo to Albany. In the stage office the young man made himself thoroughly conver-
sant with the details of that business; and so well did he please his employer that when Mr. Coe
sold out his business in Auburn and came to Buffalo, he brought his assistant wiih him. Mr.
Stevenson arrived in Buffalo on the i8th of October, 1825. His employer purchased the western
division of the stage route from Sylvanus Marvin, a brother of the late Mrs. Judge Walden, and
Mr. Stevenson was at once placed in the office. In 1825 Mr. Coe exchanged his stage business with
his brother, Bela D. Coe, then of Canandaigua, who came to Buffalo and took chaige of the stage
line, still retaining Mr. Stevenson in the office.
The stage route from Buffalo to Albany constituted in those days an enterprise of very consid-
erable magnitude. At one time four regular lines of coaches left Buffalo— the *' Telegraph *' line,
which limited the number of its passengers to six and in seasons of good roads made the distance to
Albany in forty-eight hours, chaiging fifteen dollars fare; the ** Pilot " line, the *' Diligence," and
the regular mail and accommodation line. The three latter chaiged about ten dollars fare. Old
residents tell many amusing and interesting experiences while bowling along in the old days of stage
travel.
Immediately upon the arrival of Mr. Stevenson in Buffalo he entered upon the duties in the
stage office, which was then located in the old Mansion House, but after about six months was
removed to the building in which was located the old and long popular Eagle tavern, where it perma-
nently remained. This division of the stage line was operated by Mr. Coe for a number of years, a
large share of the management of which devolved upon Mr. Steventon. It was finally sold to Ben-
jamin Rathbun a short time previous to his disastrous bankruptcy, Mr. Stevenson's continued ser-
vice being a stipulation in the bargain. Upon the occurrence of that memorable event, the assignees
(Messrs. Lewis F. Allen, Joseph Clary, Millard Fillmore, and pavid E. Evans,) placed the stage
business in the sole charge of Mr. Stevenson pending the settlement of the estate; and it is said
that at the time they closed up the wrecked affairs of the famous speculator, the stage business was
the only portion of his property that was found to be paying a profit.
Mr. Stevenson continued in the stage office until the spring of 1842, at which time the Buffalo
& Attica Railroad was completed, forming the last link in the line from Buffalo to Albany and
practically ending the stafre business over that route forever. During the period since Mr. Steven-
son's arrival in Buffalo and the date just mentioned, he made numerous investments in land, chiefly
under the advice of his friend, the late Hon. Albert H. Tracy, and his employer, Mr. Coe. These
real estate operations, being carefully and judiciously conducted, yielded handsome profits and laid
the foundation of his present large fortune. He is one of the comparatively few men whose wis-
dom, prudence and foresight carried him safely through the panic of 1836 and other financial revul-
sions, in which such a large portion of the business men of the country were overwhelmed.
Mr. Stevenson was for nearly twenty-five years engaged with his brother, the late Geoige
Stevenson, in conducting a livery business in this city. At one period they kept in stable sixty
horses and practically controlled that business in the community.
In 1857 Mr. Stevenson was elected Alderman of the Third ward of Buffalo, and was again
elected to the same office in 1839; '^^ duties of this office he discharged to the eminent satisfaction
of his constituents and for the best good of the city. He is now a trustee of the Buffalo Savings
Bank; a director in the Bank of Buffalo; was at one time a real estate commissioner of the Young
Men's Association, in which he has always felt a warm interest, and a director of the Buffalo Insur-
ance Company. He is an attendant at St. Paul's Church, of which he has been one of the vestry-
men. In person Mr. Stevenson is naturally of a retiring disposition, never courting the notice of
the public and devoting himself quietly to the management of his own affairs. For many years past
he has devoted his attention almost entirely to the care of his large real estate interests, and now,
having accumulated a competence and won the unqualified respect and friendship of all with whom
92 History of Buffalo.
he has come in contact during his long life in Buffalo, he may look back upon a long career of honor
and usefulness. It is his pride to say that he has transacted business within a circle of one hundred
feet from his present office on Main street for a period of sixty years.
Mr. Stevenson was married in 1832 to Miss Amelia S. Geer, ol Sbelbume. Chittenden county,
Vt. She was a daughter of William and Sally Geer, of that State. They have had two children —
Edward Henr>-, born October 23. 1838, died May 5. 1840; and George P. Stevenson, bora May 9.
1849, died May 23, 1878. The latter was one of the most promising and respected young men of
bnfTalo. and his loss was a terrible blow to his fond parents. This sketch may be appropriately
closed with a brief extract from an obituary printed in the Buffalo Express tA the time of his death: —
** Outside the rircle of family friends and acquaintances, few of our readers could realize what
a world of sorrow is. embodied in the formal, terse and customary announcement of the death of
George P. Stevenson. That circle is an unusually large one, it is true, for the deceased was known
personally to many of the young people of Kuffalo, as his parents are among our oldest and most
respected citizens; but few even of these can understand what a crushing weight of affliction is
caused by his death. An only child of wealthy parents, amiable, intelligent, affectionate and irre-
proachable in conduct, he seemed to be the darling of fortune, as he was the idol of his parents.
From early childhood he was frail in form and of a delicate constitution, the source of such constant
anxiety and nervous solicitude a< can be appreciated only by fathers and mothers whose hopes of hap-
piness have hung trembling upon the threatened life of a beloved child. He grew stronger as he
grew towards manhood; but these encouraging indications were deceptive, as they usually are. All
that could be done or thought of, by love unbounded and at expense without limitation, to remove
the impending shadow, was done promptly and persistently in hope and fear, but, alas, without
avail. Some months ago the weary young traveler was brought home— brought home to die, as he
knew, and he waited for the inevitable event in hourly suffering, borne with a sweet patience and a
rare courage that endeared him the more to the sorrowing surrounders. At last the fatal messenger
came, and we can say nothing to mitigate the profound affliction of the bereaved parents. What
consolation there may be in the sincere sympathy of friends they will be sure to find. We also hope
there may be for them some Comfort in the thought that his beautiful character will not soon be
forgotten."
ROBERT G. STEWART.— Near the close of the eighteenth century Thomas Stewart and
Jeannette Duff — having been joined in the bonds of matrimony at their native place, Edinbui^t
Scotland— came to this country and settled in the town of Fenner, Madison county, N. Y. Mr.
Stewart had been brought up a farmer, and he followed this vocation after coming to America. He
was among the pioneers or early settlers of Madison county, and in the observance of the prudent
and industrious habits for which the Scotch people are noted, he became one of the well-to^o
farmers of Central New York. He was an influential man in the community where he lived.
Six ^ns and two daughters were bom to Mr. Stewart, all of whom grew to man or womanhood
except one daughter that died in infancy. The fourth son was christened Robert G. Stewart; and
is the subject of this sketch. He was bom on Christmas Day in 1808, at the farm homestead in the
town of Fenner. His early years were spent in the manner of country bojrs of those days, attending
school in the winter months, and when old enough doing farm work in the summer. When a boy,
Mr. Stewart displayed the wonderful energy, industry and push which characterized his career in
after life. It is said of him that he was never idle. He was ever seeking employment and utilizing
his time to some good purpose.
Mr. Stewart had no educational advantages other than those afforded by the common district
schools. But in these he acquired a thorough knowledge of the rudiments of a good English educa-
tion. He purchased a farm in his native town upon attaining his majority and was prosperous and
successful in its management.
On the 1 6th of October, 1836, when nearly twenty-eight years of age, Mr. Stewart was married
to Lydia Coman, daughter of a farmer of Monroeville, in the county of Madison. The young couple
settled upon the farm and soon were surrounded with all the comforts that pertain to a prosperous
and thrifty country home-life. Mr. Stewart's uprightness of charactei^ and business reputation soon
gained for him a leading position in the community where he had been reared. He was active in
politics, and deeply interested in the management of public affairs. When quite young he was
elected Supervisor of the town, and was continued in the office for eight consecutive terms. He
was also chosen a member of the Assembly for one session by the old Whig party, to which organ-
ization he belonged. Like many young men of forty years ago, Mr. Stewart was a great admirer of
VSfci^L,.^:.^
Biographical. 93
Henry Clay, and the defeat of the great Kentuckian for the Presidency in 1844, was a personal
sorrow to him.
In 1855, at the age of forty-seven, Mr. Stewart was induced to venture in business pursuits
other than farming, and he joined some of his friends and relatives in the establishment of a manu-
facturing enterprise in this city. The business was that of an extensive distillery, located at Black
Rock, which was carried on under the firm name of Shoemaker, Stewart & Co. The firm was com-
posed of John Shoemaker, Robert G. Stewart and his brother, Alexander, his cousins Daniel and
Robert Stewart, and G. N. Sherwood.
At the time of entering this concern Mr. Stewart was possessed of only about $10,000, and
the firm, although embracing several names, was not particularly a strong one financially. But
it had plenty of the real Scotch grit, and therefore success was assured. Yet it was several years
before the company advanced to that period where they felt absolutely certain of it. After four or
five years one or two changes occurred in the firm, one of which was the retirement of Mr. Sher-
wood, whose interest was purchased by Mr. Thomas Graves, a banker of Auburn, who added more
capital to the concern. Soon after this change the war came on and the internal revenue tax upon
htghwines was a boon for the Black Rock distillers, as it was to other holders of this commodity.
A tax of two dollars per gallon was equivalent to an addition of that amount to their stock on hand,
which fortunately was very large at that time, and they reaped the benefits.
Mr. Stewart retired from the distilling business after about ten years, and in connection with
his brother, Alexander, purchased a half interest in the Exchange Elevator. He also became inter-
ested in the commission and forwarding business with the firm of Stewart, Graves & Co ; Mr.
Graves, of Auburn, being a partner in this house as he was in the distillery. The concern did a
successful business for several years.
In 1873, upon the formation of the Bank of Commerce, Mr. Stewart was chosen President,
and continued to fill the responsible position up to the time of his death. He and his brother sub-
scribed for one-fifth of the capital stock of the bank. Mr. Stewart was also a Director in the
Merchants' Bank that was started just prior to his death. He was an active member of the Board
of Trade, and in all business relations and industrial pursuits he occupies a place in the front rank.
His failing health for the last ten years, however, prevented his active participation in business
affairs so much as he desired to.
Mr. Stewart never occupied any official station after taking up his residence in Buffalo. Business
engrossed his attention, and suited his taste much better. He did not fail, however, to manifest
his interest in public affairs. Few men were more concerned in the politics of the country than
Robert G. Stewart. It may be said of him that he was an active politician in the best sense of that
term. He sought to promote the success of his party for the good of the counti^' and not tc advance
his personal interests. He sought no office, nor would he accept any. He was a radical Republican
from the time the party was oiganized, and was an earnest, enthusiastic and liberal supporter of the
Government in its efforts to put down the great Rebellion of 1861.
Mr. Stewart was very liberal in his religious sentiments. He was reared in the old Scotch Pres-
byterian faith, and continued through life to manifest his adherence to that doctrine, as much as to
any religious belief, but he never became a member of any Christian church. He believed in doing
good as well as professing it, and in acting right as well as in assuming to do so.
Mr. Stewart's business connection with his unmarried brother, Alexander, was somewhat
unusual. From boyhood they had all their affairs in common, each laboring and planning for the
promotion and advancement of their united interest. They had as it were but one purse. No
jealousies or disputes ever disturbed the harmony of this relation.
An agreement was made, howevei, between the brothers that each should execute a will making
the survivor, residuary legatee of the one who should die first, and these instruments were made and
executed, Alexander, the bachelor, dying first. The subject of this sketch then changed his will,
devbing the joint estate to his widow, with the exception of certain specific bequests to personal
friends and for other purposes. Both of them died in the same year.
Mr. Stewart died on the 28th of October, 1881, at the* age of nearly seventy-three years. Four
years before his death he had a paralytic stroke, from which he nerer fully recovered, and which
greatly enfeebled him. He bore the infirmity uncomplainingly and continued to give his atten-
tion to business more than his crippled condition wonld seem to justify. He had no children.
04 History of Buffalo.
A good man, a valuable citizen, a true friend and a kind and affectionate husband passed away
when Robert G. Stewart died.
J.\MES TILLINGHAST.— The Tillinghast family in America originated with the Rev. and
Elder Pardon Tillinghast, who was born at Seven Cliffs, in Sussex, near lieachy Head, on the
south coast of England, in 1622. He served in Cromwell's army and came from England to Provi-
dence, R. I., as one of the Roger Williams Baptist colony, on the 19th of November, 1645, at the
age of twenty-three. As appears by ** Book No. i," of the town records of Providence, R. I., he
was received as a quarter-sharesman, or land-owner, and was ** of the particular Baptist order and
remarkable for his plainness and piety, and was sett as a Baptist minister." (See Benedict's His-
tory.) He at first preached in a grove on his lot of g^round at the north end of the town, the wagon
road being at the front and the river at the back; a few years later he built a small building to use
in bad weather: and, according to the records of the First Baptist Church of Providence, at his own
expense and upon his own ground, built the first meeting-house which, in 1700, he gave, with the
lot on which it stood, to the first Baptist society organized in America; which is now (1884) the First
Baptist Church property of Providence. R. I. The meeting-house was removed and a larger one
erected in its stead in 1 718. Elder Pardon Tillinghast continued to preach in it until about the time
of his death, which occurred April 27, 1719, at the age of ninety-seven. His shield, brought from
England, bore the motto, ** Be just and fear not," and which, as a good Christian, he endeavored to
live up to.
The family and his descendants continued to live in Rhode Island for many years, and in 1820,
Gideon Tillinghast, father of James Tillinghast, having served an apprenticeship as a mechanic at
Walpole, Mass., where he helped to build the first power looms for weaving cotton and woolen
fabrics, was employed by Levi Bebee, of Cooperstown, N. Y., to come there and superintend the
construction of a cotton factory called the Hope Mills, near that village, in which were built aud
started the first power weaving looms used in the State of New York for making cotton cloth. In ihe
year 1824 he removed to Whitesboro, near Utica, N. Y., to take charge of the starting of cotton mills
at that place. In 1827 he removed to Brownville, Jefferson county, N. Y., where in company with
Averill & Smith and others, of Cooperstown, N. Y., started a foundry and machine shop and erected
cotton mills, and operated them for a number of years. He afterwards went to Little Falls to superin-
tend the construction and operation of cotton mills at that place. He died there on the 13th of October,
i860, at the age of sixty-five years, leaving three children — ^James, Francis D., and Annie Tillinghast.
James Tillinghast, the subject of this sketch, was b3m at Cooperstown, Otsego county, N. Y.»
May 8th, 1822. His father having charge of cotton factories and machine shops connected with
them, James spent most of his time when not at school and while yet a boy, in and about the shops»
acquiring thus a fancy for and considerable practical knowledge as a medianic, without the usual
process of apprenticeship. In 1837, at the age of fifteen, he was employed as a clerk in a country
store at Brownville. In the fall of 1838 he entered the employ of Bell & Kirby (James A. Bell and
Major Edmund Kirby), who opened a country store at Dexter, Jefferson county, N. Y., on the dock
located just above the mouth of Black river, on Lake Ontario. For this firm Mr. Tillinghast acted
as both clerk and bookkeeper. Captain Bradley afterwards became a member of the firm, and hav-
ing charge of the land department of the parties projecting the extension of the then small village
of Dexter, the keeping of the land company's books was added to the young clerk's duties of making
fires, sweeping the store, waiting upon customers in the sale of groceries, drugs, hardware and dry
goods, and keeping four sets of books. For this comprehensive work he was paid eight dollars a
month, four of which he gave for his board and washing. Mr. Bell was the only member of the
firm who assisted in attending to the detail business of the firm.
At that time Messrs. Massey & Co., owned and managed a transportation line of steamboats
and other vessels nmning between Dexter and Oswego. This line was purchased in the winter of
1839 by Mr. Tillinghast's employers, and the charge of its business added to his duties. This was
his first experience in the transportation business.* Mr. Tillinghast continued with this firm in the
* There were no railroads at that time to the northern part of the Sute, and the freight, lumber and passen-
-fters from Jefferson county went by boat from Dexter and i>ftckett*s Harbor to Oswego ; from Oswego to Albany
and New York by caqals. Between Dexter, Sackett's Harbor and interior places in Jefferson county, goods and
passengers were carted by teams. Pine lumber for eastern markets was then largely produced in the Black
Kiver district and sent by team to Dexter, where it was shipped on boats, sail-rigged, to Oswego ; there the sails
were taken down and the boats towed through the canals to Albany, when the sails were agaia rigged and the
boats sailed to New York. One of these boats was named the *' Jim H'ood."
/
Biographical. 95
lake transportation business until the winter of 1840, when he went to Brownville and took charge
oi the Brownville Cotton Manufacturing Company's store and office affairs. In the fall of 1841 he
joined Alexander Brown in the firm of Brown & Tillinghast, as merchants in the country
store at Brownville; buying out the firm of C. K. Loomis & Co. In the fall of 1843 he
sold his interest in this business to again engage in the lake trade. In the winter of 1843
a sail vessel was built at Pillar Point, opposite Sackett's Harbor, which was named after H.
H. Sizer, of Buffalo. She was completed in the following spring and Captain Jack Wilson
appointed her master, with Mr. Tillinghast as super-caigo. They sailed from Sackett's Harbor
at the opening of navigation in 1844 for Chicago, having on board some 134 passengers and
their effects, household goods, farming utensils, etc. The passengers carried their own provisions
and slept in the hold of the vessel. Arriving at Oswego and finding it necessary to have more load
on the vessel to insure safety, Mr. Tillinghast bought of Richmond & Co., 200 barrels of salt and
stored it in the hold of the vessel for ballast. A few more passengers .were taken on at Oswego and
other points, and after encountering a severe gale on Lake Huron, which carried away the sails and
mainmast and nearly wrecked the vessel, they made Chicago in safety, landing the passengers on the
only dock in the place — known as the Newberry & Dole dock, on the north side of the river. The
disabled vessel had to be taken across the lake to Grand River, where Grand Haven now is, to
get pine trees for masts, which were put in and new sails made at Chicago.
Not being able to get eastward freight at Chicago to load his vessel, Mr. Tillinghast received
instructions from Buffalo about the first of June to purchase, as fast as possible, wheat enough to
load the vessel, requiring about 3,500 bushels. He accordingly began buying wheat at Chicago,
Racine and Michigan City, and after long delay was able to secure 1,536 bushels at Chicago, less
than 400 at Racine, and about 900 at Michigan City. With these three lots, which were all that
could be bought in those places, he sailed for Buffalo, arriving during the famous September gale of
1844, where the wheat was sold so as to net about forty-eight cents per bushel for freight.
All grain at western points was then handled in bags, there being no elevators or grain ware-
houses, and one of the greatest difficulties in handling it was to keep the sailors from stealing empty
bags to make their clothes; the bags were, therefore, counted in and out, and the vessel required to
pay for what were missing. Since then all this is changed, and millions of bushels are now handled
in place of the hundreds of those days, for which elevators and steam power have taken the place
of hand labor and bags. These improvements were a necessity; for, while a vessel of 3,500 bushels
capacity could be loaded in a reasonable time by the old method, the great 60,000 bushel cargoes of
the present time could not be successfully handled in that way.
Mr. Tillinghast continued in the lake trade until 1846, when, in company with his father, he
removed to Little Falls, N. Y., where they started a machine shop and foundry. He continued
there until the winter of 1850, when he gave up his interest in the business to his father, to try his hand
at railroading. In the spring of 185 1 he was employed on the Utica & Schenectady road as extra fire-
man of engine No. 10, hauling a gravel train. About this time his old friends in Jefferson county
had begun building the Rome & Watertown Railroad, with Robert B. Doxtater as president. At the
suggestion of William Lord, of Brownville, and Norris M. Woodruff, of Watertown, Mr. Doxtater
sent for Mr. Tillinghast to meet him at Rome, which he did in July, 1851. Mr. Doxtater asked
him to come to Rome and work for the new road, which then had about twelves miles of track finished
and one engine. Mr. Tillinghast accepted the offer and began serving as extra fireman, brakeman,
conductor, mechanic or agent, doing whatever service was roost needed at the time, and finally, as
the best man available, drifted into the position of acting Master Mechanic and Assistant Superin-
tendent, Mr. J. L. Grant being the General Superintendent. He continued with that road until
April, 1856. Mr. Grant had in the meantime accepted the position of General Manager of the
Northern Railway of Canada, from Toronto to Collingwood; he requested Mr. Tillinghast to go
with him as Superintendent of Motive Power and Assistant General Superintendent, and he con-
sented, removing to Toronto for that purpose! That line running in connection with steamboat
lines between Collingwood and Chicago, and Toronto and Oswego, brought him again in connection
with the lake traffic, and he became interested in steam propellers. Retiring from the Collingwood
Railroad December 31, 1863, he joined with CapUin R. Montgomery, of Buffalo, and Mr. E. B.
Ward, of Detroit, in forming a line of propellers to run between Goderich, Port Huron and Chicago
in connection with the Grand Trunk Railway and the Buffalo & Lake Huron road, removing to Buffalo
History of Buffalo.
April 1st, 1863. Here he concluded, after looking aboqt consideimbly, to make his future hooiCy
which he has done, although at times his business has required him to have his office headquarters at
other places.
Mr. Tillinghast continued in the lake trade until April, 1864, when, at the request of M. U Sjkes,
President, and H . H. Porter, general manager of the Michigan Southern Railroad, he consented to act
temporarily as Superintendent of Motive Power until another person might be found for the position.
His headquarters were established at Elkhart, Ind. He sold out his steamboat interest and remained
at Elkhart until July, 1864, when his old friend, J. Lewis Grant, who had been appointed General
Superintendent of the Buffalo & £ne Railroad, requested him as an old and tried friend to come and
act as Assistant General Superintendent, with chaige of the mechanical and machinery departments.
This position he accepted, partly because it would bring him back to Buffalo, occupying it until
February 8, 1865, when Dean Richmond, then President of the Buffalo & Erie and New York Cen-
tral road, requested him to come into the service of the latter as Superintendent of the Western
Division, in place of Mr. Harlow Chittenden, who was changed to the place of General Superintend-
ent at Albany, via Chauncey Vibbard, who retired from the service. Mr. Tillinghast accepted
the appointment, and has ever since been in the New Vork Central Railroad interest and service.
In 1867 Commodore Vanderbilt obtained a large interest in the New York Central road, and
on his first trip of inspection over the road, met Mr. J. Tillinghast. From that date and that
meeting the Commodore became and continued his true, firm friend; and after the many changes
that resulted in Commodore Vanderbilt's acquisition and control of the property, he made Mr. Til-
linghast its General Superintendent, with headquarters ^t Albany. During the Commodore's
administration " until his death, which occurred on the 4th of January, 1877," Mr. Tillin^iast
enjoyed his full confidence and was entrusted with many confidential duties. It was while he was
with the Commodore, on various trips of observation over the property, and upon examination as to
the growth of traffic and the prospects of future increased tonnage, that the plan of four tracks was
arranged and carried out; the result being that the road in 1881, carried ten times the tonnage it did
in 1865 — the year the first through freight lines were established — and at an average rate of seven-
tenths of a cent per mile, instead of three and thirty-onc-hundredths cents in 1865.
Mr. Tillinghast continued as General Superintendent of the New York Central until 188 1. In
addition to his duties in that office, in 1877 and 1878, he was President and Acting- Manager of the
Canada Southern railroad and succeeded in getting passed through the Dominion ParliaoMnt at
Ottawa, laws for the re-organization of the bonds and obligations of that road. By this means and
with the important aid of William H. Vanderbilt, the Canada Southern was made a valuable and
successful property and its stockholders saved from loss.
In 1 88 1 Mr. Tillinghast retired from the position of General Superintendent and was appointed
by William H. Vanderbilt assistant to the President of the New York Central & Hudson Riv«r
railroad, relieving him from the arduous work connected with the details of operating the road, and
was assigned special duties by the President; among them being the re-organiiation of the Pitts-
burgh, McKeesport & Youghioghing railroad, for the purpose of securing its construction from
Pittsburgh to the Connelsville coal and coke district, in the interest of the roads that are largely
controlled by Mr. Vanderbilt. In this work Mr. Tillinghast was successful, the road now being
in operation and extensions of it to Harrisburg, Pa., being in process of oonstruction in the
same interests; that will connect with the Philadelphia & Reading system of roads at Harrisbu^,
Pa., and when completed will unite the interesU of the New York Central, the Lake Shore &
Michigan Southern and the Reading system of roads, both via the Pine Creek route to the New
York Central, and via Pittsburgh and Ashtabula, to the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern.
In addition to his duties as assistant to the President, Mr. Tillinghast has, since the sad accident
causing the death of his friend, the Hon. Webster Wagner, of the Wagner Sleeping Car Company,
t>n January 13, 1882, acted as Vice-President and General Manager of that Company. Besides
those duties, he has during the last year, as Vice-President of the Niagara River Bridge Co., had
eharge of and looked after the building of the new cantilever bridge, which was completed and
opened for traffic December 20, 1883.
Mr. Tillinghast was married October 22, 1843, to Mary Williams, at Limerick, Jefferson county,
N. Y., who died at Atlantic Beach, near Portland, Me., Ai^ust 20, 1859, leaving ^i^ children —
James W. Tillinghast, now manager for the Western Union Telegraph Co., at Buffalo, in which
Biographical. 97
service he has been since he left school: the other two children are daughters, the eldest, Kate,
being married to Mr. H. P. Burtis, of the Howard Iron Works, buffalo; and the other. Annie,
being the 'wife of Mr. F. D. Stow, General Agent for the Merchants' Dispatch Transportation Co.
Mr. Tillinghast was married to his second wife, Mrs. Susan Williams, widow of his first wife's
brother, on July 25, 1882. He is still in good health and active duty, and will be sixty-two years
of sge on the 8th of May, 1884. All the offices and positions of trust that he has held, have been
tendered to him without solicitation of any kind; the chief rule of his life has been, to try and do
bis whole duty to whatever interests were placed in his charge, and he has never yet asked that his
compensation be made any particular sum: invariably leaving that to the person tendering him a
position. He has been a householder and resident of Buffalo for twenty-one years, though his
duties keep him in New York a large share of the time. Still, as he decided when looking for a
pbce to call home in 1862, he hopes when the time comes to retire from active railroad duty, to
dwell in Buffalo continuously. His present residence is No. 138 Swan street, in the house he
bought in 1874, from his old and tried friend, George B. Gates, who at that time had built a new
bome on Delaware avenue.
We will close this sketch of one of the most prominent railroad men in America, with a brief
extract from the Utica Observer^ of December 8 and 15, 1883, in the publication of the " Recollec-
tions of Hon. William W. Wright," who was formerly a Jefferson county man. In referring to
the Northern New Yorkers now scattered over the country, he says: —
'* There was another Brownville boy who has for a number of years filled a la^e place in rail-
]RMid circles. This is James Tillinghast, of the Central and other Vanderbilt roads; commencing as
« fireman and engineer on a locomotive, he has occupied in succession all the intermediate places
between the humble position in which he served on the Watertown road, and that of assistant to the
President of the immense establishment with which he is connected. Dean Richmond was, perhaps,
the first to discover his merit as a railroad operator and manager, and after that remarkable man had
passed away, he came under the notice of the elder Vanderbilt who, like Richmond, promptly
recognized his ability and fidelity as a railroad man and gave him his full confidence; he not only
appreciated his ability and trustworthiness in the management of an enterprise in which he had
acquired such avast interest, but he treated him as a personal and trusted friend down to the period
of his death. Tillinghast is a quiet, shrewd and thoughtful man, and remarkably plain and un-
demonstrative in bis manners. He is both wise and fortunate in his investments, and may safely
be set down as among the wealthiest, as well as ablest, of the long list of Jefferson county people
who have made their mark in the world."
SHELDON THOMPSON was bom at Derby, Connecticut, on the 2d of July, 17S5. His grand-
father, Jabes Thompson, was a man of prominence in- Derby. He was an officer in the French
war of 1755 to 1763; and was one of the Selectmen of Derby from 1761 to 1764, and again in 1774
and 1775. At a town meeting held at Derby, November, 29, 1774, after the '* Boston Tea Party," to
consider the proceedings of the Continental Congress, held at Philadelphia, September 5, 1774, the
plan of the association recommended by that Congress, was approved, and a committee of fourteen
appointed, to see the same carried into execution. On this list the name of " Major Jabes Thomp-
son," stands third. He was in command of the first troops sent from Derby immediately after the
fighting at Lexington; and this company was probably in the battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 177s.*
His commission, dated May i, 1775, "in the 15th year of the Reign of his Majesty, King George
the Third," from Jonathan Trumbull, Captain-General, etc., appointed him "First Major of the
First Regiment of the Inhabiunts inlisted and assembled for the special Defense and Safety of his
Majesty's said Colony." On the " Committee of Inspection " of Derby, appointed December 11,
1775, again his name appears third, preceded by the same two as before, but this time with the rank
of ''Colonel." Tradition recites that he was killed while in command of his troops on Long
Island, on the retreat of the Revolutionary army, and that his body was buried with honor by the
English officers who had been his companions in arms in the French war.
His father, also named Jabez Thompson, was bom January 7, 1759, and was a sailor from his
youth. He was lost at sea with his eldest son, in 1794, while in command of a West India trading
vessel, owned by himself, and which was never heard fn>m after leaving port. He was a man of
most estimable character, as is attested by an oration on his life and services, delivered before King
Hiram Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, at Derby, December 23, 1794.
* Onmtt and Bcardsley*s History of the Old Town of Derby, pp. 169, 173, etc.
98 History of Buffalo.
The mother of Sheldon Thompson was thus left a widow with a large family of children. The
greater part of the property was lost with the father by the sinking of the ship, and a small farm
only was left. The eldest surviving son, William, was a sailor, and it became necessary that th)&
boys should care for themselves, leaving the farm for the mother and daughters. Plence, Sheldon
Thomp5%on, at the age of ten years went to sea as a cabin boy under the charge of his elder brother,
William, then a master. In 1798, during our difficulties with France, he was in the West Indies,
where he was taken prisoner, conveyed (o Guadaloupe, and there confined for several months. He
followed the sea until he became master of the ship Keziah^ owned by Gillett & Townsend, of New
Haven, having risen rapidly from a sailor before the mast to the command of a fine ship in the West
India trade, at the age of twenty-four years.
In 1810, he abandoned the ocean, and came to Lewiston, N. Y. This year was' the turning
point of his career, and the first step of his prominence, as connected with the beginnings and early
}^rowth of the commerce and navigation of the great lakes. One of his partners, the late Hon. Alvin
Bronson, of Oswego, has left a vivid sketch of the formation of their firm, from which the principal
facts may be condensed.*
In iSio, Jacob Townsend, Alvin Bronson and Sheldon Thompson left the seaboard for the
lakes, impelled by the British orders in Council, and Bonaparte's Berlin and Milan Decrees. The
war, originating in the French revolution, had pervaded all Europe, and well-nigh involved the
United Slates. The leading belligerrnts had ceased to respect neutral rights. Great Britain, when
her military marine was exhausted by blockades, supplemented it by what were called ** paper
blockades," declaring, by an order in Council, the ports of France, her colonies and allies, in a
state of blockade, without any naval investiture. France, in retaliation, by Bonaparte's Berlin
and Milan Decrees, forbade all intercourse with Great Britain, her colonies and allies.
During the year 1809, Jacob Townsend.f then of the firm of Gillett & Townsend, West India
traders, of New Haven, visited the lake region, taking in his route, Salina, Oswego, Niagara, Eric
and Pittsburgh, and returned to New Haven about the time that Bronson arrived from a voyage
to the West Indies, and proposed to the latter to abandon the -West India trade, and join him in
his projected Lake enterprise.
This proposition found Bronson ready for almost any change. He had brought the first news
to the underwriters and to his associate owners, of the rapture of their schooner, the Philander^ by
the French. She was condemned and sold at Guadaloupe, under the Berlin and Milan Decrees, for
having J>een l)ound to an English port. She was bought in by the master, for whom it might con-
cern, again fitted out and again captured. She was carried to Antigua, tried by a court of Admir-
alty, and condemned for fiaving been to a French port.
Bronson said that if Sheldon Thompson would join them he would go. He felt that they were
taking leave of civilization for the wilderness and wanted company in a project deemed wild by
most Eastern men. Thompson promptly agreed to join the enterprise and proceed to Lake Erie to
cut a frame for a coasting vessel before the sap ran. Articles of co-partnership were accordingly
ilrawu up. These provided that the name of the firm should be Townsend, Bronson & Co., and
that it should continue for four years ; that each <ihould contribute all his capital and his whole time
and that the purpose of the co-partnership should be transacting business in the State of New York
and elsewhere, of a mercantile nature, in the various branches of vending goods, ship-building and
coasting on Lake Ontario and Erie, and any other business in which the parties collectively might
judge best to engage.
In March, iSio, Bronson proceeded to Oswego Falls, where he cut a frame for a schooner of
one hundred tons, on the land now occupied by the village of Fulton. He then visited Oswego for
the first time, and arranged for her construction in the same ship-yard where Eckford built the
United States armed brig Oneida the year before. The same builder became famous soon after, by
constructing the formidable navy of Lake Ontario, Mith unparalleled dispatch.
This schooner was called the Charles ami Ann, measured about one hundred tons, and in the
fall of 1810, was running under the command of John Hull. At the completion of this first vessel,
* Hon. Alvin Hroiison. died at OsweffO, April a, 1881, aged almost ninety-eight years. He communicated the
fncUt herein set forth a few vears before his death.
t Jncob Townsend was' born in Stratford. Connecticut, in 1769. He married for his first wife. Betsey Clark,
dauchter of Sheldon Clarlc, of Derbv. ^Connecticut,* connection ot Sheldon Thompson : and. for his second wife.
Kiinice. dRushter of bidsd .\twater. a descendant of David Atwater, an early settler of New Haven. He died in
Huffalo, in 1830.
Biographical. 99
Sheldon Thompson took the carpenters^ and proceeding to the Niagara river, above the Falls, built
the schooner Caikarint (named after his future wife), at Cayuga Creek, near the spot where LaSalle
had built the Griffin^ the first vessel navigating Lake Erie, one hundred and thirty-two years before.
The Caiharim was completed and in commission early in June, 1811, commanded by Seth Tucker,
so that, in little more than one year, the two younger partners had completed two vessels ; which,
when the circumstances they had to encounter are considered, is evidence of that energy by which
they were distinguished in after life. Both vessels figured as United States gunboats during the
War of 1812.
The combined capital of the firm amounted to $14,000, of which Townsend furnished $7,000,
Branson $4,000, and Thompson $3,000. This was hardly adequate to the business in which they
were embarked, but was supplemented by fair credit of their own ; by the high credit of Isaac and
Kneeland Townsend, of New Haven; and by liberal loans made by Isaac Bronson from his Bridge-
port bank.
In addition to the coasting trade of the lakes, the firm established two stores, one at Lewiston,
conducted by Townsend & Thompson, and one at Oswego, conducted by Bronson. Their princi-
pal trade during the two years preceding the war was the transportation of Onondaga salt for the
lakes and the Pittsburgh market, before the Kanawha springs were worked. In addition to this
they transported the stores for the military posts, the Indian annuities, the American Fur Company's
goods and peltries, and provisions for the frontier settlements. The route taken was by sloops up
the Hudson to Albany, thence by Portage to Schenectady, then shipped on the Mohawk River boats,
called " Durham" boats,* to Rome, thence by canal into Wood Creek, through Oneida lake, and
down Oswego River to the Oswego Falls, where there was a portage of one mile, and finally taking
a smaller class of boats to Oswego. Here goods destined to the upper country took schooners to
Lewiston, were transported by teams to Schlosser, where they again took "Durham" boats to
Black Rock, and there took vessel and were aided by what Thompson denominated *' horn-breeze,"
(a team of several yoke of oxen), to ascend the rapids to Lake Erie.f The salt from Salina took
the same course, landing for the Pittsburgh market at Erie, with a portage of sixteen miles to
Waterford, down the French Creek and Allegany River to Pittsburgh. The Lake Ontario business
consisted of goods and salt to the lake ports, flour, pork, beef, potash, etc., from the New York
interior lake region and Genesee, with staves from the south shore of Lake Ontario, chiefly /or the
Montreal Market.
Sheldon Thompson married Catharine Barton, at Lewiston, April 6, 181 1. She was bom
August 31, 1793, and was the daughter of Henjamin Barton, of Lewiston. He was bom in Sussex
county. New Jersey, in 1 771, went to Geneva. New York, in Z788, was married at Canandaigua in
1792, and removed to Lewiston in 1807. He was a surveyor by profession, and surveyed much of
the frontier. In 1805, he attended the sale of the *' Mile Strip," on the Niagara River, at the Sur-
veyor General's office in Albany. Here he met Judge and General Porter on the same business, and
combined with them. They purchased several farm lots, including the property around the Kails,
and bid off at public auction the landing places at Lewiston and Schlosser. for which ihey received a
lease for twelve or thirteen years. In 1806, under the firm name of '* Porter, Barton & Co.," they
commenced the carrying trade around the Niagara Falls, and formed the first regular line of for-
warders that ever did business from tide-water to Lake Erie. Benjamin Barton died at Lewiston
in 1S42, aged seventy-two years. ^
The two firms being thus connected by marriage, formed a more or less intimate connection in
business. They co-operated in their undertakings, harmonized in the main, and conducted almost
the entire commerce of the lakes, which has since swollen to such gigantic proportions. Townsend,
Bronson & Co. did the carrying trade to Lewiston; Porter, Barton & Co. received the profits for the
portage from Lewiston to Schlosser; and both firms were interested in the development of the busi-
ness beyond the latter point.
The new firm of Townsend, Bronson & Co., was scarcely well established in business, and the
junior partner hardly settled in matrimony, when the frontier was disturbed by rumors of war.
* The " Durham " boau were decked over, fore and aft, with runnmg tMtrds on each side, to which were
• id cleau to secure rood footing. A considerable openii • '- - —
; adverse winds and currents t>v poles, and had a crew o(
he very valuable assisunce of Sheldon C. Townsend, E)
iiv-fourth year, is gratefully acknowledged.
urner*s History of the Holland Land Company, p. 392.
«The"Uurnam Doacs were aecaeu over, tore and art, witb runnmg t>oard8 on each side, to which were
atUched deau to secure good footing. A considerable opening was left in the center. They were propelled
against adverse winds and currents by poles, and had a crew of live or six men.
-t^The very valuable assisunce of Sheldon C. Townsend, Esq., of Lockport, son of Jacob Townsend, now in
100 History of Buffalo.
These were speedily confirmed, and the war of 1812 followed. On the frontier it was vindictive
and desolating to the utmost. At this day we can scarcely realize what our forefathers suffered;
but the letters of Sheldon Thompson to his partners give a graphic picture of the anxieties and per-
plexities of the times. It was necessary again and again to move and remove their goods to places
of safely; sickness was prevalent, and deaths were frequent; in addition to fighting the enemy, dis-
turbances arose among our own troops, and nobody felt safe. The trouble increased until, in
December, 1813, the enemy advanced on Fort Niagara, destroyed Lewiston, and devastated the
border as far as Buffalo. The two letters that announce this event^re as follows: —
* * I>B\vi STON , December 17, 1 8 1 3 .
^' Mr. Totunsffii/'- Deak Sir; — lliave but one moment to inform you that Fort George is evac-
uated and Newark burned. We have but about three hundred troops on this frontier. We momently
expect an attack, but where, we cannot say; but it is generally believed on Fort Niagara. I ani
now moving out our goods eight or ten miles. Harry has gone West. I am very anxious for you
to return. Yours in haste, S. Thompson."
*'Afr. Townsetid — Dear Sir : — I am happy to have it in my power to inform you that our lives
arc all spared. They have burnt everything belonging to us except about one-third of our dry good^.
I hope you will make all possible speed to get to me at this place, as I am about beat out. Our
gDods are scattered from this to John Jones. I am getting them on this far as fast as possible. I
got nothing of any amount from my house; had I been ten minutes later I should have fallen into
the hands of the Indians, together with my family. You will have the goodness to inform my
friends that we are all well. " Yours in haste, S. Thompson." '
*' N. B. — Our buildings on the farm were all burnt."
This last letter was posted at Geneva, January 6.
On the appro.ich of the enemy to Lewiston, Thompson, after looking after the goods as far as
practicable, drove his sleigh to his house; hurriedly put in it a matirassand a big iron kettle; turned
into it part of a barrel of crackers, and part of a barrel of pork, put in his family and started for
Geneva. Had he been a few minutes later they would all have been killed. A short lime after this,
February 20, 1S14, at Piltsford, another daughter was born to him.
After the close of the war the settlers returned to their former homes, and began to build anew
their shattered fortunes. About this time, in 1S16 or 1817, the two firms formed a branch firm at
Black Rock — Porter, Barton & Co., furnishing Nathaniel Sill, and Townsend, Bronson & Co.,
Sheldon Thompson, as managers, under the firm name of " Sill, Thompson & Co." This caused
Sheldon Thompson to change his residence from I.ewiston to Black Rock. The firm of Sill,
Thompson & Co., built the Miihii^an^ a schooner of about one hundred and twenty tons, and a
smaller vessel called the Red Jacket, The Michigan was too large for the trade, and was finally
sent over the Falls in 1829. It is said the old Seneca chief was present at the launch of the Red
Jacket and reminded the vessel that she bore a great name, charging her not to disgrace it.
The up-freights continued of the same general character as before the war. The down-freights,
from the upper Lakes, consisted of furs, potashes, pork, beef, feathers and grindstones, but as yet
the grain trade was unknown. The Michigan was the largest merchant vessel on any of the Lakes ;
the Charles and Ann of Lake Ontario, being but a little over one hundred tons, while the larger
portion of the vessels did not exceed fifty tons. The transportation business was attended with great
labor, the boats on the rivers being propelled, in large part, by poles and oars, against currents and
rapids, while the Lake harbors were unimproved and without light- houses.
The early rival routes for transportation to the Lake region, appear to have been by the way of
the St. Lawrence, and the Hudson, Mohawk, and Oswego rivers ; and, at a later period, by wagons,
from Albany to Buffalo. There were remaining, as late as iSi6, timbers and abutments of the
inclined plane by which the French goods ascended the ** Mountain," near Lewiston ; the power
used is said to have been a capstan.
The firm of Townsend, Bronson & Co.. continued in business until 1S21, and Sill. Thompson
& Co., until 1823 or 1824. Mr. S. C. Townsend writes of the former finn : —
" Having had access to the correspondence of the partners of the firm of Townsend, Bronson
& Co., during the eleven years of its existence, and having been four years in their employ, it is a
source of pride and pleasure to be able to say I have never found a word savoring of a desire, by
fraud'Or trickery, to obtain an advantage of any party."
During the time of the building of the Erie Canal, it was a mooted question, whether the ter-
minus should be at Black Rock or Buffalo. Sheldon Thompson, as a leading man of the former
place, was active in his efforts to have the canal stop at Black Rock. He was in charge of the con-
Biographical. ioi
struction of the harbor and pier built at Black Rock, in the hope that the work would decide the
question. It is said thtit he would spend the days in directing this work, a greater part of the time
up to his waist in water; and the evenings in discussions of the question with General Porter.
Sheldon Thompson, with his commercial sagacity, saw that which ever place obtained the victory^
must inevitably win the business supremacy. It was finally decided at a meeting of the Canal Com-
missioners at the Eagle tavern in Bufifalo, in the summer of 1822, that the canal should be continued
to Buffalo. The decision became known, and that same night Sheldon Thompson sent his younger
brother, Harry, on horseback to Batavia. There, early the next morning, as soon as the office of the
Holland Land Company opened, Harry purchased and entered for his brother, the land where the
Reed Elevator now stands. Captain Thompson foresaw that he would need a new base of opera-
tions, and took prompt steps to obtain it.
About this time, in.iS23 or 1824, the firm of Sheldon Thompson & Co., was formed, having its
principal offices in Buffalo. It continued the same general forwarding business of its predecessors.
Sheldon Thompson was a devoted friend of the canal, and went down on the first boat to assist in
the mingling of the waters of Lake Erie with the waters of the Atlantic.
His firm owned a small line of canal boats in 1825, being one of the first organized lines on the
canal. The line was called at first, the '* Troy and Black Rock Line," having its terminus at Black
Rock. In 1826 the terminus was changed to Buffalo, and the name altered to the '*Troy and Erie
Line.'* This line subsequently grew to large proportions. The boats were built with large cabins,
carried from one hundred to one hundred and fifty passengers, mostly Western bound emigrants, and
about two hundred and fifty barrels of flour ; and constituted regular lines of passenger packets and
of freight boats.
The firm was also largely instrumental in the early development of steam-navigation on the
Lakes. Although the first two steamboats, Walk-in-Uu- IVnier, and the Superior were built by
Albany parties, S. Thompson & Co., were not far behind. The Pioneer, the third steamboat on the
lakes, was btiilt by S. Thompson & Co., in 1823, and was a great success. The Shtld^n Thompson
was built at Huron, Ohio, by the same firm about 1828, and was long one of the prominent boats
on the Lakes. Her first commander was Captain Augustus Walker, and he with the young clerks
of the house, carried out quite a celebration on her first entrance into Buffalo, a smidl cannon on
the dock saluting the vessel, as she sailed up the creek, and the salute being replied to from the
deck of the boat.
The completion of the Canal having given Buffalo the lead, Sheldon Thompson moved there in
1830. His finn of S. Thompson & Co., and the firm of Townsend & Coit, were, for some years,
the principal forwarders. In 1836, the two were consolidated, under the name of •* Coit, Kimberly
& Co."; the two senior partners, Thompson and Judge Townsend, rather retiring into the back-
ground.
During the years of his busines life in Buffalo, Sheldon Thompson was prominent in most of
the enterprises that occupied the attention of its business men. He was one of a co-partnership
that bought, laid out and developed Ohio City, now a portion of Cleveland. He was one of
another co-partnership that did the same with Manhattan, on the Manmee river, an early rival of
Toledo. He was one of a large land company that entered immense quantities of land all through
the State of Wisconsin, embracing Milwaukee, Green Bay, Sheboygan, the mining regions in Iowa
county, and other portions of the State. He was one of seven prominent men in Buffalo who bought
out the assets of the branch United States Bank; one of the largest individual investments of the
time, but which did not result very successfully. He finally retired from active business about
1845, and occupied himself with the management of his estats, which had assumed goodly pro-
portions, as the result of long years of industry and care.
While Sheldon Thompson was jit all times an active citizen, public-spirited and patriotic, he
was never a politician. He held public office but once in his life. Buffalo was incorporated as a
city in 1832, and for eight years the Mayor was elected by the Common Council. In 1840 a law
was passed by which Mayors of cities were made elective by the people. In the spring of that year
the first election for Mayor of the city of Buffalo was accordingly held. The Whigs nominated
Sheldon Thompson, and the Democrats George P. Barker, one of the most popular and brilliant
men who ever graced the city. The biographer of Mr. Barker, in speaking of the difficulties of his
canvass, says: —
102 History of Buffalo.
''Added to this, the opposition put in nomination their strongest man; one whose residence was
coeval with the Hrst settlement of the country — whose acquaintances and connections were exten>
sive and whose wealth and weight of character added great strength."
He further says of the contest: —
" It was, without doubt, the most severe one ever known at our charter elections. The friends of
each candidate exerted themselves to the utmost. Few general elections have ever been so warmly
contested. The eyes of the city, and indeed of Western New York, were centered upon the is*ue."
The result was: Sheldon Thompson, 1,135; George V. Barker, 1,125. Sheldon Thompson was
accordingly the hr>t Mayor of Buffalo elected by the people.* He filled the position with credit,
and never again was a candidate for office.
Sheldon Thompson was brought up an Episcopalian, in the sturdy faith of the Connecticut
churchmen, and never wavered from his allegiance. About the time he removed to Black Rock,
the first movement was made at Buffalo for the formation of a parish, and he fully co-operated
therein, there not being enough Episcopalians in the two places to support two churches. In 1817.
February loih, a meeting was held at the house of Elias Ransom, northwest corner of Main and
Huron streets, in Buffalo, at which St. Paul's Parish was organized. Sheldon Thompson was one
of those most interested. an<l was a member of the first vestry. He continued in the position for
many years, until he voluntarily retired to make way for younger men. His bust, in marble, on the
walls of the present beautiful edifice of St. Paul's Church, commemorates the fact that he was ** one
of the founders of the parish and a member of the first vestry."
His wife died at Buffalo May S, 1832. She l)ore him ten children, of whom foar lived to
maturity. Sally Ann married Henry K. Smith, one of the most prominent lawyers of Western New
York, and died at Buffalo April 15, 1S39 : Agnes Latta married Edward S. Warren, and Laetitia
l*orter married Henr>- K. Viele. Both gentlemen were lawyers, and both are now deceased. Augus-
tus Porter Thompson married Matilda Cass Jones, of Detroit : has always been identified with the
development of the various manufacturing interests of Buffalo, and is now the president of the Cor-
nell Lead Company.
Sheldon Thompson died at Buffalo, Thursday, March 13, 1S51, at half-past two o'clock in the
afternoon. His decease was followed by many warm expressions of regret and admiration. The
Common Council, the vestry of St. I^aul's and many other Ixxlies passed appropriate resolutions.
All emphasized especially hi> sturdy honesty and uprightness. The most widely copied and approved
eulogy on his character closed with these words : —
" He pos>essed many noble traits of character which will be long treasured up in the memory
of those who knew him. His intercourse with the younger portion of the community was of the
kindest and most agreeable Character, and by them he was looked up to with affectionate regard.
He was quick to discern merit and prompt to extend to it a generous aid. We give expression to a
fact known to so many of our readers wnen we say that he aided in the establishing of more young
men in business in Buffalo than any other individual in the city. During the brief illness that
preceded his death, he exhiliited the same equanimity and cheerfulness of temper that were prom-
inent trails in his character. Me retained perfect consciousness to the last, and, surrounded by his
children and relatives, died without a struggle."
He was industrious, temperate and cheerful, capable of great endurance and quick of resource.
While not witty, he was full of humor, and ready and apt in reply. He bore reverses with equan-
imity and carried himself with steady courage, loyalty and honesty. From the humblest beginnings
he achieved for himself a career of usefulness and prominence; through a long and eventful life he
bore his name without a stain; he did his duty to himself, his family, and the community; and he
died loved and mourned.
SOLOMON STURGES GUTRHIE.— Stephen Guthrie, who was grandfather of the subject of
thii notice, was l)orn in Washington, Litchfield county, Conn.« on the lOth of January, 176S.
His father's name was Joseph, son of John Guthrie, who emigrated from Scotland and settled in the
vicinity of LitchHeld early in the eighteenth century. Stephen Guthrie married Sally Chappell, who
was l>orn at .Sharon, Litchfied county, Conn., August ii, 1770, and they, in company with Truman,
Stephen Guthrie's brother, left Connecticut in the summer of 1790, for what was then the Norih>
west Territory, where after much hardship by land and water, they landed at Marietta, where
the first settlement in that section was made. They remained there about a year and then removed
to a place on the banks of the Ohio river, called Belpre, opposite the mouth of the Little Kanawha
• His i^rtner, Alvin Hronson, was the Hrst Mayor of Oswen^o.
<_y\ Ja l^yMy^A/?^^^
Biographical. 103
river; there they lived, with other early settlers, in a log stockade which had been built ns a protec-
tion against the wild Indians. In that wilderness home was born on the 26th of April, 1792,
Julius Chappell Guthrie, father of Solomon S. Guthrie. The father of Julius soon after procured
some land below at a place called Newburg, entered upon it and began farming. Julius remained
there until he was about nineteen years of age, when he went upon the river and took charge of a
** keel boat," it being long prior to the era of steamboats, and then the only mode of transportation
for goods, salt, etc., on the Western rivers. This boat was often loaded at the Kanawha Salt
Works, and there Mr. Guthrie made the acquaintance and enduring friendship of Hon. Thomas
Ewing, who was then boiling salt, and while watching his kettles, studying gt night, preparatory to
occupying, as he subsequently did, some of the most honorable and prominent positions in the gift
of the government.
In the course of his trips on the boat in 1 814, Mr. Guthrie went up the Muskingum river to
Putnam, Ohio, where he renewed his acquaintance with Mr. Ebenezer Buckingham, one Of Ohio's
first men, and in his large mercantile business Mr. Guthrie found employment. While thus engaged
he was associated with and enjoyed the friendship of Solomon Sturges, for whom the subject of this
sketch was named. In Putnam, Mr. Guthrie met Miss Pamelia Buckingham, sister of Ebenezer
Buckingham, Jr., and daughter of Ebenezer and Esther Bradley Buckingham, who were originally
from Greenfield, Conn., whence they removed first to Ballston, N. Y., and then to Cooperstown,
N. Y.. where their daughter, Pamelia, was born August 20, 1799. They afterwards, at the close
of that year, removed with their numerous family, to the Western wilderness, locating in Athens
county. Ohio. Julius C. Guthrie and Pamelia Buckingham were married on the 25th of September,
1S17, at Putnam, Ohio, where they passed their lives and reared a large family. Mr. Guthrie was
a man of more than ordinary character and ability; he was an industrious reader and close observer
of passing events; strong in his political convictions, a firm believer in the doctrines of the Whig
party and a great admirer of Henry Clay. He continued in a successful mercantile business until
his death, which occurred on the 25th of July, 1849. Mrs. Guthrie was a woman of rare Christian
devotion and sweet simplicity. Of their lai^e family of children, five only are now living, namely,
the subject of this notice; Mrs. H. J. Jewett, wife of the Hon. H. J. Jewett, president of the New
York, Lake Erie & Western railro<id, residing in New York; Mr. E. B. Guthrie, of Chicago, secre-
tary of the Chicago & Atlantic railroad; J. C. Guthrie, of Elmira, vice-president of the Tioga rail-
road; H. F. Guthrie, of Kansas City, agent of the Delaware & Lackawanna railroad; Mrs. C. C.
Waite, wife of C. C. Waite, of Cincinnati, Ohio, superintendent of C. H. & D. railroad, who is a
son of Chief Justice Waite.
S. S. Guthrie was bom at Putnam, Ohio, on the 30th of August, 18 19. At the age of fifteen
he entered his father's store as clerk ; the firm name was then J. C. & A. A. Guthrie. He remained
there, applying himself assiduously to the study of mercantile business, until the fall of 1838, when
he and his next younger brother, Frank Guthrie, who had spent one year at the Academy in Kin-
derhook, N. Y., went to "Cambria" — a school and college under the management of Bishop
Mcllvane. He remained there six months and then returned to his father's store. During that
summer, his father, his brother Waldo and himself established a store at Rehoboth, Perry county,
Ohio, of which he took charge and remained there until the fall of 1840. At that time he con-
cluded to still further continue his studies, and procured a substitute in the store at his own expen.se,
and went to the Ohio University, at Athens, which at that time was under the management of
President McGuffey. After six months of study in that institution he returned again to Putnam
and formed a partnership with his father and brother, Waldo, in the mercantile business, under the
name of J. C. Guthrie & Sons. In the year 1844, on the 29th of August, Mr. Guthrie was married
to Anna J. Sherwood, daughter of Buckingham Sherwood, of Newark, Ohio. The firm of J. C,
Guthrie & Sons was continued until 1849, when the father died. The two sons continued the busi-
ness with their mother until 1851, when, in the spring, S. S. Guthrie formed a partnership with his
uncle, A. Buckingham, and his two sons, Benjamin and Philo, removed with his wife and two chil-
dren, Frank and Edward, to Buffalo, and engaged in the commission business under the firm name
of Buckinghams & Guthrie ; the former also established branches at Chicago, Toledo and New
York City. They continued together until the year 1855.
In the spring of 1856 Mr. Guthrie associated himself in business with Mr. Cyrus Clarke and
Mr. Edward Sturges, under the name of Clarke, Guthrie & Sturges. They continued together until
104 History of Buffalo.
the fall of 1857, when the finn was dissolved and Mr. Guthrie continued the business on his own
account until 1874. In that year his brother- in- law, Hon. H. J. Jewett; was made Receiver of the
Erie railroad, and afterwards President of the New York, Lake Erie & Western Railroad, and
appointed Mr. Guthrie its General Agent at Buffalo ; he was also made a director of the road,
and elected President of each the Union Steamboat Company and the Union Dr}' Dock Company,
which positions he has since occupied. That they are positions of responsibility and demanding
business qualifications* of a high order, need not be asserted ; neither will it add to Mr. Guthrie's
standing in the business community to say that he has filled them to the eminent satisfaction of those
whose interest he serves.
For a period of three yenr^ Mr. Guthrie represented the Ninth ward in the City Council of
liuffalo, and was at the same time Chairman of the School Committee. In this ofHce he toc*k a
prominent position and gave his constituents cause for congratulation upon their selection. He was
also sought as a candidate for Mayor, by a large and respectable political element of the city. He
has been for twenty years a Trustee of the First Presbyterian Church, of which he is a member.
He has served as director and president of the Buffalo Hoard of Trade, and has been a dele-
gate from the Buffalo Hoard to the National Board of Trade Conventions on several occasions.
He was president of the Young .Men's Christian Union, (before the organization took the name of
Young Men's Christian Association); and was a member at one time of the Executive Committee of
the Voung Men's Association. It is due to him to say that no position ever occupied by him has
been of his own seeking ; they have all been tendered him out of the confidence felt in him by his
fellow citizens. He has always been conspicuous in the prominent benevolent and charitable move-
ments and institutions of the city. Is now President of the '* News Boys' and Boot Blacks' Home."
and is identifying himself, as far as po-sible, with whatever promises real good to the community at
large. He is a man who, while never crowding himself into public gaze in any manner, yet ha>
made for himself a position which none but men of marked character and capacity ever attain.
Mr. Guthrie has been the father of five children, but two of whom are now living; they are
Edward H. Guthrie, of Buffalo, who is a graduate of Yale College, a civil engineer, and a member
of the firm of Guthrie & Clifton, married Miss Clifton, a niece of ex-Gov. Dorsheimer; and Henry
S. Guthrie, of Milwaukee, also a graduate of Yale, and a member of the firm of Guthrie & Buell,
coal merchants of that city.
GEORGE W. TIFFT.— Some men are so constituted that they are not content with the transac-
tion of business on a small scale. They have an instinct to enlarge and extend their operations
beyond the circumscribed treadmill, retail methods, and are constantly seeking to atiliz^ a combina-
tion of forces which may produce greater results than individual efforts are capable of accomplishing.
It is to such men that the countr\- is indebted for the organization of enterprises and the develop-
n\ent of plans that result in the grand achievements that characterize this age of remarkable progress.
It is not a quality that is acquired ; it is inborn, and its possessor is incapable of restraining its forces
and naturally has enlarged ideas of things and readily grasps and easily solves complicated business
problems. Such men originate projects and devise methods where others are content to plod along
in the aimless footsteps of their ancestors. No country has produced more men of this character
than America ; and no other country presents such opportunities for their development. Its institu-
tions, resources, capabilities and business methods combine to offer unparalleled advantages for the
development of genius and enterprise in those who possess these qualities. Doubtless moch must be
allowed for circumstances and conditions. Success is not always a true test of merit although it is
generally conceded to be. But when an individual overcomes adverse conditions and succeeds in
spite of them, he evinces real genius and true greatness.
The biographical sketch of such m man always possesses an interest in which the public are con-
cerned, and we shall briefly sketch one in the life of George Washington Tifft, during his life, one of
the most active and prominent business men of Buffalo. For more than forty years he was closely
identified with the business concerns of the city.
Mr. Tifft was born on the 31st of Januar}\ 1805. He was the youngest of a family of twelve
.children— eight sons and four daughters — all of whom lived to the age of manhood—that were bom
to John and Annie (Vallett) Tifft. His parents were born in Rhode Island, where they were married
and lived until eight of their children were bom, when they removed to Nassau, Rensselaer County,
N. Y., the place of the birth of the subject of this sketch.
Biographical. 105
Mr. Tifft's ancestors upon the paternal side were from Alsace, France, and upon the maternal
side they were, as the name indicates, also of French origin. John Tifft, the father of George W.,
was a man of sterling qualities, great decision of character, strong in his convictions and positive
in their avowal. He was raised upon a farm, and continued the occupation of a farmer through
life, and therefore did not have the opportunities that are afforded by the broader field of com-
mercial, manufacturing and mercantile pursuits. While he was not rich, he was always what is
called in the country a " well-to-do farmer." Notwithstanding he had a large family to support,
his foresight and prudent management always enabled him to continually lay up a little for>the
needs of the future. He was prompt to all engagements and required the same fidelity from others.
It used to be said that he wns the only person in the town where he lived who never had to be
called upon the second time for the payment of his taxes. He always kept a little surplus on hand.
John Tifft died in 1813 at the age of fifty-six, when the subject of this sketch was eight years
old. George remained upon the farm with his mother and other members of the family until he was
>ixteen years old, receiving abotfl two months scTiooling in each year in the country district schools.
About this time the farm was sold to his older brothers, by whom he was engaged to \^ork thereon
until he should be of age, at a compensation of four dollars per annum for his current expenses,
with three months schooling in each year, and upon becoming of age he was to have a yoke of oxen
and a horse.
Not a very bright prospect for the future, most young men will say, but young Tifft accepted
the situation, unpromising as it was. As might have been expected, this arrangement only continued
for a short time. It was too much of a one-sided affair. George felt that he could and ought to do
better, and so the contract was canceled at the end of the first year and he went to work for another
brother on a farm at ten dollars per month.
Even this compensation did not long suit the young laborer. His ambitious spirit chaffed under
the restraint of being an employe. He longed to be his own master and to do business for himself.
It did not last long before an opportunity presented itself, and in connection with another brother a
contract was taken to clear some land of its timber, and the boys divided the profits from the sale of
the wood taken therefrom, and they did well at the job, making a handsome profit, the first money
which Mr. Tifft ever accumulated. He then went to New Lebanon in Columbia county and at-
tended school for four months, which concluded his educational pursuits.
Mr. Tifft was now eighteen years old, and although still a minor, he was under no paternal restraint,
and was practically his own master. The first enterprise in which he engaged after returning from
school to his old home in Nassau was the purchase of five acres of timber land, which he cleared
off, selling the wood at remunerative prices and realizing handsome returns. Some of the chopping
was done by himself, but he soon found that a profit could be made upon the labor of others — a
discovery that he has not failed to utilize in later years — and so he hired choppers, while he super-
intended the business, attended to the piling, measuring and selling of the wood. The success of
this first venture led to other purchas^^s, and he carried on this line of business until he was twenty-
one years of age, when he found he had accumulated $1,200. This was somewhat better than to
have wrought for his brother until his majority at four doUan per annum with a donation of a yoke
of oxen and a horse. He now received $1,000 from his father's estate, making his aggr^ate capital
$2,200.
BelicN'ing that better opportunities for a young man were offered elsewhere than in Eastern New
York, in 1826 Mr. Tifft made a journey of observation to Orleans county, and bought an unim-
proved farm in the town of Murray. After concluding the purchase he returi^ed to his native place
and resumed the wood cutting business, which he appears to have had a fancy for. He also bought
and sold several parcels of land and made other speculations in which he was successful. On the 14th
of March, 1827, Mr. Tifft was married to Miss Lucy Enos, daughter of Joseph and Thankful Enos.
He remained in and about Nassau after his marriage until he was twenty-five years of age, and
then removed to his farm in Orleans county, which he carried on for two years and then began
to operate in the purchase and sale of grain, and also in the milling business, depending upon hired
help for his farm work. His ventures were generally successful, for they were made with that rare
good judgment which was characteristic of his after life.
When he had apparently outgrown the country village in Orleans county he cast about for a
larger field to operate in. He did not believe he had gone far enough West, and so in 1841 he
io6 History of Buffalo.
established himself at Michigan City, at the foot of Lake Michigan in Indiana, and went to buying
grain and shipping it East. There were no railroads in that region then, and very few anywhere for
that matter, and ail shipments were made by the lakes. He carried on a very large business there
for those times, and it was very remunerative. He not only made a profit on his purchases but
having Eastern money which was worth a premium in the West, he was enabled to realize a double
gain on all his operations. While at Michigan City he formed business acquaintances with Buffalo
shippers that led to his subsequent settlement in this city.
After selling out his Michigan City business he made a tour of the Northwest, visiting Chicago,
then but a village, and went up into Wisconsin, which was almost a barren wilderness. Setileis
had begun to enter lands along the lake shore, and Mr. Tifft, wHo always had a great fancy for real
estate, was moved to obtain a foothold in that new country. With this object in view he examined
the land in the vicinity of Southport, now called Kenosha, and concluded to make a purchase. He
went to the land office at Milwaukee and called for a map uf the district abont Southport. The
agent patronizingly inquired whether he wanted a forty, or an eighty acre farm. After examining the
plat, Mr. Tifft deliberately indicated by checking with his pencil the several parcels that he would
like, which aggregated nearly eleven hundred acres. The agent stood aghast, and was at a loss to
know what sort of a customer he had encountered. Mr. Tifft paid the government price, $1.25 per
acre, using in payment the money he had made in exchange between Elastern and'Westem money,
which he had carefully l^ept separate from other funds. The land was situated about four miles
west of Kenosha, in a fine agricultural region. He made a contract with a gentleman to cultivate
it and plant a crop of winter wheat. He was laughed at for his attempt to grow winter wheat in that
region, but this did not dissuade him from his purpose. Only a portion of the tract was broken
according to the contract, but upon this a fine crop of grain was raised, a heavy body of snow having
fallen and remaining on the ground all winter protected the crop from the injuries it usually receives
in that latitude, ^n average of twenty bushels per acre was harvested, which enabled Mr. Tifft
to sell the tract the next season for a profit of $6,000.
In 1842 Mr. Tifft came to Huffalo and formed a copartnership with the Ute Dean Richmond
and carried on the milling business. Here his good fortune or superior judgment was manifested
again, for no better business man could be found in Western New York than his distinguished
partner.
In 1843 Mr. Tifft entered into an arrangement with Gordon Grant, of Troy, the owner of a
transportation line known as the Troy & Michigan Six- Day Line, that is, they did not run Sundays,
and opened a branch of the Troy house in this city, under the name of Geoi]ge W. Tifft & Co.
Like everything he had embarked in thus far, this business flourished and added to his accumulating
fortune. In 1844, Mr. Grant having sold his line of boaU, Mr. Tifft formed a partnership with the
late Henry H. Sizer, under the firm name of Sizer & Tifft, to carry on the produce and commission
business. After one yrar with Mr. Sizer, he sold his interest in the concern to his partner and again
went into business with Dean Richmond, purchasing the Erie Mills, which they operated in connec-
tion with three other mills at- Black Rock.
For the ensuing nine years Mr. Tifft gave his attention almost exclusively to milling operations,
doing a very large and successful business, and securing a position among the leading monied men
of the city.
In 1S54 the International Bank of Buffalo was established, lai^ely by the influence and support
of Mr. Tifft, and he was selected as the first President, which position he filled until 1857, the year
of the great financial crash which carried down so many banks and business houses. There were
few business men who were not affected by the panic of that eventful year, and failure was the rule
rather than the exception. Mr. Tifft was a heavy endorser for the Buffalo Steam Engine Company
for which he had to pay nearly $ico,ooo, and therefore he was compelled like many others to sus-
pend. The creditors of the concern for which he was an endorser gave him an extension of four
years, and he took chaige of its affairs, and under his management and superior financiering skill the
whole indebtedness was paid off in two years, or one-half the time allowed.
About the time of the crash in 1S57, Mr. Tifft had made heavy advances upon coal lands in
Mercer county, Pa., and this property also came into his hands as had that of the Steam Engine
Company. In utilizing this property he built two blast furnaces, in addition to one already on the
property and conceived the idea of melting I^ke Superior ore with mineral coal. His experiments
Biographical. 107
in this matter were a success, and to him belon<;s the credit of having demonstrated the practica-
bility of using mineral coal in blasting this ore. In neglecting to cover his discovery by letters
patent he lost an opportunity to add immensely to his gains. He purchased a fleet of vessels, and
transported the ore from Lake Superior to Erie, which was taken thence to his furnaces in Mercer
county. Pa.
In i8s8 Mr. Tiflft was chosen President of the Buffalo, New York & Erie railroad which is an
extension. of the Erie road from Coming to Buffalo by the way of Bath, Avon, Batavia and Attica.
The organization is still in existence, and the New York, Lake Erie & Western railroad are the
lessees of the line.
About this time Mr. Tifft turned his attention to the improvement of the real estate of which
he had become possessed, and was one of the most extensive builders in the city. In one year,
1863, he erected seventy-four dwelling houses, besides the Tifft House, and an Elevator, which was
subsequently disposed of to the Erie Railroad Company. He afterwards built the magnificent brick
fire-proof Tifft Elevator at a cost of $700,000.
Mr. Tifft's penchant for owning land induced him to invest in about 600 acres in the southern
portion of the city, bordering on the lake, which for years has been familiarly known as the ** Tifft
farm/' and was originally the ** Pratt farm.'* It is a tract of rich bottom land of great productive-
ness, and admirably located for manufacturing and commercial purposes. Several years ago when
Mr. Tifft felt that his financial condition would justify the act, he sold the entire tract, except a few
parcels that had previously been disposed of, to his children for a stipulated consideration of one
dollar, but the purchase money was never paid. The title however was pas.«>ed and the property
afterwards was sold 10 Mr. Packer of Pennsylvania, and last year it was leased to the Lehigh Valley
Railroad Company, for a term of fifty years, for a rental of $20,000 per annum, and an agreement to
expend a million or more in improvements. The prospective value of this farm that Mr. Tifft held
so many years will reach into the millions.
Mr. Tifft also became the owner of an extensive farm in Shelby County Iowa, containing 5,000
acres, well stocked and under a good stafe of cultivation.
For the last twenty years of his life, Mr. Tifft gave his attention chiefly to the management of
the Buffalo Engine Works, a private stock company, the shares of which are held by members of his
family, the business being done under the name of (George W. Tifft, Sons & Co. It is one of the
most extensive concerns in its line in the country and gives enii>loyment to about four hundred per-
sons and furnishes support for more than a thousand individuals. When the company was first
organized as its name indicates the manufacture of steam engines was a speciality, but as time ad-
vanced, other branches were added, until now almost anything wrought in iron is manufactured at
this mammoth establishment. The profits from the business were large, and materially enhanced
the fortune of iu founder.
In addition to rebuilding his shop, Mr. Tifft erected a block of stores. 121 to 133, on the comer
oT Washington and Mohawk streets, which cost nearly $200,000. Here he established his large fur-
niture business.
Amid all the changes, ups and downs, of his busy and eventful life, Mr. Tifft always maintained
an unimpaired credit. He always held his obligation to be sacred, whether as principal or endorser,
and never failed to pay one one hundred cents on the dollar for every obligation assumed and re-
quired to meet. This can not be truthfully said of many business men. Mr. Tifft was not always
exempt from embarrassment, but he never shirked an obligation or repudiated a just debt.
Buffalo has had no citizen who did more for its prosperity and advancement than George W.
Tifft. He was a bold and courageous operator— ready to assume risks, but exercising a wise judgment
as to the chances of success. He was what may be called a broad-guage man; delighted in active
pursuito; preferred to be busy even at a loss than to rust out in idleness. He had a comprehensive
intellect that could grasp and give direction in a variety of enterprises at the same time. He knew
no such word as fail. No difficulties seemed insurmountable to him. and opposition only inspired
him to greater efforts and determination, such a man will succeed under less favorable circumstances
than attended his career. He is therefore entitled to memory as in the front rank among the many
prominent and successful business men of Buffalo.
Mr. Tifft always took a deep intere.st in public affairs, although never seekinjr or consenting
to accept a public office. He was constable and collector in his native town of Nassau when twenty-two
io8 History of Buffalo.
yemn old, mnd this it the only office he ever held. His ttste was for business rsthcr than for office,
and in this he fovnd moie picasare as well as greater profit.
He was an active supporter of the Republican party, was a great admirer of President Lincoln,
and gave latgely from his princely fortune for the support of the war, in furnishing substitutes for
the army and providing for the sustenance of solidiers' families during their absence.
He was a generous and cheerful giver to chariuble and benevolent objects, and the hnndieds
who have been the recipients of his favors, privately bestowed, learned to know and appreciate the
nobleness of their benefacttn*. One of his principal charities was the gift of the premises now
occupied by the Ingleside Home, near the Hydraulics, lo that institution, valued at $50,000. No
worthy object ever appealed to his purse in vain. He was identified with the Presbyterian Church
for nearly fifty years, and at his death was a member of the Central Church, Rev. James McLeod.
pastor. Mr. Tifft was always strictly a temperance man, never using spirituous liquors except
medicinally.
Seven children were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Tifft, only three of whom are now liring. John
Vallett, an only son, and two daughters, the wife of Dr. C. C. F. Gay, and the wife of George
Plympton, Esq. Mrs. Tifft died in 1871. One of his children, George Harrison Tifft, was killed at
the burning of the American Hotel, in 1865, when the falling walls of that structure buried Harry
Tifft, Harry Gillette, and Harry Sidway, carrying sorrow to the homes of three prominent families,
as well as heartfelt mourning to the households of a wide circle of friends.
The limits of this brief notice only permit a bare mention of the more salient points in the
eventful career of the distinguished subject. From the time of his early start in life — ^before his
majority to the present time-^coveriug a period of sixty years of an active, busy life, Mr. Tifft has
always been conspicuous in all the relations of life, yfhtn he was young his comrades and nd^bors
believed him capable of almost any undertaking, for he always made it a point to succeed. In later
years his name was a tower of strength, and was always sought in every movement requiring moral,
social or financial support. He filled a large place in the affairs of the city which he did so much to
build up. He died on the 24th of June, i88a. His remains rest In Forest Lawn, Buffalo's beautiful
cemetery. His name will long be enshrined in the hearts of a people who kne# his worth and
appveciate his virtues.
CHARLES TOWNSEND.— Much of the business and public career of Chariea Townsend, the
distinguished pioneer of Buffalo, is embodied in the foregoing extended biography of hb part-
dier, George Coit, with whom he was associated for many years. Charles Townsend was bom in
Norwich, Conn , January 22d, 1786. His father was Nathaniel Townsend, who was bom October
10, 1747; his mother was Hannah Hughes, who was bom June 27, 1758 ; they were married Sep-
tember 7, t774. Their ancestry is traced back to Thomas Townsend, who came from Engfand
and settled in Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1635.
The early life of Mr. Townsend was passed in his native village until he was fifteen years of
age, chiefly in attendance upon such schools as offered the best advahtages for an ambitions youth.
But he became anxious for broader possibilities to advance in the world than were afforded at his
home, and he accordingly obtained the consent of his parenu to locate in the city of Ne# York.
He first found employment in a drug store and engaged to board in a Frendi family; this arrange^
ment gave him an opportunity to study the language, and he soon became a master of it in its native
purity. At the same time he gained the confidence of his employer for integrity, correct habits and the
conscientious discharge of his duty. He also while in that city enjoyed the advantages of compan-
ionship with people of cultivated tastes and general intdligence, while he employed his time out-
side of his business hours in study.
In 181 1 Mr. Townsend, in company with the man who was to be his life-long business associate,
George Coit, came to Buffalo, where they embarked in the drug business, which they continued until
1817. In 1814 they firat engaged in vessel building and Uansportation business, which they continued
during Mr. Townsend's life. Until the year 1831 , the firm of Townsend Sc Coit was the duly one fol-
lowing this business in Buffalo. They became very successful and the firm was widely known and
respected for business promptitude and integrity.
In 1813 Mr. Townsend was made Judge of Niagara County, which office he held until about
1826, discharging iu duties with intelligenee and impartiality. In 1831, when the long-agitated
HORACE UTLEY,
Biographical. 109
project of securing the construction of a harbor for Buffalo seemed likely to be abandoned, Judge
Townsend, George Coit, Samuel Wilkeson and Oliver Forward mortgaged their private property to
the State and procured a loan of $12,000 with which to commence the "experiment " of a harbor.
The work was successfully carried out under the supervision of Judge Wilkeson, and when its suc-
cess was thus demonstrated by private enterprise, was adopted by the State and subsequently
assumed by the general government and rebuilt in its present form. After the construction of the
Erie canal, the firm of Sheldon Thompson & Co., removed to Buffalo from Black Rock. This led
to a union of their transportation business with that of Townsend & Coit, and they afterwards con-
ducted a very large business under the name of the '* Troy & Erie Line," and formed import<int
connections east and west.
Judge Townsend's name belongs high among those pioneers who were most devoted to the inter-
ests of the village and city of Buffalo. By his uprightness of character, his excellent qualities of
mind and his unblemished business career, he gained the high respect of his fellow-citizens. He
died September 14. 1847, his wife having died November 3, 1 841.
Judge Townsend was married in 1819 to Miss Jane Corning, of Hartford, Conn. She was the
daughter of Asa Corning and Cynthia Seymour, who were married April 2X, 1782. Children were
born to them as follows: — Anna M, Townsend, married Alfred P. Stone; George C, married
Louisa C. Mathews; Jane C, married Guilford R. Wilson; Mary W., married Andrew J. Rich;
Charles, married Martha S. Rich; Fannie H., married Charles Rosseel. Mrs. Stone, Mrs. Wilson,
Mrs. Rich and Mrs. Rosseel now reside in Buffalo.
GEORGE URBAN. The subject of this notice was bom in the towftof Morsbrunn, Alsace, on
the 19th of August, 1S20. His boyhood was spent in his native town until the spring of 1835,
when he came with his parents to this country. When he reached his majority he took a position as
clerk with Mr. H. Colton, who carried on a general merchandise business on the comer of Main and
Genesee streets, Bnffalo. He remained there until 1846, when he began business for himself on the
corner of Genesee and Oak streets, with flour as a specialty. Here he carried on a successful busi-
ness until the year 1882, when the firm of which he is the senior member, completed the first roller
flour mill in the city of Buffalo, on a lot opposite his old store. The product of this mill is now
noted over a wide territory for general excellence. The firm is now composed of George Urban,
his sons, Geo. Urban, Jr., W. C. Urban and E. G. S. Miller.
Mr. Urban occupies a position of prominence among the German citizens of Buffalo, and has
established a character that is above reproach in all respects. He is one of the directors and first
vice-president of the Western Savings Bank, of Buffalo, and also a member of the Park Commission.
Mr. Urban was married to Mij.s Marie Kern, who, like himself, was a native of Alsace. She
died on the 30th of January, 1879, leaving three children, as follows: George Urban, Jr., bom July
12. 1850; Caroline, born October 15. 1854; William C. Urban, bom July 28, 1861.
HORACE UTLEV. Horace Utley, son of Jeremiah Utley, of Hartford, Conn., and Susan Cady,
of Pomfret, Conn., was born in Hanover, N. H., in 1810. The financial embarrassment and
early death of his father made it necessary for him, when only eight years old, to make his home on
a farm in Winsted, Conn., where he remained until he was twenty-one, securing in the meantime a
good education in the- village school. Leaving the farm, he found employment in a neighboring
manufactory, where he remained about five years, coming to Buffalo in 1836, to represent its inter-
ests here. He soon resigned this position and under the firm name of Utley & Burdet, was among
the first in this section to engage in the manufacture of pianos. This partnership 'was dissolved
about 1841, at which time Mr. Utley engaged in the business of supplying materials for piano-
makers, cabinet-makers and upholsterers, in which he continued to the time of his death; which
occurred on the 3rd of December, 1873.
Mr. Utley's business success was uninterrapted, and it was his pleasure to feel that he had
passed safely to himself and with credit unimpaired, through the various 6nancial revulsions from
which the country has suffered. He was one of the original stockholders of the Third National
Bank and for a time its vice-president. He was a man of .strictly temperate habits, was incapable of
a vice in any shape, and a vigorous opponent of any but the most hohorable dealings.
Mr. Utley was a man of unusual intellect, and kept himself well informed upon all current sub-
jects of interest. He was a warm supporter of religious institutions, and for many years one of the
no History of Buffalo.
pillars of the Central Presbyterian Church, of liuffalo. He was one of the most liberal contribators
to its financial needs, active and energetic in its service, and a regular and constant attendant to the
time of his death.
Horace Uiley was married in 1846 to Miss Charlotte Spicer, of Buffalo, who died in 1S47,
leaving one son, Charles Horace Utley. In 1851 he married Miss Anna Shurtliff, of Winchendon.
Mas>., who died in 1857, the year following the death of her only son, George E. Ulley. In 1863
Mr. Utley married the lady who survives him, Miss Cecilia Johnson, daughter of Ebenezer Johnson,
the eminent pioneer of Buffalo. No children were born of this latter marriage, the sole surviving off-
spring bein^ Charles Horace Utley, who was married to Mary Bach, daughter of Robert Bach, of
Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1879. He continues the large business left by his father.
JAMES D. WARREN was born in the town of Bennington, Wyoming county. N. Y-, on the
19th of January, 1823. His father, the late Orsamus Warren, was a farmer, and one of the
pioneers of Western New York. After a brief residence in Bennington he moved to the town of
Wales, Erie county, and from thence shortly afterwards to the town of Clarence, Erie county, where
he purchased and settled upon a farm situated about a mile from the village. He also carried on a
country store at Clarence, dealing in a general assortment of dry goocU, groceiies, and farmers'
implements.
When the family moved to Clarence the subject of this notice was about two years old. He
attended school, wrought upon the farm and assisted his father in the management of the village
store. Before attaining his majority Mr. Warren made a tour of the South, spending about a year
in Natchez, Miss. Returning North he engaged in business in Clarence, following mercantile and
farming pursuits, an^ was elected a Supervisor for several tenns from that town. In 1854, at the
iige of thirty-one. Mr. Warren was elected County Treasurer, and served a term of three years. He
subsequently held the office of Clerk of the Board of Supervisors for two or three terms; and in
April, 1 86 1, in connection with Joseph Wheeler and Joseph Candee, he purchased the Camm^rcial
Advertiser newspaper and entered upon his life work — that of publisher.
In 1862, Messrs. Wheeler and Warren purchased Mr. Candee's interest, and immediately after
Mr. James N. Matthews was admitted into the tirm. Mr. Wheeler retired from business some two
years afterwards, and the firm then became Matthews & Warren.
In 1877, Mr. W.irren purchased the interest of his partner in the Commercial A dvertistr^ and
has since that time been its sole proprietor and publisher. He is an earnest and active Republican,
and has been prominently identified with that party since its organization. The only offices he has
held, as above stated, are Supervisor, Erie County Treasurer, and Clerk of the Board of Super-
visors. He has been active and influential in the direction and management of party affairs, serving
repeatedly as a member of the State Central Committee, as well as a Delegate to the State and
National nominating Conventions. He is what is known as a Stalwart Republican, and is the
recognized leader of that branch of the party in Eric county if not in Western New York. His
sound good sense, thorough knowledge of human nature, keen observation, valuable experience in
affairs and genial disposition combine to make him not only a successful man of business, but a far-
seeing politician as well. Under his direction and management the Commercial Advertiser has
become the leading Republican newspaper of Western New York. He is also President of White's
Bank, one of the oldest and most substantial financial institutions in Buffalo.
Mr. Warren has been twice married — first to Miss Laura Love, daughter of the late George
Love, by whom he had one son. After her death he married Miss Mary Mills, daughter of the late
Judge Mills, of Clarence, by whom he has had one son and two daughters.
JOSEPH WARREN was for many years one of the most conspicuous men in Western New York.
His eminent standing as a journalist and proprietor of one of the leading political newspapers
of fhe State, as well as his characteristics as a man, fully entitled him to the position he occupied at
his death.
Mr. Warren was born in Waterbury, Vt., on the 24th of July, 1829. His father was a Congre-
gational minister, and Joseph was next to the oldest in a family of five children. His parents were
poor and his childhood and youth were necessarily passed in hardship and labor. He was scarcely
eleven years old when he was placed in a country printing officf in Johnson, Vt. After between one
and two years of service there the family removed to Essex in the same Slate, and the lad was there
Biographical. hi
hired out to a blacksmith; between the shop and the farm of his employer it may be imagined that
Joseph Warren's life at that time was not of the most attractive character. Up to this period his
educational advantages consisted of brief terms during portions of the years in the district schools;
but he was an ardent student and possessed a good brain; consequently he rapidly acquired knowl-
edge. The more he learned the stronger grew his early awakened ambition to obtain a collegiate
education, and at eighteen years of age, with a little assistance from his father, he entered the Uni-
versity of Vermont, at Burlington. During the succeeding four years of college life, he largely
supported himself, and graduated as a Bachelor of Arts on the 8th of August, 1851. Three years
later he was honored by his Alma Mater with the degree of Master of Arts.
Immediately upon leaving College, Mr. Warren went to Albany, N. Y., where he obtained
employment in the office of the Country Gentleman and Cultivator^ published by his uncle, the late
Luther Tucker. In that office Mr. Warren's extraordinary capacity as a journalist was rapidly
developed ; he added a new department of fireside reading to the columns of the paper, which at
once became pcf^ular, much of which was from his own pen. At a little later date, in addition to
his own work as associate editor, he accepted the position of teacher of Latin and Greek in the
Albany Academy. Upon his departure from Albany in 1854, Mr. Warren's class in the academy
testified to their appreciation of himself and his work by presenting him with an address bearing all
of their signatures and an appropriate testimonial.
October i6th, 1854, Joseph Warren came to Buffalo to accept the position which had been
offered him, of local editor of the Courier, He entered upon his work in the new field with zeal
and earnestness and that consciousness of his own strength which could not fail to win ample recog-
nition. He infused new life into the system of local reporting, making such changes and improve-
ments in methods as to mark an epoch in that department of daily newspaper-making. In 1857
he was tendered the Democratic nomination for Superintendent of Schools and' was elected. In
this office Mr. Warren displayed excellent administrative ability and performed the duties of Super-
intendent to the satisfaction of the city at large. From that time he refused to accept or be a can-
didate for any elective or salaried office.
In 1858 Mr. Warren and Gilbert K. Harroun bought the interest of Mr. Seaver in the Courier^
James H. Sanford retaining his former interest, the new firm becoming Sanford, Warren & Harroun.
Two years later Mr. Sanford's interest was purchased by his partners, and on the 24th of October,
i36o, the firm of Joseph Warren & Co., was formed, which continued until the organization of *' The
Courier Company," with Mr. Warren as its president, January xst, 1869. From the date of his first
ownership in the Courier establishment, 1858, until his death, Mr. Warren was the editor-in-chief of
the paper, and the Courier Company had no other president until after his death.
After the death of Dean Richmond in August, 1866, the leadership of the Erie County Democracy,
by general consent, devolved upon Mr. Warren, and he was made member-at-large of the Democratic
State Central Committee, in which body he was an active member until his death; for ten years pre-
vious to his death he was the recognized leader and valued counselor of the Democratic party of
Western New York. But although giving much attention to politics, Mr. Warren never for a day
neglected the best interests of Buffalo. His devotion to her welfare, his zeal for her growth, culture
and prosperit)'. amounted to a passion. Of his work for the good of the city, it was written of him
at the time of his death as follows: —
** Mr. Warren's extraordinary ability in dealing with men was exhibited in the way he brought
the leading citizens of Buffalo together and enlisted their varied and often conflicting interests for
the furtherance of public ends. One of the first results of his efforts was the projection of the system
of public parks, under the act of the Legislature passed April 14, 1869. Mr. Warren wrought inde-
fatigably and with consummate sagacity to secure the success of this scheme. He saw in it a herit-
age to Buffalo of coming years of priceless value^a perpetual source of health, enjoyment and cul-
ture for the people. With the exception of a single year he ser\-ed as a member of the Fark
Commission from its organization until his death. Another project in which he was deeply interested
and which he may almost be said to have originated, was that of the City and County Building.
The Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane, was located in this city, largely through his exertions, and
he served on its Board of Managers, and as chairman of the Executive Committee of the same, until
he resigned about a month ^ro. The State Normal School in this city, owes its existence in large
measure to Mr. Warren's efforts. He was from the beginning to the last a member of its Board of
Trustees, and hopefully regarded the institution as the possible nucleus of a noble and great seat of
learning in the future. Another scheme for the advancement of Buffalo, to which he devoted much
time and labor, was the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia Railway. He believed in the road as
112 History of Buffalo.
a valuable factor in Buffalo's growth and the successful carrying out of the project was powerfully
aided by his counsel and influence. The same may be said of the branch road to the McKean
County coal mines, of which he was one of the most active organizers.
Mr. Warren in earlier years took a warm interest in the Young Men's Association, and served it
many times as Manager, and one year as President. It was daring Warren's Presidency of the As-
sociation, that the first important fine arts exhibition was arranged in this city, an enterprise which
really pioneered and suggested the organization of the Fine Arts Academy. Of this latter institution
Mr. Warren was lor a number of yevirs, and until his death, a Curator. He was also President and
one of the organizers of the kindred institution known as the Buffalo Society of Arts, which was pro-
jected for the purpose of advancing ai t education. In 1867 he helped to establish and was one ot the
incorporators of the Buffalo Club.'
Outside of the interests of Buffalo, Mr. Warren was appointed by Governor Hoffman a Member
of the Commission to locate the Elmira Reformatory, and afterwards served on its Board of Trustees.
His election for six successive years as President of the State Associated Press, speaks in eloquent
terms of the esteem in which he wa.'i held by his fellow journalists of the State.
Mr. Warren was for several years a Vestryman of Christ Church (Protestant Episcopal), the
organization of which was in large part his work. For three years previous to his death, he was a
Member of the Council of the Medical Department of the University of Buffalo.
On the 20th of March, 1855, Mr. Warren was married to the daughter of James Goold, of
Albany. She still survives him, and is a resident of Buffalo. This sketch may be appropriately
closed with a further quotation from the writer already referred to, relative to Mr. Warren's personal
characteristics: —
" lie was one upon whom, in years past, hundreds have leaned for succor and counsel. His
generous nature scarcely scrutinized the reasonableness of a request, but hastened first to grant it.
His brain was the readiest to devise help, and his hand to extend it, that we ever knew or expect to
know. His prime ambition was the Cnristian one — to do good to others and leave his part of the
world better than he found it, as might be expected. He was incapable of a mean thought or act.
Intellectually Mr. Warren was a man of exceptional power and grasp. His was pre-eminently a
constructive mind, it;was easy for him to create a plan or policy, and in his power to mould men and
interests to the execution of his designs, he was rarely endowed. Recalling him as he was at his
best, it is a vision of ideal manhood that rises before us — the wise counselor, the able man of affairs,
the practical philanthropist, the true and generous friend."
Mr. Warren died on the 30th of September, 1876, having reached but a few weeks more than
forty-seven years of age.
CHANDf.ER J. W^ELLS.— Among the pioneers who came to Buffalo as early as the year iSoo,
were the parents of Chandler J. Wells. His father, Joseph Wells, was of New England
parentage and came from the village of Partridgefield, about sixtecen miles from Providence, R. I.
In that vicinity he married Prudence Grannis, the mother of the subject of this sketch. The first
representative of the Wells family in this country emigrated from England about the year 1776.
The Wells ancestors were of considerable prominence and distinction in that country.
When Joseph Wells emigrated to Buffalo the journey from Albany was made in wagons and
attended with great fatigue and hardship, requiring fifteen to twenty days, according to the condi-
tion of the roads, which at times were rough and almost impassable. On their arrival in Buffalo,
finding no lands surveyed and in market, they went to Brantford, Canada, where a married sister of
Mrs. Wells had settled, and remained there two years. Determined, however, to locate in Buffalo,
they returned in the year 1802 and here established their future home. They experienced all the
vicissitudes incident to a frontier life. Eleven children— six sons and five daughters— were bom to
them, of which Chandler J. Wells was the fifth son and the seventh child. Their oldest son,
Aldrich Wells, now deceased, who was born in August, 1802, was probably the first white male child
born in Buffalo, and their third son. William Wells, is undoubtedly the oldest male child born in. and
now living in Buffalo. Possessing a full measure of the family trait, spirit and courage, Joseph
Wells promptly proffered his services to the government during the war of 1812, and was one of the
first to enroll among the defenders of their homes. Serving for a time as captain of a company of
Indians and whites, he was elected to the office of major.
On the 30lh of December, 1813, the village of Buffalo was captured and burned by the British
and Indians; many of the inhabitants were carried away captive; and those who escaped, fleeing as
they did, m the depth of winter and in utter destitution, were in a deplorable condition. The vil.
lage was destroyed, excepting two or three houses, and the settlers to all appearances hopelessly dU-
( KT
^
^ .^'^<?2^2^;^-y^;^::^^
Biographical. 113
persed. Most of the fleeing inhabitants were women and children, the men being in the army.
Nearly all found temporary homes for the winter in Williamsville and Batavia, the nearest settle-
ments at that time. The wife and children of Joseph Wells accompanied the fleeing settlers, and
the following spring the family returned to Buffalo. Their dwelling being on the outskirts of the
village, escaped the flames. They were about the flrst to resume their residence in Buffalo after it
was burned. Very little was actually done towards rebuilding the village until 1815. Joseph Wells
erected the first tannery in Buffalo or vicinity. It was located on Main street near Allen, where he
owned a farm and resided for quite a period. He made the first brick in Buffalo. The brick kiln
was located on the site of the present Bennett elevator. By frugality and industry he accumulated
quite a property for those times, but through an unfortunate act, the endorsement of a friend's note,
it was all lost and he never fully recovered from the disaster. He was a man of sound constitu-
tion and robust health and by lineage entitled to a long lease of life, but during the cholera of 1834
he was the very last victim in Buffalo, and died at the age of sixty-six years.
Chandler J. Wells was born in Utica, N. Y., on the loth of June, 1814, during his mother's
visit with friends in that place. He was brought home in due time, in his mother's arms, and
passed safely through all the ills that pertain to childhood. As a boy he was restless, bright and
active, a leader in games with his playmates and of a kind and generous disposition. When of a
suitable age, he was at first sent to a private school kept by Miss Dorr, who was succeeded as
teacher by Mrs. Aurelia Bemis, in a building located on Main street, near the present Coufier
office. He also attended a private school taught by John Drew, and later received instruction from
the Rev. John C. Lord, who had opened a school in the old Court-house. Only the common English
branches were then taught in the schools of Buffalo. During the last two years of his school life,
he also served as apprentice in the joiner's trade with his older brother Aldrich. About the year
1 83 1, at the age of seventeen, he had become quite proficient at his trade and determined hence*
forth to work independently for his own interests. He readily found employment in some of the
vast building operations of the unfortunate Benjamin Rathbun. About a year later his old school
teacher, John Drew, who had shown decided interest in his welfare, offered him higher wages and
a more important position. Recognizing in him the qualities of a leader, Mr. Drew at once placed
him in charge of the erection of a building on the corner of Pearl and Tupper streets. In diis, his
first attempt in the capacity of overseer, he was highly successful, considering that he was only
eighteen years of age. It gave him increased assurance and confidence.
In the year 1835, Mr. Wells formed a partnership with William B. Hart, as ** contractors and
builders," which continued during a period of twenty years. They were eminently successful and
prosperous in their business; acquiring a most enviable reputation for the prompt and thorough
fulfillment of their contracts. The numerous buildings erected by them are, many of them, stand-
ing monuments of their sound construction and a credit to their builders. An amicable dissolution
of partnership was made in April, 1855, leaving both in easy circumstances. The last building
erected on contract by Mr. Wells was the State Arsenal, built on Broadway, in this city in 1857.
His name with others stands engraved on a stone tablet over the north door of the building.
In 1857, Mr. Wells first became interested in the Elevator business. The commerce of the
lakes, handling grain, etc., was the principal source of Buffalo's first prosperity. The docks and ship-
ping were the life and resources of the place in early days. There was handled of grain in Buffalo
harbor 543,400 bushels in 1836, ^hich swelled to the enormous amount of 58,643,000 bushels in
1862, and this exclusive of the quantity of flour handled. In 1843 Joseph Dart constructed the first
Elevator in this harbor, and it was the first attempt to handle grain by steam-power and machinery
in the country. It had a storage capacity of 55,000 bushels, but could transfer only 1,000 bushels per
hour. William Wells, brother of Chandler J., was placed in charge as foreman, and he is therefore
the oldest elevator man now in the business in the world.
The first elevator constructed by Mr. Wells was in 1857-1858, called the '* Wells Elevator,"
and now known as the '* Wheeler Elevator," located on the south side of Buffalo Creek, opposite
the New York Central Railroad freight house on Ohio street. It had a storage capacity of 100,000
bushels and could elevate 6,000 bushels an hour. August 37, i860, Mr. Wells leased what was
known as the Cobum Square, bounded by Buffalo Creek, Ohio and Indiana streets, and built thereoM
the Coburn Elevator. This was destroyed by fire in 1863. On the nth of September in the same
year he purchased the property of Dexter P. Rumsey and others for the consideration of ^5,000.
114 History of Buffalo.
He at once commenced the erection thereon of the ** C. J. Wells Elevator." Building materials,
stone, brick and lumber, were used in profusion to insure great strength and stability, and it was
provided with the most improved machinery. In fact it was made, as intended, the model elevator
of its day. Immense quantities of piles were consumed in laying the foundation. It has a storage
capacity of 350,000 bushels, and will elevate 8,000 bushels an hour. December 24, 1872, Chandler
J., and his brother, William Wells, purchased of William G. Fargo for $50,000. the property bounded
by Buffalo Creek and Commercial, Water and Dock streets, known as the ** Williams Elevator,"
which they reconstructed, enlarged and strengthened, adding new and improved machinery, and
re-christened the " William Wells Elevator." This now has a storage capacity of 300,000 bushels
and will hoist 8,000 bushels an hour. Altogether Mr. Wells has built in this city, for himself and
others, five elevators. He has always been largely interested in elevator and dock property, also in
real estate both in the city and country.
Messrs. Wells and Hart were at one time owners of three saw-mills, which they used in their
business. One was located near Abbott's Corners, one in Titus Hollow, and one on Carcnovc
Creek, at the Hart homestead. Later, in 1856, Mr. Wells built a steam saw-mill in West Seneca,
which he run six or seveu years, while building elevators.
Prior to 1836 he built a dwelling on Swan street below Chestnut, in which he resided w^ith his
mother and sisters. While living there the important event of his life, his marriage, occurred.
His homestead for many years was on Michigan street, between Folsom and Seneca streets, where
he erected a brick dwelling in the year 1844. His partner, Mr. Hart, resided next door, and the
roomy premises gave them ample accommodation for the prosecution of their extensive building
operations. In 1858 he built and occupied a fine residence at what was then No. 77 Swan street.
A few years later he sold this, and for a limited time boarded at the Tifft House, while repairing
the dwelling purchased by him on the corner of LaFayette and Washington streets, in which he
resided until 1861, when he erected his' present fine residence at No. 683 Main street.
The energy and sterling qualities exhibited by Mr. Wells in the prosecution of his business
have long been recognized by his fellow-citizens, and they have on numerous occasions honored him
with positions of public trust. In the year 1854 he was elected Alderman for the Second Ward,
and was continued in that office seven successive years. In 1864 he was nominated for Mayor by
the Republicans, rather against his wishes and with not very ardent expectations of success. His
opponent, William G. Fargo, the Democratic nominee, was elected by a small majority.
Two years later he again accepted the nomination against Mr. Fargo, and was elected. During
his administration as Mayor, the Water Works, then the property of a corporate company, was pur-
chased by the city. Mr. Wells has frequently been characterized: the ** father of water works," and
not altogether unjustly considering what he has done for them. When the city came into possession,
the supply of water was taken from Niagara river so close in shore, that it was more or less impreg.
nated with the filthy sewage discharged into the river above. As a remedy, it was determined to
construct a new and larger tunnel under Niagara, extending it one thousand feet from shore, with an
inlet near the centre of the river, where it was ascertained by practical tests, that the water was al-
ways pure. In 1868, the Board of Water Commissioners was created. Mr. Wells was appointed
on the commission, and held the position the full term of six years; most of the time acting chair-
man of the board. The inlet pier and tunnel were constructed while he held this office, and the
completion of this important work was undoubtedly due to his indomitable perseverance. Great
difficulties were encountered, and for a time it was feared the project would have to be abandoned.
Messrs. Clark and Douglass, the first contractors, sunk about $150,000 on the work, and abandoned
their contract. A new contract was made with John Heckler, who, under the advice and encourage-
ment of Mr. Wells, by his energy and skill overcame the many difficulties, and practically completed
the work. Mr. Heckler was discouraged and at times disposed to throw up his contract, which he
doubtless would have done, had it not been for the financial aid rendered him by Mr. Wells, in be-
coming personally responsible for a large sum of money, then absolutely essential to the prosecution
of his contract. The greatest misfortune suffered by Mr. Heckler, was the loss in Niagara river, of
a crib intended for the foundation of the inlet pier, on which he had expended about ten thousand
dollars. While the work was in progress Mr. Wells gave it his constant personal attention to the
neglect of his private business; overlooking and directing operations, and a portion of the time per-
forming the duties of superintendent. Having faith and confidence in the young engineer in charge,
Biographical. 115
Louis H. Knapp, who inflexibly contended that the projected tunnel was feasible and possible, Mr.
Wells supported him in every essential suggestion necessary to success. According to eminent phy-
sicians, the ample supply of pure water, resulting from this improvement, greatly reduced the average
of certain diseases and generally promoted the health of the city.
About the year 1870, Mr. Wells conceived the idea of importing sand for paving and building
purposes, the supply in the near vicinity of the city having become scarce and the demand for it on
the increase. In pursuance of this purpose he in company with Isaac HoUoway, on the 29th of
September, 1870, purchased a farm located in Canada, on the shore of Lake Erie, about ten miles
from the city and known as ** Point Abino." From and after that time the principal quantity of
sand used in Bu£Falo has been brought in barges from that super-abundant deposit. In 1881,
desiring to relieve himself from the pressure of business, Mr. Wells sold his interest in the Point
Abino farm, including the sand business, to Isaac Holloway, only reserving three to four acres pi
the land for a summer residence.
In the year 1837, Mr. Wells married Susan Jane Wheeler, sister to Joel Wheeler, of this city.
While success and happiness generally attended their married life, they were sadly unfortunate in the
loss of their children. Their first child, a boy, christened Theodore, lived only six weeks. Their
second, Elizabeth, a lovely daughter, lived sixteen years and died of cholera, the last case in Buffalo at
that time. She was kind and affectionate, and being their only child, was loved and petted as the
precious jewel of the household. Her sudden death was a sore affliction to her doting parents.
Kind, social, and fond of the society of the young, they adopted two grand-nieces, granddaughters
of his brother, John G. Welk. Their mother, Lucy Ann Wells, was a member of the family many
years, and was regarded by them as a daughter. The children of their adoption, named Jennie and
Elizabeth, were taken to their hearts and cared for in every respect as their own, and will probably
become their heirs. They were naturally bright and intelligent, and with the educational advantages
given them, became accomplished young ladies and ornaments to society. Jennie, married James
A. Redfern, an English gentleman, and now resides in London, England; Elizabeth, remains at
home with her pdopted parents.
Mr. Wells has been conspicuous in many of the most prominent institutions of the city. He
was one of the founders of the Erie County Savings Bank and long a director in it. He was the
founder of the Buffalo Driving Park, and for fifteen years at the head of its management. The
organization was incorporated March 30th, 1868, with a capital stock of $45,000. It was the first
of its kind, and has been the model for similar organizations throughout the country. Under wise
and liberal management it has been a success from the first, proving a profitable investment to its
stockholders. It became noted for the very laige premiums paid; one hundred thousand dollars the
first year, an amount for such a purpose unheard of before in this countiy. It brought to Buffalo
some of the best troiters in the world. On this track the celebrated horse Dexter made his mile in
2.17^, then the fastest time on record. The horse was immediately purchftsed by Robert Bonner, of
New York, for $30,000. Owing to ill health Mr. Wells resigned the presidency of the Park Asso-
ciation in 1882, but he still feels a deep interest in its welfare. He is also a member of the Falcon-
wood and Beaver Island Clubs, and owns an interest in their fine summer resorts located on Grand
and Beaver Islands. His name is recorded among the founders of the Buffalo Club, ot which he is
a member at the present time. He is a life member of the Young Men's Association and the Buf-
falo Historical Society. His wife and daughters are members of Trinity Church, and while he is
not himself a professor of religion, he highly respects Christianity, and believes society and the
world better for its teachings. In fact he has done much to build up the material prosperity of
Buffalo and liberally supports all her worthy institutions.
Mr. Wells is a man of quick perceptions, rare judgment and unflinching integrity, with energy
and perseverance far beyond the average; a bluff and outspoken manner to strangers, behind which,
however, lies a hearty good humor and a kindly, generous heart; once his confidence firmly fixed he
will not desert a friend under any circumstances. Though now advanced in years he is still vigor-
ous and attends personally to his extensive business interests, notwithstanding a serious attack of
rheumatism two years since. His life career has been such as to win the respect and confidence of his
fellow-citizens.
RUSSKLL JESSE WHITE.^The well-known physician whose name appears above, was born
at Petersbuigh, N. Y., on the 9th of April, 1814; he was the youngest son of Aaron and Mary
ii6 History of Buffalo.
White, the former of whom came into this State from Vermont and was descended from Scotch
ancestors: the latter came from Massachusetts and was descended from English ancestors. Aaron
White was a man of more than ordinary intelligence and of considerable local influence. His wife's
name previous to her marriage was Maiy Bigelow.
The boyhood of our subject was passed like that of the great majority of the sons of the settlers
in this State during the first quarter of the present century. He remained on his father's farm until
he was sixteen years old, his time being divided between the common school in the neighborhood
and arduous out-door toil. But meagre as were his early educational advantages, the young man
made the mo^t of them, and supplemented the instruction and study he secured in the school by
persistent reading of all the books that he could obtain. He fortunately posesssed natural stadioas
habits and a fondness for reading and studying the writings of other men who had made themselves
great in the pages of the world's progress, and it was not long before he had added to his school
learning, a fund of general in formation, both varied and useful.
From about the year 1835 Mr. White followed mechanical pursuits until he had accumulated
the necessary means to enable him to take up and pursue the study of medicine, for which he had
long felt an irrepressible desire. After a thorough preparatory course, he was graduated as *' M. D..*'
from the Metropolitan Medical College, of New York, in 1854. Three yean later he settled in
Buffalo, where he has since remained, and where he rapidly acquired a laige and lucrative practice,
continuing it until his recently failing health demanded its abandonment.
Dr. White was married in the year 1838, to Miss Helena A. Boynton, daughter of £. L. Boyn-
ton, of Vermont, and Elizabeth Fancher, of Connecticut. Two daughters are the offspring of this
union: — Harriet E. White, born in 1839, married to Dr. V. C. Price, of Chicago, Illinois, and now
residing at Waukegan, Illinois; Emma F. White, unmarried and resides in Buffalo.
In 1874, Dr. White was made an honorary member of the Medical Eclectic Collie of New
York, and has occupied a prominent position in the profession in which he has attained so great a
degree of success.
Dr. White is eminently a self-made man. He began life in poverty and surrounded with none
of the advantages that are supposed to be potent in enabling men to rise to eminence in the world;
but through his own unaided efforts, inspired by confidence in his own powers, he has arisen to a
station of which any man might be proud. His private and professional life has been guided by
the strictest principles of integrity and morality, and his character was formed upon an upright
Christian basis that has gained him the respect of all with whom he has come in contact. In early
life Dr. White was nurtured in the Unitarian religious belief, but in later years he attached himself
to the Protestant Episcopal Church, of which he has since been a consistent, faithful and liberal
member. He has for several years past been one of the Wardens of the Church of the Ascension,
Buffalo. Politically, Dr. White is a Republican, having been connected with that party since its
organization in 1856. One of Dr. White's greatest ambitions was the aiding of poor bo3rs. By the aid
received from him many were educated and made useful men, have been successful in business and
now rank among our wealthy merchants in New York, Chicago and Buffalo.
In his personal characteristics. Dr. White commands the admiration of his fellows. He is of
noble bearing, kindly at heart, of polished address and genial presence; a profound, logical, clear-
headed thinker and a most entertaining conversationalist. These qualities, with his sterling worth
as a man, give him a name that will live in the memory of all his acquaintances. Dr. White now
lives in honorable retirement, surrounded by all that conduces to earthly contentment.
GIBSON T. WILLIAMS.— Gibson T. Williams, the subject of this sketch, was Dom in Charles-
town , N . H . , January 15,1813. His paternal ancestors were Welsh, while those on his mother's
side were Scotch. Mr. Williams' father was a native of New Hampshire. His father, Benjamin
Williams, was born in Massachusetts, was a Revolutionary soldier and took part in the* battles of
Bunker Hill, Bennington and Saratoga. Having become a resident of New Hampshire, he enlisted
in the Second New Hampshire regiment, and was made Orderly Sergeant in Captain Ezra Town's
company. This regiment, as we are informed, was given the post of honor in the memorable conflict
of Bunker Hill.
Gibson T. Williams moved with his father, when eleven years of age, to Franklin county, Vt.,
where he worked on a farm until he was sixteen; he then went to the neighboring town of St.
RUSSEL J. WHITE, M. B ,
Biographical. 117
Albans and attended the academy about a year. At the age of seventeen he began wOrk as clerk in
St. Albans in a general country store, where he remained three years.
At the age of twenty Mr. Williams came to Buffalo, where he readily found employment in a
hardware store, where he remained until the spring of 1834, when he began clerking for Kimberly
& Waters, in the grocery and ship chandlery business. He continued in their employ until Feb-
ruary, 1837, when, with Henry C. Atwaier, he bought out the old firm, the new one starting busi-
ness under the name of Atwater & Williams. In 1845 Mr. At water died, when a co-partnership
was formed consisting of Mr. Williams, Rufus L. Howard and George L. Newman, who continued
the same business at the old location under the name of Williams, Howard & Co. In 1850 Mr.
Williams sold out his interest to the other partners; but he soon learned that with his naturally
active temperament, a quiet life was almost an impossibility in his case. Accordingly he, together
with the late Henry Roop, built on the corner of Delaware and Viiginia streets **The Niagara
White Lead Company's" factory; now known as the Cornell Lead Company. Mr. Roop soon after
retired, and Mr. Williams associated himself with Mr. Peter C. Cornell and Samuel G. Cornell, of
New York, late deceased, and they carried on a successful business in the manufacture of white lead
for many years. Mr. Williams being President of the company. In 1850 he, in company with Gen.
Rufus Howard, built what is now known as the Howard Iron Works, for the manufacture of agricul-
tural implements, which they carried on together for several years with success.
Mr. Williams was one of the original members of the Buffalo Board of Trade, which was
organized in 1844, holding its meetings in what was then known as the Webster block, on Main
street. Mr. Williams was President of the Young Men's Association in 1845; he was for several
years President of the Clinton Bank; was First Vice-President of the Western Insurance Comp>any,
and succeeded Dean Richmond as President, continuing as such until 1871, when the great Chicago
fire closed it up. He has for the past twenty years been a director in the Buffalo Gas Light Com-
pany; he is also a director in several of the old large banks of discount in Buffalo. He was in
1854, upon the organization of the Erie County Savings Bank, elected its First Vice-President. He is
now President of that prosperous institution — the largest in assets in this State west of New York city.
Mr. Williams, with Col. W. A. Bird and A. H. Tracy (both the latter deceased), were the
ommissioners for taking the land for the Buffalo Park system; all the grounds were taken at their
appraisal, and to the satisfaction generally of all parties.
Mr. Williams was, in 1841, married to Miss Harriet C. Howard, of Herkimer county, in this
State. They have three children now living — two sons and one daughter.
Mr. Williamic has built many of the fine buildings of Buffalo, several of which he now owns.
His business record is one of which any man might properly feel proud, and clearly indicates the
degree of confidence felt in his integrity and ability by his fellow citizens.
ALFRED P. WRIGHT. The subject of this notice was bom in Oswego. Oswego County, N. Y.,
January 3rd, 1834. His father, Peter P. Wright, and mother Eliza Ann Wright, were descend-
ants of the good old English stock, who settled in this county in its early history.
Alfred P. Wright received a liberal education, graduating at the Osw^o High School, at the
age of eighteen years. He soon after commenced his business career as a clerk in his native city.
Two years later found him head clerk and business manager of a large concern, at a salary of $1000
per year, which was then considered a large compensation. He remained in this connection until
the year 1863, when he commenced business for himself — that of Transportation on the Erie Canal.
This he pushed with great vigor, and two years later he had become the owner of one of the largest
individual lines on the canal, numbering twenty-one boats.
In the fall of 1865 he found it for the best interest of his business, to remove to New York,
where he remained until the spring of 1867, when, after selling out his entire boat interest, he came
to Buffalo and immediately formed a copartnership with Mr. George H. Preston in the Grain Com-
mission business, under the firm name of Preston & Wright.
This ntew enterprise at once opened up a wide field of action, which, to many strong and ex-
perienced firms, had proved a rough and rugged road. But the rare ability which has marked Mr.
Wright's progress in former enterprises, soon ranked the new firm second to none on the chain of
lakes; and its business continued with uninterrupted success until January ist, 1880, when Mr.
Preston's failing health compelled him to retire from active business.
ii8 History of Buffalo.
Mr. Albeit J. Wright. Mr. Writ's son, was then admitted a partner in Mr. Preston's place.
This combination proTed even more successful than the former one. and the business during the first
year, increased to the enormous ainonnt of thirty-three millioD bushels of actual grain handled dur-
ing the season of navigation; and the business has been continued to the present time, with nndi.
minished success.
Mr. Wright has alwajrs refused public oflices; but has accepted and filled with honor and ability
many positions of trust and responsibility, of a more private natuie. He was the oiganizer of the
Merchants' Bank of Buffalo; was elected its fiist president and again elected in 1S82. In 1872 he
was elected president of the Board of Trade, and was one of the originators in the movement which
has resulted in the erection of its magnificent bniljling. He b a director in the Erie County Savings
Bank, in the Merchants' Bank, and in the Cataract Bank of Niagara Falls, and is a large stockholder
in yie Merchants' Bank, (of which he has had the active managementX in the Bank of Commerce
and in several of the railroads centering in Buffalo. Mr. Wright is to-day one of the eminently solid
business men of the city of Buffalo, and his career has been sndi as to earn him not only the con-
fidence, but the respect and friendship of his feUow citiiens
Mr. Wright was married fint to I..ovina L. Springer, of Oswego, who died March 9. 1880; he
was again married Jan. 23. 1883, to Chariotte L. Davock. He is the father of two children, Albert
J. Wright, his present partner in business, and Pattie L. Wright.
STEPHEN VAN RENSSELAER WATSON.— Stephen Van Rensselaer Watson was bom in
Rensselaerville. N. Y., June 13, 1817, his immediate ancestors being from Rhode Island. He
came to Buffalo in 1844 and passed the remainder of his life in this city. Of his career after his
arrival here, an intimate friend of his furnishes the following particulars: —
** Mr. Watson came to the city of Buffalo in 1844. He devoted himself for several years to real
estate operations, becoming the owner of laige tracts in the eastern part of the city, dividing tbem
into lots and selling them for building purposes, principally 10 German residents. He aided them, not
only by advances of money, but with adrice in erecting their dwellings and in the management of
their property; and by his kindness a<well as his integrity, he gained their entire confidence. He
accumulated a handsome property in these enterprises, and was also fortunate as the owner of ves-
sels upon the lakes, which he managed successfully for a number of years. He built and was the
owner and manager of the Watson elevator, one of the largest structures of that description in
the city.
AtK>ut 18 — he became interested in the street railroads of Buffalo. The affairs of the Btiffalo
Street Railroad Company, then existing, were in a precarious condition. It seemed as if it would
he compelled to suspend, if not entirely cease, its operations. Mr. Watson took hold of its affairs
with his accustomed energy and forethought. He subsequently organized the East Side Street Rail-
way Company. Up to the time of his death the interests of these companies were the object of his
untiring efforts, and it is no derogation to tlie labors of others to say thai the present magnificent
system of street railways of Buffalo, are substantially the creation of his brain, the result of his
la1x>rs and perseverance.
" As a business man Mr. Watson was upright.ancl honorable, enterprising and courageous. His
mind was fertile of ideas, comprehensive and far-seeing. Nor were his views confined to his own
interests. He was eminently a public-spirited citizen. During his adminbtration of the office of
President of the Young Men's Association, it was raised from an humble library association to the
proud position it has since occupied; and it was by his efforts to a large extent that the money was
raised by which its present real estate was purchased. He was among the founders of the Erie
County Savings Bank, and continued one of its most active trustees up to the time of its death.
He was as untiring in the performance of his public as of his private business duties, and he is
justly awarded a permanent place in the annals of the city of Buffalo."
Although Mr. Watson was never a seeker after political office, he was honored with election as
Member of Assembly in 1861, and filled that office with ability and credit. He was a member of
Trinity Episcopal Church and was vestryman from 1859 to 1863 and from 1871 to 1874.
Mr. Watson was twice married; his widow, Charlotte A. Watson, now survives him. She is
a daughter of Pardon C. Sherman, of Buffalo. Three children survived Mr. Watson — ^Annie.
Jeanie H. and Gertrude ; the first two married S. S. Spaulding and Porter Norton respectively, and
all of them reside in Buffalo. Mr. Watson died in Buffalo on the 15th of June. 1880.
OTTOMAR REINECKE. Ottomar Reinecke. one of the proprietors of the BuffaU Freu Presse,
daily and weekly' and the Sunday Tribune, was bom on the 20th of November, 1 840, in the
beautiful city of Sondershausen, which is picturesquely located almost at the foot of the Hartz Moun-
tains, in northern Germany. He came to this country with his parents in the summer of 1852, arriv-
Biographical. 119
tng in Bnflfalo the 24th of June, where he has erer since resided. His education and knowledge of
the English language was acquired in the city public schools.
Two years after his arrival in Buffalo, his father started a printing office, with a capital of eighty
dollars and no credit. He built his own press of wood and iron, which resembled in general appear.,
ance those of the days of Guttenberg. The young man assisted his father in this primitive printing
office, an occupation that always seemed natural to him and in consonance with his tastes. The
business grew to respectable dimensions before his father's death, which occurred in the year 1866,
when he took entire chacge of' it. The following year Mr. Reinecke found it necessary to Uke a
partner and a business connection was formed with his present partner, Mr. Franz Zesch. This
proved a most fortunate event fur the two men have not only worked in harmony for twenty years.
but have always been the most intimate friends. By hard and persistent work, and strict integrity,
they have brought their business to its present flourishing condition. Their publication has always
advocated the principles of the National Republican party.
PRANK H. ZESCH. The subject of this notice, junior proprietor of the Buffalo FreU Ptesse
printing and publishing establishment, was bom April 16, 1840, in the city of Stargard, in the
Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg Strelitz, Prussia, Germany. When nearly fourteen years of age,
after graduating at the school in his native place, he came with his parents to America, in the early
part of the year 1854, settling at once in the city of Buffalo, where he has ever since resided, with
the exception of one year (1859) which he passed in Rochester.
Immediately after his arrival in Buffalo in 1854, the young lad accepted a position as carrier for
the Buffalo Demokrat, where he remained about two years; in the meantime the proprietors of that
journal, learning that he passed a good German school, placed him in their office to learn the art of*
type-setting. He liked the work and was so apt a student in it, that it was but a short time before
he was able to add materially to his income by type-setting in the forenoons and carrying his
paper route in the afternoons. At the close of the second year, the young man'^ lather made
arrangements to place him in one of the leading tinsmith and hardware establishments of the city,
to learn that trade, learning which, the proprietors of the Demokrut made him so favorable a propo-
sition, that he was induced to remain with them and finish an apprenticeship in the printing
business, his time being, in consideration of what progress he had already made, reduced from four
years to two, and his compensation being advanced in like ratio. After the year spent in Rochester,
as before noted, Mr, Zesch was again induced by the liberal offers of his former employers to return
to Buffalo, remaining with them until 1863, when he entered the job rooms of the Courier for the
purpose of further perfecting himself in that branch of the business. He remained there until 1867,
when he formed the copartnership with Mr. O. Keinecke, which has continued with excellent success
and in perfect harmony to the present time. They carry on a large job printing business in English,
German and Frehch, and publish the Freie Pntse^ daily and weekly, and the Buffalo Sunday Tri-
bwu, besides three different semi-monthly publications for church congregations.
ALBERT ZIEGELE, SR.—This prominent German citizen of Buffalo was bom on the 9th of
April, 1818, in Stuttgart, Wurtemberg. His life up to the year 1849, when he was about thirty
years old, was spent in his native country, where he learned the trade of a cooper, after having passed
such time in schools as was generally given up to the boys in his circumstances. His trade learned,
he began to tum his attention to the subject of malt liquors and their successful brewing; and dur-
ing his quite extensive travels hi different p^rts of Germany and France, he acquired a thorough
practical knowledge of the business, as conducted in a land where it forms one of the greatest
industries.
Finally, in 1849, Mr. Ziegele emigrated to America and immediately took up his residence in
Buffalo. The following year he rented a small brewery on Genesee street, in which he began brew-
ing the first lager beer made in Buffalo. His product was undoubtedly excellent, for it commanded
so generous a sale that in 1853 he found himself in circumstances that justified his purchase of the
land where the brewery is now situated, on Main and Washington streets, subsequently erecting the
extensive buildings on that site. The same year he purchased adjoining property, erected new build-
ings, and furnished them with all the latest improv<ements for the manufacture of this popular bev-
erage. The product of the first year after he began brewing on his own premises was only about
two thousand barrels. His establishment has now a capacity of fifty thousand barrels annually,
I20 History of Buffalo.
and the product does not fall very much short of that. The following description of his plant we
find in a local publication: —
" Located on both sides of Washington street, with a frontage of one hundred and sixteen
feel on Main street, the establishment is very extensive, and comprises the brewery on the west side,
with ice-house; on the east side a malt-house, ice-house and barn, with splendid facilities for the
manufacture of malt, to the extent of forty-tive thousand bushels yearly (in addition to which fifteen
thousand bushels are annually consumed from other sources), and an eouipment throughoot which
involves the finest machinery in the chemistry of malting and beer manufacturing. This machinery
has been applied by Mr. Ziegele after the most erudite research, and affords such facilities as are imrdy
concentrated in any one establishment. "
Since October ist, 1879, ^^- Ziegele has practically retired from the active management of his
extensive brewer>'. At that time his two sons — Albert Zi^elc, Jr., and William Ziegele. both of
whom were educated in the College of Applied Sciences, at Stuttgart, with especial reference to
their business, and Herman Grau, a son-in-law of Mr. Ziegele, were taken into the concern. Under
their management, the success oi the establishment, so solidly founded by their father, has been con-
tinued in a manner satisfactory to all tho&e interested.
During his business years, and since his partial retirement, Mr. Ziegele has not lived in idle-
ness. He has made several journeys to Europe, and when at home has devoted much time and
labor to the beautifying of the magnificent grounds surrounding his villa in this city — one of the
most charming places of residence in the country; its natural scenery is unsuri>assed, while labor
and money artistically expended have greatly added to its beauty.
In the advancement of the interests of his countrymen in Buffalo, as well as of the geneial
welfare of the city, Mr. Ziegele has always occupied a conspicuous position; his time, his efforts,
and his purse have ever been ready for either. He is a broad and liberal-minded man in all things
of a practical nature. He was the principal advocate who led the German Voung Men's Associa-
tion to purchase the ground on which now stands the magnificent music hall, and advanced liberally
of his own means for that purpose. He is a director in the German Bank and of the German Insnr-
ance Company of Buffalo, and has occupied numerous other offices of trust and responsibility, espe-
cially in the institutions and associations under direction of the Germans of the city. In all of these,
as well as in his large private business, Mr. Ziegele has maintained a character that is unblemished.
Mr. Ziegele was married on the 15th of September, 1846, to Miss Catharine .Schneider, who
died June 30, 1873. Their children are Albert Ziegele, Jr., William Ziegele, and Pauline, now
Mrs. Charles Keiss, of Carlsruhe, Baden, Germany; and Bertha, now Mrs. H. Grau. of Buffalo.
Mr. Ziegele in politics is a Republican, and has been a strong supporter of that party since its
organization in 1856, but has always refused political office, and notwithstanding his business in
manufacturing spirituous liquors has always been a very temperate man.
CHARLES EDWARD YOUNG was the third of ten children (and the thiid son) of Foster and
Valinda Young. He was through father and mother, of New England stock, on the paternal
side, originally, from near Londonderry, Ireland. His father was bom in Peterboro, N. H., and
was well trained for mercantile life by apprenticeship with Mr. Gray, a prominent business man of
Boston, Mass. In or not far from 1809, he came West in Mr. Gray*s employ to open trade with
the Indians and white pioneers, and located at the mouth of Cattaraugus creek, the point later
known as *' Mack's," where now is the village of Irving.
He married November 10, 1810, in Buffalo, Miss Valinda, daughter of General Samuel Fletcher,
of Townshcnd, Vt. She was then twenty years of age, having been bom May 9, 1790. and in the
summer of 1807 had come to Buffalo with her sister, Sophia, (Mrs. Samuel Pratt) mother of the
late Samuel F. Pratt, Lucius H. Pratt, and of Pascal P. Pratt.
In 1812, war breaking out, Mr. Young gave up his business, became and continued during
the war an army " forage-master," now termed ** sutler," removing his residence to Buffalo.
In the latter part of 1813, being obliged in the discharge of his duties to spend some time in
Chautauqua county, he took his wife and their eldest, and then only child, William F. Young, to
what is now Westfield, in that county, then called '* The Four Corners; " so that they were not in
Buffalo Village when it was burned December 30, 18 13.
After the close of the war, Mr. Young having first made an unsuccessful venture at milling in
Canada, became a resident of Williamsville, Erie county, N. Y., and there, October 26, 1816, the
subject of this sketch was born.
Biographical. 121
In 1825, Foster Voung removed to Buffalo, where he resided till his death, January 8, 185 1. at
the age of sixty-eight. Mrs. Young survived him till October 11, 1881, when she died in the ninety-
second year of her age. She was a lady of many marked excellences of character, and of bright
and winning ways, a fine example of those qualities, physical and mental, which shaped and gave
such efficiency to the pioneer life of these regions.
Of the children of Foster and Valinda Young, six are now living, viz: — William Fletcher,
already mentioned; Mehitable Elizabeth (Mrs. William Baldwin); Susan Jane (Mrs. James Reid);
Sophia Charlotte (Mrs. Robert Johnson); John Foster, and Samuel Warren. Francis Henry, the
second son, died in 1843 ; Fannie Maria, (Mrs. George Rickards), the youngest daughter, died
August 22, 1864, and one daughter, Cyrena Aurelia, died in infancy.
Charles £. Young attended the common school at Williamsville, till he was nine years of age,
then the common schools of Buffalo Village, finishing with a year at the Military Academy, kept in
what was formerly the Hospital building of the Sisters of Charity, on Main street, below Virginia.
He added much, however, to his knowledge by independent reading and study. The taste for and
habit of study was then permanently formed and was constant throughout his life; so that in later
years he was often seen book in hand when on his way to or from his place of business. At twelve
years of age he was allowed to follow his own inclinations and learned first of the watchmaker's trade
with Mr. Lazalier, and then that of bookbinding with the late O. G. Steele. The latter he chose
for his business. To this he gradually added printing, and finally the manufacture of blank books
and legal blanks as a specialty, in connection with a general stationer's business. At first he was
engaged for some years in the book store and bindery of Mr. Steele. Then after a shoj^t time spent in
Detroit, Mich., and Rochester, N. Y., he settled in Buffalo. Hen; he entered the employ of his next
elder brother, Francis H., who was a bookbinder, and was afterM'a^ds associated with him as part-
ner till his death in 1838. Then after twelve years in business alone, he had as partners, from 1850
to 1872, Messrs. John A. Lockwood and Robert Johnson, his brother-in-law. (first as Young, Lock-
wood & Co., then as Young, Lockwood & Johnson); and later Messrs. Lockwood and John C.
Adams, as Young, Lockwood & Co., for the remaining ten years of his life. These firms, of which
Mr. Young was the founder and leading member, have steadily maintained an enviable reputation
for enterprise and integrity, and hold an advanced rank among those in the same line of business
in the State.
In political affairs Mr. Young was a Whig, while the Whig party lived, and then as a Repub-
lican, was the upright citizen seeking to act through these organizations for the public gooa. In
church associations he was from early manhood a Presbyterian, being during his later years a member
of the North Church.
Mr. Young was for nearly thirty years a zealous member of the order of Free and Accepted
Masons, having been initiated in Queen City Lodge, No. 358, which he left in 1858 to become a charter
member of the Lodge of Ancient Landmarks, No. 441. He served his louge as Master during the
years 1863 and 1864. He was for several years Grand Junior Deacon of the Grand Lodge of the
Sute of New York, and in 1877, 1878 and 1879, was District Deputy Grand Master of the Twenty-
fifth Masonic District. He was also a member of Keystone Chapter No. 163, Royal Arch Masons,
of Buffalo Council R. & S. M., and of Hugh De Fayens Commandery No. 30, K. T. He had taken
the degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite up to and including the Thirty-second, and
belonged to Palmoni Lodge and Council here and to the Rochester Consistory.
Mr. Young was always the courteous, dignified gentleman, the warm and steadfast friend, and
as a citizen, faithful and upright. He was genial and gifted with fine discriminating taste. He
was specially fond of music, and was prominent in musical affairs in the city for a large part of his
life. He was both a " singer" and " player on instruments,'* and was leader of the North Church
choir for several years. In matters relating to public interests Mr. Young was earnest and active.
Among services that might be detailed, one is his ten years' membership of Red Jacket Engine Co.,
from July 6, 1836, to March 25, 1846. This was in the time of the old Volunteer Fire Department
when, with the less perfect methods and apparatus of that day the fireman's duty was of peculiar
difficulty and danger. He once in fact received so serious an injury in the discharge of his duty at
a fire that he never recovered from its effects. But the most noticeable feature of his public service
was his zealous and active interest in the affairs of the city and county. He was eminently a
public-spirited man, and it was therefore natural that his fellow-citizens should seek him as a repre-
122 EllSTORY OF BUFFALO.
sentative of their interests in public matters. This appreciation was manifested in 1854, when he
was elected Supervisor of the Tenth Ward, — an office which be held almost unintemiptedJj for
twenty-five years; and the varied duties of which he discharged with the utmost fidelity and under
the encouraging approval of his constituents. For several years he was Chairman of tbe Board,
and at times when matters of peculiar difficulty were concerned. He occupied this position at
the time of his death.
But the labor devolving upon him in this and other trusts and that connected with his own
business interests finally overtaxed his powers, and he was repeatedly warned by his physicians of
the great risk he was running. But he was not a man who would let personal considerations of any
nature interfere with the discharge of duty in important matters which had been intrusted to him;—
so he worked on, and finally, on the 29lh of September, 1882, after but a few hours of sickness, be
died as it may truthfully and most appropriately be said " in the harness."
Mr. Young was married May 27th, 1842, to Miss Aurora M. Barnes, of Buflfalo. Their first
child was Charles Edward who died in infancy. Their surviving children are Charles Fletcher,
Albert Barnes, George Foster, Clara Lavinia and Frederick Caryl.
Mr. Young was again married December 19. 1865, to Miss Katharine- Magoflfin, of Clarence,
Erie, Co., N. Y., who survives him.
CORNELIUS C. WYCKOFF, M. D. Cornelius C. Wyckoff was bom on the slh of August,
1822, at Romulus, Seneca County, N. Y. He is descended from Holland ancestors, his
grandfather having been Joseph Wyckoff, who settled in Pennsylvania. His grandmother's name
was Keziah Fore, who was of French parentage. His grandfather and grandmother made each
other's acquaintance while held as prisoners by the Indians, in Canada. They were married at
the close of the Revolutionary War. His father was Peter Wyckoff, and his mother's maiden name
was Anna Pruden. The early life of the subject of this sketch was passed at home in the routine of
farm life, with the exception of portions of each year in school. He early developed vigorous quali-
ties of mind and studious habits, which soon carried his educational attainments beyond the limits
of the common schools of that period. He then went to Lima, Livingston County, N. Y., where
he completed an academic education in the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary. Before the expiration
of this period, he had resolved upon making the study and practice of medicine his life-work. Accord-
ingly, soon after his graduation from the seminary, he entered the Geneva Medical College for his
first course of medical lectures. This was followed by two courses at the Buffalo Medical CoMcge,
from which he graduated as M. D., in 1848. Dr. Wyckoff began practice in Buffalo immediately
after his graduation and has continued the same until the present time, with the exception of a por-
tion of the year 1877, when he made a short European tour.
Dr. Wyckoff was married to Miss Frances Hall Hastings, daughter of Eurotas and Eroe Arms
Hastings, May 31, 1849. Their children are George S. Wyckoff, M. D., now a practicing physician
in Bradford, Pa., who was born April 11, 1850, and Cornelius Hastings Wyckoff, bom Sept. 22, 1859:
who is now in the dry goods business in Buffalo. Mrs. Wyckoff died June 29, 1869. Dr. Wyckoff
was again married to Miss Alice 1 indsley Hall, daughter of the late David A. and Abbey. (Els-
worth) Hall, of Washington, D. C, May 9; 1877.
In his profession Dr. Wyckoff has attained an enviable position, gaining alike the esteem and
confidence of those to whose aid he has been called, and the respect of his fellow practitioners. He
is a member of the American Medical Association; a member of the State Medical Society and a
member of the Buffalo Medical Association. He was president of the Erie County Medical Society
in 1858, and of the Buffalo Medical Association in 1876. He has been a member of the Board c(
Censors of the State Medical Society from 1870 to the present lime, and was for several years a dele-
gate from the State Medical Society to the American Medical Association. He has been attending
physician to the Buffalo General Hospital from its opening in 1858 to the present time.
Dr. Wyckoff has never held office of a political character, except that of Health Physician of
Buffalo. He is connected with Ascension Church, of which he has been a Vestryman several years;
he was also a Vestryman of St. Paul's Episcopal Church for a number of years.
Dr. Wyckoff is "now one of the circle of prominent physicians of Buffalo, whose professional
attainments, high personal character and social standing, give the medical profession of the city its
eminent position.
[vIDEX.
Abell, William Hawks, biographical sketch of,
(part II), 25.
Acacia Club, The, 648.
Academy of Music, 545.
Adams, James.biographical sketch of , (part II,)1
Adelphi, The, 545.
Adytum Chapter No. 258, 896.
Akron Lodge No. 427, 889.
Alden Lodge No 594, 889.
Allen, Lewis F., (see also Vol. 1,) 115.
Alien, Orlando, (see also Vol. 1,)79.
American Tanner, The, 844.
Amherst Lodge No. 429, 857.
Amusements, first public, 542.
Ancient and Accepted Rite of Masonry, 406.
Andrews, Major A., 468.
Attorneys, early, 458.
circuit riding, 408.
present pracucing, 485.
Aurora, The, 157.
Austin, Benjamin H., Br., 472.
Austin, Stephen G., 460.
Austin, Stephen Goodwin, biographical sketcJi
of, (part II,) 1.
Babcock, George R. , 464,
Bail^, Daniel £., biographical sketch of (part
n),26.
Baker, Albert L., 481.
Baker, first in Buffalo, 88.
Banks, first in Erie county, 221.
Bank of Niagara, 228.
TheU. S.,228.
of Attica, 229.
The Manufacturers' and Traders', 230.
The Marine of Buffalo. 281.
White's of Buffalo, 281.
The Third National, '282.
Farmers' and Mechanics' National, 282.
The Merchants' of Buffalo, 282.
of Commerce, 288.
of Buffalo, 288.
German of Buffalo. 288.
The Gherman American, 284.
Erie County Savings, 884.
The Buffalo Sayings, 284.
The Western Savings of Buffalo, 285.
The National Savings, 285.
Barker, George P., 469.
Barker, Judge Zenas, 89.
Barton, Hiram, 481.
Barton Lodge, No. 442, Black Rock, 858.
Beaver Island Association, The, 548.
Bench and Bar of Erie County. 452-487.
Bennett, David S., biographical sketch of,
(part II,) 2.
Bennett, Philander, 459.
Bennett, Philander, biographical sketoh of,
(part II,) 5,
Best Street Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum
School, 821.
Billiard tables, manufacture of, 256.
Birge, Martin H.', biographical sketch of.
(partll.)61.
Black Joe, 18.
Black Rock before 1812, 58.
Black Rock cannonaded, 67.
Blacksmith, the first, 28.
Blazing Star Lodge, No. 294, 855.
Blazing Star Lodge No. 694, 889.
Board of Health, first, 521.
Board of Trade, 211.
Boots and Shoes, manufacturers and whole-
salers of, 258.
Boundaries of the wards when the city was
first organized, 114.
Bowen, Dennis, 480.
Brayton, Samuel Nelson, biographical sketch
of. (part n,) 6.
Brewer, first, 162.
Brewing and Malting interest. The, 246.
Burning of Buffalo in 181S-'14, incidents dur-
ing, 65.
Bristol, Dr. Moses, 421.
Brooks, Wells, 471.
Brush, Alexander, biographical sketch of.
(part, II.) 8.
Bryant A Stratton Business College, 824.
Bryant, Reuben, 482.
Buffalo and Black Rock united, 122.
Buffalo Association of Fire Underwriters, 275.
Buffalo Chapter No. 71, 894.
Buffalo Classical School, 824.
Buffalo Club, The, 546.
Buffalo Council No. 17, R. and S. M., 400.
124
History of Buffalo.
Baifalo, descriptioii of the deitnictioii of in
1813-14, 58-61.
Buffalo Female Academy, 838.
Buffalo Ckrman Inauranoe Company, The, 872.
Buffalo Oennan Roman Gathiriic Asylum,
654.
Buffalo Hydraulic Company, 102.
Buffalo Insurance Company, 278.
Buffalo in 1811, deKribed by John MeUah, 49.
Buffalo in 1800, 22.
in 1814, 72.
in 1820, 79.
in 1825, description of, by 8. Ball, 98.
in 1882, 106,
inoorporatod as a village, 78.
in 1886, description of, by Rev. Geo.
W. Hosmer, 117.
in 1861, description of, by Ouy H.
Salisbuiy, 128.
Buffalo incorporated as a city, 104.
Buffalo Loan, Trust and Safe Deposit Com-
pany, 286.
Buffalo Lodge No. 87. I. O. O. F., 411.
Buffalo, map of. in 1804, 27.
Buffalo Orphan Asylum School, 821.
Buffalo Scale Works, 256.
Buffalo, town of, formed, 46.
Buffalo village, map of inner lots, 81.
Buffalo village, map of outer lots. 80.
Buffalo Wire Fence Company. 256.
Builders' hardware, manufacture of, 257.
Bull. Absalom, 464.
BuUetin, 845.
Burial, first in Buffalo, 502.
first land used for, 602.
Burwell. Dr. Bryant, 424.
Butler, Edward Hubert, biographical sketch of,
(part n.) 47.
Burwell, Bryant, biographical sketch of, (part
II,) 10.
Butcher, the first, 42.
Caldwell, Samuel, 468.
Callender, Amos, 41.
Canals and basins, by whom constructed. 96.
Canisius College. 822.
Captains, early vessel, 1^.
Capitular Masonry, 393-100.
Catholic Institute. 640.
Catholic Union, The, 843.
Car-wheels, manufacture of. 267.
Carriages, manufacture of children's. 268.
Carriages, manufacture of, 269.
Caryl. Benjamin. 43.
Cemeteries, 602.
Bethel. 607,
Soldiers' burial places. 607.
Bid well farm burying ground. 606.
Black Rock burial ground. 606.
Black Rock Oerman Methodist Epis-
copal Church, 606.
Cold Spring burying ground. 508.
Delaware and North Street burial
ground, 603,
The Potters' field. 504.
Concordia. 60(i.
Forest Lawn, 609.
Holy Cross. 607.
Holy Rest, 606,
Cemeteries,
New 8L Loois, 606.
Old St Louis, 606.
Old BL IfaiT's, 606.
St. Francis Xavier, 566.
St. John's Choich, 505.
St Joseph's, 507.
St Matthew's Chnrch, 506.
the Matthews and WOoox barying
grounds, 505.
United Gennan and Frencb Oatholic,
607.
Zion Church, 606.
Center Lodge, No. 866, 856.
Chapin, Dr. Oyrenius, 22, 29.
Chapin, Dr. Daniel, 45.
(Chapin, RosweU, 469.
Chittenden. Martin, 464.
ChritHan Advoeaie, The, 843.
ChriitUchs Woehe The, 167.
Cholera scourge of 1882, 114.
of 1849, 121.
Churches of Buffalo, 276.
African Methodist Episcopal, 900.
All Saints (Episcopal,) 289.
Asbury Methodist EpiMsopal, 295.
Bethel Synagogue, 808.
Beth Jacob. 809.
Brith Sholem, 809.
Breckenridge Slieet Presbyterian, 281 .
CalvaiT Presbyterian, 281.
Central Presbyterian, 278.
Christ (£pis<^pal,) 286.
Cold Spring Union Chapel, 802.
Dearborn Street Chapel, 294.
Delaware Avenue Baptist, 292.
Delaware Avenue Methodist Epiaoo-
pal,297.
East Avenue Presbytoian. 282.
Eagle Street Methodist Episcopal, 298.
Emanuel Baptist, 298.
First Congreeatioual, 284.
First Methodist Episcopal, 294.
First Presbyterian. 276.
First Reformed Church of Bulbdo,
(Holland,) 802.
First United Presbyterian, 284.
First Unitarian Congregational, The,
301.
First Free Methodist, 299.
Oennan Evanselical Friedens. 172.
German Baptfet 178.
German Methodist Episcopal, 179.
Grace (Episcopal.) 288.
Grace Methodist Episcopal. 294.
Glenwood Methodist Episcopal, 298.
Hudson Street Baptist, 292.
I^afayette Street Presbyterian, 277.
Michigan Street Baptist (colored,) 294.
North Street Presbyterian, 280.
of Christ, 801.
of the Holy Angels, 806.
of Our Lady of Mercy, 306.
of the Ascension, (Episcopal,) 288.
of the Immaculate Conception, 306.
of the Messiah, (Universalist,) 800.
of the Seven Dolon, Roman Catholic.
167.
Index.
125
ChurcliMy
of the Sacred Heart, Ronun Oatholic,
168.
Plymoutli MethodletEpiflOOiMa, 206,
Piospect Ayenue BAptfat, 291.
RlTenlde Methodiet Episcopal, Black
Bock, S96.
81 Anne's Roman Oatholic, 166.
8i. Andnfir's Gennan Srangelical
Lutheran, 177.
St Boniface Boman Oatholic, 164.
St. Bridget's, 806.
Si. Frands Xavier, Roman Catholic,
166.
St James' (Episcc^,) 286.
St John's Bran^cal, 172.
St. John's (Episcopal,) 287.
St Johns Gennan Erangelical Luth-
eran, 168.
St John the Baptjst, 805.
St Joseph's Boman Catholic, 308.
St Luke'« (Episcopal,) 289.
St Louis Boman Catholic, 168.
St Lucas German Evangelical, 172
St Marcus Gennan United Evangeli-
cal. 174.
St Mai7'fr-on-4he-Hi)l, (Episcopal,)
St. Mary's Boman Catholic, 161.
St Mark's Methodist Episcopal, 297,
St Matthew's United Evangelical Prot-
estant, 171.
St Michael's Boman Catholic, 166.
St Nicholas Boman Catholic, 167.
St Patrick's (Franciscan Friars, ) 804.
St Peter's German United Evangeli-
cal, 170.
St. Paul's (Episcopal.) 286.
St Paul's United Evangelical, 169.
St Peter's French Catholic, 804.
St Phillip's (colored Episcopal,) 290.
St. Bteimen's 806.
St Stephen's Evangelical, 169.
St Stanislaus (Polish,) 806.
St. Vincent's Roman Catholic, 167.
Lutheran Trinity, 177.
8alem*8 Evangelical Beformed, 178.
The Cedar .Street Baptist, 298.
The Friends, 801.
Trinity, (Episcopal,) 286.
Washmgton Baptist, 290.
Well's Street Chapel, 288.
Westminster Presbyterian, 279.
West Side Presbvterian, 288.
Zion Evangelical Befonned, 178.
Ch'urch Charity Foundation School, 821
Church Charity Foundation Asylum, 668.
Church service, first in Buffalo, 28.
Church society, formed in 1809, 48.
City Civil list, 186.
City Club of Buffalo, The, 546.
City Officials, first ones elected, 118.
Clark, John Whipple, biographical sketch of,
(part n,) 10.
Clark, Thomas, biographical sketch of, (part
n,) 12.
Clarke, Charles K, 481.
Clary, Joseph, 462.
Clothing, manufacture of, 26i8.
Coal trade. The, 201.
Coit, George, 46.
Coit, Ctoorge, biographical sketch of, (part n,)
0>ld summer, 77.
(Tolegrove, Dr. BelaH., 421.
Commerce and Navigation, 180-214.
Qmm&reial Adtertimr, The Daily, first issued.
828.
Commercial prospects of Buffalo, 196.
Concordia Lodge No. 148, 867.
(Toncord Lodge, No. 846, 866.
Concordia Lodge, No. 189,. L O. O. F., 412
Conflagration, early, 108.
Contractor's store, 39.
Convents, 826.
Cook, Eli, 474.
Cook,Baphael,45.
(Tomwdi, Francis £.. 488.
County and Oily buildings, 127.
Coun^ seat first located in Buffalo, 41.
Courts and Court houses, early, 77.
Oinmej\ The, 882.
(3ourt House, fliit built, 41.
Courts, dttes of establishing the various, 464.
as at present constituted, 486.
first in Erie county, 453.
Creswell, John A., biographical sketch of.
(partn,) 46.
Crocker, James, 472.
(Tryptic Masonry. 400.
Curtenius, John L., 488
Custer Lodge, No. 145. K. P., 418.
Cutler, Abner, biographical sketch of, (part II,)
16.
Daboll Garrett C, biographical sketch of.
(p«tn,)18.
Davis, Isaac, 48.
Defences of Buffalo, War of 1812, 67.
Ikmokrat, The. 165.
DeMolay Lodfff, No. 498, 887.
Dental Profession of Buffalo, 447.
Description of Buffalo in 1795, 20.
in 1798, 19.
in 1801, 26.
in 1804, 87.
in 1806, 40.
in 1809, 44.
in 1811, 47.
Description of the climate in 1825, 14.
Dipk, Kobert, biographical sketch of, (part II,)
19.
Directory, first issued, 108.
Dispensary and Hospital, the Buffalo t^vi-
dent, 652.
Dispensary, the Buffalo City, 551.
District Deputy Grand Masters, 891.
Districts, organization of various, 814
Districts, present condition of each, 818.
Ei^le Loc^ No. 69, K. P., 418.
Eagle Street Theatre. 548.
East Buffalo Lodge No. 855, L O. O. F., 412.
Edge Tools, manufacture of, 259.
Educational Institutions, 809^26.
Electric Light Company, 529.
Elevators, grain, 214-222.
Ellicott, Joseph, 28, 20.
126
History of Buffalo.
Endowment Aank, K. of P., 418.
Endowment Rite of E. of P., 418.
Engines, Threshers, etc., manufacture of, 268.
Erie Canal, Buffalo made the western termi-
nus, 96.
Erie Degree Lodge No. 8, L O. O. P., 412.
Erie Lodge No. 161, 870.
Erie County Mutual Lasurance Company, 278.
Esther Rebekah Degree Lodge No. 8, 1. O. O.
P.. 412.
Evangelical Church Home, 558.
EYangelical Lutheran St. John's Orphan's
Home, 654.
Evans Lodge No. 261. 878.
Eveninq JUpuUk, The. 884.
Execution of deserters, 70.
Eye and Ear Infirmary, 660.
Falconwood Company, The, 647.
Fargo, Jerome freeman, biographical sketch
of, (Wirt n,) 22,
Pargo, William George, biographical sketch
of. (part n.) 54.
Fenian Invasion of Canada, 126.
Ferry, 89.
Fidelity Lodge, K. P , 418.
Fillmore, Millard, (also see Vol. I.) 96, 466.
Fine Arts Academy, 541.
Fire Department, 618, 628.
First Church of the Evangelical Association of
North America, 174.
First Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Congrega-
tion, "Unaltered Augsburg Confession,"
176.
First house erected, 14.
First settler, 16.
First white child bom in Buffalo, 19.
Flint, Dr. Austin. 482.
Folsom, Oscar, 488.
Ford, ElHah, 464.
Fortune Lodge No. 788, 891.
Forwarding and storage firms, early, 188.
Forward, Oliver, 46, 460.
Fraternal Censor, The, 344.
Fraternal Lodge No. 626, 889.
Friendship Lodge No. 487, Collins Centre, I.
O. O. P., 412.
Free Masonry, history of its rise and growtb in
Erie county, 861-410.
Freie Presee The, 166.
Furniture manufacture, 242.
Oale, disastrous in 1844, 120.
Gas Companies. 528.
Ganson, John, 478.
Gates, George B., biographical sketch of, (part
n,) 28.
Gay, O. C.P.,M. D., 661.
Gay, Charles Curtis Fenn, M. D., bfographical
sketch of, (part II,) 21.
Oaeetie, The Buffalo, 60.
Gazette, The, 827.
Germania Chapter No. 256, 397.
Germain, Rollin, 479.
German American Bank, The, 161.
German Bank. The, 161.
German, Bundes Lodge, No. 190, I. O. O. P.,
412.
German English Lutheran Church of the
Holy Trinity, 178.
German intereilB of Buffalo, 150-179.
German Insurance Company, The Bofialo, 162.
German Luthermn Toon^ Mens' AsBodation,
160.
German Musical Societies, 160.
German newspaper, the fliat, 154.
German secret societies, 161.
German settlers, first, 152.
German Young Men's Association, 157.
Glenny William H., biographical sketch of (part
ir,)a6.
Glucose, manufacture of, 255.
Gould, Sylvanus O., 484.
Grain, early methods of handling, 915.
Granger, Erastus, 29.
Grant, Vincent, 89.
Gray, David, 886.
Greene, Joseph C, bfographical sketch of, (part
Greene,' William H., 476.
Greene, William Henry, biiwraphical sketch of,
(part II.,) 27.
Grosvenor. Abel M., 47.
Grosvenor Library, 686.
Chiard of Honor, The, 846.
Gumey, WiUiam, H., 480.
Guthrie, Solomon Sturges, biographical sketch
of, (part II,) 102.
Haddock, Lorenzo K., 488.
Hall, Nathan E., 470.
Hamburg, Union Store Lodge, No. 484, 867.
Hamilton, Dr.. Frank H., 4&.
Hanunond, William W., biographical sketch of,
(part II,) 80.
Harbor, construction of the first, 81-92.
Harbor improvements, first work done, 80.
Hardware, manufacture of, 258.
Harmonic Lodge. No. 699, 890.
Harrison, James Cooke, biographical sketch of,
(partn.,) 76.
Harrison, Jonas, 456.
Hart. EU, 45.
Harugari, order of, 161.
Hatch, Israel T., 471.
Hat manufacturing, first in Buffalo, 47.
Haven, Solomon G., 468.
Heacock, Reuben B., 47.
Health Department, 621.
Heathcote School, 824.
Held, Frederick, biographical sketch of (part
n.) 47.
Hiram Lodge, No. 106. 360.
Historical Society, 584.
Hodge, William, 86.
Holmes, Edward and Britain, biographical
sketch of (partn.) 81.
Hospital, Homeopathic, 560.
Homeopathic Medical Society, 445.
Hospital, Buffalo General, 549.
Hospital of the Sister's of Charity. 560.
Hotels of Buffalo. 268.
Howard, Austin A. , 482.
Howard, Ethan H., biographical sketch oi,
(part II.,) 32.
Howard, George, biographical sketch of (part
n.,)32.
Howard, Rufus L., biographical sketch of,
(part IL,) 84,
Index.
127
Houghton, George W., 481-
Hoysington, Job, death of, 67.
Hoyt, James G., 477.
Hubbell, John, 482.
Hugh de Payena Commandery, No. 30, 401.
Hunt, Dr. Sanford B., 441.
Immorality of Buffalo in early days 48.
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 411.
Indians, anecdotes of, 71.
Indians, Mrs. Ransom's bravery with, 10.
Indians, Samuel Pratt's experience, 34.
Indians, murder committea, 23.
Ingleside Home, The, 552.
International Lodge No. 164, 413.
Iron manufacture, 238.
Jail, first built, 41.
Jewett, Elam K., biographical sketch of, (part
II.) 36.
Jewett, Sherman 8., biographical sketch of,
(part n,) 40.
Johnson, Dr. Ebenezer, 42.
Johnston, William, 16.
Journalism in Black Rock, 345.
Journalism in Buffalo, 326.
Journalism in Buffalo, The mortuary record of
papers, 846.
Journal, The, 829.
Jubilee Water Works Company, 108.
Eean, Thomas. 335.
Eetchum, Henry, Zebulon and Jesse, 42.
Keystone Council No. 20, R and 8. M., 398.
Keystone Chapter No. 163, 396.
Kindergarten and Training School, 324.
King David Encampment, I. O. O. F., 4l2.
Kip, Henry, biographical sketch of, (part II,)
44.
KnighU of Pythias, 413.
Krettner Street Church. Second Evangelical
Association, 175.
Lake Erie Commandery No. 20, 401.
Lake Erie Lodge No. 485, L O. O. F., 412.
Lake Marine in 1816, 183.
Luidon, Joseph, 89.
Land-owners in 1804, 82.
Lane, Easekiel, 17.
Lang, Gerhard, biographical sketch of, (part
n.)77.
Albert P., 478.
Law tStoniy, Eighth Judicial District, 540.
Leather Industry, The. 244.
Le Couteulx, Louis Stephen, 36.
Le Couteulz St. Mary's Institution for the in-
struction of deaf mutes, 558.
Leech, EUjah, 40.
Lianoourt, Duke de la Rochefoucauld, visit of
in 1795, 17.
Library. The first organized, 580.
Literary Associations, 580.
Live stock trade. The, 209.
Living Stone Lodge No. 255. 377.
Livingston Lodge No. 416. 857.
Lodge of the Ancient Landmarks No. 441,
387.
Lotus Club, The, 547.
Loveioy. Mrs., murder of at the destruction of
Buffalo, 66.
Lovejqy, Joehua, 48.
Love, Thomas C, 458.
Loyal Lodge No. 480, L O. O. F., 412.
Lumber Interest. The. 199.
Lumber World, Jhe. 344.
Lutheran Young Men's Association, 540.
Lyceum, the first organized, 531.
Lynde, Uri C, biographical sketch of, (part
II,) 46.
Lyth. John, biographical sketch of, (part II,)
47.
McCune, Charles Willard, biographical sketch
of, (part II,) 48.
Mack. Norniau E.. biographical sketch of,
(part II,) r>0.
Magdalene Asylum, The. 554.
MHDDing, John Baker, biographical sketch of,
(part 11) 51.
Masonic Life lusurauce. 405.
Marshall, Dr. John E.. 46. 420.
Marshall, Dr. John Ellis, biographical sketch
of, (part II,) 52.
Marshall, Orsamus Holmes, biographical sketch
of (part n.,) 53.
Marvin, George L. , 484.
Masonic Board of Relief, 405.
Masonic Fraternity— prominent members of :—
Nelson Randall, 406 : Benjamin H.
Austin, 406 ; LeRoy Farnham, 406 ;
William Gould, 406; Gustavus A.
Scroggs. 406 ; Robert N. Brown, 4J6 ;
James McCredie. 406 ; David F. Day,
407 ; Christopher G. Fox, 407 ; Charles
£. Young, 408 ; John B. Sackett, 408 ;
John C. Graves, 408 ; John A. Lock-
wood, 408.
Masonic Life Insurance. 405.
Masonic participation in various public cere-
monies, 408.
Masonic Societies of Erie County, 351.
Masonry, Ancient and Accepted Rite, 405.
Masten, Joseph G., 474.
Mather, David, 40.
Matthews. James N., biographical sketch of
(part II.,) 56
Matthews, James N. , 340.
Maybee, Sylvanus, 19.
Mechanic's Institute, 539.
Mechanical Society or^nized in 1812, 51.
Medical and Sivrgieal Journal, The, 344.
Medical Profession of Erie County, 414>447.
Mercantile Review and Live Stock Journal, The,
348.
Mesmer Michael, biographical sketch of (part
n.,) 57.
Middaugh, Martin, 17.
Miller, Captain Frederick S., 189.
Miller, Major Frederick, 54.
Milling interest. The, 251.
MiUing World, The, 344.
Mixer, Sylvester Frederick, biographical sketch
of (part II.,) 58.
Modern Age, The, 345.
Modestia Lodge, No. 340, 379.
Moore, Augustus C, biographical sketch of,
(part if.,) 59.
Moral Society of Buffalo, Resolution of in 1811.
48.
Morning Emrese, The, 336.
Moseley, WUliam A., 458.
128
History of Buffalo.
Moulton, John F., biographical sketch of, (part
II.,) 59.
Mount VemoD Encampment,. No. ft, I. O. O.
F , 412.
MuHett, Jamm, 469.
Murder, the flrst in Buffalo, 28.
Names of streets in the original survey, 26.
New Amsterdam, Map of m 1804, 27.
New Era Lodge, No. 410, L O. O. F., 412.
Newman, Dr. James M. , 440.
Newspaper the first, 50.
Niagara Chapter, No. 71, 398.
Niagara Lodge, No. i>5, I. O. O. F., 411.
Niagara Stamping and Tool Company, 266.
Nichols Asher P., 478.
Normal School, The, 322.
Northern Star Lodge. No. 468, I. O. O. F.,
412.
Norton, Ebenezer F., 458.
Norton, Charles D. , 476.
Norton Charles Davis, biographical sketch of,
(part n.,)60.
Nov, John T., biographical sketch of, (part
' II.) 61.
Occidental Lodge, No 766, 390.
O'Connor, Joseph, 836.
Odd Fellows Benevolent Association, 411.
Odd Fellows, Independent Order of, 411.
Odd Fellows Relief AsHOciation, 411.
Odin Lodge, No. 178, L O. O. F., 412.
Olmstead, Charles G., 457.
Our Becord, 345.
Palmer George, biographical sketch of, (part
n.,)68.
Palmoni Council of Princes of Jerusalem, 405.
Palmoni Lodge of Perfection, 405.
Parish Lodge, No. 292, 879.
Park Svstem of Buffalo. 487->')0l,
Park, first movement towards its establshment,
489.
first person prominently interested, 489.
report of Frederick Law Oknstead, 491.
present area of, 501.
Parker Perry G., 481.
Patriot, The, 328.
Patriot War. 117.
Peace restored, 75.
Pease, Sheldon, biographical sketch of, (part
n.,)74.
Personal property, valuation of, from 1865 to
1888, 148.
Phelps, Orson, biographical sketch of, (part
n.) 64.
Phelps, Zerah, 36.
Physidafis' and Surgeons* Investigatory The,
345.
Planine-mills of Buffalo, 256.
Police Department, 519.
Polo Club The Buffalo, 547.
Pomeroy, Ralph M.. 45.
Population in 1820, 79.
Population in 1830, 104.
Population in 1845, 121.
Population of Buffalo since 1810, 149.
Porter, Barton A Co.. 65.
Porter, General. 76.
Porter Lodge, 357,
Postal service, 526, 528.
Port of Entry, BuJEalo made a, 182.
Post Route, first established, 87.
PoUer, Henoan B., 47, 456.
Potter, William Warren, biographical sketch
of, (part II.) 66.
Pratt, Gorham Flint, biographical sketch of,
(part II.) 70.
Pratt, Dr. Ck>rham F., 426.
Pratt, Pascal P., biographical sketch of, (part
n,) 87.
Pratt, Samuel F., biographical sketch of, (part
II.) 67.
Pratt, Samuel, 33.
Providence Lunatic Asylum, The. 554.
Purchasers of lots in the original survey. 107.
Putnam. James O., biographical sketch of.
(part n.) 69.
Baty Lodge No 358, 382.
CUy, The, 348.
ell, Orrin P., biographical sketch of.
(part II,) 71.
Ransom, Asa, 18.
Rathbun, Benjamin, 226.
Real Estate, valuation of from 1855 to 1883,
148.
Real Estate, prices of from 1804 to 1820, 32.
Reese, David, 28.
Red Jacket Lodge No 238, I. O. O. F., 413.
Recorder's Court, 118.
Refrigerators, manufacture of, 254.
Reinecke, Ottomar, biographical sketch of,
(part II.) 118.
Religious Associations, 530.
Reybum, Thomas C, 484
Richmond, Jewett Melvin, biographical sketch
of. (part II,) 72.
Riot of soldiers at Pomeroy's Hotel, 1812, 61.
Rivalry between Buffalo and Black Rock, 93.
Riverview Pickle and Vinegar Works, The, 259.
Robbins, William, 20.
Rochester, Dr. Thomas F., 442.
Rockwell. Augustus, biographical sketch of.
(part IL) 88.
Rogers, Henry W., 473.
Rogers, Henry W., biographical sketch of,
(part II,) 77.
Rogers, Sherman S., biographical sketch of,
(part II,) 79.
Rohr, Mathias, biographical sketch of, (part
II,) 80.
Root, John, 456.
Rumrill, Henry, biographical sketch of, (part
IL)8l.
St. Francis Asylum, The, 554.
Si. John, Gamaliel, 44.
St. John, Mrs. Gamaliel, her experience during
the destruction of Buffalo 68.
St. John's Orphan Aaylum and Sdiool, 321.
St. Joseph's Ck>llege. 825.
St. Joseph's Male Asylum, The, 558.
St. Mary's Academy and Industrial School, S25.
St. Mary's Asylum for Widows, Foundlings
and Infants, The, 553.
St. Mary's Male and Female Orphan Asylum,
The. 562.
St. Vincent's Asylum, (Female^ 553.
St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum School, 321.
Saddlery Hardware, manufacture of. 256.
Index.
129
Ssle of lots in 1804, 82.
Salisbiuy, Aaion, 479.
Samo, Dr. James B., 438.
Sardinia Lodge No. 842, 856.
Saying and Aid AgaodatlonB in BnfCalo, 287.
Sawin, Albert, 477.
Scheu, Solomon, biograidiical sketch of, (part
n,)84.
Schodlko]^, Jacob F., biographical sketch of,
(part n,) 86.
School boilding, flrst, 812.
School, first taught, 810.
School of Praetice, 821.
Schools, early, 811.
Schools, Parochial and Church, 326.
Second yisit of the British, 68.
Sewerage System, 129.
Seymour, Horatio, Jr., 474.
Sheldon, James, 467.
Sherwood, Thomas T., 466.
Ship-building, 196.
Shipping interests, 1800 to 1812, 181.
Shumway, Horatio, 461.
Sill, Seth £., 478.
Skinner, John B., biographical sketch of, (part
II,)86.
Skide, Hany, 462.
Slayeiy in Buifalo, 79.
Smith Henry E., 470.
Smith, Moses, biographical sketch of, (part U,)
89.
Smith, Sheldon, 468.
Smith, William H., biographical sketch of,
(part H) 90.
Soap, manufacture of, 286.
Society of Natural Sciences, 641.
Speculation in 1886-'36, 224.
Sprague, Dr. Alden S., 426.
Springyille Chapter, No. 118, 394.
Springyille Chapter No. 276, 898.
Springville Lodro No. 861, 382.
Standard and J&yal Tnnplar, The, 344.
Stanard, Asa, 66.
Starch, manufacture of, 269.
Steamboats, early, 187.
Steamboat, first, 185.
Steyens, Frederick P., 467.
Steyenson, Edward L., biographical sketch of,
(part II.) 90.
Stewart, Robert G., biographical sketch of,
(part n,) 92.
Storrs, Juba, 43.
Stow, Horatio J., 467.
Street Railways, 629.
Strong, John C, 478.
Stryker, James, 472.
Stuttgart Encampment No. 70, 1. O. O. F. 412.
awn&y Mcmmg Netes, The, 341.
Superior, first trip, 92.
SuperyiBorsof Buffalo, 180.
Surgical Infirmary, The Buffalo, 661.
Suryeys on the Holland Purchase, 20.
Suryeys of 1808, 1804, 26.
TeUgraph, The Eyening, 842.
Templar Hasoniy, 401.
Tax Teyied each year from 1866 to 1888, 148.
Thayer, Edwhi, 488.
Theatre, first, 642.
Thompson, Benoni, 476.
Tillinghast, Dyer, 462.
Tillinghast, James, biographical sketch of, (part
Thompson, Sheldon, biographical sketch of,
(part n,) 97.
Tifft, Qeorge W., biographical sketch of. (part
n,)l04.
limes. The Sunday, 342.
Titneti, The Mominff, 342.
Tonawandn Lodge No. 247, 377.
Townsend, Judge Charles, 47, 461.
Townsend, Chivies, biographical ^etch of,
(part II,) 108.
Tracy, Albert H., 76, 475.
Tragic incident at Black Rock ferry, 08.
Transcript, The Daily, 342.
Transportation Companies, 199.
Treat, Dr. William, 4.S8.
Trianrfe Lodge No. 92, K. P., 418.
Trowbridge. Dr. Josiah, 46, 419.
Truih, The Sunday, 342.
Tucker, Chauncey, 484.
Tug fleet, 198.
Tupper, Samuel, 39.
Tumverein, tlic Buffalo, ICO,
TVpe foimdiy, 260.
Union Lodge No. 139, K. P.. 413.
Unknown Social Club, The, 648.
Union Fire Insurance Company, 278.
UniUd Fnends, The, 344.
Urban, George, biographical sketch of, (part
U,) 109.
Utley, Horace, biographical sketch of, (part II.)
109.
Yerplanck, Isaac A., 476.
Vessels enrolled in 1816, 1819, 184.
Vessels, first sailing on Lake Erie, 181.
Village Ordinances, 78.
Village Ciyil list, 133.
Volktfreund, The, 166.
Vosburgh, Peter M., 472.
Wacfiejide Kvrche, The, 166.
Wahle's Opera House, 646.
Walden, Ebenezer, 39, 466.
Walhalla Lodge, No. 91, 1. O. O. F.. 412.
Walker, Jesse, 476.
Walk-in'tfi&-Water, 186.
first trip, 79.
wrecked, 89.
Wall paper manufacturer of, 269.
Waterworks, 628-626.
Warren, Edward 8., 471.
Warren, James D., 881.
Warren, James JO., biographical sketch of,
(part n,) 110.
Warren, Joseph, biographical sketch of, (part
n.) 110.
Wells, Chandler J., biographical sketch of,
(part II.) 112.
Welch, Thomas C, 478.
Western Eleyating Company, 217*
West Orb of Light Lodge. 866.
Whig, The, 829.
White, Dr. James P., 427.
White, Heniy, 468.
White, Russell Jesse, biographical sketch of,
(part n,) 115.
130
History of Buffalo.
Watoon, Stephen Van Renaselaer, biographical
sketch of, (partn,) 118.
Wholesale Trade of Bulfalo. the, 900.
Wilcox, Dr. Oharles H., 408.
Wilkeson, Samael. 4fi9.
Willett, James M.. 479.
Williains Academy forbojs, 095.
Williams, Gibson T., bk^phical sketch of,
(part n,) 116.
Williamsville Lodge, No. 844, 882.
Wells, Joseph. 86.
Winne, Dr. Charles, 496.
Winner, Cornelius, 16.
Wire cloth, manotactiire of, 909.
Wri|4it, Alfied P., biographical aketdi of,
Tpwt BU) 117.
Wyckoff, Cornelius C, M. D., biogrnihicil
sketch of. (part IL) 122.
Yacht Club, TheBoifalo, 649.
Young. Charles Edward, biographical sketch
of, (part II,) 120.
Young Men's Association, 681.
Young Men's Catholic Association. 689.
Young Men's Christian Asaociatfcm, 687.
ZionLodge, No. 614, 888.
Zeach, Frank H., biognq^hical aketeh of, (psit
II,)119.
2asgele, Albert, 8r., biographical sketch of,
(pwt n,) 119.
INDEX
OF THE
CITY OF BUFFALO
AND
ERIE COUNTY,
Index to History of Buffalo and Erie County, New York
CompUed by Ridgway McNallie.
Index of Names
ABBEY, ABBEE
, II 544-545
Abel, I 618-619
Emory C, 11 397
Jane Ann Eveline, I 717
Jehial, t 647
Luther, I 619
MeUnda, I 618-619
Simeon, I 717
ABBOTT
, I 514
Allen, I 607
Chauncey, I 235,
301, 522, 526,
530-531, 533-534,
571, 738-39
Frank A.. I 739
Frank B. . I 534
George, I 302, 349,
516, 518-19, n
388, 442
George S., I 739
Harriet, I 748
Harry, I 422
John A., 1610
John P., I 739
L. H. , I 533
Louisa, I 740
Lucy, I 485
Mary, I 598
Mary E., I 739
O*. I 386
O. A., I, 375
Sally, I 697
Samuel, I 122, 513,
516, 516, 532,
534, 594, 597-
98, 607, 738
Samuel, Jr., I 526
Samuel M., n 431
Sarah, I 744» 750
Seth, I 122, 513,
522, 526, 534p
534, 739; n 355-
356
SethA., I 739
Sylvester, I 607
Webster, I 607
William H., I 739
ABELL, ABEL. ABLE,
ABELE, ABEEL
— , II 193
Alice Louise, B 26
Benjamin, B 25
Caleb, B 25
Charles, I 523
Charles Lee, B 26;
I 305; II 267, 549
CordeUa, I 760
George, II 179
Harriet Eiiza, B 26
Helen M. , B 26
John, I 65; H 133
Mrs. Rhoda, B 25
Simon, B 25
Thomas, B 25
Thomas Grisvold, B
25
WUliam Hawks, I 12;
II 212, 217, 235;
B 25-26
ABELL continued
WUliam Oliver, B 26
ABRAHAMER
Louisa, I 763
ACKERMAN
Mrs. Agnes, I 762
7!I?rstopher, I 710,
762
Gottlieb, I 762
ACKLEY
, I 454
ADAM, ADAMS
, I 613; II 201,
347; B 60
A. C, I 636
A. J., 1623
Abner, H 296
Abner S. , I 479
Albert, I 480, 482
Albert H., 11 388,
395
Allen M., I 241, 247
AlvinH., I 743
Amelia, I 767
Asa J., I 477-478
Mrs. Asuba, I 743
ITk.. I 368, 373
Benjamin Frankllii,
I 718
C. W., I 578
Carl, I 333, 437;
II 160, 323
Charles, I 718
Charles Francis, I
226-27; B 38
Chester, I 490
Clara E., I 749
CoraM., I 758
O. K., I 551, 553
D. P. , n 546
Dr., I 662
"ET J.. II 290
E. P. , I 471
E. R., I 758
Elijah, I 405
ElishaM., I 369-^70,
373
EUsha P., I 724
Enos, I 536, 554,
718
Erasmus, I 476,
479, 536
Erasmus R. , I
479, 483
Ezra, I 724
Florence L., I 718
Francis M. , I 724
George F. , B 1
George W. , I 724
Mrs. Harriet, B 78
T^Sy. I 482
Hiram, I 654
Howard, I 758
IraS., I 536, 718
J. B., n 349
J. N., n262
James, I 250, 275,
336: n 141, 395,
402, 520, 529;
Bl, 66
James Ira, I 718
ADAM, ADAMS continued
Jane. I 425
Jessie, B 1
Joel, I 90-92.
477, 535-536, 718
John, I 90, 535,
538-539, 651;
B 78
JohnC, I 651-652;
II 265, 387, 396.
405; B 121
JohnG., n298
JohnQuincy, I 694,
696, 743
Kesia, B 78
Llllie, I 758
Luther, I 489, 536.
743
Lydia. I 554
Mrs., I 718
JJCTP. , I 553
Major, I 141-143,
149, 151; n 58
Margaret. I 759
Milan, U 136
Mortimer K., I 553
Mrs. Nancy M. , t 743
TSSon, n 135
Parmenlo, I 149
Pfg'Megt, I 204
Robert B. , H 233,
262, 538-539
Robert J. , II 451
Robert P., U 214
S. Gary, I 345;
II 132
S. E., n 539
Samuel, I 743
Samuel C, I 650
Samuels., I 479,
481
W. F. , I 504
WiUiam, I 718
WiUiam H., I 724
ADAMY
Barney, II 135
ADDINGTON
AlmedaE., 1619
Charles H., I 551
Charles S., I 718
Hawxhurst, I 213,
298, 540; H 356
Henry I., I 719
Isaac, I 540, 553,
718
Samuel H., I 540,
546
ADDISON
John, I 534
ADE
I. G. , I 496
ADOLPH, ADOLFF
A., I 448
Edwin, I 755
Frank, I 755
Joseph, I 461, 755
Louis P. , n 162,
272; Jr. U 178
Magdalena, I 755
Mary, I 755
PUce, I 755
Hiatory of Buffalo and Erie County
AOOLPH, AiX^LFF continued
Simon. I 460, 755;
Jr. I 755
Mr a. Tereaa, I 755
Wmiaxn, I 755
ADRIANCE
LLeut., I 268
AENCHEX
Lieut. , I 295
AESHBACH
J. J., n 147
AGARO
J. A.. I 635
Joshua, I 599
AG LEE
Henry. I 654
AIKIN, AIKINS, AIGIN
FuUer, I 375
Jaxnea. I 141, 193
AILINGER
Joseph, II 523
AINSWORTH
Charles, I 369-
70, 377
ALBEE
Esther, I 741
ALBERGER
FrankUn A. , I 250,
345; n 139-41, 371,
402, 404; B 65
JohnL., II 302,
402. 496-97
Morris H.. I 293
William C, I 241,
247, 251, 253
ALBERT, ALBERTS
Joseph, I 123, 513
Margaret, I 766
ALBING
O. F.. II 336
ALBRECHT
F., n 160
ALBRIGHT
— , II 205
ALBRO
, I 115
John, I 94, 630-
632
Stephen. II 137, 333
WUllam H. . n 140
ALCOTT
Roswell, I 640
ALDERSON
James, II 400
ALORICH
, I 606
ALDRICH
, I 606
Ann, I 523
Dr.. I 577
James, I 588
Levi, n 379
May C, B 18
Nathan, I 577
Cbed, B 18
Sayles, I 577
Scott. I 523
Susan, I 742
Thomas, I 492
Turner, I 118, 646-
648, 652; Jr. I
ALDRICH continued
648, 652
ALEXANDER
Joseph, II 294
Rev., I 463
alSEr
Fanny, I 722-723
Marvin G. , I 444
Oliver, I 160
Polly, I 598
SerrlU, I 593
ALIG
Joseph, II 167
ALLARD
Edward, I 604
ALLEN
. I 460, 637;
n 183. 486; B
74-75
A. H., n 549
Ahaz, I 454, 457
Alfredo., I 761
Andrew D. , I 566-
567
Anthony, I 496
Anthony B., I 702
Anthony L., 1495-
497
Archibald, n 190
Archie L., n 146
Bertha, I 497, 743
C. A. , n 452
Charles E., I 733
Clara, I 733
Daniel,- 1 519, 661;
n 417, 423
Daniel W., H 485
David. I 495-497
Dr., I 732
TJ7 S. . I 743
EU, I 666
EUery S. , I 495-
496
Ephraim, I 702
Ethan, I 321, 561,
564. 567; U 357-
58; B 67
Ethan B. . I 198
EvaC, I 733
Festus, I 446
G. , I 444
George, I 743
George W.. n 193,
362, 370, 394-95,
532
Gideon, I 666
H. D. , I 497, 743
Harriet, I 497
Harvey. I 533
Battle, I 743
Henry F. , I 342,
346, 654, 669;-
n 485; B 30
Henry L. . I 497, 743
Hiram Pratt, I 669
Holden, I 122; H
74, 187
Ida, I 746
Ira W., I 291
Isaac. I 733
Jabes, t 548, 551,
ALLEN continued
558, 719; n
431, Jr. I. 558
James, I 519,
558; n 439
James A. , II. 485
James P. , I 745
John, I 718; n 422;
B 75. Jr., n 199,
234. 541
Joshua, I 733
Mrs. Lettuce, I 666
"Cbvi, n 74. 138,
187-90, 215.
358r9
Lewis FaUey, I 12.
144, 323-4. 332,
333-4, 426. 437.
675, 699, 701-
708; n 62. 115.
117, 215, 269-70,
503, 511, 513,
521, 534, 547;
B 91
Lor an, I 558
Loren J., I 719
Mrs. Louise, n 550
IaicIusH., n 417,
420
Lucy A. , I 669
Mrs. Lydia, I 733
Wrs., n28i
Margaret Gertrude,
I 704
Maria, I 533
Myron H. , I 733
Nathan, I 642
Nathaniel, I 183
Obadlah, I 551, 7
Orange F. , I 558,
719
Orlando, I 314,
322-24. 344-45,
666-70; II 71. 79,
130, 135, 137-38.
523, 536. Mrs, ,
n34
Orlando Jr. , I 669
Parmllle, n 355
Fhiletus. I 636
Mrs. Rachel, I 553
ICalEbun. n 227
Richard L.. 1324.
702; n 270-271.
532
Robert, H 193
Robert H. , I 733
S. Ruth, I 733
Samuel, I 701-702
Sarah J., 1669
Seth, I 637
Silas M., n370
W. C. , I 437
W. J., 1637
W. K., I669;n
231
Walter E., I 497,
743
WlUiam, I 95, 561;
n 395, 398, 400
William C, I 704
Index of Names < o*itlnued
ALLEN continued
WLlUam R., I 423;
n281
Zadoc G., II 131,
141, 143
ALLES
P.. n 175
ALLGEWAEHR
Louis, n 160
ALLING
C. P., n 552
ALLISON
, I 579
J., n295
J. C.« I 590
ALMY
S. O., II 443
WlllUmH., n255
ALPORT
W. H., n519
ALTENBURG
H. A., n 173-74
L E.. 1374
ALTHAUS
John, n 173
Rev.. I 509
alTBan
Abraham, n 232,
496, 541, 546
Henry, n 254, 547
Isaac, n 254
Jacob, n 254, 308
JuUus. n 254
ALTWICKER
F.. n 368
ALWARD
Joseph, I 121
AMANN
Mary Ann, I 756
AMBROSE
, I 337
EUjah, n 127,
141-2, 145, 520
John, II 140, 143
Robert, n 133
AMBRUST
John, I 509
AMES
, I 582
Anthony, I 768
Austin, I 583
EUsabeth, I 754
F. F., I 599
Frances E. , I 768
Jason, I 583
Stephen, I 754
AMHERST
Lord, I 400
AJiSDELL
, I 514
Abner, I 512, 513,
733. Jr., 512
Abner, Sr., I 754
Ahnira, I 754
Dexter, I 754
Francis, I 754
Nelson, I 754
ANABLE
Joseph, n 514
ANDERSON, ANDERSEN
, I 637
ANDERSON. ANDERSEN
Alexander H. , U 230
Amos H. , I 721
Carl, n 146
Cyrus K. , I 348
Mrs. EvaUne, I 721
Hary A., I 721
Samuel, I 364
WlUlam, n 262
ANDRE
Squire, I 600
WlUlam, I 348
ANDREAS
Johann, II 151
ANDREWS
, I 618; II 75
AxAhony, I 725
Charles, U 300
Cyrus, I 622
E. W. , 11 485
Edmund, I 621
Mrs. Elisabeth, I 725
Frederick, I 615
George, I 621
Judson B. , n 444
Major A., I 341;
n no, 112-4, 116,
134-5, 224, 453,
463
Margaret, I 725
Fhllo, n 113, 352
Samuel, H 312
W. J., 1622
Welcome, I 621
WlUlam, n 193
WlUlam H., n 382
ANIAUS
Cyrus, I 598-599
JohnH., I 348,
578, 580
JoMph, I 627
Lerpy, n 485
ANGELBERGER
P. W., II 172
ANGSTENBERGER
Eugene, n 412
ANGUISH
Henry, I 113,
122, 413
ANGUS
A. B. , n 144
Lieut. . I 132, 134
ANNABILL
Henry B., I 114,
384
ANNIN
Joseph, II 55
ANSTETH
. II 263
ANTHONY
Carlos E., I 722
Elizabeth, I 722,
736
George, I 722
H. P., I 528, 532
John, I 592, 596-7,
722
JohnW., I 722
Margery G. , I 722
Maria, I 722
Mary, I -^22
APPLEBY
G., IT 190
ARBUCKLE
Benjamin, I 450
ARCHER
WlUlam J. , I 303
AREND
Frederick. U 131
ARENT
J. N., I 448
ARGUS
George, H 528
John, n 165
ARLEN
Amelia M., I 735
Barbara, I 737
Caroline I., I 733
EdvardW., I 735
Emma L. , I 735
George H. , I 735
Martin, I 735. Jr. .
I 735
ARMS
Eroe, B 122
ARMSTRONG
A. V. , n 207
Addison, I 495
Bartholomew, n 136
C. B., 11274-275,
539
C. W.. II 296
Charles, H 387
Dr. . I 577
Heorge S. , U 535
J. Stone, n 444
ARNES
Louis, I 714
ARNOLD
Clara, I 743
E., I 447
Fred, I 748
H., 1324
Hardwln, I 527, 529
Harry, I 743
John, n 147
JohnD., 1662-63
Lswls, I 528
Mortimer L., I 641
OUver H. , I 743
Mrs. Ruth EUen, I
T43
SUasH., I 743
ARNOT
John, n 231
ASBURY
Bishop. n29S
ASff^
James, I 346
ASHFORD
WlUismH., 1292
ASHLEY
E. M., II 207
WlUlam BUss, II
287
ASHMAN
AlmaS., I 744
Amaxlah, I 632-33,
745
WlUlam, n 132
ASHTON
Th. , n 325
-3-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
ASMUS
CaroUne E. . I 758
George W., 1758
Michael, I 447
Philip, I 758
W. G.. I 758
ASTOR
John Jacob, I 124;
II 184; '^ 38
ATE
G., I 447, 449
ATHEARN
Cyrus, n 134; B 1
Silas, n 514
ATKINS. ADKINS
Mrs. Anna, II 276
TiaTiel, II 44, 107
Betsey, II 276
Fordyce W. , IT 136
George J., TI 184
Guy J. , I 122; II
353
Isabel, II 312
James, II 352
Mrs., II, 75
Robert F. , I 275,
280
Samuel, n 276
Thomas, II 353
Thomas J. , II 353
ATLX>FF
John, I 491
ATTERBURY
Mary Smith, B 15
ATWATER
Oavid, B 98
Eldad. B 98
Eunice, B 98
Henry C. , B 35,
U7
Jane T., I 423
Samuel L. , n 444
Samuel T.. H 137.
270
ATWELL
Lavinia, I 382
ATWICKER
F., H, 362
ATWOCMD
Aaron Jr.. I 579
H. L. , n 444
Harlow I 652
Mrs. Henrietta. I 573
Henry, I 325, 344,
368. 457
Joseph, I 375, 366
Susan, I 734
AUBLETT
John, n 270
AUCHINVOLE
John, n 142-43.
145
AUMOCK
WiUiam S,. I 641
AUSALUM
August. I 516
AUSTIN
. B 54
Azel. I 588
Benjamin H.. I 348;
II 359. 362. 363,
AUSTIN continued
367, 391-2, 394-5.
400. 406. 472-473.
Jr. . n 473
Caleb H. . II 436.
440
Captain. 11 85
FldeHa, I 759
Joseph. B 1
Lavinia, B 2
Seth, II 394
Stephen Goodvrin. I
195, 274; II 109-
10, 224, 235-6.
423. 460. 469, 481;
B 1*2
Truman, I 324, 529
WtUiam. I 160. 527-
528
AVERILL
... n 94
Charles H.. H 184
James M.. n 189
AVERY
. n 347
Ames. I 575
Amos, I 345
Charles. 11 288
Charles H.. II 485
John. I 753
Lurinda. I 753
Rev.. I 590
TTG., B2
AXTELL
Joshua. I 480, 486
AYER, AVERS
. I 579
Mrs. Albert, I 404
ICSert D. , I 709
Alice, I 709
Austin. I 405. 709
Bradley. I 573
Charles C. 1709
Coleman. 1*709
Darius, I 399
Eliza, I 714
Ellen, I 739
Emma R. . I 709
Emmett J.. I 739
Florence C. , I 709
Franklin, I 709
Gorman, I 573
Harland, I 709
Henrietta. I 573
Hobart C. I 709
Ira. I 275. 531.
573. 575-6. 578,
579. 746. Jr.. I
746
James. I 275, 285,
573. 575-76, 578,
746. Jr.. I 473
James E. . I 709 .
Jennie S. , I 709
Jerome. I 709
JulU, I 709, 736.
739
Julia H.. I 746
La vena. I 746
Lucy F. , I 709
Mary. I 573.
AYER. AYERS continued
736. 739
OrUndoF.. I 709
OrvilleD.. I 739
Philetus. I 709
Putnam, I 534.
736. 739
Richard. I 739
Sarah, I 709
Sarah B. . I 573
Sarah C. , I 746
Susan. I. 709
WUllam. I 709
BABBITT
Lieut.. 1269
baSCHCk
— B' 37
Chapin . I 664
Deodatus. H 285.
314; B 53
Ellas, I 586. 735
Elias O. . I 735
George R. . I 336. 343-4.
505. 507. 677;
ni08. 137. 226-7.
464. 523, 534. 537.
540; B 54. 63. 68.
78
Hannah M., I 735
I., n352
J. R.. 1386
Marcus L. . 11 402
Mary, I 735
Orrin, I 586
Senator. II 457
Sophronia, I 737
W. R. , I 652
BACH
Mary, B UO
Robert, B UO
BACHELDER
Mira J.. 1714
Peter. I 715
BACHERT
Philip, n 236
BACHMAN
Adam. I 479. 481
Aloysius. I 422
Catharine. I 709
G., n 160
BACON
Anna M. . I 763
Charles E.. H 289
Rev.. I 556
BASSES
Rev. Fr. . H 163
BA355irC?7 BADGLEY
, I 636
ElisaF.. I 735
Morgan L. . I 640-
641
O., I 390
BADGER
Ansel, I 299
Edmond. I 442-443
George, n 78. 514
BAER. BAYER
, n 246. 259
Augustus, n 153
Benedict. H 167
Benjamin. I 404 I
-4-
Index of Names continued
BA£R« BAYER contixiued
Conrad, IT 132
George, II 132, 146-
147
Rudolph, n 152, 168
BAETHIG
Dr., II 154
BASn%HOLO
August, 11 267
Theo., n 548
BAGLEY
WilUamC., II 387
BAGNALL
Samuel, H 519
BAGOT
Frank, n 412
BAILEY
, II 300; B 81
O. H. , n 444
Daniel A., I 704
Daniel E., II 236, 548;
B26
David, I 381
Deacon. I 628
Eva Caroline, B 26
Gordon, II 370, 373,
377, 396
Harlow, B 26
HarloMT W., B 26
Horace, I 522
J. B., I 386
J. Nash, I 667
JohnG., n 444
L. S., 1605
LoU, I 445. 2d I 445
Mercy, B 81
Michael, I 259,
261, 263
Samuel G., 11 439
Saxton, I 439, 445
William, n 395
BAIN
Alexander, 11 451
Donald, II 143, 145
BAIRD
D., I 504
John, I 374
William, n 108
BAKER
, II 92, 192,
198, 270, 485
A. L., n 236, 534
Abigail, I 742
Albert U, II 138,
481-82
Albert S. , U 139
AUceC, I 534a
AmosH., I 330-31
Mrs. Anna, I 534a
Art em as, I 503
Benjamin, I 326,
532, 534a, 739
Bethlah, I 590
C, I 446
C. S., I 387, 495,
520
Caroline, I 749
Carrie, I 534a
Charles, I 597, 722
Charles F., I 722
Charles H., I 604-05;
BAKER continued
n 278, 441, 549
Clifford A., II 2365
CordeUa, I 738
Daniel, I 739
Darius O., II 136
E. Freeman, I 534a
EUsha, I 722
EUsa, I 720
Elizabeth A., I 727
Emma, I 534a
Everett L. . U 3S2
F. N*, I 576
Fannie, I 472, 534a,
725
Francis M., 1292-93
George M., 1241, 304
George P., II 132
George W, , I 546,
644
Hannah, I 729
Harriet, I 534a
Harry L. , I 556
Helen, I 534a
Henry J. , n 145
Herbert, I 722
Hovrard H, , U 547
Isaac, I 532, 722
J. A., 1643
Jacob, I 472
Jacob A. , I 347
Jeptha, I 369
Jerome, I 739
John, I 405
JohnC, I 443
Louisa N., 1741
Lyman M. , II 485
Mary F., I 534a
Mrs. Mercy, I 720
SeHa V. , I 534a
Minerva E. , I 722
Moses, I 160; II 77,
95, 104, 107-8,
133-36, 176, 228,
300, 314
Nelson H., I 510;
n 553
Newman, I 155, 513,
528
O. B. , I 556
CX>adlah, I 527, 534a
Reuben, I 557
Rev.. I 463, 533
"Sm. . n 296
S. N. , n 539
Samuel M., H 132
Sarah, I 720
Seneca, I 532
Simon, I 566
Stephen, I 720, 741
Thomas, I 604, 622
U. H., n391
WlUlam, I 122,
423; II 289
WlUlam H. , II 388,
395, 548
BALCOM
Abljah. I 446
Alma, I 768
Phllo A.. II 133,
236, 302; B 48
BALCOM continued
Webster. I 626
BALDING
Caroline, I 606
George, I 605-606
HALDt'S
George. II 131
BALDWIN
, B 74
E. S., II 436
Edward. II 113.
135, 518
EUsha, n 357
James. I 123; IT
356
James I., n 278
James J., II 113.
135
John. I 251
Layton T., I 2?0
Rev.. I 556
TKeophilus, I 60S
Mrs. WlUlam, B
Rl
BALDY
C. W.. II 288
BALE
Mary E.. I 727
BALKE
, II 256
BALL
— , n 311
A. H. , II 401
A. McCuUum, T 349
Ashley. II 373
Charles J., U 146
CoRway W. , B 62
Fordyce. I 478
George H. , I 558;
II 292
Gideon J. , U 99
Henry L. . II 332
Johns., I 364-366
Joseph. II 146; B 8
Joseph E.. II 377.
395
Levi T. , I 479
Mary, I 742
Richard J. . n 397-
98
Sheldon, II 14, 77.
92, 99, 190. 211
BALLARD
Charles D., I 286
DrusUU, I 753
Fayette A., I 421,
762
Frances, I 734
Francis F., I 762
Lansing, I 762
Sebastian, I 664
Sknlthfleld, 1618
BALLER
Jacob, I 665
BALLOU
E. H. , n 444
Levi, I 504, 508.
Jr. . I 508
BALTZ
, II 1 56
Georpi . » 345; TI 326
History of Buffalo and Erie County
BAMBERG
Ernst, II 131
BAMLER
George J., I 345;
II 142-143
BANCROFT
— , I 497: II 262
A. M., I 606
Alonzo Clinton, I
446. 495, 743
Eleazer, I 490,
495, 743
J. K., II 262
James I 743
Mary E. , I 743
W I 745
William G., 11284-85
William H., I 492-93,
495
BANDLITZ
Emil, II 171
BANGASSER
Frederick. 11 141
George, II 164
Jacob. II 132
BAXGERT
Jacob, I 663
BANGS
Lucius N., II 265
BANKS
E. B. . I 449
Eugene, I 443
Gen.. I 243
ToEn, 11 171
BANNISTER
N. H. . n 349
BANAA
Jacob, II 197
Jacob W., II 137-38
L. L. , n 44
Rollin L. , II 444.
523
BAPST
F. L., n 146
BARBEL
Philip. I 387
BARBER. BARBOUR
Amy J., I 768
Chandler, I 768
J. LeRoy. I 516
James G. , II 451
Mary. I 749
Mary E.. I 768;
B 47
P., II 441
Philo B. , I 605
Philo P. . I 604
Samuel. II 110
WillardS., I 768
BARGER
John, I 461
BARKER
. II 117
Arthur, II 444, 550;
B 20
Caroline, I 570
Cynthia, I 570
D. B., II 412
Eliza, I 570
F. J., II 444
Francis P., I 516
BARKER continued
G. W.. II 139
George. II 465
George P.. I 300,
341, 344. 348; H
113. 134-36, 469.
4731 B 28. 54, 78.
101-102
Gideon, I 569-70
J. W.. I 581; B 20
Jacob, n 39, 185.
2S9
Jacob A., I 344, 514;
n 135-6. 355. 358,
515, 518
John, I 572
Peter, I 93, 575,
578
Phoebe, I 570
Pierre A.. U 104.
135-36, 224, 228.
270
Ruth, n 16-17
S. P. , I 520
William P., I 570.
Mrs. , I 569
Zenas, I 114. 158,
347. 389, 514;
II 16, 39-40, 112,
312, 352-53, 393
BARKLEY
WlUiam, I 640
BARLOW
Ft., I 581
baSnard
. I 514
Albert J., I 275
George W., I 516
Ira. I 516
O. H. F. , I 405
Selah. II 359
Selan. II 287
BARNES
. I 497; II 262.
267; B 83
Aaron. I 407
Aurora M., B 122
B. , I 449
Edwin R., II 443
Elizabeth, IT 109
Enos, II 432
Horace F.. II 292
J. C. II 262
Jkcob L., I 261; II
139. 141
Joshua, n 131.
140
Josiah. II 231. 427,
436. 522
Lodisa. I 752
Lucy, I 407
Moses, I 407
Rebecca, B 46
William. B 72
William N., n 543
BARNETT
. I 640
Alfred, II 296
BARNEY
Charles, I 362
D. N., II 193
BARNEY continued
Hiram H. , I 552. 641
Joseph. I 364
Lieut. , I 245
Luther, i 364
Nathan L. , I 366
BARNHART
H. W. , I 463
S. . I 576
BARNOUT
Caroline M., I
606
BARNUM
, II 71
E. S. . II 361
George G.. I 272;
n 535-36
Helen. I 718
Stephen O.. U 231.
263
Theodore D. . II 263
BARNWELL
. I 325
BARR
Charles, II 302
G. D. , II 246.
288
Joseph P. . I 664
Malvina E. . II 302
W. H. D., n233
BARR AS
J. S., 1581
BARRELL
Desire. I 579
Elisha, I 579
Harvey, I 580
Mary, I 579
BARRELLE
A. C, 1554
BARRETT
A. J., II 292
Henry I 481
Henry W. . 11 441
Jonathan. I 122.
382
Thomas M. . I
633, 635
W. , II 296
William, I 382
William C. n
444. 451-52, 541.
548
WiUlam J.. 0 451
BARRINGER
George. I 662
BARRON
. I 613; n 76
Joshua. I 609, 613
Lodisa. I 609
Royal R.. 1479,
483
BARROW
Noyes, H 112
WiUiamA., R 451
BARRY
Edward. I 576
William F.. 11125-
26
BARSTOW
— . I 444
BARTHOLOMEW
-6-
Index ot Names continued
BARTHOLOMEW continued
Abram, II 485
Chauncey, I 471-72,
724. Jr.. 724
Chauncy D.. I 472. 724
Chauncy H.. I 724
George Herbert, I 472
Isaac. I 582
Jehiel. I 582
BARTHOLOMY
Charles. I 289
BARTLETT
Alien, I 733
AnnO.. I 734
Apphie. B 26
Cynthia. I 733
Dr., II 443
T: a., I 651
F. W., I 519; II 443
J. M.. I 423
John P., I 545-46.
549-50
JohnT.. II 390
Joseph S. . I 542.
545. 549
Josiah. B 26
Marcus. I 650
Oscar A«. I 546.
550
Mrs, Sarah. I 734
'Smilh. I 648.
651. 734
SylvU. I 761
Zallen. I 650
BARTON
. n 181-82, 183.
188
B. S., n 414
Benjamin. I 60; B
99-100
Benjamin Jr., I 116;
n24, 53, 55-56
Catharine, B 99
Hiram, II 137-38,
481. 522
James H., II 365. 367.
395, 400-01
James L., I 347;
n 111, 136, 183.
192. 235, 357-58.
394, 528
O. F, , n 485
Pliny F., II 140-141
BARTOO
Bernard, n 444
Jesse, I 205, 476-77,
479. 483, 516, 521
Jesse G. . I 758
Luce A.. I 479, 758
BARTRAM
T. C, I 553
BASONC
™. I 44
BASS
Jonathan, I 481, 486
Lyman K.. I 238,
340, 348, 481
BASSBTT
Miss C. A.. 1558
David. 1450
Eliza. I 450
BASSETT continued
Harriet. I 747
Laura, I 451
Nathaniel, I 747
Rev., I 556
Thomas, B 18
BASSFORO
. II 353
BASTIAN
; I 722
Daniel. I 722
Emma, I 722
Henry, I 722
Jacob, I 600. 722
Lydia, I 722
Michael. I 599-600.
722
Sarah. I 722
BATES
, I 135
Bert, I 733
Blaache. I 733
Cordelia. I 606
Curtis J. , I 650-
652
Edward, I 390
Frank, I 733
Frederick A. , I 6ii6
Huldah. I 377
Joseph, n 551;
B21
U E., I 482
Solomon, I 364
Sylvanus, I 733
BATT
J., 1403, 418
J. B.. 1404
John. I 405
Joseph. I 470-471
BATTEY
Benjamin A. . II 430
D. S., n 137
BATTIN
Joseph, n 524-25
BATTLES
John, I 634, 644
BAUDER
JohnM., I 476.
478
BAUMGARDNER
Magdalena. I 716
BAUMGARTEN
J.. II 131
BAUMLER
JohnC, I 471
Peter, I 471
BAUVOR
Edgar. I 621
BAXTER
Daniel. II 68
Wallace. I 435
BAYLIS
. B 22
J. H. . I 606
BAYNES
William, n 144
BEACH
, I 514
Charles, I 664
Charlotte J., I 724
Clarissa. I 724
BEACH continued
Clarissa L.. I 724
E.. I 724
E.W., n344
EmUy L. . I 724
Emma P., I 724
G.. I 470
Gracie F., I 724
John, n 354
Laura F. , I 709
Louisa, I 724
William. I 724
WiUiam H.. I 724
Zophar. I 117.
439. 452
BEADLE
E. F. . n 347
BEAL. BEALS
, II 517; B 23
E. B. , n 324
Edward P. . U 235.
263; B 87
JohnW., n 116-17,
515, 531
Lydia A., I 717
Pascal P.. I 306
Peter, I 503
BEAM
Christian. I 469
Jacob. II 390
Mrs. John. H 299
lla^. I 391
BEAMER
John. I 362
BEAN
Charles, I 555
Mrs.. 1550
BEARD
Aaron. I 92, 114.
362, 384
Abigail F. . I 748
Daniel, I 642-43
Daniel C, U 130.
143. 235-6. 552
James. I 122; n
182. 184. 190.
352
PhiloD., n 133
Samuel. I 362
William H.. U 541
BEARDSLEY
•«• n 97
Abigail. I 590
E., I 377
Hasard. I 590
Jerusha. I 590
Joseph H.. I 586
Judge. B'50
Samuel, I 590
Sarah C. B 50
BEASLEY
Andrew, n 147
Thomas, n 146
BEAU
Anna, I 715
BEBER
John. I 710
BECHERER
Edward. H 171
BECK
August, II 146-7
-7-
Hiatory of Buffalo and Erie County
BECK continued
236« 273
Charles, I 320
Frederick H 177
Lewis C, I 558
Magnus, 11 249
BECKARO
Fr. , II 304
be'CKer
C, II 17
C. J., II 547
E. G.. II 178
Matthias, I 496
Philip, I 12. 336-7;
II 145, 159, 161
-2, 233. 264. 272,
520
Tracy C. , II 485
WUliam, H 166
BECKMAN
Mary A,, I 715
BECKWITH
Alba, I 386
C. W., II 379
Charles, II 119,
141-2, 147, 485
Dr., I 519, 577
TobnC, I 289
O. H., II 443
O. W. I 578
O, W. W., I 581
Penelope. I 465,
757
BEDELL
AHieM., I 757
Mrs. Amanda, I 757
ICn?. Harriet S.. I 425
TraTl 425
John v., I 293. 294
Norman. I 757
BEDFORD
J., I 504
JohnM.. II 527
BEEBE, BEBEE
. I 483. 544. 566.
612. 614, 622. 637
Henry C, I 247
Joel. I 593
Levi, B 94
MatonE., 146, 213
Samuel, I 89, 593
BEECHER
Celestin, H 249
H. S., II 193
James C, 11 485
BEEKMAN
J p n 231
BEEMAN. BEAMAN, BEMAN
, I 517
Caleb R., I 759
Charles. I 509
Frank, I 759
James M., n 379
Joshua, I 380
Lloyd A. , I 759
Ralph R. , I 759
Samuel, I 382-83. 759
BEERS
Anthony, U 134, 514
BEETTOLPH
Caroline, I 484
BEGER
Almira. I 715
BEHRENS
H. . II 303
William F., I 303
BEIER
Catherine, I 731
Jacob Jr.. II 132
BELDEN
Cliff, n 189
Oliver W.. B 18
Rufus, I 512
Webster, II 397
BELKNAP
Catherine E. , I 735
Edward E., I 735
EUa, I 736
Frank W. , I 735
George, I 736
George W., 1662,
760
Harriet AmelU, I 747
Hattie, I 736
Herbert J, . I 735
John, I 735
Milan C, I 736
Pbrter, I 735-36
Thomas, I 735, 760
WiUiamE., I 735
BELL
, II 207, 209, 487
C. C. II 241
David, II 198, 239,
539
Mrs. E. A. , B 72
YTTa.^U 485
F, N.. I 376
James A. , B 94
John A., n 283
R. W. , II 255
Salmon, I 404
Samuel, II 110
Solcmon, I 382
T, E., II 297
BELLINGER
. I 418
Arlington A. , I
421, 762; H 377
Daniel. I 423. 762
Jacob, I 762; U 379
Mrs. Nancy. I 762
Mrs. Roxy A. . I 762
^mion. I 417, 762
BELLSMITH
H, S, , I 303
BE LLWE ALDER
Ignatius, II 166
BEMENT
, II 193
CarlottaM.. I 734
Elmore, I 734
Mrs. Esther, I 606
TTankC. I 734
George L. , I 734
Julius, I 734
W. H., II 193
BEMIS
, II 193
Abraham, I 481
Asaph, II 138
Asaph S. . I 250. 274,
BEMIS continued
337; n 45, 63-4,
127, 139-41.
145, 287
Mrs. Aurelia, B 113
J. . II 423
James D. , It 327
Jotham, I 85, 97.
125. 512-14
BENCKENDORF
Ewald, n 440
BENDER
Philip, n 156
Philip H., I 345;
n 156
BENEDICT
, n 485
A. B. . n 413
Dlrck v.. n 146.
275
E. L. , I 622, 643
G., I 386
Jared E. , I 409.
423
N. G. , n 538-39
Robert, I 366
Willis J., 1419;
n 485; B 30
BENEHOFF
Isaac, I 389
J. , I 390
BENGERT
Edward, I 615
BENHAM
Harriet A. . 33
Truman, B 3
BENJAMIN
Henry L. , II 430,
432
Marcus O. . I 447
Nathan O. . n 398
BENNETT
— . II 517
A. H. , n 299
Albert L. , II 233
Charles, I 362, 719;
B 6
Charles J., I 719
David Chapin, I
468 724
David S. , I 238.
340, 343; U 222.
281; B2-4
Edward, U 139-40,
235, 496-96; B 6
Elnathan, I 468-69
Ensign, II 206
Frank, I 719
Frank C, I 724
George W., I 545
Griffin, B 6
Miss H.., n 311
Henry A. , 11 528
Isaac H.. n 312
James, B 2
James O. , B 3
James P., n 131
James S. , I 291
Joseph. I 345, 575.
577, 579
Julius, I 444, 446, 717
-8-
Index of Names continued
BENNETT cootlnued
Leonard W., I 724
Mary EUsabeth, I 719
Mary Henrietta, B 6
Mary U. I 719
Miles W. « B 3
Nathaniel, n 311;
B5
Orson, I 517
Philander, I 299, 346;
n 108, 135-6, 453,
450-60; B 5-0
Sally, I 570
Valentine, I 533
William M., n 344
WilUam N., I 545, 719
BENSLER
Frederick, n 243
Herman, II 243
BENSLEY
D. W. , I 637
David, I 637
Johnson, I 641
W., 1642
BENSON
, II 201
C. M., I 570
Hopee, I 499, 743
Mrs, !• H., n 323
TSn, n266
BE NT LEY
Mrs. Almira, I 741
iSBlah, I 767
George T* , n 539
J. R,, n 212
James C, 11 377
James G., II 387
Martin C, I 553
Nancy, I 741
Uriah, I 741
BENTON
A. U, n279
BENTZ
Henry, I 387; II 132
BENZING
Adam J., n 236,
249
Jacob, n 169
BENZINGER
Jacob, n 145
BERGER
Ernest Moritz, I 510
G., n 160
Otto, n 169, 443
Rev. Dr., I 509
w., n3o9
BERGMAN
Simon, n 373,
30&
BERGTOLD
Jacob E., I 241.
247; II 268
Louis, n 178
BERKES
Mary, H 445
BERLIN
, I 413
James, I 413
John, I 413
BERNER
Gottfri*»d, n 171-72
BERNER continued
J. F., n 173
BERNHARD
Peter, I 386
BERNHEIMER
, I 509
E. J,, n 307
Ellas, II 507
BERNREUTHES
J., 1599
BERNSTEIN
EmU, n 309
Philip, n 308
BERRY
Charles, I 554
E. 0«, n 132
Jack, I 113
Joseph, n 539
Richard Jr. , I 585
S. v., n290
Willard, I 518. 557
WillardS., 1280
BERRYMAN
William, n 206
BERTRAND
Eugene Jr. , II
131. 145
BESANCON
J.. 1598
BESANT
Daniel, n 412
E., n 160
BEST
Leonard H. . I 306
Mary, I 766
R. HamUton, I 413
Robert H. . I 347;
n 136. 519-520
WiUlam. I 122. 413,
416; II 44
William F.. II 372
BESTON
Job. II 537
BESTOW
Jacob. I 404
Job, I 401
Samuel L. , I 401,
403-04
BE STRIP
J. A., I 654
BETTINGER
Stephen, n 131.
140. 157, 162,
272
BETTS
, II 201
Andrew. I 762
Benjamin F.. I 762;
II 377
Edward W., I 423.
762
Frank M. , I 762
Myron C. . I 762
BEVERLY
Betsey Ann, I 733-34
David, I 652. 733
Mrs. Eva, I 733
Henry. I 733
John. I 733. Jr. , I
733
BEVERLY continued
John D. , I 734
Mary Jane. I 733
Matthew. I 733
Thomas, I 733
BEVINS
Benjamin, n 357
Benjamin O.. I 122.
344. 384. 386
Jesse, n 109
BEYER
C. R., 1509
Ernest. II 177
Jacob. I 274; II
140-143, 157,
162. 520
L. P. . n 133
Philip, n 152. 235.
Sr.. 168
W. J. , n 299
William H.. 0 235.
253. 397. 510
BICKFORD
Richmond H. . n
246. 293, 388
BICKLER
Anna. I 392
Jacob. I 392
BICKLEY
T. D. L. . I 387
BICKNER
Charles. I 386
BIDEMAN
W. D. . n 444
BIDEN
John, n 553
BIDLACK
Mrs.. I 485
BUiWJsiLL
Benjamin. I 250;
n 196-7. 358-9.
362. Mrs. 57
Charles TfTTl 251
Daniel D. . I 235.
250-251. 254.
256. 303-04; U 139.
365; B 66
Ira G. . n 298-99
Jane. I 141
John H. . II 139-
40. 297
Johns.. 11 146
BIEGER
Felix. II 131
BIEGLER
Felix, n 143
BIELBY
C. F. A. . II 289
BIELEFELD
H., II 173
BIESANTHAL
N.. n 413
Solomon, n 308
BIESER
John. I 399
BIG
Sky, 169
Tree, I 86
BIGELOW
, II 350
Albert. I 581. 590.
History of Buffalo and Erie County
BIGELOW continued
663; II 535
AUenG., I 306
Chauncey. I 651-653
David, II 356
E. A., II 112
Frederick, I 623
George. I 621
Harry Foster, I 406-
409, 709
Henry, I 4-6-408,
709
Job, n 315, 394
John, I 407
Laura, I 407-408,
709
Leonora. I 407
Louisa, I 407
Lovine, I 407
Lucy, I 619
Mary. B 116
Nathaniel, I 408, 709
OUve, I 408, 709
Ralph, I 407
RandaU, I 407
Robert, I 407
Samuel, 11 448
Samuel A., II 138
Samuel O., II 375,
377
Sarah I., I 410
Schuyler, I 408,
709
Simeon, I 406
Thomas, I 651
BILL
J. E., II 297
Thomas, I 657
V. R., B 74
BILLEB
Ernst. II 132
BILLIAR
Christian, I 447
BILYARD
Ann Eliza, I 729
Edward, I 729
Martha, I 729
BINGHAM
Charles F., II 240
Erastus, I 602-603
George, I 346
Henry A., I 325
Henry L., I 457, 461
JoelFoote, H 280
R. M. . II 240
BINZ
Julius, II 249
BIRD
, I 454, 514
Mrs. Eunice, I 700
Grace E. , I 700
John, I 699-700
John Herman, I 700
Leah, B 63
Maria Davis, I 700
Nathaniel, B 25
Seth, I 699
Thomas, I 700
William A.. I 174, 185,
344, 430, 699-701, 707;
BIRO continued
II 57, 139, 147. 224,
234, 270, 287, 494,
504, 523-24; B 76.
117
William A. Jr. , I
295. 700
WiUiam A. St. , U
509
BIRDSALL
Benjamin, I 557
BIRGE
David, B 6
Elijah, B 6
George K. , B 6
Henry M. , B 6
JulUE., B6
Martin H., H 259,
518; B 6
Mary O. , B 6
BIRKENSTOCK
, n 368
AdoU, n 380
BIRKER
W. H. , I 747
BISCHOFF
M., n 325
BISHOP
, n 542
A. B. , I 460
Albert W. , U 485
Calvin, I 441-42;
II 137
Charles, I 461
Charles F., II 370,
398
Col.. I 141, 143-4;
""^1509
Edwin R., II 289
F. T., I 557
H. A.. I 732
Sflt.. I 244
Theodore M., II 285
BISSELL
, I 454; n 485
A. G., I 755
Albert, I 459
Dorothy, I 462
Eleanor, I 755
Elias. I 452-3, 462,
755
Elias L., 11 443
Elisha, I 453
Harry B. , I 755
Harry H. , II 429
Harvey, I 755
Miss, n 324
TgrsT. I 475
Rev. Dr. . B 13
Wilson S. , II 485.
533
BITLER
John, I 520
BITZ
Henry. II 132
BDCBY
— . II 182
James W., II 278
LulaE., I 757
BIXLER
BIXLER continued
Anna, I 730
BLACHLY
Temple W., I 694
BLACK
Archibald, I 122
Ell«a J. P. , I 749
G. , n 362
J., n36B
Mrs. Sarah B. , I 573
BL35CIC
Joe, I 68
Snake. I 50. 145
BLACKMAN
f— . 1.454
A. T.. n 247
Henry G. . I 479
Leonard, I 453
Martha, I 462
Watson M., I 457
WiUiam, I 86, 452
BLACECMAR
A. T. , n 232
Charles, I 564
Henry M., I 636, 734
Lyman, I 123. 160.
297, 564
William, I 564. 566
William W., 1734
BLACKMORE
Eleaser, I 458-59
Thomas. I 374
BLACKNEY
U U. . I 578
Ralph R. , I 746
RoselleU.. I 580-81.
7«6; n 378-9
RoseUe U. Jr. . I 746
Seeley, I 578, 580.
746
BLAINE
J., I 446
BLAIR
Hattie, I 751
Ira, I 751
BLAISDELL, BLASDELL
, I 641
H. M., 1661, 664;
n391
Herman, I 662
Nellie A., I 759
BLAKE
, I 636
C. A., n 547
Chelsea, II 189
John. I 637
Levi. I 122, 538
BLAKELEY
AUenW., 1606
Asa. I 553
D., 1606
Daniel, I 538, 553
Elisha. I 554
Esther, I 553
Huldah, I 553
Isaac, I 553
J. D. . I 637
J. W., 1642
Jane, I 553
John, I 553
-10-
Index of Names continued
BLAKE LEY continued
Jonathan, I 522
Joseph, I 553
Laura, I 553
Rev. , I 446
RUey. I 557
S. N., I 598
W. E., I 551
W. W., I 637-38,
640, 734
BLAKESLIE, BLAKESLEE
Col., I 149, 151-52,
l55; II 58-59
Harvey D., II 256.
539
BLANCHARD
, II 434
Abljah, B 65
Amos A., n 119, 485
Enos, I 597
Jane A., I 735
Jonathan, I 480
Mary G., B 65
BLANDY
Joseph W., n 451
BLATCHFORD
Daniel, I 247
BLECK
Ernst, I 496
BLEIER
D., I 447
BLEISTINE
George, II 265
BLENNERHASSETT
, I 457
R., I 388
BLETTNER
John, n 166
BLEY
Charles, I 736
George H., I 736
Henry, I 736
Jacob, I 736
Louisa, I 736
Lyman, I 736
Mrs. Magdalena, I 736
liJary, I 736
BLEZEO
OUver, I 123
BLINE
David, I 389
BLISS
— , I 517-18
Amos, I 441, 445
J. E., II 297
J. S., I 419
John A., I 304, 418
Joshua, n 377
Judah, II 419; B 60
Judas, II r22
LetitiaM., II 111
William, I 534
BLOCKER
— -, I 403
Amelia M., I 728
Catharine, I 713-14
Daniel, I 385, 728
Harriet M., I 728
IdaM., I 728
John, I 258, 728; n
253; Jr., I 728
BLOCKER continued
Maria M., I 728
Nelson W., II 253
Peter, I 390
BLODGETT
, I 439, 579
C. S., I 387
J. R., n 382
Rufus, 1 449
BLCMQUIST
Eric, I 588
BLOOD
Horace, I 492
BLOOMER
Frank T. , I 305
T. T. II 515
William M., I 304-305
BLOOMFIELD
, I 602
D. C. , I 637
James, I 640
Jarvls, I 732; II
394
JohnW., I 642
BLOSS
Isaac, n 363
BLOSSOM
A. H., I 345
Ira A., I 705-06;
n 110, 112-114,
116, 135
Ira H. , I 570
Seth, I 647
Thomas, II 527
BLOTE
Dorcas R. , I 748
BLOUNT
L. W. , II 290
Mary, I 409
BLOUT
Mary, I 710
BLUCHER
. I 179
BLUM
Robert, II 161
BLUMAN
George, I 385
BLYE
Joseph, I 586
BOALCH
George T. , II 539
BOARD
F. A., n 538-39
BOARDMAN
— , I 158, 389; 11
72
Elijah. I 375, 386
Helen A., I 760
John. II 402, 441.
552
BOCHART
G., I 406; II 172
BOCKSTEDT
H.. n 177
BODEMER
J.. II 169
John A., n 146
BODENBENDER
Conrad, 11 179
BODINE
A. C. I 387
BODINE continued
B., I 387
C. I 387
Mrs. W.. I 387
boT3TxI:r
Philip, I 493
BOECKEL
Adam. II 264
BOEGER
John. I 378
BOER
H. K. . n 302
BOERSTLER
Col.. I 131-32.
"""^9-41
BOETTZER
Adolph. I 405-06
BOGART
Martin S.. I 280
William H., B 51
BCMILE
C. 11 177
BOHMER
Aloe la, I 303
BOHNER
Alois. I 444. Jr.
443
BOIES
Adelia. I 719
Charles. I 719.
Jr.. I 719
Eber. I 540
Mrs. Emily B. . I
Emmet, I 719
Herbert. I 719
Homer. I 719
Horace. I 345. 519
James M.. I 553
Jane, I 719
Jarvis. I 540
Joel. I 540. 719
Loren F. . I 632.
556. 739
Loren T. . II 444
Warren, I 540
Watson. I 540
Wilder. I 540. 719
William, I 540, 545.
739
BOLAND
F. M.. I 729
W. F. , I 729
BOLANDER
, I 605, 619
N.. I 551. 651-652
BOLLEE
Ernst, n 303
BOLLER
. 11 264
Charles. II 162.
174. 257. 272
BOLLIER
Anna. I 764
BOMBAVIER
Catharine. I 728
BOMMER
, II 253
BONA VENTURE
Fr., I 377
BOOT"
-11-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
BOND continued
— , I 550
Oliver. IT 297
BONIS KI
Charles, I 278
BONNAR. BONNER
, II 487
David A.. I 553
J. D. , II 444
John J. . II 485
Robert, B 115
BONNEY
— , II 268
Z., I 328; n 130-
31, 139
BOOiOlAN
John, 1611
BOOMAN
CaroUne. I 712
BOOTH
Herbert, I 749
John, II 143-44
William, I 463
BOOTHROY
FrankUn £. , I 724
George, I 724
Hannah E., I 724
Joseph B., I 724
JUllal., 1724
Martha J. , I 724
Mary H., I 724
Thomas J., I 724
William James, I 724
BORDEN
, B 34
J., 1640
BORK
Joseph, II 144-45,
273, 497, 500
William H., II 541
BORLAND
John, I 577
BORN
Miss. B 77
TTOIp, II 248; B 77
BOSHERT
Albert, I 755
Frank, I 755
George, I 755. Jr.,
I 755
John, I 755
Josephine, I 755
William, I 755
BOSTWICK
Charles, I 746
Charles J., I 369
Emily A., B 65
I. H., II 193
Martha, I 746
Mrs. Mary, I 746
Wmiam H., I 464;
B67
BOTSFORD
Rufus, II 68
BOTT
Aaron, I 441
Jacob, n 144
BOTTOM
M. W., II 136
BOUGHTON
Seymour, I 148, 155,
BOUGHTON continued
158; n 61
BOULIAU
Clemence, II 323
BOURNE
Charles W., I 519;
II 443
BOWEN
, II 485, 535
Andrew J., I 251
Benjamin, I 321
Clark P. . I 554-55
Daniel, I 345; II 136-
38, 235, 317
Dennis, I 336; H 139-
40. 478, 480-81,
489, 493. 496-7,
547; B 79
£11, I 604
Goodrich J. , R 387
Goodrich L. , 11 399
Henry, I 618, 621
I. U, 1390. 483
Jonathan, I 321, 538
Lewis E., I 554
Nathaniel, I 602
Richard E. , I 604
Samuel W., 1536, 546
BOWER, BOUER, BAUER
A., I 424; n 308
Gasper, I 496
John, I 604; H 165
Peter, I 494, 664
Rosa, I 718
BOWIE
Jane, i 743
BOWMAN
AlmanP., I 465
Almon B. , I 755
Barbara, I 744
Benjamin, I 453, 755
Benjamin Jr.^ I 464-65
Benjamin Sr. , I 465
CarlockE.. I 465
Charles E., I 755
Clarence W., I 465,
755
Ell, I 465
EUH., I 457, 466
Elizabeth, I 396
Elizabeth Moulton, I
465
Fanny Rogers, I 465-66
Isaac F., I 399
J., I 465
Lena McNeal, I 465
Lucius J., I 465, 755
Maria Josselyn, I 466
Palmer S, . I 457,
464-66, 755
Paulina, I 466
BOWSFIELD
C. C, I 552
BOYD
Abigail, I 745
David, II 284
Gen.. I 137, 149
James A., I 251
BOYER
Anna Clara, I 524
Catherine, I 472, 710
BOYER continued
EUjah, I 717
Elizabeth, I 712
John, I 364, 368,
457. 729
Louisa M., I 729
BOYLES
Mrs, Melinda, 1618
BdraToN
E. L., B 116
Helena A., B 116
T. C, n 212
BOX
, II 485
Henry W. , n 480,
48S
BRACE
, n 53
Lester. I 347; H
54-5. 63. 93,
108, 137
N. C. n 311
BRACKETT
Betsey, B 72
BRACKMAN
Louis, n 172
BRADDOCK
, I 42, 44
BR ADEN
Thomas, II 539
BRADISH
William H., 1305
BRADLEY
A«, n 216
Cart., B 94
IfstEsr. B 103
J., nsil, 542
James, n 549
Samuel. I 640
Sarah. I 746
BRADSTREET
John. I 43, 47
BRADY
E. L., n411
Lorinda (Cone), I
741
BRAEUNLICH
Francis, 11 177
R«, n 541
BRAGG
George, I 719
George S., 1719
John, I 719
Mary. I 719
BRAINARD
WiUlamC, R
146-47
BRAKE
Jane. I 762
BRAND
P. , II 178
BRANNER
Conrad, n 132
Peter, n 132
BRANT
Joseph, I 50-51,
55, 58. 61-62,
64-66, 70, 2uy,
626
Molly, I 62
BRATT
-12-
Index of Names continued
BRATT continued
H. E., I3»l
BRAU1R
Henry E,, II 178
BRAUMER
Catharine, I 726
BRAUN
Adam, n 255
C. W., II 180
BRAULEIN
Louis, n 485
BRAY LEY
James, II 258, 533
Mrs, M. A., n258
brTTRan
Daniel, I 141, 514
Henry, I 534
James <X , 11 333
Mason, II 332
Orrin, I 658
BRAYTON
Charles N. , I 566,
768: n 390
Irwin R., n266,
546
Isaac, I 566
Mary M., I 768
Moses, B 6
Rev., I 378
aunuel Nelson, n
345; B 6-7
BRAZEE
Andrew W., 1251,
255
BREBCEUF
Ft., I 24, 57
F. E. U , II 444
BRECKENRIDGE
John, I 189, 233
JohnC, I 189; n
79
BREED
Frederick, n 236
Frederick W«, n 236
BREIER
GarreU, I 305
BREITWEISER
, II 366
Henry, U 161, 234,
266, 369. 390
Henry L., II 390
BREKON
WiUiam H., I 393
BRENDEL, BRENDLE
, II 487
A^nes. I 766
Henry W. , H 485
JohnG.. r 320
BRENNAN
B. H. , n 322
William, I 471
BRENNERSHALL
, I 654
BRENNISON
Frederick, I 724. Jr.,
724
George, I 724
Jacob, I 724
Johanna, I 724
Mary, I 727
BREVOORT
Cart., n 183
BR&VEk
Catharine, I 714
Curtis, I 477
John, I 477
WiUiam H. , I 458
BREWSTER
Edward, H 275
Lydia, I 726
S. C, n 523
BRICK
Adam. I 401, 809
AnnaM., I 709
Barbara. I 709
CaroUne L. , I 709
Catharine M., I 709
Charles Adam, I 709
HattieM., I 709
Henry, i 709
Ida C. . I 709
Jennie S. , I 709
BRICKLER
David, I 600
BRIDGE
Harmanus H. , I 247
Jonas, I 606
Joseph A., II 139-40
BRIDGEMAN
Gilbert. I 567
JohnW., n233. 397
WiUUm, I 570
BRIERER
Henry, I 662
BRIGGS
, I 742
A. J.. n301
Albert. H 387
Albert H. . I 303.
500. 743; H 444
Benjamin. I 652. 739
C. C. I 530
Charles Selwyn, I 500;
743
Cynthia, I 782
Diana. I 753
E. A.. I 633
Ebenezer. I 459
Erasmus. I 504. 508,
633, 835-6
George D., I 500. 743
GUes, I 160. 617-18
Helen. I 500. 743
Hora-e, II 324
John. II 372. 395,
400
Joseph, I 499. 743
Joseph Benson, I 490-
91, 494. 495, 497,
500, 743
Joseph Eddy, I 500, 743
Lucelia, I 500. 743
Luther. I 621
MUes P. . I 739
Ray. 618
Rosina. I 500
Thomas G. , n 388
WUbor B.. I 495.
500. 743
William. I 636
BRIGHT
BRIGHT continued
. n 208-209
BRINDLEY
George. I 596-7.
600. 736
George B. , I 736
Osias, I 736
Robert F. , I 736
Zachariah F. . I 736
BRINK
Aaron, II 107
WiUard. I 621
BRINKER
J. M. , n 529
BRINKMAN
Henry. 11 132
BRISBANE
Albert. II 543-45
George, II 544-45
James. I 178; IT
19, 222
BRISTOL
, n 335
CyreniusC, 11 138.
370-371, 523. 326.
531; B 38
Daniel. H 109.
135. 352-3, 355-6
E., n 539
LucyC, B 18
Moses. I 348; n
95. 110. 136.
279. 419-421
Porter B., B 18
BRITTON
John. I 595
BROAD
Nelson. I 583
BROCK
Isaac. I 125. 127;
n 254; B 55
BRODBECK
John. I 615
BROECKER
W., I 629
BROEZEL
John, n 268; Jr..
268
BROtfK
George. I 744
BRONNER
Christian. 11 153,
168
Joseph, n 164
LudwigSr.. n 168
BRONSON
, n 183. 197
Alvin. B 74, 98-
100. 102
Amos. I 652
Ira. I 375, 386
Irvin. I 664
Isaac, B 99
BROODY
J.. n309
BROOKINS
Albern J.. I 719
Ellen, I 719
Erastus. I 719
Grace. I 719
James. I 719
-13-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
BRCX>1CINS continued
JoaephR., I 719
JoalahR., I 546. 556,
719
BROOKS
Andrew J., I 481-2
Dr>. n 444
l!ira8, I 568
Frank E.« I 758
Harry U, I 758
Henry, I 636
James, I 99
Jefferson H. , I 476-7,
481, 486. 758
John, I 477, 597;
n357, 377
Mary, 1 737
Merritt, n 281-283
Nathaniel, I 604
Rev.. I 556
Watter R. , I 622
Wells, I 344, 348,
639; n 132, 382-3,
387, 471
William, I 599
BROSART
C. A. , n 343
BR06T
George, U 369-70
BROTHERS
JohnL., n396,
399, 405
BROUGHAM
Lord. B 38
BR(JWl:!k
Agnes. I 768
WiUlam, I 576
BROWN, BROWNE
, I 391, 454, 528;
n 221, 243, 257,
525; B 25, 83
Adam, U 185-86
Alcy, I 748
Alexander, B 95
Alexander H., II 387
Alice, I 676
Allen, I 533; n 485
B. F., B 12-13
Benonl S. , II 450
Charles, I 552
Charles E., B 57
Charlotte, I 738
CoL. 1719
Cyrus, I 267, 273
0. B., I 695; n 40
D. C, I 663
David S., 11 451
Edmund, II 432
EUza A., I 728
Francis M., I 733
G. M., II 485
G. T. , n 444
Gen.. I 159-64, 166,
■^168, 171, 174; n
55, 70
George, I 374; U 532
Henry, II 309
Henry M. , I 555
Herman W. , I 733
1. R., n 432
Isaac C. I 733
BROWN. BROWNE continued
J. Brown, I 532, 534
J. E. , I 460
Jacob, I 180
James H* , 11 256
James Malcolm, I 260,
262-3. 272
Janet, B 19
Jeremiah, I 533
Jeremiah M., H 442-443
John, I 384, 457,
602
JohnF., I 548; n 138 .
John G. , n 193
John J., I 92
John Newton, II 290
John W., n 285
Joseph, I 513
Joseph H., n207,
200
JoMphW., n 114,
116, 135
L. H., n 284
Levi, I 627
Lorenso, I 347
Layman, U 370, 377,
373, 395
M. E., I 607
Manly, I 471
Maryette, I 719
Minnie R., I 733
Noah, n 185-86, 253
Obadiah, I 633
OraiweT., 1216,
299-300
OrUnC, I 578. 560-
81, 746
P. E., n295
Peter. H 306
Robert, I 728
Robert N., H 236,
392, 396, 402, 404,
406
S., n 193
S. S., 1654
Simon, I 627
Sophia, I 738
Thomas, I 382
W. W., I 423, 652; n
539, 552
WiUardW., H 278
William. I 261, 263,
374, 386, 746; U
364
William A., n 193
William H., 1517
William O., n235, 271
William O. Jr., 1241
William S.. n 301
WilUam W., n 485
BROWNELL
AUce, I 738
Charles Edgar, H 443
Thosnas. I 578
BROWNING
Joseph. I 122
BRUCE
Alexander. I 652
B. F., 1560. Jr., U
147
Chandler L. . I 724.
BRUCE continued
Mrs.. 472
EUenT. . I 724
George, I 462
George S. , I 724
John. I 724
Mary A.. I 724
Mrs. Fhebe. I 724
"SrakiP., I 724
Solon, I 724
WiUiam W., I 457
BRUECK
• Fred. H 176
J. P. , n 541
BRUM BACH
P.. n 172
BRUNCK
, N 57
F. C, n 154-5. 161-
2, 272
Fanqy, I 757
Francis, II 233
Francis C, 1349;
n 235
Frank C, 1261, 270
BRUNOAGE
Charles G., 0 276
Frank, U 485
BRUNER
Mrs. Anna, I 709
ToCn, I 709
Joseph, I 709
Mary, I 709
Mrs. Mary H., 1709
Valentine, I 709
BRUNN
A., n 160
BRUNSC^
John, n75
BRUNSWICK
J. M., n2S6
BRUiSB
Alexander, n 141-
44. 146, 234,
278. 282-3, 360,
493, 497, 520.
526; B 8-9. Jr..
8
Dr.- n 344
BTn.. n444
Jacob, B 8
Joel, B 8
JohnW., n280
Fhebe M. , I 744
W. H., n298
William C, B8
BRYAN
George J. , n 343
William. I 288 .
BRYANT
, n 324
A. F.,.I643
Abner, I 578; n
95, 110, 134.
277, 514
Isaac F. . n 279
John, I 441. 444
Reuben, n 482
Warren, I 324; II
235, 535. 537
William C, I 207,
-14-
Index of Names continued
BRYANT coottinued
322, 669; n 29,
142-3, 235, 457,
475, 482, 485, 536
BUB
Mrs. Barbara. I 725
?!a!&rlxiB, I 725
Henry, I 725
BUCHER
EUsabetfa, I 710
Jacob, I 710
John, I 710
Joeeph L., 1710
Mary Ann, I 710
BUCHHEIT
George J., n 132,
142-3
BUCK
Abel, I 512
Fred, I 122
Frederick, I 381, 413
Martin, I 302
Romrell, I 568
BUCKELMUELLER
Ch., n 325
BUCKHAM
Henry B. , n 323
BUCKINGHAM
A., B 103
Benjamin, B 103
Ebeneser, B 103. Jr«,
B 103
Esther Bradley, B 103
Pamelia, B 103
Philo, B 103
BUCKLAND
A. J., n 132
BUCKLEY
John, n 412
William, n 193
BUCKLIN
Lorinda, B 9
BUCKMAN
Herbert U, 1612
BUCKMILLER
George, I 516
BUCKNAM
JohnW., I 749
Mrs. Mary, I 749
Spencer, I 749
BUCKNELL
William Jr. , II 523,
528
BUCKNER
George O. M. , II
485
BUOO
Augustus, I 293-94
Lawrence, II 547
BUDLONG
, II 361
BUELL
, B 104
David, B 86
Jonathan, n 520
Jonathans., n 142
M. H., I 369
BUERGER
E. M., 11 175-76
PaulTheo., H 177
BUESCH
BUBSCH continued
G. F.. n 175
BUESCHER
George, II 182
BUFFINGTON
IsabeUa, I 761
BUFFUM
Albert, I 602
Albert G. , I 604-05
Charlotte, I 602
David, I 493
EUenE., 1732
Hannah, I 602, 732
Horace A., n 133
James, I 602
Joseph, I 602
Maria, I 602
Mrs. Mary, I 602
Mary Ann, I 602
QUver P. , I 604,
732
Richard, I 119, 321,
601-602, 604, 610,
732. Jr., 602,
610
Ruth, I 739
Thomas, I 118, 377-
78, 602
W. W., n 131, 283
Wheeler, I 602
William, I 602
BUGBEE
O,, n 220, 252
BULL
Absalom, I 346; U
464, 523
Cant., I 142-3, 150,
Catharine T. , B 30
EdirardA., I 531
George C. , I 326, 530
Helen T. , B 30
Jabez B., U 511
Joseph, II 47, 50-51.
95
Louis A. , n 522
MUtonH., I 530
Sophia, n 276
William, B 30
WiUiam S., II 401
BULLARD
, I 566
Aurelia E.. I 768
Charles, I 768
George A. , I 768
Mary H., I 768
Washington, 11 194,
199. 233
BULLIS
, I 489
Birdie C, I 743
Frank G. , I 743
Hiram, I 530
Lewis H. . II 390
Lewis M., I 493, 532.
743
BULLOCK
Orrin, I 579
Phoebe, I 579
BULLYMORE
— -, II 262
BULLYMCmS continued
Richard, U 231. 234
William D.. I 25;.
257
BUMP
Amos. I 450
J. C. II 444
Jonathan. I 593. 598
Phoebe. I 598
Roxana, I 749
buik:e
. I 489
Elisabeth,
BUNDY
, I 580
Henry, I 580-81.
746
Henry H.. I 580. 746
Horace H. . I 580.
746
Milan J. . I 580-81.
746
BUNGAY
George W. , II 347.
349
BUNNER
J. C. II 333. 347
BUNTING
Levi. I 584, 588
T. L.. 1517-18.
520
BURBA
James. I 177,
413-15
BURCH
C, n 300
J. Henry, n 300
BURCHARD
Jedediah, I 462
BURDETT
Benjamin, I 302
BURDICK
A. C. . I 441
H. P. . n 348
BURGARD
E. C. n 548
Peter, H 141-42
BURGASSER
CaroUne, I 710
Christian. I 710
Elizabeth. I 710
George. I 710.
George Jr., 710
Henry A., I 710
John, I 710
Josephine, I 710
Lany, I 710
Margaret, I 710
Mars- I 710
Rosa Barbara, I 710
BURGESS
A., I 569
A. A., I 558, 607
Otis, I 626
Samuel. I 633
BURGHARDT
F. A. . n 444
BURKARD
G.-, n 325
BURKHARDT
John. II 165
-15-
Hiitory of Buffalo ana Erie CouiAy
E-JRV'MARDT cont.rroed
Simon, IT 165
BURKE
Jotin J. , 11 444
Martin. II 177
Mary Ar»n, II 353
Ned, II 1&9
BUR LEY
Andrew, ! 662, 664
BUR LING AM E
Dr., I 351
Enura D., I 749
Samantha, I 749
BUR LING HAM
C. D.. I 422
Vinal, I 612
Waterman, I 615
BURNAP
Tracy. I 644
BURNETT
, I 403
Charles, n 189
Mrs. Mary D., 1616
blIHTRam
EliohaH., 11528
Herbert, I 663
John, n 189
Tyler D. , I 449
WaUer, B 7
BURNS
, II 264
Alexander, I 728
Charles, I 728
Edirard, II 143
Fr., I 581
Franklin, I 728
JohnC, n 388
Peter, I 728
Thomas C, II 397
WiUiam P., H 147
BURNSIDE
George R., II 294
BURR
L. C, I 557
Rudolphus, I 610
BURRILL
Myron L., 11 391
BURROUGHS
E., I 622
Joseph, I 569
Thomas. I 559
BURROWS
, II 156
Joseph, I 568
Latham A., n 137
RosweU L., I 345.
347; II 138. 139,
236, 485, 549
RosweU S., n 139
BURT
. II 95, 257
Alvln, I 562
Cynthia. I 736
D. W., II 132
David. I 216. 299,
301. 344, 524; II
108. 134, 224
Franklin, n 444
Gen.. B 57
George, I 668; II 224
George L. , I 562
BURT caninoea
Henry W., U 161, 234
Mrs., n 29
Mrs. P., I 377
W. R., n 201
Wealthy. I 553
William. II 357
WUliam A.. I 562-
65; n 356
William G., I 296
BURTB
Arthur. I 423
P. P., n 540; B 97
BLUTOK
Darius, 11 135
Moses, n 300
Reuben E. , I 554;
n 293
Silas, n 294
Simon, II 348
BL-RWELL
Br/ant. n 270. 355.
419, 424-25. 430-
32, 436, 521; B 10,
27
Dr.. 531
^ITot, n 430
Esther Ann. B 27
George N., n 434,
436. 549, 552; B
10, 27
Theodore, B 57
Theodotus, I 458-9;
n 135-6, 333, 531;
B60
BURZETT3E
George, I 610
BUSH, BUSCH
, I 458
Adaline, I 710
Albert W., I 710
Barbara, I 710
Carl. I 710
Eli, I 710
Emma, I 710
Fred, U 132
Frederick, I 710
Frederick C, I 710
George, I 710
George A., I 710
Horace T. , I 566
IraM., I 710
John, n 136, 245
JohnG.. I 710
JohnT.. I 343-4. 416,
419. 763
John W., n 231, 244
Joseph, I 417-18, 421
Josephine. I 710
Lemuel G., I 763
Mrs. Mary Jane. I 763
^TelTnda. I 769
Myron P., II 138,. 230-
31, 234. 236. 244.
533. 546; B 33-34
Robert, n 95. 514
Stephen. I 710
WlUiam T., 1345, 419
BUSSMAN
Anton. I 461
BUSTI
BUST! continued
Paul. I 81; n 24,
26. 54
BUTLER
. n 203. 209
Benjamin F. . I 226-
27; B 86
C. F., n 347
Claries S., n 451
Comfort F. . n 329
D. F-, B 47
Edvard Hubert, n
341; B 47
Frederick J. , U 370
George H. . I 369. 387
Jay SL, n340
Jolin, I 49, 51, 54.
60-63, 65-67. 69.
209
Lewis L., 1569
M., n 349
Norman, 11 394
Orman, H 359
Ralph N., n 389
SfemuelM., 1444
T.. n 349
Walter, I 51
WiUiam IL, U 443
BUTLIN
Edirard, I 553
Henry, I 376; TI
296
BUTBftAN
Charles A« . H 131
BUTTERFIELD
, B 56
Henrietta E., I 713
J. S., 1440
P., 1389-90
Seth, I 440
BUTTERWORTH
, I 636
BUTTOLPH
H. T.'. n 146
BUTTON
C. A., 1613, 615,
749
Charles. I 749
Charles P., 1749
Charles T., I 749
Clarence E. , I 749
Lawrence P. , I 749
Russell, I 614
Russell W. , I 749
BUTTS
Daniel, I 423
EllaF., 1747
Emeline, I 423
JohnW., I 604
S. M. , I 625. 628
Samuel. I 625
WiUiam.- I 629
BUXTON
B. K. . I 516. 754
Ida. I 754
Luther, I 344. 627
WiUiam, I 554
BYER
Rev.. I 534
bySSTS
George, n 131
-16-
Index of Nanries continued
BYRNE
John, I 287; n 520
Matthew, n 540
WUliam, n 539
CABLE
Sarah, B5
CADUGAN
John, I 768
CADVTALLADER
, n 135
Mitcbenor, n 119, 137-
39, 329, 350; B 37
CADY
Gardner, n 184
Susan, B 109
CALDWELL
, I 606
Richard, I 504, 508
S. O., n 199, 404
Samuel. I 348; n 137,
317, 333, 468
CALHOUN
JohnC, n 185-86
CALKINS
Abbott C. 1241,
345, 517-19; n
486
Caleb, I 554, 622
Charles H., I 422
Blrs, BUsabeth, I 554
^nle, I 734
MUford. I 629
Moses, I 604
Mrs. Naomi, I 554
S. M., I 446
Samuel, I 538, 554
WUliam. I 734
William A., I 604
Wolcott, n 280
CALLAHAN
Michael. H 147
CALLANAN
Stephen A., I 288
CALLENDER
, n 60
Amos, I 348; n 41,
48, 109, 276,
311, 313-14
Mrs. Rebecca, n 276
"SSuelW., n 117,
436, 531-32; B 32.
Mrs., n 550
CAM£!!n!5N
, 11 189
H., n 382
Joseph A., n359
Lydia, B 79
CAMP
, I 514
Anna, I 666
Asahel, U 137
Daniel, I 511
Dr.. 1519
Horace B., 11 426
J. E., n 436. 441
JohnG., I 149, 178.
347; n 80, 81, 91,
114, 116, 134-35,
223, 285, 393. 530
Judge. I 198
Merlin, H 359
CAMP continued
Wyatt, il 311
CAMPBELL
, I 420
CatherinB, I 473
Charles W., B 79
Charlotte, I 473
Mrs. Damaris, I 724
George, II 130
HarrUrt, I 473
Henry. I 473; U 113
Henry B., I 710
Henry M., n 51,
134, 285
Hetty, I 473
J. B., n300
James, 11 113
Jerome M., 472, 724
John, I 473, 731
John A., 1758. Mrs..
1471
John A. B. , n 143
JohnB., I 469, 472,
724-25
JohnD., 1403
JohnH., 1583
JohnM., n337
Major. I 624
Uarla, I 473
MarahaU, I 473
Mary, I 731, 764
Matthew. I 469, 472,
710
Nancy, I 731
Oliver, I 473
Philip, I 473
Robert, B 79
Robert T., H 444
Sarah, I 718
Susan A. , B 79
Thomas B. , I 344
W. H. , n 540
CANDEE
CassiusC, 11377,
396, 548
H. N., 1575
Joseph, I 341, 344,
347, 621; n 132,
330, 332, 527;
B39, 110
William H. , I 302
CANFIELD
. I 598
Aaher, I 606
Jared, I 126
JohnH., 1241, 245
Jonathan, I 736
Milo, I 722, 736. Jr..
I 736
Naomi, I 735
R., 1606
Roby. I 606
Theodore A., I 651
Thomas, n 132
CANNEMUELLER
Carl, n 167
CANT
Andrew, U 207
CANTILLON
J., n 133
CAPTAIN
CAPTAIN continued
Cold, I 145
David, I 58-59
Halftown, I 145
PdUard, I 140, 145,
162. 186, 203,
502
anoke, I 70
Strong, I 186, 203
CARAHER
Fr., I 581
caSCt
Electa. I 446
Joseph. I 446
CARDUS
T., I 376
CARDWELL
Stephen D. , 11 402
CAREY, CARY
. II 290
Adam S. , n 485
AmelU, I 723
Asa, I 585. 593-
94. 598, 599. 632.
723
Calvin, I 593-94
Cas, I 722
Charles. H 268.
444. 540, 546-7
D. A. . I 593. 597
Mrs. Damaris. I 723
TSnFord, I 722
DanfordA., I 722
Dr.. n219
Elgin B. , I 722
Emmet, I 723
Fanny. I 722. Mrs. .
I 723
Hesehiah C. . II 387
Joseph. I 599
Luther, I 593
Luther D., 1722
Luther H., I 722
M., I 321
Mary, I 722
MlUardT.. I 723
Murray B. , I 604
Nancy. I 722
Orson, n 422
R. M.. 1520
Richard. I 593-94.
630. Jr., 593
Thomas. 11 485. 347
Truman. I 298, 344.
593-4, 597, 722-
23
Truman S. , I S93,
597. Jr., 722
Van Rensselaer. I 329
-30, 349. 593.
599, 722
Walter. H 425. 511
WiUlam. I 722
William S. . I 722
GARLAND
William, n 543
CARLEY
, n 193
CARLISLE
. II 192
CARLTON
-17-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
CARLTON continued
Robert, II 516
CARMER
JohnL., I 280
CARMICHAEL
CaroUne C, I 694
Charles, I 694
James H., n 146
Robert, 11 132, 143-45
CARNEY
, I 618
Aaron, I 621
D. W., n 283
Edward, I 381. 415
Horace, I 763
James, I 415-17
W. A., II 131
W. H., 11 131
CARPENTER
, I 453
B., I 626
Copeland, I 479-80
David, I 747
EUalF., 1251
Fred, I 747
Frederick W,, I 747
George, I 205, 275,
284-85. 476-77,
487
Henry, I 482
Henry C, I 479
Hiram, I 746. Mrs., I
573 '
Jeremiah, I 205, 476-
77, 479-81
John, I 123, 565; 11
335, 565
JohnC, I 479-80
JohnR., n224
Joseph, I 454, 457,
477, 480
Lydia Ann, I 759
Mary, I 731
Niles, I 479-81
S. W., n 140
William, I 481, 562
William A., I401;n 328
William U, n 138
Willis. I 482
CARR
— . II 544
Bartlett, I 729
Betsey, I 711
Catharine, I 729
Charles, I 413
Clark, I 599
David, I 413
Elizabeth, I 729
Frances, I 729
George, I 729
George W., I 576, 582
Harrison, I 729
James, I 728
Joseph P, , II 485
Laney L,, I 729
Mary J. , I 729
Philo v., I 729
Rev.. I 533
Wnfiam, I 729
CARRICK
, II 197
CARRIER
Chauncey T, , I 580
P. H. . I 580
CARROLL
. II 198
John, I 493
Michael, U 132
CARSON
Hugh, I 377
CARTER
Elizabeth, B 58
John S., n 296, 298
Norris A., 1272
CARTIER
Jacques, I 22
CARTWRIGHT
, I 619
Richard, I 555
William, I 619
CARVER
LaFayette, I 549
CARYL
A. H., n211
Benjamin, I 122,
178; n 43, 74,
104, 134, 222-
23, 235, 300,
352-53, 355,
357, 370
Dr.. I 589
Barvey, I 588
Lucian W. , 11 426
Thomas, I 582
CASE
Ar B. , II 432
Albert H., I 736
Arthur E., I 736
Frank W, , I 736
George, 11 359
Henry B. , I 736
Horace, I 736
Hugh, I 449
J. A., I 551
James E. , I 449
James H., I 364
John A., I 301, 345
Julia A., I 751
Marcus, I 613
Moses, I 441, 443,
449
Mrs., 1619
TIeKemUh, H 359-
62, 370-71, 394-
95, 401
Squire S. , I 300,
344; n 135-36
W. H. , n 293
Whitney A., H 131
CASEY
E. W,, I 762
Edwin, I 621
Josephine E., I 717
Michael, I 450
CASH
Aaron, I 572, 582
Ambrose, I 573. 747
David, I 572
Helen A. . I 746-47
M. H. , II 432
Whitney, H 378
William, I 115. 573. 575
CASKEY, CASKIE
. II 503
George, I 580
James H. . I 586. 588
Joseph, I 736; H 190
CASS
Lewis, n 418
CASSEL, CASTLE
C, I 401
Charlotte. I 729
CASWELL
Harriet M.. 1711
CATLIN
Elisha, I 747
Qrln, n 378-79
Philander Bert. I
747
R., 1623
CATTARAUGUS
Hank. I 165
CATTO
• William T., H 300
CAUMER
John, n 304
CAVANAGH
Martin, I 377
CAVENG
T. L., n 166
CAZENOVE
Theophilus, I 16,
77, 81, 501; n
25-26
CECILIA
Sister, n 326
CENTER
James, I 376
CHABOT
I. Th., n 176
CHADBOURNE
Johns., n348
CHADDERDEN
James, I 480, 482
John, I 480
Stephen, I 479, 482
CHADWICK
CaroUne, I 743
Peter R., I 260
CHAFFEE
Almira, I 734
Bertrand, I 328-29,
623, 636-37, 639-
40: n 382, 392,
398
Burt, I 333
Byron, I 387
Ezra, I 597. 599
SaUy, I 734
CHAFFIN, CHAFEN
Abigail, I 724
LucienG., U 340
CHALLIS
N. S.. I 612
CHALMERS
James, I 768
CHAMBERLAIN,
CHAMBER LAYNE
, I 384
A. M. . I 569
E. L. . n 399
Erastus, I 422
Eugene V. , H 485
-18-
Index of Names continued
CHAMBERLAIN,
CHAMBERLAYNE continued
Hunting S«« H 138-40,
532
Ivory, n 330
J. D. Hoyt, n 143
Joel, I 398
O. S., II 296
Samuel M., I 260; H
402
^Ivester, H 108, 346
CHAMBERS
E. E. , n 295-297
George, I 345; n 143
Hiram, II 139
Talbot, n 353
CHAMPLAIN, CHAMPLIN
C. G«, n 444
O. H. P., 11382-83
Samuel de, I 21-22,
24
Stephen, I 560; U
112, 189
William B., 1560
CHANDLER
Absalom, I 739
Aamond, I 739
George W. , II 298
H., B 38
Henry, n 541
Hiram, I 739
Isaac, I 513, 516,
527
U D. , I 637
Leman, I 534
Lyman, I 489
Nathan W., I 739. Jr.,
1739
Sarah Roirena, I 739
CHAPIN
, II 193, 262; B 39
Alfred B., H 264-65
Aaahel, U 291
Cooley S. , I 336; U
496-97
Cyrenlus, I 87, 129,
133, 135, 137-41,
145-51, 153-54,
189, 321-23, 347,
666-67; H 22-23, 29,
44-45, 58-60, 65-
66, 68, 79, 91,
107-08, 116, 118,
134, 275, 312, 313,
352-53, 355, 417-
19, 422-24, 426,
502, 521: B 10, 70
Daniel, II '" 417-19.
423, 50-j
Edvrard P., 1237, 249,
274-79
Gen,, n 16
GOTham, I 322; H 134
Henry, II 23, 32
James, I 404; 11 108
John, I 303
Joseph, I 597
L. A. , I 520
M. W. , I 590
MUton, I 590
Rev., I 463
CHAPIN continued
Roswell, I 348; H 32,
109, 453, 459
Seth, I 433
Sheldon, H 95, 184
Susannah, B 88
W. O., n485
William. I 352
WUliamH.. I 305
William W. . I 297
CHAPLIN
Jonathan E. . n 133-
34, 453
Ot. Master, I 133
CHAPMAN
,1 420; II 414
Asa, I 83, 114, 117,
123, 128, 361,
384, 400
Egbert, I 463
J. M., I 418
Jonathan E. , n 353
Mary. I 475
CHAPPELL
Sally, B 102
CHARD
James F. . H 293
William, n 139, 193
CHARLES
L I 24, 33; H 14
n. I 33; n 14
, n 542
CHASE, CHACE
A«, n 236
I 133
Id E. , n 443
Frank, I 636, 639
J. A., I345;n 133
John L«. n 268
Joseph, B 27
Julia, I 735
Mrs, U A., I 446
I^iSia. B27
Samuel, n 136, 190
Sec,. I 680
Solomon P, , I 226
Squire, I 375
W., I 504
CHATFIELD
Edwrard J., H 263
CHAUMONT
Ft,, 124. 57
criSUy«:EY
Commodore. I 137
ClffiESEMAM
Austin S. , n 390
Joseph K,, I 386
William. I 155, 514,
528
CHENEY
Mrs, Armena H. . I 750
"Eciar O., 1612
Helen M. . I 750
Joshua. I 614, 750
Zaccheus. I 691. 693
CHERRY
Dr., 1589
"Riebe, I 423
CHESBRO, CHESEBROUGH
Darwin, I 479
Frank. I 480
CHESBRO.
CHESEBRCXJGH continued
Harry. I 449
JohnL.. I 477
S. R. J., n 299
CHESTER
A., n 193
Albert H., 0 323
Albert T.. I 581;
11280-281. 323.
536. 541; B 68
Anson G. . n 282.
330. 337. 544
C. O., n444
CarlT.. n486,
552
Ellen K,, U 323
Leonard H.. 11 541
Mabel. U 323
Thomas, n 282. 236.
252. 293-94, 552
CHESTNUTWCXX)
L., n 256
CHETESER
Susan, I 733
CHEVALIER
Ft., n 304-05
CH(I?!7lIESTER
EdirardL.. H 278
CHIDSTER
FbebeC. I 741
CHIEK
G, B. . I 387
CHILCOTT
Amos. I 326. 516.
530. 532, 739
Eben. I 742
Edirin G. . I 739
Emma. I 742
Mrs. Martha. I 742
C^Bir, CHILDS
Ahnenus, I 621
EUnor, B 31
H. H.. n551;B21
Henry, n 278
Henry A., II 485
Jefferson. I 621
Joseph. B 31
Mary E.. I 750
O. W.. I 616
Mrs. Penelope. B 31
ISephen. I 750
Tryphena. B 45
CHIFMAN
Flitch, n 355
JohnM., n486
CHITTENDEN
Harlow. B 96
Martin. I 348; II 464;
B5
CHIVERS
E« E. . I 424; U 292
CHOULES
JohnO.. II 291
CHOWVNIC
Peter. II 306
CHRIST
Bartholemew. I 763
G. C. . I 763
CHRISTIAN
WUliam. IT 372
-19-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
CHRISTISON
W. H., n 430
CHRISTY
H. B., I 627-28
Harrison, I 629
Richard, I 629
CHURCH
John, n 377
L. S., n 343
Stephen, I 441
Wiiliam B., I 302
William M., I 295-96
CHURCHILL
— . I 604, 640
Achsan Maria, I 722
Arthur, I 643
Byron A., I 557; tl 378
C. D., I 376
Charles, I 722
Col., I 149-152
Dennis, I 376
Edward, I 595
Eliza, I 376
J. O., I 636
John. I 423, 597. 599,
605
LoveU, I 36
Ohve, I 739
Sarah. I 697
Stephen, I 604
CHURCHWELL
Sylvester, I 257
CHURCHYARD
Joseph, H 142-144,
236, 257, 273,
500, 530
CHURR
Levi, I 387
CITTERLY
W. M., II 296
CLAESSENS
Louis, II 167
CLAGHA-M
Joseph M., I 583
CLAGHORN
J. L., I 275, 280
CLAIR
, I 640
CLAPP
— . B 56
AlmonM,, I 213, 217,
340, 345, 548; II
328-29, 336-37,
339, 348, 527
George, I 461
H. H., n 337, 339
William, I 531
CLARK, CLARKE
, I 582; II 486; B
45, 114
AUen. I 592
Amos, I 95, 554, 561
Anna, B 10
Archibald 5,, I 95,
99, 109, 121, 123.
178, 340, 342-43,
347-48, 362-65,
368, 385, 387; U
52, 108, 222, 356,. 440
B., n 219
Benjamin, I 452-53,
CUUIK, CLARKE continued
455, 462; H 348
Benjamin P., 11 451
Betsey, B 98
Brad., IT 219-221
Brigham, n 221
C. B., 11 257
Calvin P. , I 422; U
297 377
Charles, I 377, 460
Charles A.. I 295; H
389
Charles E., II 236. 481,
509-510. 549
Charles S.. II 257
Clarissa, B 30
CoU. I 141
Congressman. I 184
Cyrus, 1 S4I; tl 212;
B 103
David N. , U 292
Delavan F., IT 486,
546
Dr. . n 360
TJulcena, I 498. 744
Dulcena E., I 498
E. W. , I 583, 622
Edward, II 444
Elam, I 495, 615
Elisha. I 498
Elon. I 610
Eva, I 629
Ezra, I 478
F. A., 1643
F. L., 419, 423
George,.! 619
George W.. 1636
"Governor'\ I 230.
427-28
Grosvenor, H 518
Henry R., I 305; H
237, 395
Hiram, I 498
Horace, I 344. 347,
477, 498, 621-22
Israel, I 598
J. B., n 329
J. D. , I 640
J. K., n 257
James. I 91. 453,
455, 462, 480, 495,
498, 744; B 12. Jr..
498
Jasper N.. I 531
John. I 345. 516. 742
John Whipple. H 134-
35. 531; B 10-12
Joseph. I 462, 498
L. B. , I 557
Lavina, I 498. Mrs. .
I 498
Lyman, I 615, 661
Martin, IT 486
Mary, I 598
Mrs. Mary L. H. , I 733
Moses, I 329-30
Myron H. , II 486, 493
Nathaniel, I 513
Qrinda, I 498
OrtonS., I 275, 280,
286
CLARK. CLARKE continue:
Pendleton, I 187
Philip, I 580
RosaM., I 742
Ross. I 498
Samuel, I 86
Seneca A., IT 273
Seth. n 142, 236.
539
Sheldon. B 98
Simeon. I 586. 591
Stephen, U 95. 112,
135; B 10
Sylvester. I 594.
597; n 353, 417.
420
Thomas. I 382; U
142-43. 267, 271,
533; B 9, 12-14
Thomas B., H 417,
420-21
W. G. . I 636
Walter. H 277. 534;
B 16
WUliam. 1498
William A., n285
CLARY
, n 108
Joseph, I 344. 346,
694; n 79, 96,
104, 109, 134.
453, 462-63. 467,
503; B 91. Mrs,
B 10
GLAUS
Crescentia, I 721
Joseph, n 167
CLAUSSEN
Charles E., 1261
CLAY.
. n 265
Henry, I 224; B 93,
103
CUEARWATER
Catharine. I 499.
745
CI^ER
Thomas W.. R 539
CLEMENS, CLEMONS
Alfred. I 300-01
Sunuel L. , U 339
CLEMENT
Jesse, n 539
Stephen M.. H 231.
323, 536; B 73
CLEVELAND
Gen.. I 704
trover. I 238. 341,
347. 704; U 129,
146. 323, 341.
520. 546
Jedediah,, I 632
Margaret. I 703
F'almer. I 401
Richard F. . I 704
Silas H., 1642
William, 1703
CLIFF
T., I 376 ;n 297
CLIFFORD
Calvin, I 564; R 355
-20-
Index of Names continued
CLIFF ORO continued
JohnC, B 71
CLIFTON
, B 104
Charles, 11 540
CLINE
Marvin, TL 251
CLINK
Rlchy, I 718
CLINTON
. n 486
Cbarlpa. I 306
OeWitt, I 51, 83. 135,
188, 198, 241, 247,
308-11, 345, 686-7;
n 90, 93-4, 352,
354, 363, 457; B
5, 53, 86
Edirard, n 342
George, I 55, 83-4,
346, 410, n 24,
486, 550
George W., I 274^
285, 324-325, 336-
7, 342, 346; H 118-
9, 126-7, 137, 149,
370, 371, 436, 473,
510, 534. 541; B 78
Henry P., I 241; n
140, 379
James, I 51
Jud^. n 462
Spencer, n 486
Thomas R., 11 144-45
CLOAK
James M., II 146,
486
JohnG., n 147, 486
CLOR
Michael, TL 139
CLOUGH
Benjamin L, I 123,
160, 297, 301, 514
Mary Etta, I 748
Thomas H, , 11 379
CLUNEY
Thomas F., I 251,
257
CLUXTON
Sidney G. . I 303
COAKLEY
J. B., n444
COAN, CONE
Henry, II 232
Lorinda, I 741
Rev.. I 556
cccrre; coates
, 11 193
GUesK., II 211-12
J. J., n 133
COATSWORTH
Caleb, I 469; II 297
Thomas, TL 110, 112
COBB
, I 389; n 193
A. R., n 270
C, RoUin, I 419
Carlos, II 287, 360,
362-63, 370-71,
394
Delia, I 723
COBB continued
Mrs. L. D. , n 552
TlSiemiah, I 494
Oscar, n 271
Peres, I 597
Zenas, I 490
ZenasM., I 492-94
COBLEIGH
Joel, n 382
COBURN
, B 113
Dr.. n348
TKeodore, n 110,
112, 134, 514
QOCHRAN, COCHRANE
, I 636
A. G. C. . n 532
Byron, I 640, 642
E. C. n267
Samuel, I 123, 631-3,
638, 641
William, n 273
COCKERELL
William, I 449
COE
BelaD., II 104, 134;
B25, 91
Chauncey H. , B 91
Deacon, I 405
Thomas, I 399
COFFIN
William, n 523
COFRAN
Perry, I 377
W. M., 1377
William, I 377
COGSWELL
— B 32
Caroline H. , B 32
G., I 504
COHEN, COHENS
A. F., n309
B., n 308
H., I 637
I. N., n 308-309
corr
-r-, B 3
Benjamin, B 14. Jr.,
B 14
Benjamin B. , n 431
Charles T., B 15
EUza Ripley, B 16
Frances E., B 16
Frank E. , B 16
Frank S., I 373
George, n 46, 51-2,
76, 80, 88, 95,
102, 110, 112, 117,
136, 183-4, 192,
243, 270, 353, 514,
523-4, 526; B 14-16,
101, 108-109
George Jr., B 15
John, B 14
John Townsend, B 15
Joseph, B 14. Jr., B 14
Nathaniel T., B 16
Oliver, II 184; B 15
Samuel, B 14
Sarah Frances, B 15
William, B 14
corr continued
William Benjamin, B 16
COLBERT
— I 33
COLBURN
A. F., II 298
COLBY
, I 610, 613
C. H. , I 590
Clara H. , I 749
DoUy, I 749
Esekiel, I 608
Harvey, I 608
Iva May, I 749
Jefferson, I 749
Jesse, I 569
John, I 609, 622
Jonas S. , I 749
Jonathan, I 299, 608
Michael, I 622
Nathan, I 608
R. H. , n 293
Mrs. Sally, I 749
COLfiEN
CadwaUader, I 307
Cadwallader D. , I 603
COLE
Abby, B 59
Alathea, I 731
B. R. , n 132
Edward, I 731
George, I 597; II 139
George M., 11 201
Hiram, I 567
John, I 563-64, 566;
n 355, 443
John P., n 443
JohnW., 1492
Mark W. , U 395
NUes, I 563, 566
Ridley, I 604; II 378
Samuel, I 404
T., I 362
William W., I 531
COLEGROVE
BelaH., I 344, 619,
621, 623; U 140,
356, 420-21
Clinton, I 622, 643
James B. , n 443
COLEMAN, COLMAN
Charles, B 40
G. W. , II 299
J. H. , n 43
MaUssa, I 749
WiUiam, n 262; B 40
COUE
, n 242
George W., H 243
Mrs. O. S., n243
Samuel D., 11 141,
200, 287
COLLAR
Mrs. James, I 553
COLtffiR
C. H., n 443
COLLIGNON
Frank, II 143, 240
COLLINS
Catharine, I 423
Clarissa, B 71
-21-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
COLLINS continued
D. W. , I 303
George S.. I 619, 621
John, I 493
Michael. II 130
Nancy, I 648
Nathan, I 606
Thomas, I 619
Thomas J., I 423
COLQUHOUN
Duncan, II 283
COLSON
F. A,, II 395
COLSWORTH
Mary Gardner, I 724
COLT
George, 11 132
Peter H,, H 51, 58
COLTON
, I 636
H., B 109
Manly, I 348, 640;
n39, 135, 269
Royal, n 43, 95
COLTRIN, COLTRAIN
Asa, II 44, 107,
111, 353, 423
William, I 122, 513,
525
COLVIN
, I 529
A. E., I 629
Amos, I 90, 525,
530. Jr., 90, 525
EUs, I 629
Elizabeth, I 712
George, I 90, 525
Hanan« I 712
Isaac, I 90, 525, 531
Israel, I 748
Jacob, I 90, 525
L. T. , I 576
Luther, I 90, 160,
297, 525
Martha, I 748
Mary, I 739
Poltis, I 517
Samuel, I 629
SanfordG., I 122
Stephen, I 398
COMAN
Lydia, B 92
COMSTOCK
, I 515
Charles A., II 136
Daniel, B 57
George W., 11 268
H. J., n 257
J. M., II 131
John, II 131
Lucius B., B 53
CONABLE
Rev.. I 463
CONANt
George, I 552
John, I 585
CONASHUSTAH
, I 143
CONDON
Israel, I 652
CONG DON
CONGDON continued
, II 486
Benjamin C, II 417,
420, 422
Benjamin E., I 401
Israel, n 423, 430
CONGER
Anson G., I 345, 850
F., I 654
George, I 665
Horace M., H 420. 437-438
CONKEY
Daniel S., I 298
Davids., I 399, 403
CONKLIN, CONKLING
Alfred. B 28
Aurelian, I 339
Miss, n 331
Olive R., I 742
William, I 742
CONKRIGHT
Bessie, I 746
CONNELLY. CONNOLY. CONLY
, II 181
Patrick. I 273
Phillip, I 481. 483
CONNERY
M. P. , I 377, 450,
759
CONNOR
Patrick, I 717; H
132
CONOVER
Henry. 11 231
CONRAD, CONRADT
A. , I 520
Joseph, I 257
PhiUp. I 406
CONRY
Henry W., 1273
CONSTANT
Fr., I 377
coTOTtantine
O. W., I 519
Thomas, B 17
CONWAY
James J. , II 539
COOK, COOKE
, I 123, 621;
II 198, 486
Andrew, I 664
B., I 717
Bates, I 100; n 467
Charles, I 643
Clara, I 733
Constant, II 231
David, n 379
E. N. , II 267
E. W. , I 640
Edward L., I 272-73
Eli, I 234; II 100,
137-39; B 76, 78
EUzabeth A., 1747
Ephraim, II 317
Ephraim P., I 12;
II 139-40
Ezekiel, I 160, 297,
526-27. 533
George T. , I 247
Hatty M.. I 717
Hiram, I 651
COOK, COOKE continued
IraS.. 1623
John, I 618
John B.. n 382
JohnH.. I 717
Joshua, II 280
Josiah. n 486
Lansing B.. II 451
Leander. I 609. 613
Margaret, I 760
MaryC. H 323
Mercy. I 488
Merritt F. . U 450
Norman. I 733
P. G.. I 12; n 282-83
P. G. ^r., I 12;
n 550
Peter, I 733
PoUy. I 740
Raphael, n 45, 52,
58. 78. 352-53
Sim son. I 419
WUllam, I 593
William W.. 1293
COOLEY
Elijah. I 421
COON
Ebenezer. I 413
George. T 629
Harry. I 629
John. I 123
Mary. I 709. Mrs.
I 629
COOPER
, n 201; B 49
Mrs. Alice E.. I
""^33
C. M., n 119
James. IT 278
Joseph. I 608, 749
LaFayette. I 457, 755
Mrs.. T 553
1^Tge E. . 1749
Mrs. Sally. I 749
'Samuel, I 122. 608.
632. 749
W. E. . n 360
COOTS
William A. . n 302
COPE LAND
David. I 641
John, I 642
v., n299
COPPINS
F. T.. n 539
CORBACH
William, n 171
CORBETT
Daniel. I 275
Dennis. II 130
Fr.. II 305
COMIN
David. I 572-73,
585
DeWittC. 1302.
545; n 390
Edwin. I 533
Hannah. I 737
Joslyn M., I 605
Peter. I 590
William H., I 545
-22-
Index of Names continued
CORLETT
— , n 486
Thomas, II 485-86
CORLEY
Louise, B 34
CORLISS
MitcheU, I 612
Snnuel, I 321, 610,
612
CORNEUUS
Adun, n 162, 272,
390
COflNELL
CaroUne L., 1732
Cyrus, I 604
D., n540
Peter C, B 117
Richard R«, n 241, 289
S. D., I 333; n 540
Samuel G., B 117
CORNING
Asa, B 109
James Leonard. 11 279
Jane, B 109
CORNPLANTER
, I 46. 50, 56,
6405, 71, 220
CORNWALL
Asher, I 615
Levlnus, I 569, 642, 762
Lyman, I 542-43, 546
WiUtamC, n 541
CORNWELL
Edirard J., 1275
Francis E., II 483
H«, 1623
Hiram D., I 621, 762
U W., 1443-44
Lois. I 642
Pamela, I 765
W. W.. 1619. 642
WUliamC.. 1520;
n233
CQRRELL
Catherine H., I 409
CORRISTON
Edvrard, H 133
Patrick, n 131
CORWIN
H. C, n 193
Thomas, I 228
CORYDON
Richard, n 449
C08ACK
. n 265
COSHAWAY
Charles, n 190
COSSETT
Catharine, I 713
COTHRAN
George W., I 347
COTTER
Timothy, n 144
COTTIER
EUsha B«, I 285
MarU, I 763
Robert, I 275, 279
COTTLE
Octavius O. , n 486
Philips.. 1251
COTTON
COTTON continued
Andrew. II 539
Keiiah, n 276
Rowland, I 122; n 42.
352-3. 509; B 39
COTTRELL
M. G. . n 299
COURSER
Caroline Fidelia, I 718
COURTER
Ralph, n 142, 520
COURTNEY
Maurice, I 288; n
130
COURY
Cant., I 272
^CWEWTRY
Charles B*. I 293; XI
432. 435
COVEY
Leverett C, , n 452
Lorenso D., I 345. 367-
8. 370
M., I 504
W. M.. 1369
COVILLE
Edirard. I 554
COWDEN
Mary. I 740
OUve. I 740
COWDRY
Albert, I 651
COWELL
John F. . n 541
COWING. COWAN
Calvin, I 568
H. O., n 133
J. H., n 528. 547-48
James A.. II 193
COWKILLER
, I 65
COWLES
Alvin. n 423
Chauncey D.. n 280
SethG.. n288
^Ivanus, I 654
COX. COKE
, I 460; n 414
A. Cleveland. II 288.
324. 541. 533
Elisha, I 452
CRABBE
H. W. . II 284
CRAFT, CRAFTS
John W. . n 251
Lucy. I 749
CRAIG
. B 88
Charles. I 576
EUsabeth. I 735
CRAMER
Alonzo. I 763
Helena K. P.. I 763
John. I 729
JohnW.. I 763; Jr..
763
Mrs. Mary. I 763
Klary L., I 763
Oscar. I 763
Robert W. . I 763
Sarah. I 729
CRAMER continued
William. I 763
CRANDALL
, I 450
OeForest. n 486
Dr., I 444
rTA.. n340
G. A.. 1613
James. I 637-38
Jenks. I 590
Luke. I 647-8, Jr. ,
1648
Mary F. . I 762
William L,. n 332
CRANE. GRAIN
Alvira A. . I 759
Byron F. . I 249
Daniel C. I 564
Delbert P.. I 759
Edwin F. . I 759
Henrietta D. . I 757
John, n 184
John A.. II 299
John J. . II 389
LucUnD.. I 374. 759
O. P. . I 374, 759
PoUy. I 738
W. T.. 1643
CRANNEL
James. I 553
CRANSAKY
, I 439-40
PoUy. I 440
CRAPO
Deborah. I 760
CRARY
Charles S.. 1284.
286
Leonard, tl 103. 134
CRATS
. 11 200
CRAWFORD
A. IL. n 444
Alonso, I 389
Gilbert. I 462; n 277
Harvey. I 576
Juliet. I 753
L., I 389
Robert. B 19
SunuelM.. TL 431
CREGO
Floyd S.. n 414
CRESWELL
John A., n 342;
B 46
CRETSENGER
George. I 710
George Sr.. I 710
CRIPEN
Abram C. H 300
CRIQUI
WiUiam. I 389
CRISPIN
R.. I 390
CRISSY
Isaac O., n 377.
399. 520
CRISWELL
J.. I 553
CRITCHLEY
WlllUm. II 131
-23-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
CRITTENDEN
John J., 1228. 450
CROCKER
, I 557, 613; II
210
Andrew, 1619
Charles, I 606-07
James, I 439; II 137,
472; B 82
U L., I 523; II 210
CRC^IMEL
Julius, I 447, 449
CROMWELL
William, I 528
CRONIN
Michael, n 133
CRONK
Asa. I 321
James. I 114, 297,
321, 347, 363-65,
384
Sheriff. I 428
CR'0!R9n'E
Rosetta, I 765
CRONYN
EdvrardF., 1302
John, n 493, 550, 552
John A., n 443
L. C, n 444
CROOK, CROOKS
, I 610
Asa, I 612
Charles, I 610
MicahB., I 160, 538-39
WilUam, I 613
CROOKER
James F., I 349; 11
146-7, 317,
322
M«, I 504
CROOP
EUsabeth, I 730
Margaret, I 730
CROSBY
, I 146
Allen, I 621
Chauncey, II 388
Clark P., I 621
Mary J., 1750
Morton, I 619. 621
Phebe R. . I 769
CROSIER
JohnM., n 136
CROSS
E. T., 1450
Joseph, n 288
Stubel, I 626
CROUP
Henry, I 369
CROUT
U F., 1406
CROW
John, n 22, 26.
29, 32-3. 39-40
CROWDER
Jacob, n 141-42,
147
CROWLEY
JohnL., 1345-46
Lucinda, I 749
Richard, n 486
CROWN
Augustus H. , I 420;
n 377
CRUICE
Daniel, I 345; II
132, 144
CRUMP
Benjamin, I 732
Roberto., 1732, 734
Robert J. , I 604
CULLY
David, I 86. 361-62
Diadama, I 466
CULVER
Charles, B 19
CUMMINGS, CUMMINS
Augusta E. , B 83
Capt., I 141-143
FTm.. I 482-83
Harlow, I 3D
Hesekiah, I 366, 368-
70. 372-73
Homer H., 1373
Jsmes, I 651
John, I 88, 90, 93.
511-12; 11 137
Mrs. L. , I 637
iSwellM., 1639
M. B., I 391
Major. I 145
Melissa A., B 83
Nathaniel, I 422
Palmer, I 373
Scott. I 639. 641
Uriah. I 373
W. M., I 374
CUNNINGHAM
, II 45
Ft., 1377
flSnry S., I 384. 393
John, I 413
CURRAN
Hiram A., t 349, 722
Hiram J., I 597
Robert, I 722-23
William, I 597, 722
CURRIER
, I 605
Abner, I 95, 297-98,
608
Chauncey G., I 615
CURRY
A. F., n299
Charles H., 1286
Francis F., II 141-42
CURTENIUS
JohnL., n 483
CURTIN
Thomas, I 12
Thomas S. , II 520
CURTIS
, II 198, 246;
B 22
Alexander M. . U 522
Aimer on, n 292
Charles G., n 212,
232, 251. 550,
552
Content. I 633
Cortland H. , I 749
Dr.. I 577
CURTIS continued
Emory, I 390-91
FredB., n 246
Hannah, I 579
Herman S. , I 749
Homer, I 615
Ira. B 55
JohnC, I 749
Lettuce, I 666
Levi, n 131
Lois, n 276
Luther, I 632
Lyman, I 446
Maria, I 446
Peter, n 136. 514;
B63
Rev., i 581
"Simuel, I 616
Stephen, I 479
Sylvester, I 749
Thankful, I 745
William, I 458
CUSHING
Phoebe, B 8
T. W., n210
Thomas, U 210
Zattu, I 99
CUTLER
A., n242
A. W. , ii 193
AbigaU. I 720
Abner, n 358-60;
B 16-18
Abner Jr., B 18
Agnes, B 18
Asher, I 621, 762
Beattle, I 762
Caleb, t 609-610,
749, 762
ElUa, I 762
Esekiel, 1641
FredH., H 242;
B 18
Grace, B 18
John D. Harty, B 18
Joseph, B 16-17
Katie, B 18
Maria. B 18
Sylvan, I 609. 749
WiUiamC. 1609
William H.. H 486;
B 90
CUTTER
, n 486
Ammi, n 486
George W., II 301.
Mrs., n550
HecIorT II 294
CUTTING
Charles H., n 486
Harmon S. . I 345;
n 141-42, 486.
520, 546
Henry, n 390
CUYLER
WiUiam Howe. I
130; n 57
DABB
George, I 483
DABOLL
Garrett C. U 451,
-24-
Index off Names continued
OABOLL continued
550; B 18-19
JohnU« n 451; B 18
LouUB., B 18
DAGENAIS
A«. n 444
DAGGETT
Byron H.« II 143-4,
443
David, B54
DAHLKE
William, I 510
DAHLMAN
Louia, n 307
DAIGLER
Adam, I 725
George, I 725
DAILLON
St., 123
daSe
a. w., 1 021
John, I 615-16
DAKIN
Chriatim, B 44
Thomaa, B 44
DALE
MMar jr Ann, B 48
J DAILEY
Dennia, I 377
Johx^ I 606
JohnF., I 758
Lavina, I 762
Martin, I 120; n 52,
112, 514
Sophia, I 606
DALEZ
n 167
C, I 447
DALRYMPLE
Hattie, I 518
DALTON
JohnC, n 441
DAMBACH
John, n444
DAMON
D. H., 1644
DANA
Jamea D«, I 351
DANAHY
Michael, H 145
DANCE
Albert J., 1305
DANDRIDGE
John, n 294
DANDY
George B. , I 265-6,
268-9. 271-72
Jamea H., I 271-72
DANPORTH
E., 1349
F. U, n230
JohnW., n283
H. M., 1579, 599
WUliam, I 577
DANHISER
Caaper, I 509
DANIEL
Two Guns, 6 11
DANIELS
Charles, I 342; II 288,
DANIELS continued
485-86, 540
CharleaH., n 288, 486,
547
Clayton M., n 444
Heman, n 378-79
JdhnM., n 131
Judge, n 446
Lyman A., n 131
Margaret, I 716
Rodney, VL iSO
DIkNN
—- , n 76
EdirardS., n 140,
285, 553
Edwin S., n 140
DANNER
Micteel. n 234
Michael Jr., 1285
DANSCHER-
JoMph, n 165
DANSER
Charlea, I 391
DANVERS
J., 1654
DARBY, DARBEE
Albert, I 257, 258
Cheater, I 538
Frederick, I 720
J., 1550
Jamea G., I 540, 546,
557-8, 719-20
Jedediah, I 540. 557,
719
JohnC, 1540. 557
Mra. M. U . I 558
Hartha J., 1. 720
PoUy, I 739
Ruth, I 720
DARCY
Charlea. I 347; n 519
DARK
Thomaa, 11 498
Thomas Sr« , n 298
DARLING
George. I 604
Jamea P. . B 32
Rev., 1556
KuiaeU. I 538
DARROW
Charles B.. 1241
Deacon, 11 300
Edwards.. I 720
EUjah. I 720
Mra. EUza, I 720
Henry P. , I 556
John, n 288
Noyea. n 95. 110,
135. 279
DART
, II 361; B 3
Allen K.. I 329, 516,
518
Clark. I 516
Horace. I 518
Joaeph. n 112, 121.
193, 201. 215-7.
219; B 113
Mra, Joseph. B 11
Toseph Jr.. n 95. 514
Moses. I 754. Mra. I 573
DART continued
MoaeaSr.. 1754
DARTIS
— , II 300
DATES
T. B., 1421
D'AUBREY
, I 43-44, 47
DAUCER
Carrie. I 728
DAUL
Jdhn, I 403
DAUMAN
John, I 401
OAUTEL
Charles, n 451
DAVENPORT
Christian Cameron.
B 79
Corneliua. n 353-54
Ira, B 79
Suaan, I 120
DAVEY, DAVY
John, n 132, 147
M., n513
Stet., I 267
DAVBSON
. II 193. 197
A. R.. n344. 444. 552
DAVIES
Henry E.. 11 134
DAVIS
, I 610
A. J., n 132
Ada M. . I 743
Albert. I 743
AUceM.. 1743
Ahneda, I 499
Alpheua, I 386
B. H. . I 650
Pryant J. , I 636
Catherine, I 499
Charlea. 11 107
Consider K.. 1499
D. H.. 1651
D. W., n379
Daniel, I 171-173
David. I 759
Diana. I 750
Elisabeth. I 499
Elvira, I 616
Eather M. . B 90
F. G.. I 638
Fmxmy, I 499
George, I 629. 743;
n216
George A. . 11 486
George H. . I 664
Grace E. . I 743
H. L.. 1614
Harriet. I 743
Hiram W.. 1664
laaac. I 377; U 33.
43. 47. 112-13. 354
J.. I 504
J. Talman. n 546
Jacob. I 499; n 164
Jacob R. . I 743
James. I 490, 499.
Jr. . I 743
James C. I 743
-25-
History of Buffalo and Erie Cavaty
DAVIS continued
Jared, I 644
Jarvi8« 11 139, 516
Jeremiah, I 499
JoaniA W«, I 700
John, I 498-9. 723; U
131, 186
Joseph, II 131
Lany, I 498-99
Lena, I 745
Lewis L., I 723
Lucretia, I 751
Luther, B 90
N. S., n 432
Nathan P., 1610
Ruth, I 753
Samuel, I 499, 745
Sarah, I 759
Thaddeus, I 342
Thaddeus C. , n 486
Thomas, I 499, 700
Tovrnsend, II 274^ 546
Vlnal, I 614
W. W. H., 1261, 265
William, I 499, 759;
II 119, 281
William Jr. , I 759
William D., II 528
WillUmH., 1543, 612,
743111205, 209
DAVISON
D. S., n 358
DAVOCK
Charlotte L., B 118
JohnW.. I 247, 360
DAW
Henry, H 193, 212,
286
DAWES
William, n 144
DAY
, II 103, 135,
486, 517
Abbie M., I 616, 751
Benjamin F., I 749
Carrie, I 749
Charles, I 604
David F., I 346; n 143,
372, 392, 396-99,
407, 486, 534, 541
David M,, n 114, 116,
135, 329-330
Ebenezer, II 300
Elmer, I 749
Florence, I 749
Franklin, B 40
Hiram C, II 486
Howard. I 749
Ithaman, I 749
Ithamar. I 616
Orin, I 749
Rodney, I 477
Thomas, n 111
DAYTON
Charles L., H 140,
144, 442, 523
Elizabeth, I 590
Herbert, I 443
John, I 586
JohnG., I 285
Lewis P. , I 345, 348;
DAYTON continued
n 139-142, 144-
45, 364, 379,
493. 497, 520
Sherman, I 590
William, I 446
WiUiam H. , I 442
DEAL
George, I 483
DEALEY
A. Sidney, U 287
DEAN, DEANE
, I 458; n 543
Ahnira. I 451
AnnaB.. I 737
D. D., n 304
D. S. , I 391
EUsabeth, I 722
Joel, I 451-52
Orange, 11 56-57,
353
Stephen, I 532; U 422
D£ AMGEUS
MilUcent Ann, B 54
Pascal, B 54
DEANUEW
PhiUpena, I 767
DEARBORN
Gen.. I 137, 140,
r45, 220
DE BAGULEY
Richard, I 407
DEBOLD
Mary, I 725
DEBUS
Philip, -n 170
DECATUR
Stephen, I 703
DECHERT
Eva, I 726
DECK
Frank, U 164.
DECKER
Arthur W. , H 486
G. W., I 482
Joel, I 503
Sarah, I 730
Statiith, I 557
DECKHART
Henry, I 469
DEE
Charles A., n 146
Henry O., H 146
M. J., n 342
William H., n 372
DEETER
Daniel, I 603
OEFFENBACH
Saloma, I 728
DE FOREST
Cyrus H., II 519
DEGENFELDER
Anton, n 169
DE GRAFF, DEGROFF
J. W. , I 426
James H., I 417-18,
420, 763; n 236
Legrand L. , I 763
Louis A. , I 763
Lydia, I 763
DE HAAS
DE HAAS continued
Carl, n 155-156
DEHHEWAMIS
. I 210
DEIHL
Conrad, H 443
DEISLER
. n 159
DEITZ, DIETZ
Catharine, I 715
Fred. I 732
J.. n257
DELANCEY
Bishop, n 285
deLAiIey
Charles A.. 1306;
n240, 540, 546
Charles D., H 240,
373
Hannah, I 735
James, H 133
William E. . I 303;
n486
DELANO
Jonatlian. I 371
DELHEZ
X., n 325
DE UGNTRY
. I 44
DELLENBAUGH
Frederick. I 12;
n 136, 139, 154,
168-9, 235
Frederick S. , H 350
DELONG
James, U 137
Rosanna, I 736
DE MANGEOT
, I 460
DEMAREST
James, II 109
DEMBERT. DEMERT
Anthony, I 726
Mrs. . Catharine, I 726
Sary, 1726
DEMING
, n 246
Frederick. H 246
Lewis, I 422
DEMLON
Dorothy A., I 768
DEMOND
H. D., a 284
DENHISER
George, I 665
DENING
P. Curtis, I 305
DENIO
Dexter. I 369
Isaac. I 364
Judge, n 474
dennEr .
George, n 147
DENNIS
Henry S. , n 285
John, n 295
Joseph. I 446
Joseph W., n 144,
283
Theodore. II 287
Thcoias, II 553
-26-
Index of Names continued
DENNESON. DENISOH
Dudley, I 478
Edgar W. , 11 386,
396
EUery E.. 1479, 482
Gu«tavus, n 287, 360
John, I 444
MUf. n311;B 11
OEflRmviLLE
, I 38-9, 41
DENSMORE
EUpbalet, t 467
OSNTON
Robert, n 372
DE PUT
W. H,, n 295-7, 343
W. R.. 1636
DERBY
Earl of, I 325
Rhoda, I 743
DERRICK
-, 1454
DEXTER continued
Mra, C. M. , I 755
DlHRJUNG
..1458
Samuel, n 307
DBSHAY
William, I 362
OGSHUER
JohnO., 1274, 345;
n271
DESPAR
J^n, n38. 111
DESSWG
CatherinsM*, I 729
DBUEL
Ctaarlea, I 531
Ira, I 504, 508
Isaac, I 516-517
James H., I 532
Myron, 1 533
William T., 1505, 508
DE VEAUX
Samuel, n 464
DEVENINO
, n 368
Daniel, I 12; n 140,
153, 380, 440
Daniel Jr., 1301,
345; n 139-40
OE VIIX.IERS
~, I 44
DEVIL'S RAMROD
, n 35
DEVUN
John, n 540
DEVEES
, n 414
DEVEY
A. W. , n 549
Chester, I 406, 709
Norman B.. 1457
Qrville S., 1295-96
Truman, I 344
DEWTTT
C. H., 161
James, I 446
drenC, n 486
PamelU, I 446
Simeon, I 307-08
DE WOLF
Lawrence H. , I 650
DEXTER
, I 579, 677
. C, H., n362
Clara N., 1746
Ebenezer, I 641 .
Hesekiah, I 573
John, 1583
Oraiye H. , n 362-3,
366, 370, 394-5.
527
Orai«e J., 1573, 575,
577, 582
v., 1582
DICK
George P., 1544
James, B 19
JanniA E, , B 20
Joseph B., I 535; n 390
Mary P., B 20
Robert, n 344; B 19-20
Robert Thomas, B 20
William, B 19-20
DICKENS
Ralph, n 294
DICKERMAN
HattieM., I 749
Isaac, I 610, 613, 749
MarcellusL., 1612-13,
749
Perry D., I 612-13,
615
DICKEY
Bei^Jamin, II 144-45,
210
James G. , II 527
DICKINSON
, II 543
RasselBS, I 257
Robert, I 443, 449
S. P., n 297
SuelH., n402, 404
Thomas V, , II 550
Die KM AN
Charles, n 145
DICKSON, DKCN
James, I 710
Martha, I 710
QrlUa, I 710
WillUm, II 190, 288,
387
DIEBOLD
George, n 132
Sebastian, n 131
Theresa, I 766
DIEDRICH
Andrew, n 243
Charles, I 763
Christian, I 420. 763
Henry. I 763
DIEFFENBACH
Dr., I 419
DifllTL
Adam, H 173
Elisabeth, B 84
Henry, 11 251
Johann. n 173
John P. , n 161-2,
DIEHL continued
284-5, 272
Louisa, I 728
DIEHLMANN
C, n 176
Christiana, B 85
DIETERZ
Rev., n 164
Dl£T1llCH
, I 521
Frederick, H 171
I3IETSCHLER
Henry, II 170
DEBTZER
John, ni43
DILCHER
Henry, H 143
Jacob. n267
DILL
, n 60, 68
DILLER
John. II 395
DILLINGHAM
Gurney O. , I 349
DIMMERS
C. U. n 198
OIMON
Ella J. . I 768
DiNGENS
John, II 164
Joseph A., n273, 540
DINGLAY
Warren, n 184
DINGMAN
E. H., I 483
JohnH.. 1286
Lambert G«, H 378
OfMSMORE
"Governor", H 347
DIMWOODDIE
W. C, BOO
DISBROW
HsmUton, I 257
DCSMON
S., n 309
DISSINGER
Catharine M,, 1395
Henry. I 395
Mary. I 395
DITTO
John A., n 142-44
DIX
Gov., n, 119
DCnNTDOANE
Betsey, I 619
Hannah, I 738
MeUssa. I 738
William, I 576
DOBBINS
Charles H.. H 528
Daniel. II 182, 188
David P.. n 188,
196
Lieut.. 1278
DO^SSON
W. A., n 292-93
DOBSON
N. B.. 1375
DODD
I^ev,, I 463
-27-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
OODGE
A)ma. I 409. 710
Alvan. I 409. 413.
710; n 314
Alvan Leonard, I 409
Cemantha. I 409
Charlotte. I 711
Cheeaeman, II 397
David Britain. I 409
E. C, I 445
Harriet. T 711
Henry S. . n 382
Henry Wright. I 409.
710-11, 11 252
Israel. I 409
J. Arthur C, 1410
J. Wayne. I 399. 402,
409-10. 710
John. 1409, Jr., I 409
John Arthur. I 710
Jonas, n 294
Jonathan. I 409, Jr.. I
409
Jonathan W.. I 457
Leonard, I 401. 409.
710; n 252
Mary EUsa. I 409
Mattie E.. I 710
Su-ah, I 409
Truxton, I 409
OODSON
N. B.. I 386
DOIST
Nicholas, I 521
DOLAN
William, n 131
DOLD
Friedrich, H 171
Jacob, n 161-2, 232-3,
272
Jacob Jr., H 178
DOLE
— B 32
Benjamin, II 140
Carrie, I 736
Charles H., 1736
FrankUn, I 588, 736,
739
J., 1504
John A., 1404, 469
Joslah W., I 747
Linus. I 736, 747
DOLG
MarU, I 713
DOLL
, n 243
Michael, U 138, 273
DOLPH
Aaron. I 362
DOMEDION. DOMEDIAN
H., B 47
Jacob, n 155
DOKfM
Rev.. I 494
DdMLDSON
A. J., I 232
David, n 387
John, n 387
William J., n 367, 395
DONAVAN
, II 266
DONEY
Henry, I 122
DONNELLY
Miss, B26
DOISEhUE, DONAHUE
CorneUus, I 346
Francis, 11 305
George, I 450
DOOLnTLE
CalVin, I 160, 585,
593-4, 598
LelandL., 1293
Lucy, I 722
Rev.. I 652
^SCion, t 375, 386
Susannah, I 598
DOORTY
William G., n 486
DORLAND
ElUsT., 1532-3
Dr.. I 582
TEuip, I 532
D^IR
EbenP., I 250; H 141,
190. 212, 274-5,
536
Joseph. I 534; H 359
Miss, B 113
S. 6.. n 444
IX»IRIS
PhiloW.. n387, 391
DORSCHELL
, II 253
IXXISHEIMER
, n^61
Gov.. B 104
TEIIlp, I 274, 341;
n 232, 362. 370. 527
William. I 339. 341,
672; n 58, 69, 127.
489-90, 403. 497-98.
534-35, 546
DORCT
Charlotte. I 711
Helena, I 754
Henry, I 754
Johanes, I 754
John, I 369, 376
John v., 1754
Julia Ann, I 754
William, I 754
D06SERT
John, II 160
DOTY
Charles B.. H 146-47
. EUlah. n 354
DOUGLAS, DOUGLASS
, B 114
A. J., n 135
Benjamin, I 123
Christopher, I 632-
33
George B. , II 344
John, n 370
Judge. I 198
Silas J., n 486
Stephen A., I 233; H 335
DOWDELL
, II 207, 209
DOWNEY
DOWNEY continued
Thomas, I 377
DOWNING
Moses M. , n 299
DOK
Cant., n 504
Myndert M. , U 109
DQXTATER
Robert B. , B 95
DOYLE
John, n 144-45.
147
John H. , U 387-88
Peter C. 1247;
n203, 515-16.
520.
Stephen M. . H 402
William L.. H 283
DRAKE
Charles W., 1581
Fay. I 636
Francis B.. I 114. 384
IraS., 1636
Jacob, I 632
Jeremiah C. I 251
John J., 1398
Lorain J., 1722
Lyman, I 594
Marcus M.. H 146-47
OtisS., 1296
DRAPER
Silas F.. 1461
DRESCHER
Casper J. , n 131.
145, 273, 519
DREW
John, n 135, 311;
B lis
William H.. 1235.
241; n 382. 395-
96, 401, 403,
409
KIEXLER
John, n 412
DRIESBACH
Anna, I 711
Harriet, I 711
DRIGGS
Amanda L., 1763
Mrs. Anna. I 425
Aurora PoUy Ann.
I 425
Roswell, I 417, 424.
763
RosweUW., I 421,
424-25
Urial. I 417, 420,
422, 424-5, 763
UrialB., 1425
DRINKER
Israel. TL 307
DRINKWATER
Paul, I 121
DROBISCH
— . n368
D.,.n 380
KIOEGMILLER
JohnG., n 413
imUDGE
Uriah A«. I 729
DRULLARD
-28-
Index of Names continued
DRULLARD continued
Frank O. . II 240
George, n 382-83, 519
Solomon, n 240, 273,
359, 370, 394-395
DRUMMOND
Col,. I 169-170
JSeru. I 151, 168, 173;
!T58
DUBAR
jamea, I 553
DUBOIS
Biahop. II 163, 304
Jamea B., II 140*41
John, I 569
DUBS
Rudolph, n 175
DUCHMAN
M., n 168
DucKwrrz
, n 486
Ferdinand H., n 486, 540
DUDLEY
Gideon, I 123, 512,
572
Jamea G. , II 288
JoaephP.. n278
Lieut,. I 137
IStEan, n 108
Stephen, H 292
Thomaa J. , n 270; B 41
William C, I 117, 149,
152, 195, 574: TL 61
DUEHREELDT
Frederic, 11 160
Guatav, n 160
H.. n 160
DUEL
Samuel L., n 388
DUER
John, I 122
DUFF
Jeannette, B 92
DUFFY
Jamea, n 132
DUUTZ
L., ni76
DUNBAR
, II 193
George H., 11 239
George W. , II 451
Neil, B 19
Robert, I 12; II 215-16,
219-21, 239, 539
DUNCAN
Thomaa, 11 543
DUNG AN
Charles B., n 524-25
DUNHAM
Elijah, I 632
F., I 720
F. E., I 369, 759
Gideon, I 86
Jacob, I 362
Robert, I 362
DUNLAP
A. P. , n 350
DUNN
A. M., I 403, 471,
473, 725
AnnisC, I 473, 725
DUNN continued
Charlea M. . I 473
Clarence LeaUe, I 473.
725
Electa B., I 473
Esther Amanda, I 473
J. P., n 451
James Franklin, I 473
Jeaae W. , I 473
John, I 92
Johns., I 473
Malcolm, I 473, 725
Margaret, I 473
Mary E., I 473, 725
Mary J., I 473
Sarah, I 725
Sarah Vaughan, I 473
Thomas O. , I 473
DUNNING
Daniel, B 55
GUes H. , I 520; n 282
Isaac. I 554; n 423
Uriah H,, n 449
DUNTON
EUsabeth, I 794
DURAND
Jease, I 564
DURBORAW
Thomas, I 384
DURFEE
, I 215, 300
Philo. n 193, 211-12,
270
DURHAM
Jamea, I 386
DURICK
James, H 135. 137,
300
DURINGER
Arthur G. , I 725
Appoloa, I 725
Joseph. I 471. 725
TillieM,, I 725
DURKEE
Charlea R., I 348-49
Thomaa, I 442
Ziba, I 443
DURKEN
Edirard J. . II 423
DURNET
Andrew. I 381
DURTHALLER
Joseph. II 166
DUSCHAK
Adolf, n 541
DUSENBURY
Deborah. B 43
Maria L. , I 720
DUSTIN
. I 610
Freeland, I 609, 750
Hannah, I 616
Hannah C. 1752
John, I 616, 750
Lydia. I 616
Mary L,. I 616
MUton E. . I 750
Moses, I 616
Sallie Little, I 616
Sarah L. . I 616
Timothy. I 572. 616.
DUSTIN continued
750. 752
DUTCHER
OcUvia A. , I 765
DUTHIE
Jamea. H 281. 284
DUTTON
Alva, I 607. 642;
n 377, 382
Marions.. I 739
Oliver. I 599, 607;
n 377-78
Olivet. I 739
Crrin. I 422
Bv.. 1556
ar^, Bl
Tiaac, I 377
Timothy. U 37-38
DWINNELL. DWINELL
A. E.. B 49
J. W. . II 333
DYE
AchaahM,, I 746
AsaR.. 1740
Avery, I 740
Harvey M., I 740
P, Edwin, I 259.
261; n 384
R. J., I 739
Walter G., 1622
William, I 740
WUliam E., I 739-40
DYER
, n 542
G. H. . I 422
DYGERT
, I 640
DYKSTRA
Delia. I 756
.Flora, I 756
Frances. I 756
Frank. I 796
G. J.. I 756
Garret. I 756
Jane. I 756
JohnG.. 1755
Peter. I 756
Sarah. I 755. Mra.
I 756
Yme, I 756
EAGAN
JohnC, II 267
S. F., II 267
EARICH
John, I 509
EARL, EARLE
Benjamin. I 562
CordeUa, I 747
Isaac, I 503
J. W., 1641
Joseph. I 578
Orson, I 578. 759
Rufus. I 90. 536
Siylvester, I 441
Taber. I 90-91.
489. 536
W. C. II 296. 444
Warren. I 441. 578
I5ARLY
J. A. . II 304
-29-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
EARLY continued
James M., 1377, 483;
II 306
EASTMAN
A. H. , II 360
Dr., B 65
TKoebc, B 65
Sandford, II 141-42,
436, 441, 523, 349
Sanford B., 11 549
EASTWOOD
Aoenath, I 671
Daniel, I 671
EATON
. I 637, 642; H 257
Augustin. n 514
Augustus, n 191
Charles D., II 76
Elisha, I 642
Eliza H., I 642
Francis, I 618
Henry, I 640
Ira, I 607
J. T., n285
John B., I 295
L. L. , n 256
Luzerne, I 643
P. G., I 636, 640
P. L., II 256
Robert, II 184
Rufus, I 123, 632-33,
636. 640
RufuB C, I 633, 636,
638, 640-42
Samuel, I 88-89, 593
Sylvester, I 632, 642;
n 277. 281
EBENAU
C, F. W., n 368
EBERT
Albert, I 406
EBLING
John, II 249
EBY
P., n 157, 349-50
ECK
Joseph, I 457
ECKERSON
Cynthia L,, I 378
John, I 374
Tunis, I 378
ECKFORD
, B 98
ECKHARDT, ECKHART
John, II 175
Margaret, I 737
Jacob, I 520
EDDY
, I 445
Aaron, I 525
Anna, I 744
C, I 376
Charles, I 520
David, I 90, 92, 118,
123, 321. 126, 513,
516, 525-28
Dr. , n 443
Cteorge, I 520
Hiram, I 642
Jacob, I 525
John A., I 444
EDDY continued
Mary, I j4, 525,
537, 602
R. M. , II 240
Richard, n 300
Ruth A., I 741
S. W. , I 642
Sally, I 642
Thomas, I 308-09
Z., I 642
EDGERLY
Fanny J., I 464-5,
757
Stephen, I 465
EDGERTON
Orrin, II 277
Richard, B 52
Sarah, B 52
EDL
Barbara, I 726
EDMONDS
Charles C, n 289
J. J., II 441
Mary, I 735-36
Thomas, 11 130
EDSALL
Samuel, I 123, 362;
II 51, 64
EDSON
Henry H. , I 446, 450
John, I 717
John P. , I 450; n 389
EDWARD
Prince, II 16
EDWARDS
Edward, II 530
G. A. , I 551
WllUam, I 569-70
EELS
Charles, I 447
EENER
, II 44
Charles E., 1241,
245, 247
Elijah, II 400
Elijah Doty, II 56,
59, 110, 112, 134,
138, 235, 355, 359,
514; B 15
EGENTER
Joseph, II 156
EGGERT
Aaron W., I 401,
403
Christian, I 404.
421
E. B. , II 302
John, I 725
Joseph, I 725
Oliver J., I 347; II
162, 272
EGGLESTON
— . n 15
Alanson. I 87, 452
George. I 446
Hiram. I 447
EHINGER
Frederick. I 447
EHRMAN
Dr.. II 161
Frederick, II 367-68
EHRMAN continued
P.. II 361-62
EICHENBERG
W. , I 447
EICHER
D. Stephen. I 448,
521
EINSFELD
John P., n 144-45,
273
EISS
Gottfried, U 174
Henry W., 1717
Martha O., 1717
Samuel. I 717
EITELMAN
Jacob, n 160, 170
ELDRED
Aim on, I 729
D. W., 1729
H. B. , I 729
-ELDRIDGE
, I 480; II 193
Adoniram, I 123
Amanda, I 744
George, I 758
SolGsnon, I 122
William. I 744
ELGIN
Wiliiam. n 293
ELIAS
G. , n 208-09
ELIBAEGER
Catharine. I 711.
715
ELIZABETH
Sister. I 510
ELLAS
Francis, n 137
Francis S. . H 137
ELLERS
Claude. I 717
ELLICOTT
, n 266
Andrew A. , I 77;
n 20, 25
Benjamin, I 80, 184.
340, 397-8, 400;
n 107-08, 111.
223
John, n 107
JohnB. Jr.. H 111
Joseph, I 16. 77-84.
86, 97. 101. 112.
125. 186, 196.
309, 335, 360,
379-80, 397-98,
630, 535, 705-06;
n 15, 20-26, 28,
33. 38, 43, 54. 99,
107, 111-12, 294.
312 .
Letitla, II 107
Robert, I 534
ELLIOTT
CoL. n64
Tesie D., I 129-30
John, n 146-47
John D. , n 402
ELLIS
Abigail, I 761
-30-
Index of Names continued
ELUS continuod
Ouilol, B 52
George W., 1642
WUliazn, I 251, 253-55
ELLISON
L S., n 152, 156-57
ELUTHORPE
P. D., n 147
ELLSWORTH
Abbev. B 122
PraakW., 1613
Henrj, t 9t» 765
I6MC« I 550
laaac B., 1613
a* 1626-29
ELLWOOD
Henrj 8. « n 444
ELSE
Goorge, I 401
ni82
ELT« BLET
Calvin* I 469
B. S., 1327, 349
B. 8terlii«, I 469
Emma, I 725
Enoch Selden, I 469-71,
725
Gzttca, I 725
ivaal, I 469, 725
teraalN*, 1345, 469,
471
John, n 416
Jud^, I 469
Laonard, II 133
Martin, I 405
Mra. 1467
SSoal, I 273; n 133
EMERSON
A. J., 1622
NathaniaL I 90, 535-36
Rallii Wildo, B 47
EMERY, EMORY
Albert J., 1720
Apphia (Bartlett), B 26
AAar B., I 720
C6L, I 563
TfSrardK., I 720
EdirardR., n 486
Joaiah, I 298, 538, 720
Joaiah Jr., 1538, 720
r. IW7
Eiisr
, n 253
EMMONS
Carloa, I 343-44, 396,
635, 639, 641; H
270, 422
CaroUne, I 396
Walea. I 637-38
EMSFIELD
, II 253
EMSLEY
LovinaC, 1718
P«ter, n 236
ENGLEHART
Ara. Maria, I 676
ENGLISH continued
William, I 494
EN06
, n 352
Benjamin, I 122, 513,
542, 553, 556;
n 353, 355
Deacon. I 719
Gaorge T., n 336
Joaeph, B 105
Liaurena, n 236
Laurinda, I 556
Lucy, B 105
^ira. Thankful, B 105
D., 1377
Mra,, n 545
ITEhardW., n 146
DennUM., U 132, 349
ENSIGN
— , I 566; n 185
A. W., 1520
Cterlaa. n 231, 533
E. E., 1664
EUilm, I 122; U 41, 111
Johaaon £>•, I 289
William, 1628
Zarah, 192, 381, 383
BNCTAFHIEVE
Ale«iaE,, 1248
ENSWINGBR
Carina, I 763
George, I 763
Mra« Lanie, I 763
BnBuNG
Jacob, I 509
BRB
Abram, I 388
Jacob, I 463
P., n562
ERDilAN
DIedrlch, I 294; H
444
ERICSON
Errick, U 298
John, n 197
Prof,. B 74
FraderLck, H 160
ERBART
JEteileC, n 157
ERNST
Mra, Catharine, I 711
^^Iiarles, I 405, 711
Charlea Jr., Sr., I 711
Edtrard, I 471
Godfrey, I 346
Mra. J. F., II 550
j3n, I 711
Mary, I 711
Mra,, I 468
revT. 1599
ersRein
C. O., n444
esbenschieo
Adam, I 520
ESCHENBACH
, n 368
MoriU, n 161
ESCHERICH
Michael, I 469, 510
ESENVEIN
— , n 159
ESHLEMAN
ESHLEMAN continued
Abner B. H., I 395
Ada J., I 729
AUceC, I 729
Andrew G., 1391, 395
BdirinL., I 729
Elisa, I 391
EUen Jane, I 395
Emanuel W. , I 391
Harriet Malonda. I 395
Hiram Edirin, I 395
Jacob, I 385, 391,
729
John, I 382-83, 388,
389, 391, 395,
729. Sr., 1395
Leah, 1730
LavlB., 1391
LavlF., 1729
MaryE,, 1799
J., n252
Jacob, I 521
John, II 236
B88UNG6R
Carl, n 155
Charlea, U 137
Pater, n 164
ESTABROOK
— , I 489
Bliaabeth, I 445
John. I 489
Mehitable, I 441
Nathaniel, I 439
Nthemiah, I 445. Jr.,
1445
h, I 441
Silaa, I 584-5,
588-9
BSTBS
W, H., I 627; 0 391
BSTREIM6R
John, 1405
ETSLER
Archibald, I 733
Emelina, I 733
ETZOLD
John, I 877
EUCHNER
Paul, I 750
BUSTAFHIEVE
A. A.. n271. 275
EVANS
, II 193, 219
Charlea W., n 219,
511
David E., 1202,
398, 574; U 107,
109, 111-12,
224, 227; B 91
E. W., n 131
Edward, I 420, 423
Edirin, I 629
Edirin T., H 198-9,
223, 493, 496. 541
EUicott, I 112; n
372, 391, 395,
398, 401
Henry B. , I 404
JameaC, n211, 270
-31-
History at Buffalo and Erie Count/
EVANS continued
JohnR.. n 183-39, 193.
234
Letitia, B 57
Lewis M.. I 304; H 143-45
M. H. , I 404
O. B. . n 373
Oliver, n 215
R. M. , II 348. 350
Ralph, I 628
William, n 136. 430
EVERETT
U S.. n 348-49
Samuel, n 358
EVERINGEIAM
J. S., 1622
EVERTS
Rev,, I 556
.. 1267
Stephen M., n 395
EVALO
P. U, 1448
EVELL
Dexter, I 443, 446
BUsa, I 446
ErwlnH., I 443, 447
H. D., 1717
Joseph, I 346
Joseph E., I 443, 446;
n486
EWERS
Hannah, I 642
John, I 642
EWING
Thomas, B 103
EX STEIN
Hiram, II 500
FACKLER
Samuel, I 398
FAIRBANKS
D. W. , I 748
John, n 378-79
Joshua, I 72
WUlard, I 489
FAERCHILD
Joseph L., I 132. 486,
497, 546
FA LB
Peter J., H 486
FALCONERIA
Sister, n 326
FArET"
, B 53
FAUNG
AdaUneZ., 1763
Archibald. I 763
Mrs, Catherine, I 763
^HarlesH., 1763
David R., I 763
Hezeklah, I 763
Horace. I 763
Jeremiah, I 763
Lovena, I 768
Matthew L., I 763
Richard. I 763
Richard E.. I 763
Truman M., I 763
Ulysses Grant. I 763
WUllam H.. I 763
FALK, FAULK
FALK. FAULK continued
Samuel. U 308. 536
Thomas, n 379
FALLEY
Frederick. I 702
Richard. I 701-02
Ruth. I 701-02
FANCHER
Elizabeth. B 116
George. I 612
FANNER
Charles P.. H 443
FANNING
Martha. I 767
Mrs. Mary. I 767
'Ku!^; I 767
FAREWELL
Eldrid. n 292
FARGO
. II 194; B 45
Bsssle, B 22
George W. , n 412; B
2S
Oeorgiaiis, B 56
Helen, B 56
Jerome Freeman, B
22-23, 55
William C. B 54-55
WUllam G*. 1274,
341; n 141-42, 271,
287, 808. 334. 546;
B22, 54-56, 114
FARMER
William, n 145
FARMER *S BROTHER
— ^ I 46. 50, 64.
65, 66-9, 72, 75,
110-11, 139-143,
145, 160, 220; H
35, 53, 71. 503;
BU
FARNHAM
Charles S., 1260.
264, 272
J., 1504
LeRoy, I 347, 504,
629; n 139, 372,
395. 401, 406
Thomas, U 131. 323
FARNSWORTH
A. D.. 1444
George D. , I 450
Jerry, I 450-451
Mrs,, I 451
irrrn 193
Thomas. I 441-42.
444-45, 451
FARQHUARSON
Esther, I 752
FARRAR
ChllllonM., n 241.
367, 395. 539
FARRELL
William, II 198
FARRINGTON
Alice, I 750
Betsey. I 750
BurtE.. 1750
Butler S., II 147. 486
Dascomb. I 614
Dell. I 750
FARRINGTON continued
Dora, I 750
Edwin. I 614
Ezra. I 612
Friend J. . I 750
Battle. I 750
Jacob. I 608, 750
Llna. I 750
Myrtle. I 750
Rachael, I 533
SaUy. I 750
FARTHING
G.. n267
J.. 1504
T. . n 267
FARWELL
Eldrldge. I 471
FASSETT
. I 416
T. S., 1430
FATZER
• George, I 421
FAUDE
CarlG.. n 176
Ernst, n 176
FAUL
Charles. I 280; n 268
FAULDIN
Jacob. I 611
Mary. I 769
FAULKNER
M. S.. 1301
Morgan U, U 135-36
FAURE
R.. n304
FAUST
Rudolph, n 243
TobUs. n 297
FAXON
Charles. TL 332. 350
Charles. 2d. H 333
E. J.. 1304
Henry. H 345
Henry W. , n 335
Jsmes, n 382
Joseph. I 300
FAY
. I 480
B. A., 1641
Benjamin, I 298. 633
Benjamin F. , II 383
Col. . I 571
Cyrus M.. 1408; B 60
John J., 1301
Josiah, I 632
FEDERLEIN
Frederick, U 160
FEDER SPIEL
George, I 517-18.
520
FELDHAM
WlUiaiQF., 1285
FELDBIAN
Anthony, n 154
George, n 146
Helnrlch, I 463; U
164-5
FELGEMACHER
Augustus B. . n
160. 397
FELL
-32-
Index of Names continued
FELL continued
George E.« 11 146,
444
FELTON
C. C, 1250
Charles E., n 141
H., I 504
Jedediah. I 374
John, I 362
Levi, I 86. 92, 114.
381, 383-84, 386
Persia, I 374
TEIZ
Josephine, I 721
FENNER
Prof., n 435
"SelH; I 330, 345,
544-5, 554
FENNO
Moses, I 117, 123,
155, 439-40
FENTQN
Benjamin, I 628
E. G., 1296
James, I 628
Reuben, B 36
Rev., I 628
feHCTTson
, n 486
Bartemas, II 345
£. L. , n 257
Frai^C., II 486
L. D. , I 463
FERNERS
J. A., I 445
FERO
JohnR., n267
PERRIN
, I 637
A. W., I 638; II 343
Bbenezer, I 750
J. L., I 614
Josiah T. , I 750
Lena A., 1750
LydU, I 734
Moses, n 109
Nathan H.. I 750
FERRIS
. I 337
Charles D., 11346-47
David, I 386
George, II 336
MUsH.. I 377
Hrs. Martha, n 301
TCler J., n 130, 145,
236, 293, 539; B 42
Sally. I 741
Sarah, I 720
Warren T., 1275,
278. 286
Zebulon, I 345, 349
FETTERMAN
Ellen, I 712
FETZER
G., n 179
FFEIL
John, II 132
FFTTZENMAIER
Mary Ann, I 438
FIDINGER
FIDINGER continued
John, I 386
FIEGEL
Conrad, I 654
George, I 711
Jacob, I 711
JohnB., I 401, 711
Joseph, I 401, 711
Lany, I 711
Louis. I 654
Mary Catharine, I 711
Michael, I 711
FIELD. FIELDS
, I 453-4; B 12
Asa, I 122, 462
David Dudley, I 227
Edtrard P., n 147, 486,
549
George S. , I 306
Henry. I 290
Jesse. I 453, 460
JohnC, B 36
Maria L. . B 36
PUnyA., I 122
S. J., n241
Samuel H. , I 336
Solcmon. I 122
FILKINS
Hannah, I 746
FILUiAORE
, I 588
A. N., I 387
Calvin, I 116, 197,
297, 314. 344. 453,
465, 540. 542, 546,
547, 551
Glexen. I 115-6, 177.
181. 184. 187. 199,
375, 382, 386, 404,
413, 495; n 276, 294,
296
M. P.. II 487
Millard, I 115. 197. •
205. 210. 212, 221,
224-5, 227, 231-2,
240, 299, 339-41.
344. 366. 362. 453,
547-9, 559, 564, 600,
671-2. 679, 689-95;
n 96-7. 104. 117, 123,
227-8, 234, 314-5,
466. 468, 470, 474,
480-81, 516. 531.
534-6. 546; B 38. 54,
68, 78-9, 86, 91
Nathaniel, I 197, 547,
689
Simeon, I 197. 382. 384
FILLS
Nathaniel. II 358
FINK, FINCK
Eva. I 727
G. Adolf, n 147, 322
Mrs. Mary, I 727
nicEael, I 727
FINNEY
Cyrus, I 477
Elmer, I 482
FIRMENICH
J., n233, 255
FISCHTER
George. I 401
FISH
A. W. , I 650
Anson T.. I 721
C. T. . I 520
Cordelia E.. I 721
David, n 378
E. E. . II 541
Emmons. I 553
Hamilton. B 51
Job. II 184. 186
John T. . I 532
Laura, I 737
Mllford, I 520
S. H.. n 192. 212,
274. 292
Thomas. I 513
FISH CARRIER
. I 71
FISHER. FISCHER
. I 460; n 257
A«. 1654
A. N. , n 297
Antoinette, B 71
Bernhart, I 509
Carl, n 412
Catharine, I 716. 764
Daniel, I 371; II 175
E. A. . n 552
Emma. I 750
F. C. H 131
Francis. I 750
Frank. H 131
Fred. I 889. 729
French W., 1257
George, O 142. 235,
250-51
H. D. , n 412
Henry. I 729; U 176
J. C. . I 727
J. H.. n 144-45
Jacob. I 566, 611
Jacob P., n251. 273
James H. , I 348
JohnG.. I 493-94
Joseph, I 750
Llbble, I 720
Michael, I 385
Philip. I 611. 750.
Jr.. I 750
Robert. 1750
Mrs. Rosena. I 730
'S^Sh, I 750
William J., n 133
FISK, FISKE
Abram J. , B 65
CaUsta Maria, B 65
Henry C, II 288
JohnO., n423
Reuben, I B26
TheophUus, H 348
Valerlah, I 748
William, n 234
FITCH
«■<— B 32
Charles, I 462, 582
Dr.. I642;n 415
Trank S. . H 284
Rev.. I 642
-33-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
FITCH continued
Timothy, I 677
William, II 249
William C. II 486
FITE
Catherine. I 729
FITHIAN
Freeman J. , I 348
FITTS
FrankUn, n 431
FITZGERALD
. II 486
Charles R., H 377, 396,
548
Daniel, II 142
Lord Edward, I 58-9
Henry D. , 11 486
J. W., II 127
Percy D. , II 486
WUliam, H 132
FITZPATRICK
John, I 377; H 306
FKCRIE
Qrcut, I 709
FLACH
Richard, I 303, 345;
n 127, 131, 141-2,
381, 397-8, 489-90,
493
FLAD
John, 1377; H 179
FLAGG
JohnB., n 514
Samuel D. , 11 370. Jr. ,
n443
FLAGLER
, 11 367, 369
Amelia, B 34
Benjamin, II 386, 410
FLANAGAN, FLANNIGAN
, I 490
Charles A., H 132
FLANDERS
Sgt.. 1267
FLAY
J., n 337
PLEEHARTY
. 11 193
James, II 130
John, II 189, 370
FLEISCHMAN
Gustav, II 267
FLEITHE
John, I 521
FLEIyaNG
Robert, I 160
William, n 375. 377,
396, 398-400
FLERSHEIM
, II 306
FLETCHER
B. H. , n 360
Cotton, I 88, 122, 513
L. J., n 300-301
Samuel, B 87, 120
Sophia, B 71, 87, 120
VaUnda, B 120
FLEURY
E. J., n 342
FLICKINGER
Michael, I 598, 600
FLINK
Ch. . II 325
FLINT
Austin, II 137, 344,
430, 432-36, 522
Austin Jr., U 344.
435, 443, 549
C. G., n 544
JohnL.. 1628
O. T.. n 274
WiUiam B., U 236,
377. 396, 399,
404-05
FLOOD
Betsey M., I 464
James, I 484
James P. , I 479
Joseph, I 477, 484-85
Joseph P., I 477, 479,
484-5
Julia A. , I 484
Patrick, n 441
Sarah J., 1484
FLORENCE
Sister, n 550
flTOUT flinn
, I 613
John, n 147
FOBES
Silas A., n 95, 107,
112-13
WiUiam D., H 536
FOERTCH
P.. n 165
FOGELSONGER
BetsejK, I 711
Catharine, I 711
David, I 711
Elijah, I 725
Emmanuel, I 711
Faniv, I 711
George, I 725
Henry, I 711
Jane, I 711
John, I 399, 401, 711
Maria, I 711
Susie, I 711
WendeUH., 1711
FOLGER
. II 193
FOLLENIUS
Rudolph, I 521; U
164
FOLLETT
, II 103, 517
Joseph E., n 193,
239
Qran, H 239, 329, 531
FOLSQM
, n 311
Benjamin, U 486
Derter E., 1597; H 378
Esekiel, II 109
Oilman, I 122; H 32,
41-2, 77, 108-09,
111. Jr.. n 110
Noah, n ll2
Oscar. IT 483
Theresa, I 722
FOLWELL
M. B. , n 552
FOLWELL continued
N. B. , n 444
FOLZ
Philip, n 172
FONES
Benjamin, I 479
FOOSE
Clara, I 760
Dora, I 760
Martin, I 663, 760
Victor. I 760
FOOT, FOOTE
Dr.. I 519
George F. , n 450
Harry, I 734
J. D. . I 663
Jonathan, n 423
L. T. . n 298
R. C. , I 386. 422
Ramsford. I 734
Robert B., 1329. 345.
348
Thomas M. . I 339; n
119, 270, 326-30,
523, 531-32; B 37-39
Thomas W.. I 700
WiUiam, II 193
FORBES
Elisabeth A., II 323
FORBUSH
J. G..n253
Walter H., H 539
FORD
, n 486
Elijah, I 344; H
134-35, 138, 235,
464-65; 511
James E. , 11 236,
486, 553
Lyman O.. I 482
Nelson, H 119
Perry, I 486
R. D., ni27. 143-45
FORE
Kexlah. B 122
FORMAN
Joshua. I 307-08
FORNESS
Anthony. O 540
Charles V. . n 540
Frank, H 133
Ignatz, n 165
FORRESTER
Rev., n 410
FdHKlSTALL
James. II 359
James A. . H 360
FORSCHNER
J. M., 1406
FORSYTH
Charles, O 466
Ed«rard.A., H 131
J. C, n287
James G. , U 273
Robert, H 265
F<»T
Henry, H 131
FORWARD
Chauncey, IT 461
Oliver. 1311. 342.
344. 686; U 45-7.
-34-
Index of Names continued
FORWARD continued
78, 80-82, 95, 107-
08. 117, 133-5, 222-
3, 328, 353, 460-61,
514; B 109
Walter, n 461
FOSDICK, FOSDYCK
, I 416
Frank S. , II 294
Johns., II 142-3, 236,
317
MorrU, I 635-36, 639
FOSTER
, I 514
B. S., 1642
Benjamin C, 1632
Egbert, I 622
ElUha, n 17, 354
Eva, I 487
H. T., 1758
Harriet, B 63
HarrUonT., I 479-80,
481-2, 485-488
Hubbard, B 7
James, I 415
Jeta, I 375, 386
John, I 413, 422
Joseiii, I 516
Oscar, I 664
Ruth, n 276
Talcott, I 485
Thomas, IT 347
William E., n 330
Wifllield S., I 485-86
FOUCHETTE
, n 347
FOURTH
Thomas, n 312
FOWLER
B,, n 95
Edirin, I 553
Frederick E., 1305
Joseph, n 444
O. S., B21
Rhoda, I 553
FOX
, I 6361 n 255
Alanson, I 299
Arthur W., n 247
Asa, 11 41, 108
Augustus C. , II 35, 66
Capt., n 85
T^^stopher G. , I 336;
n 145-146, 317, 372,
375, 382, 387, 391-
92, 396, 399, 402-05,
407-410
Edwar !, I 643
Georg-: C, I 305
George W., H 109, 186
Simeon, H 184, 189
Watson A., I 304
FRANCIS
, I 22
Daniel T. , I 604
John W. , n 414
Lathrop, I 160
Mrs,, I 414, 425
TIShanC., 1604
Simeon, n 270, 346
FRANCIS continued
William C, H 539
FRANCISCO
Rev.. I 583
FRANK, FRANKE
, I 654
A. G. G., 11 176
J., n 444
John, 11 144
John A., n 400
Peter, n 273
T. P. . H 549
FRANKHOUSER
Mrs. EUxabeth, I 763
TrSi, I 763
Frederick, I 763
FR ANKLE
Frederick, I 289
FRANKLIN
A. W., 1664
James, I 345j H 144
Robert, I 155; H 69
s.. nse
Mrs. Sarah« n 276
Stephen, n 276
Sylvester, I 479
WUliam, I 305; II 147
PHASER
David R., n277
Donald. I 172; H 55,
357, 504, 523
FRAZELL
D. F., n230
FREAR
W. E«, n 529
FREDERICK
WUliam, n 177
C. C, II 444
FREED
Henry W., I 531
FREE LAND
Garrett, H 312
FREEMAN
, I 579
Mrs. Abigail, I 534a
TKmos, I 327-28, 349,
526, 532-33, 740
Anna, I 739-40
Anna P., I 534a
Dr., n 348
T!na8, I 526
EUasH., I 526, 740
EUhu. I 740
Ellsha, I 534a, 740
Elizabeth, I 740
Isaac, I 492
Joseph, I 117, 439-
40, 443-5
Joseph T., 1740
Josephine, I 740
Louise, I 740
Margaret, I 740
Mary, I 740
Morris C, 1636
S. A., n 451
S. B., I 12
FRELEY
C, I 520
FREMONT
Gen., 1672
-35-
FRENCH
. I 605
Capt.. 1610
ClSrles, n 360
Exra B., 11 348
Harlow. H 135, 137,
514
Henry C, H 280, 533
James G. , I 604
James H. , t 269. 272
John. I 752
Josiah. I 604
RusseU, 1642
Seth, I 247
Thomas B. , II 236,
515-16. 536
PREUND
Louis, n 273
PREY. FRY, PRYE
. I 633
Charles B., 1247
Daniel. I 399
Enoch N.. I 635
George. I 509
PRICK
Anna, I 716
Annie, I 714
Christian, I 711. 716
Christian Z., I 401
EUsabeth, I 714
EUsabeth. I 716
i^aniel. I 404
Henry, t 385, 390,
729
John, I 399, 403,
711; n 382
Mrs. Susan, I 406
wmiam A., n 324
PRICKENSCHER
Geo. W., n 177
FRIDAY
Lieut. . I 267
phIE0Rich
H., I 504
Valentine, U 160
FRIEND
Jacob. I 576, 580-81
FRIER LE
A. S., I 520
FRIES
CaroUne, I 711
Clara. I 711
Mrs. Elizabeth, I 763
Seorge. I 406. 763-64
Henry, I 711
Jacob, I 406, 716.
763-64
Jacob Sr., I 764
Johann. H 173
John Adams, I 764
Lolsa, I 716-17
Louisa, I 711, 764
Magdalene, I 766
Peter, I 405, 711.
St., 711
WUliam J., I 711
William M., I 711
PRINK
Ann, I 709
J. P.. n 444
History at Buffalo and Erie County
FRINK continued
Lucy, I 709
Margaret, I 709
FRITSCH
George, II 166
FRITZ
Dr.. I 662
ZJeorge, II 177
Louis, n 131-2. 146-
7, 170
Martin. II 170
FRITZSCHE
Charles A., n 170
FROGGATT
B.. n 412
FROHLEY
Joseph. I 576. 381
FROMHOLZER
F. X.. I 643
FRONTENAC
Count de, I 39
FRTSBT"
Joel, n416
L. P., I 581
Michael, I 725
Nathan, I 583
Rohena, I 747
FROTHINGHAM
Frederick, H 301
FRYER
. I 418
Robert L. , B 88
FUCHS
Augustus, n 264,
266, 497
Julius, n 162, 264,
266, 272
FULLER
Abel, I 122
Alinon, I 642
Betsey, I 642
Charles. I 616
Charles W., I 457
Chase. I 612
E.. n 444
Earl B. , I 386
Electa, I 748
F. H., I 551
Hosea. I 590
James, n 295
Jsmes H. , I 597
James M. , n 295-96
JohnC, 1545
Oil, I 737
S., n 314
Samuel Richard, II 288
T,, I 551
Timothy. I 123, 160
Turner, I 566-67
FULLERTON
, n 486
Henry K«, I 349
Herschel K. , II 389
James C, I 303; H 486
Josiafa, I 443
FULLINGTON
George, I 569
FULTON
, n 222
C. N. . I 444
FUNK
Valentine. It 172
FURMAN
Miss C. E.. I 466
"ET^. . I 375
FURSMAN
Samuel. II 135
GAECHTER
T.. n 325
GAGE
Alpheus. I 459
Grove C, I 444-5;
n 431
GAGER
£. D. W. . II 400
GAIL. GALE
. I 586
Clarence W. . I 720
David I., 627
Dr.. I 419
ETC. . I 768
E. W. , n 441
Florence M.. I 720
George A.. I 249
Isaac. I 495-96
Isaac W.. I 562. 566
Josiah, I 584
Rufus, I 720
Sunuel. I 552-3. 566.
720
Samuel P., 1247. 293
William H., I 551. 555,
720, n 444
William W., I 720
GALLAGHER, GALLAGER
E&wtLmA, I 345
Francis W. . U 444
GALLATIN
Albert. I 57
GALLEY
Joseph, n 145
GALLIGAN
John. I 303
Sarah A., B 24
GALLMANN
Christian. I 736. Jr.,
736
Ellen. I 736
Jacob. I 736
Julia, I 736
Lana, I 736
Margaret, I 736
Mrs. Mary, I 736
*K!er, I 736
GALLUP, GALLOP
Asa. I 729
Catherine, I 631
Ellen M. , I 729
George, I 729
Mary, I 717
GALUSHA
Elon, n 110. 290
GANSCH
Bernard, I 494
GANSON
Cornelius R., 11 232
James, II 324
James M., H 231, 279
John, I 237, 274, 341,
343, 678; H 478; B 79
-36-
GANSON continued
John S. . n 230, 232
GARBER
Maria, I 738
GARBY
John, I 493
GARDNER. GARDENIEH.
GARDINER
. I 637; n 193.
239. 244
Abiel. I 123, 641
Abraham. I 735
Benjamin, I 123, 375,
397, 640
C. L. , I 520
Charles. I 740; n
400-91
Charles F.. 1261
Mrs, Diadama. I 394
Tre9erick. n 442
Gayer, I 347. 740
John T. . Q 486
Joseph B.. n 193
Judge. n324
LycOa, 1740
Mary. I 740
Mary E.. 1735
NoahH., n 131. 136-7.
234-235. 246; B 63
R. B., 1386
Rebecca, I 740
Robert. I 740
Robert P.. 1235. 241.
246-247; U 395
GARFIELD
James A. . n 376.
404
Tirsiah, I 754
GARLACH
Magdalena, I 724
GARNEY
Catharine, I 765
QARONO
Henry, n 273
GARRETT
EUsabeth. I 747
Meyers, U 283
GARRISON
A. . I 552
Rev., 1556
gaSVTn
Henry D. . H 140.
142, 317. 523
GARY
. I 552
E., 1482
Lester. I 443
GASS
Christian. I 463
George, n 154
GATCHELL
. I .460
Nathan B., 1457. 461
GATES
Aurelia. I 718
Elijah, I 572
Elizabeth H., B 24
George, 11 132
George B., H 136, 14i-
2, 233, 526; B 23-i
Index of Names continued
GATES continued
43. 97
Godfrey, I 725
Horatio, n 332-33, 370
Horatio G., H 359, 361
Ira, I 477. 479-80
Jacob, I 725
Jemima, I 721
Justus B. , I 477, 479-80
GAULT
Jamaa A. , I 304
GAtTNDBY
-^. I 422
GAY
Cbas. Curtis Fenn, 11
143, 523, 549-52;
B 21-22. Mrs., B 108
Charles E. fTTu. 442
Ebeneaer, B 21
John, B21
William Jr., n 551;
B21
William Alfred, I 423;
n282
GAYER
Charles, I 288
GAYLORD
Hsnryllft., 1241
John, 1638, •41. Jr.,
I 122
JoMlii, I 637, 643
Sgt.. 1267
gaZEXy
Dickinson, H 133
JohnF., n378
GECKLER
Ifrs. AnnaM., I 278
Fanqj, I 728
John, I 728
GEDOBS
Jamas, I 307-08
GEER, GERE
Am«liaS., B92
Mrs, Sally, B 92
wniiam, B 92
William F., B 72
GEHLE
Frederic, H 540
GEHM
Henry, I 449
Jacob, 1449
GEHRING
George, n 131
GEIB
F., n 156
GEISSLER
, II 246
GENESON
Celia, I 740
GENTSCH
Bernard F. , I 346;
n390
Emil, II 273
Una, I 745
GEGRGE n
— , 142
GEORGE
, II 349-50
Jonathan W., n 136
GECRGEN
GECRGEN continued
MUS, n311
georSer
Augustus, n 234
Charles, H 268, 273
Charles A.. 0 272
Eugene A., H 161, 233
F., n268
F. Augustus, n 157.
161-2, 233, 272,
362, 368
GERBER
AMs, I 726
Mrs, Catharine, I 726
l!!Srle8, n 250
D., I 521
John, I 726
GERMAIN. GERMAN
. B6
Charles B., n 486.
548
Ira v., 1248
James. II 281
R. L, n289
RoUin, I 345; U. 479-80
GERST
Jacob, n 528
GERSTENHAUER
Ed. , n 160
(ffiSE
MaxF., n 146
GESRWIND
L. H., n 178
GESMER
M., 1600
GESSNER
Matthias, n 168
GETTY
Susie. I 716
GETZ
Joseph, I 406
GEXniGENS
F., I sai
FEYER
W. E., n266
GEYMER
Dominique, 11 165
GIBBON, GIBBONS
Chas., n289
T. M., niS3
GIBBS
, n 210, 486
Aaron, n 499
CUntonB.. H 486
E. A., n 436
James F. , n 486
Rev., 1556
wEQlBm E., n 301
GIBSON
Chisnan, I 551
CoL, I 172-173
James G. , n 193
Mary J., 1724
Samuel. H 198, 387
GIDDINGS, GIDINGS
. B 74
Alfred H., n 133
Joshua R., 1226
GIDNEY
Eleaser, n 447
GIES
. II 265
GIESEN
Henry. U 167
GIFFING
Isaac H.. 0 450
GIFFORD
Abraham. I 658
Benjamin. I 445
Mrs. Charity. I 733
^ankW.. 11402
Oiles. I 661
Henry J.. 1253. 257
Joseph, I 733
Lewis. I 590, 738
Lorinda. I 733
Lucy. I 738
Malinda. I 733
FhiUp, I 733
Ruth. I 733
GILBERT
. I 52. 54. 56-7
Abner. I 54
Benjamin, I 53. Jr. .
154
C. n259
E. F.. n 134
EUsa. I 732
EUsabeth, I 54
Erastus. n 95. 108
J. E.. n349
John, n 107
JohnM.. n233. 255
Maria. I 579
Mrs.. 153
RSEecca. I 53-54
William B.. n 135
GILDERSLEEVE
, n 847
GILES
C. 1386
Lucy O. . B 60
Silas, I 682
GILL
Thomas. I 531
GILLESPIE
Geo. W.. n 144
GILLETT
. I 219-20; B 98
Augustus N.. I 241
C^b, n 110
Charles Q., n 289
Harriet. I 732
Harry, B 108
Henry T. , 11 267
Israel, U 138
Joel. I 732
Joshua, 1 182; H 28,
38. Ill, 312-313
So«)hU, n 276
William H.. n 124
GILLIE
Mrs. Ann Jane. I
J. B.. 1764
William M., I 421,
764
GILUG
Lorens. 11 139
OILMAN
-37-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
OILMAN continued
. B 53
George W.. 1251
GILLMORE, GILMORE -
Jas.. I 386, 494
John. II 443
GIMMER
O.. n267
GINTHER
Jacob, n 240
GIPLE
Abraham. I 405
GIRVIN
Robert, n 486
GISEL
John, n 132, 143
GITTERE
Jacob, n 131
Jacob A., n 133,
273, 540
GLANTZ
Henry, I 509
GLASSER
John, n 142-43
GLAUTZ
P., 1509
GLEASON
Dr.. II 443
Seorge B., n 136, 514
George W. , n 396
Lucius, B 72
Thomas, II 306
William, n 303, 306
GLECH
Catharine, I 721
GLENMAN
P.. n305
GLENN
O. J., n 131
GLENNY
, B 83
Bryant B., H 266; B 27
Mrs. Esther Ann, B
""To, 27
George B. , B 27
JohnC, n266. 546;
B27
William H., n 230-31,
266, 541; B 26-27,
48, Jr., n235; B 27
GLCR
Peter, n 133. Jr., 133.
146
GL06SEN
F., 1576
GLUCK
, n 486
James F. , n 486
GLUDY
John, I 405
GMEINER
Barth., H 325
GODDARD
Edirard, I 631
SethW., 1345, 635-
636
GODFREY
, I 619
Edwin W. , I 345, 650.
661-64
GODFREY continued
Henry. I 90. 535-6.
617-8
John. I 187
Orrin. I 619
SaUy. I 619
GOEHLE
August, n 160
Carl A., n 322
GOEMBEL
Paul, n 141-43, 236,
272
GOERNER
W.. n541
GOETCHIUS
, B 22
GOETZ
Geo., n 153, 162.
264, 272
Michael, n 168
GOFF
Mrs. Charlotte, I 619
Sylvester, I 370
GOING
Eliab, I 554, 622
GOLDBERG
Charlea I 615
William I 615
GOODELL
^ , 1466
Deacoa B 10
Jabes. n 41-42, 111,
113, 276
John, I 733
L. M. . I 644
Leurania, I 761
Mary Ann. I 733
GOODENOUGH
G. W.. I 423
George, I 423
GOODMAN
, 1629
TTT., n879
Mary A.. 1717
GOODRICH
. I 383. 514; H 95
Aaron, n 135
Ebeneser, I 122, 321,
511, 513
Guy H., I 340; H 106-09.
112. 224, 270. 514
Henry A.. 11 140
Horace, I 627; U 378
J. C, I 423, 482
Lerelna, I 423
LevlH., 1384, 387
Mehltable, I 677
RusseU, I 512
GOODSPEED
Adelaide. I 722
Carrie B., I 722
George. I 622
George L.. I 533.
GOODWIN
Mrs. Ann, I 765
Capt., B 1
George. I 765
Sarah, B 1
GOODYEAR
, n485
GOODYEAR continued
BradUy. I 443-44. 567.
614
Charles W. . H 486
Frank H. . H 201, 206,
209
P. . n 443
GOOSBECK
Sarah. I 120
GORDON
, 1622
TSx., n 348
CoU . I 70-71. 151
im., n5S9
Hiram J. . I 285
John, I 273; H 291. 552
Rev.. 1463
HTHIlam J. . n 539
GORHAM
Geo. . I 339; H 130. 486.
533. 547
Nathaniel. I 60. 68. 75.
209
Rossen, B 82
GORMAN
Michael. H 132
GORTON
Job. n 133. 523
Oscar H. . I 417. 420
GOSLIN
Alex.. 1275, 369
Esra P.. I 345. 368
LeGrand, U 389
G06SMAN
Adam. I 764
Fred, I 764
Mrs.. Mary A. . I 764
GdffSCHALK
Jacob. I 46*
GOTWALT
Alexander. I 403
Charles H.. 1401. 404
GOUDY
Peter J.. I 461
GOULD, GOOLD
, I 606; B 112
XIEert B. . I 732
Alden, I 750
Amos. I 750
Amos W. , I 602. 604-5,
732
Amos W. Jr. . I 732
Arsela. I 750
Asa. n 377
Asel L. . I 732
Catharine L. . I 732
Charles H.. H 324
EmUy V. , I 732
Emmons S. , II. 432
Garett, I 750
Irwin S. W. , I 732
Isaac. 1590
Jay. n 100
John D. , I 602. 732
Joseph C. I 732
Judge. B 86
Limel. . I 732
Lucius, n 05
Lynus M. . I 732
Mary C. . I 732
-38-
Index of Names continued
GOULD continued
Merritt, I 750, Jr. I 750
Oliver P. , I 732
FhiUp W. , I 275
Ray, I 750
S., I, 532
Shnlth, I 605-06
Sophronia, I 750
l^lvanus O., n 377-8,
401, 484
Wm., n299. 372, 396,
400, 406. 441, 549
GOWANS
Jaznet S. , I 247
John, n 278
GRABAU
August n 151
J. A., n 177-78
J. J. A., n 156
»BV„ n 175
WnBam, n 178
GRACE
Battle, I 743
Hovrard, I 743
James, I 493
James J., I 743
Joseph, I 494, 743-44
William W., 1286, 494, 743-
44
GRADY
J. T., n 450
GRAESER
CbrlstUn n 176
GRAF
Anna, I 711
Catharine, I 711
Charlotte, I 711
EUsabeth, I 711
George S., I 711
Honry, I 711
Jacob, I 711, Jr. I
711
John. I 711
MarU, I 711
GRAHAM
Charles, I 754
Christopher, I 28
CurtU, I 754
Rachel Storrs, I 754
Spencer, I 754
W. A., I 325
William, n 133
GRAMUCH
Jacob, n 243
GRANACHER
U, n. 242
GRANBY
J. S., II '94
GRANGi^^, RAINGER
, II? 14, 266,
511
Col.. n59
£Sastu8, I 87, 9b-2, 124,
126rl27, 141-42, 149,
674, 695; n 29, 32-34.
36-37, 39, 42, 45, 47,
GRANGER continued
Erastus cont., 56, 74.
107. 112, 285, 352.
354, 453, 460. 526-
527
Francis. I 210
Frank. B 86
Gideon. I 87
Hexelciah U. I 674; n 42
James M., n 510
B56
r, II 508
Warren, I 325. 327-8; .11
32, 510
Warren Jr.. 1261. 267, 270,
272
William D., n 444
GRANNIS
Amy, I 629
JohnW.. 1275
Prudence. B 112
Robert. I 624
Timotliy G.. I 479
Willlanv I 624
GRANT
Gordon. B 106
J. Lewis. B 95-96
U. I 375. 386
U. S. , n 125
Vincent, 11 32, ?^-40.
107, 112
WlllUm, n 112
William B., I 122
GRAU
Herman, B. 120
Hermann., II 248
GRANZENHARK
John, I 494
GRASS
Andreas, n 169
Andrew. VL 141. 272
GRASSER
Herman C, n 173
WlUlam. n 412
GRATWICK
. I 418
WnSamH., II 233.
538-39, 541, 550
GRAVES
EUJah. I 607. 644
Frederick. I 377
G. W.. n 264-65
J. S.. 1759
Jane. I 637
Job- Card. I 12, 303,
306; n 119, 147. 377.
386. 391-92, 306. 399.
404-05, 408, 486
JosiahD., I 642
L. W. , I 549
Lucy, I 755
Quartus. VL 332, S34r
35
SethP.. n388
Stephen V. R.. I 527; H
388
-39-
GRAVES continued
T. H.. n 264-65
Thomas. B. 93
GRAY. GREY
. B 120
Adam, n 357
C. T. . B 85
David. II 322. 334-36;
B 54
E. P.. n 139. 441. 522
Ernst G*. H 153. 162.
*68. 235, 272
Prances, B. 47
John, I 387
LydU. B 18
Nathaniel, I 574, 577. 582
Phineas. I 404
Robert. I 387
S. A. . n 243
Thomas I. . 886
WUsonH., 1275, 278-
79
GRAYBEL
Bart>ara, I 758
David, I 403
GRAYSON
Mrs^^ I 189; H 79
grBBlEr
SgU. 1267
grXBley
Horace, I 326, 329; B 36,
81
GRSEN, GREENE
— — , I 568; n 486
Alanson. I 7H
Mrs.Alsey. I 534b
ICnmt Adelaide. B 27
Asa, I 470
Benjamin F. . I 342
DeWlU CUnton. B 27
E. F., 1376
E. T., n296
Ellas, n 132
Elizabeth, I 377
George B. . I 527
Gilbert J., 1251
Harry B. , I 476, 486;
B 30
Henry B. , 11 466
Hiram, I 557
Isaiah, B 27
J. S. . n 444
Jamei^ I 588, 736
James N., I 469
James W., 1736, 739
John. I 98, 122, 191.
513, 515, 527-8
John B., n 145, 323, 377.
475-6, 486; B 30
Joseph C, n443: B 27
Julia Delphlne B 27
KeturahB., B 30
Louis P., 1420
Manly C, 0 486
Mrs. Mary B 27
IGBmdaA., 1714
HiBtory of Buffalo and Erie County
GREEN, GREENE continued
Mrs. I 377
TSancy, I 377, 722
Obadiah, II 520
Obadiah J. , I 344, 348
OUve, I 713
Richard M., II 107
Royal, I 622
Rufufl S., II 278
Samuel, I 495; B 27
Samuel B. , II 486; B 30
Samuel C, II 371
Sarah, I 732
Simon, B 27
Stephens., B 27
Walter D. , n 444
William A., II 431
William B., B 30
WilUam H. , n 465, 475-
6, 536; B 27-30, 83
GREENBERG
K,, n 254
GREENHALGH
Wentworth, I 34
GREENWALD
Frederick, I 615
GREENWOOD
Dr.. II 447
grSSg
R. R. , n 552
Thamaa, I 442
GREGORY
X\a, Pope , B 69
GREGQrtY^
W.-G. n 444
GREINER
, II 366. 369-70,
387, 395-96, 411,
548; B 83
Charles, n 161, 234,
264
D., I 521
Fred, n 486
Frederick, II 147
John, ni54, 169, 264, 368,
380-81, 397, 496-97
John Jr., I 341; n 493
PhiUp, I 469
GRENOLD
A., I 534
GRESSMAN
Jease, I 442
William, I 446
GRETLER
Ch., n325
GREUZEBACH
John, I 496, 509; n 175
GRIDER
Fam^, I 724
Mary, I 726
Mary A., I 730
GRIDLEY
FredK., n 231
Frederick, n 539
S. H., 1642
GRDCSER
WLUiam, I 420
GRIFFIN
, I 555-56
Addle, 1-744
GRIFFIN continued
Chloe, I 731
Ebenezer, I 198
Ellen, I 744
Emma, I 744
Harmon H., n 131, 133
Henrietta, B 5
Henry A., I 530; U 342
Horace, n 110
James, I 540-41, 744
JohnB., II 231, 253,
529; B 34
John W., I 744
Minnie M., I 740
Nathaniel, B 5
Obadiah, I 540
Oliver, I 740
P. A,, n258
Mrs. Parnel, B 5
Phebe, I 740, 743
Robert, I 540, 555-56
Sally, I 740
Seneca, I 740
Susan, I 744
Thomas A., II 258
Thomas F., 11 257-58
William A., I 740
GRIFFITH
, II 183; B 74
AUen, I 597, 723
Alien H., I 723
Archibald, I 641; U
356, 394
Elbert W., 1642
EUsha A., 1723
Frank; I 577
J. W., I 304
John. I 648-49
GRIGGS
Adaline, I 750
Albert, I 750
Alonzo, I 493
AlonzoM., I 744, 750
David, I 566, 750.,
Mrs.. I 607
IJat&r, I 750
Harriet, I 750
Ichabod, I 744, 750
Ichabod Newton, I 613,
750
Jerusha, I 750
John A., 1750
Julia A., I 750
Marilla, I 750
Martha M., I 750
Mary, I 763
Sarah P., I 744
Sylvester, I 546, 551.
75C
GRILL
W,, 1600
GRIMARD
G. C, n 131
GRIMES
Emily, 1.759
William H., I 459, 461,
464
GRIMM
William P.. n231
GRIMMELL
GRIMMELL continued
J. C, n 179
GRINNELL
--- B 49
GRINTON
William, U 451
GRISE, GREIS
Mrs. Barbara I. , 744
"Daniel, I 744
Henry N. . I 756
Jacob, I 744
Jacob M. , I 756
Lia, I 744
Michael, I 744
Sr., I 744
Oscar N., I 756
GRISWDLD
A. S., II 441
Cyrus, I 636-37
E. D. , n 350
E. L., 1460
Edmund A. , 11 486
Francis, B. 52
Matthew, B 25
GROBEN
Chsrles, n 143-44
GROELL
Anthony. 1726
Blaslus, I 726
Catharine, I 726
Edward, I 726
Frank, I 726
John, I 726
Joseph, I 471, 726
MagdiJena, I 726
Mary Ann, I 726
Theresa, I. 726,
Mrs. I 726
GBTSESkECK
SaUy, n 109
Walter P., H 108
GROOM
Andrew. I 53«>
GROSCURT
W., n »60
GROSHUESCH
L., I 509
GROSS, GROSE
Andrew. U 131
Carl, n 176
E. A.. 1758
George I 403
Thomas. I 455; H 348
GROSSBERGER
A. Ch.. n 178
GROSVEN<»
Abby P., n278
AbelM., I 122-23:0 47.
52, 62-3, 107,. 348,
352-53
G. H., 1292
Seth, I 896; H 61, 72-4.
76. 108. 110. 269.
278, 536
Stephen IC. I 298p n 76.
109. 134*6. 269-70
393. 531
GROTKE
Gottfried. I 510; n
176
-40-
Index of Names continued
GROTRIAN
A., n 172
GROUCHY
Marahal. I 179
GfCHTTTT
B. H. , n 444, 551
Charles C. , I 401, 405
J. H*, n 301
John. I 401. 403-04
Peter, I 401
GROVER
C. C, 1711
EdwrardB., 1711
John, I 711
LaFayette U, 1711
Nathan, I 586, 591
O. C, 1566, 570
WmiaznD., 1711
GRUBER
S;*, I 448
GRUDER
B., 1521
CBUEN
Anna, I 764
Clara, I 764
Henry, I 764
Katie, I 764
LouU, I 764
Mrs. Fhllippena, I 764
GRuEnBR
, n268
Carl, il 154
GRUETZNER
Edward. H 179
GRUNWALD
Frederick W., I 614
GtJENTHER
Anthony n, 243
F. D., n 168
Henry H. , n 146
GUERNSEY
Jonathan, I 671
GUESS
CarlH., n 444
GUEST
Henry T, , I 184
GUETUCH
FhiUp, n 412
GUGGENBERGER
Ant., n 325
GUIENGWAHTOH
, I 51, 209
GUILLARD
Ft., n305
GtCff'
John, I 386
GUTTEAU
Julius, II 527
GUUCK
J.G., 1375
GUMBEL
Joseph, n 170
GUMBRECHT
Williaxn, H 173
GUMMAER
A;G., n445
GUNDELACH, GUNDLACH
, I 167
GUNN
Aaron D, , I 729
GUNN continued
Cornelius C, I 729
Cyrenius C, I 729
Jefferson S., 1389-90, 729
Spencer C\, I 729
GUNSEN
Eugene, I 461
GUNTHER
Henry, I 406
Jr.. 406
GURNEY
AbigaUM., I 766
William H., n460
GUTH
Adam Jr., U 173
Francis, H 164-65, 304
J. Adam St., H 173
GUTHRIE
A. A. . B 103
Edward B., B 103-04
Frank, B 103
H. F. . B 103
Henry S. , B 104
John, B 102
Joseph. B 102
Josiah, I 413
Julius Cbappel, B . 03
Solomon Sturges. II 143-43.
199. 212. 539; B 102-04
Stephen B 102
Truman. B 102
Waldo, B 103
GUYLER
Mary, I 710
GWINN
WilUamR., H 232
GYSEN
Gerard, I 448
GirardH,, 1718
HAAS
, n 157
Herman, I 254
HABECKER
Barbara, I 716
HABERER
John, I 663
HABBRSTRO
JohnF., n370.
Joseph, n 154* 444.
522
Joseph L.. I347;n 142-
44. 247-48, 273, 369-
70, 392, 397-8
HADDOCK
Charges C, 11522, 527
Herbert H., 1261, 267,
272
John, n 107
Lorenzo K. , II 483
Sally, n 276
HADFIELD
Robert. I 324
HADLEY
, I 457
AlonzoE., n 362
Geo., n 443
James B*. 388; O 435
HAEFNER. HAFFNER
Anselm. H 131
John. II 160
HAERING
P.. n 165
HAGAN
Michael. U 140. 347
HAGER
August, n 142-43
Charles. H. 322
John, n 411-12
Robert. II 390. 411
HAGERMAN
Norman. 11 139
HAGGART
James. 11 55. 139
HAHN. HAEHN
F.. n 138
Jacob. I 390
Margaret. I 725
W.. I 447
HAIGHT
. I 657
Albert. I 342. 347. 357.
657; n 131. 485-86.
540
Henry. I 557
Judge^ B 30
HAlHESr HAYNE. HAYNES
— B 83
Alfred. U 301, 280
AUceE.. 1733
Anna. I 733
Anna P.. I 720
Benjamin n. 108
E.. n 201
Emmor, II 285. 536. 539.
552
Erasmus W*. I 251
George R. . U 201. 284
Jesse H.. 1733
Lteut,. I 133
Miury L.. 1733
Moses. I 720
P«rsis. I 374
PU^yA.. 1545. 720
Reuben. I 733
Samuel. O 137
HAIST
. n 172
Charles A., n 174
HAKBT
. I 619
HAL3ERT
J. S. , n 444. 522
S.. n343
HALE
A. F.. 1423
CMt., I 179
^Carles S., U 289
Edwrard, I 449
EUzabelfa. I 761
Eunice, I 730
Eunice L.. I 735
Isaac A.. 1735
James, n 184
John P.. 1227
P«ter. I 569
HALL
. I 637. 672; U 193; B
3
AUce Lindsley. B 122
Amos. I 128; n 58-9. 61
-41-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
HALL continued
Amos H., I 562
Asaph, n 310
B. F.. I 656
Bert A.. I 769
Caroline, I 619
Charles C.« II 193
Charles F.. I 568
Charles R., I 744
Clarissa, I 727
Daniel, I 423, 618-19
David A. . B 122
E. C, I 663
E. J., n281
E. R. . I 443
Ebenezer, I 446
Edward I, 420» 445
Edward R., 11 389
Edwin R. , I 444
EU, I 562
Emma G. , I 744
Ephraim C, I 641
Frank W. , I 769
Frans, 11 165
Frederick, I 728
G. W., II 133
Gen., I 129-30. 148, 150-
^Tl. 155
Grace A., I 718
Grant B. . I 769
Harding W., I 768
Harrison H. , I 768
HattieG., I 718
Henry D., I 251
Ira, I 547, 562, 564;
n356
Isaac, I 562, 564-67, 718
James, I 351, 558
James A», I 251
James T., I 293
Jonathan, I 562, 567
Joseph, II 165
Josepthine, I 760
Judge. II 315-J6
Levi, I 566
Mrs, Louisa, I 728
"Cucy, I 746
Mrs. , I 744
Ty3ra L. , I 768
M. L. , I 641
Margaret E. , I 728
Mrs. Maria, I 718
UfaTintha, I 751
Mary, I 768
Mary A., I 768
Nathan Kelsey, I 228, 339-
40. 274. 344. 346. 547-
48. 559. 564. 600; H
135-6. 234. 323, 468.
470. 478. 480. 531, 534.
536; B 54. 78
Nathaniel n 139. 274
Nettie A. , I 769
Orandu, I 758
Otis A.. I 744
P. M.. I 567
Ray v., I 769
Rev. . I 520
^SHy^ I 619
Solomon, I 537, 744
HALL continued
Stephen, II 349
Sylvester R. , I 479,
564, 566. 768
Warren A., I 567, 769
William. I 364. 590. 619;
n 38. 281
HALLER
John, n 131
HALLIDAY
. I a481
HALO
Catharine. I 725
HALPERT
N. A., n 539
HAUSEY
. I 458
Henry H.. 1247
Hiram. I 462
HALTER
Catharine, I 715
Mary. I 713
HAM. HAMM
Adam E.. 412
Levi J., n 382. 441
HAMBLE
. 11 220
HAMILL
Hugh, n 261
HAMILTON. HAMBLETON
— , 95. 209
A. D. . I 375
A. T.. I 548. 551
B. B.. 0 232. 289
Charles J. . H 257
Christopher. I 328. 532.
740
Claude T.. II 289
D., I 377
Dallas. I 531
David. I 564
Elizabeth. I 721, 740
Frank H. . II 344. 420.
435-6. 439r4l, 549
Gavin L.. I 446
George, I 160
Hannah, I 723
Henry, U 224. 514
Herbert E. , I 740
John, I 540
Jotaas. I 526. 740
Moses. I 526
Mrs. OUve, I 740
TCrry, I 531
Rachel, I 744
Ssmuel A. . I 740
Susan J.. I 740
Theodore B., I 247-49
William. I 326-8, 526. 530-
31. 740
HAMUN
Anna. I 374
Cicero J.. I 333, 544-5
549; n 255
David, I 116, 452, 582,
Jr. I 374. 381.
Sr. . I 374. 382
Daniel R.. II 278
Frank. B 68
Harry, n 255
-42-
HAMLIN continued
JohnW.. 1324-25,
328. 549
Rebecca. I 374. 382
WiUiam. n 255,
Mrs. , B 24
"ZIEa I 590
HAMMER. HAMER
Anna, I 752
Charles. I 494
HAMMERSCHMITT
Charles. U 273
J*. I 509
HAMMON
Charles. B. . 30
Clark H.. B 31
CUnton, I 275
Eli. I 362
LiUie M. . B 31
Robert,,! 551
S. Y.. n297
WiUiam W. . I 346. 627,
629; n 265, 485r86;
B 30-31
HAMPTON
Aaron, I 595
OUver, I 530
HANAVAN
John, n 140. 142. 145
HANBACH
John . n 165
John C. n 146-47, 244
HANCHETT
Hiram, U 112, 310. 313
Joseph. I 122
HANCOCK
Alexander Stanley. II
444
Gen,. B 26
Wnilam. I 423
HAND
George. H 198
HANDEL
Francis, H 161, 234
Francis J. . n 234-35
HANDIGES
PhiUp. II 179
HANDY
Alfred. I 589. 622
Henry, I 257
Jalrus. n 290
HANEL
Jacob. I 401
HANFCRD
John, I 647-48
BANNING
J. T., 1642
HANNON, HANNAN
John, I 604
Thomas, I 413
HANRAHAN
Austin, II 130
Dennis, II 146
James, n 130
Patrick, I 345
HANSCHKE
Joseph, n 176
HANSMAN
. n 156
HANSON
Henry. II 358
Index of Names continued
HAPP
Joseph* I 521
HARD
, I 580
C. P. . n 297
E. B.« I 578
HAROINQ
E. G. , n 444
Lemuel. I 381
HARLEBEN
K«te« I 766
Theodore* I 421
HAROY
Bsekiel, I 619
Haonah, 1617
John, I 546
BARKER
MiffUn. I 375* 386
HARLACHBR
Joseph* n 174
HARLAN
Frank* I 744
HARLOW
, I 460
James, M.* I 552-53
HARMER
* I 71
HARMON
, I 454* 599
Cyrus, n 132
EUas* I 554* 615* 622
H. A.* n 486
Judson* n 270
BfeUnda* I 721
Ransom* I 122; 11 68
William B.* n 193
HARPTS
MaB^ I 534
HARRINGTON* HERINGTON
. I 480
D. W.* II 550
Dr. I 444
tnk, I 736
Henry O. * I 479* 481*
Isaac R.* II 136-37* 527
James* I 369-70* 415
JohnM.* I44lj H 422* 430
Peter, I 450
Spencers.* 1369-70* 374 .
Whitford* I 479* 481
HARRIS* HARRIES
— -* I 586-86* 588; H 268
Asa* I 114* 382* 384* 389;
n
Asa P.* n73* 353-54* 357
E. P.* n 522
E* S. * I 664
Ellen L. * I 733
EveUn* I 736
FraocU L.* U 136* 430* 439
G. M. * I 520
George* I 523
George W.* I 461
Hiram* I 489* 493* 545
J. Q.* n 444
Jabez* n 298
James H.* I 375* 386
Joseph* I 377. 583* 736
Joseph H. * I 386
HARRIS* HARRIES continued
Lucy* I 746
Mrs. Martha* I 736
Oscar L.* n 262
Prof. B.. 48
Samuel* I 489
W. H.* 11241
HARRISON
Gen. L 147
Janxes Cooke* n 138-9* 217*
234i B 75-76
Jonas« I 100* 178* 69S-96;
nT3* 76* 78-81* 110* 112*
133-34* 222-223* 285* 353*
453* 455-56* 530; B 75.
Jr. B 75
Mrs. LydU* I 748
wrrn36o
HARROUN
Gilbert K.* H 334; B 111
HART
* II 184
Aaa* B 35
Columbus* II 137
EU* I 399; U 44-45* 47*
61* 64* 72* 74, 76. 107.
113
Jacob* I 479
JchnC* 1290
Robert* n 189
Rufus* I 86
WilUam B.* I 327; U 133; B
113-114
HARTEL
Catharine* I 710
HARTLEY
* n 297
Edwrard* U 387
HARTMANN,
Hub.* 1325
HARTNETT
Daniel D. * U 497* 500
HARTSHC«NE
* II 414
Henry* I 447
HARTWELL
EUjah* I 291
Moses* I 568
HARTWIG
M.* n 444
HARTY
JohnD.. n 357-58
HARTZELL
J. H. * n 300-301
HARVEY
. II 534; B 83
Alexander W.* I 274* 306;
n 230; B 54
Charles W.* H 441* 449* 451
Mrs. Christopher M.* H 19
IHrsl. E. R.* B 16
George T. * I 557
H. D.* n252
Harriet E.* I 743
Joel* I 90* 93* 572
JohnC* 11236
LeonF.* U 443* 450* 536*
541
Nancy n* 276
Sylvanus* I 743
HART cominued
Thomas. I 606
HASBROUCK
Stephen* U 432
William C* B 51
HASCALL. HASKELL.
HASKILL
* I 718
AlvinW.* I 756
Carrie S.. I 756
Daniel* I I2a"'23* 538-
539
Battle B,* I 756
Hiram M.* I 7.S6
John, I 627, 756
JohnC, I 756
Jonathan* I 533. M^,
589; n
Jonathan Jr.. I 341. 349*
577. 625-27
R.* n 193
Mrs. Rachel* I 756
wlBiam* I 756
RASKINS
. II 103* 517
Fzank* 1651
G«arfie W.* I 302; n 337
RoMreUW.* I 675* H 43*
95* 104, 315, 329« MS
. 337* 850* 5il* 531 -
BASSEhBACU
Alton, II 169
HASSELBECK
Jacob* n 147* 257
HASTINGS
? I 618; B 12
Cbauncey* I 619* 621-22
Chauncey J. * I 622
Eurotas* B 122
Frances Hall* B 122
Jonathan* II a 356
Seymour P.* I 621
HATALA
Aloys, n 165
HATCH
, n 486
C. S.* 1555
Dorastus* I 122* 594
E. P., 1605
Edward, I 594
Edward N. , I 345
Edward W., I 348; H 486
EUas, I 478
George W., I 496
Israel, U 193
Israel T.* 1232* 340* 345*
348; n 138* 222* 224,
235, 332, 471, 527
Jason, I 467
Leonard. I 478* 400, 495
NUes. I 493
PhiUp. I 688
RosweU, I 467
Wilder, I 489
Willard, I 478
HATFIELD
Robert, H 270
HATHAWAY, HATHEWAY
, I 651
Betsey, B 72
-43-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
HATHAWAY continued
Cart.. II 182
Isaac/ I 657; n 137
Isaac T., II 138
L. L. , I 654
HATHORN
Annls, I 743
EUaC, I 743
Verenus. I 481, 743
HAUENSTEIN
, II 201
John, n 154, 157. 161-
62, 233, 272-73, 439,
550, 552
HAUPT
C. L., I 404
Frederick C, U 272
HAUSAUER
Frank C, I 769
G. M. , II 343
George, I 406
John, I 566
JulU M. , I 769
Michael, I 769
Minnie, I 769
HAUSCHILD
John, n 177
HAUSEN
Abraham, I 469
HAUSLE
Paul, n 164
HAUTHS
W., 1590
HAVEN, HAVENS
Alonzo, I 554, 566
Asa Jr., 1670-71. Sr.,
670-71
Charles B.. I 769
E. G. , I 769
EdvrinE., I 769
Ephralm S., II 136-37
George, I 388
George W., I 387
Jose]^, I 670
' Josiah, I 670
Julia AugusU, I 769
Lydia Ann, I 769
Moses, I 670
Peleg, I 562, 567
Richara I 670
Silas, I 562
Solomon George, I 226,
231, 340, 348, 562,
670, 674, 695; H 137,
468, 480-81; B 28, 54«
78-79
HAVERLY
John, I 534
HAVILAND
Charles, I 521
Charles E., n 389
HAWES
Samuel W. , n 270
HAWKINS
, n 486
Edwin, I 759
H. S., I 368
Ivory C, I 532
Joseph, I 527
Samuel, I 123, 513, 516-
HAWKINS continued
Samuel cont., 17,
527. 618-19
Samuel S.. I 528
Theodore, I 528
Whipple, I 697
WiUiam M.. II 486
HAWKS
. I 610; n 486
A. S., I 446
AdaG., 1751
Avertla, I 750
Carrie M., 1746
Charles E., I 751
Cicero Stevens, II,
286
Cleo I 750
Druzella, I 750
EdwrardC, n 146, 486,
540
Ella S., I 750
Flora M., I 751
Floyd, I 750
George W. , I 750
Homer, I 751
John C. , I 750
Kate v., I 751
Lawrence W. , I 750
Leah, I 750
Lewis, I 751.
Lucy E., I 750
Luella, I 750
Newman C. , I 750
Newman L., I 751
Orlando, I 612, 751
Phllena, I 751
Porter, I 612. 751
Rhoda, B.25
Rose E.. I 751
Rufus, I 750-51
RufusE., I 612, 751
Rule I 750
Sarah E., I 751
HAWLEY
,- II 117
Bryan, I 552
EUasS., I346;n 137-
38, 143-44, 317, 536
George B. , 11 451
Huldah, I 748
James Edwin, U 426, 430-
31
Jesse, I 306-08, 311
JohnH., 1664
M. S., n 193, 212
Polly Ann, I 721
Salmon, I 626
Salna, I 748
Sarah D. , I 746
SethC, I 344; H 228,
235. 337, 532
HAXSTEEN
J, J. C. , n 441
HAYO
Herman, II 444
HAYDEN
, I 571
Miriam, B 45
Moses, B. 45
N., II 211
HAYDEN continued
William . I 404
HAYES, HAYS HAY
. n 193
A. H., I 571
Adam. II 353
Andrew. I 751
Anna, I 752
Burr it, I 751
Charles E.. I 751 .
Corlestz, I 751
E. W. , II 233. 288
Elmer G., I 751
George B., H 231, 240,
323, 533. 541
George E., II 135, 448-
49, 517, 531-532
H. P.. n 350
Howard. I 751
James Arthur, I 751
James v., U 131, 145
Jonathan, I 751
Ora J., 1751
OtUB., 1257
PUqy, n 448
Pres. B 70
Riley B., I 751
Robert P., II 396-7,
546, 548
W. H. , I 603
William I 388, 421
William R.. 1751
William C, n 452
HAYFORD
RUey, n 367, 395
HAYWARD
EUshaB., 62.
EUsha L. , I 241
George W. , I 336
Nelson , B 62
Rev.. I 606
"STO., 1419, 421
HAZARD
C. P., n201
George S., H 193. 212-13,
23b, 541, 549
Morris, H 193
W. B., n201
HAZEL, HAZELL
, n 486
JohnR., n 486
Robert F., H 293
HEACCXK, HECGK
Grosvenor W. , n 277-
78
Manson, I 756
Reuben B., 1251, 254.
298, 321, 344: H 47.
52, 73, 95, 108-09.
112, 117, 184, 223-
24. 277r78, 313. 531
Reuben H., 11 278
Rev. I 463
Samuel, n 132
Sarah E. , I 756
HEAD
Jonathan E. , I 273
HEALY
Netta, I 750
HEARNE
-44-
Index of Names continued
HEARNE coitiniied
Henry, n 266
HEARTY
JohnD., n 134
HEATH, HETH
HoBea, I 519
, n 266
Laura A. , I 742
Nehemiah, I 652
FhiUp, I 386
WiUiamH., H 547, 550;
B 1
HEATHCOTE
, n 324
HE BARD
John, n 395
HEBDING
Louis, I 449
HEBORN
Hannah, I 756
HECKLER
John, B 114
HEOGER
Everett L., 1487
Mary eotella, I 487
HEDGES
David, I 719
Esther, I 719
John, I 605, 637
JohnR., 1606
Sophia, I 719
Stephen, I 607
Stephen J., 1604
HEDSTRGM
Eric L., n 203-05. 209,
233, 264, 293-94, 539,
550
HEERDT
Henry, I, 521
HEFFNER
JuUus, I 305
HEFFCXID
Robert R., II 146-47.
205, 522
HEHN
FhiUp, I 389
HEICHBERGER
M. , I 599
Michael. I 599
HEIL
Mra, Catharine, I 727
Christopher, I 727
Johanna, I 726
HEILMAN
Anton, n 160
HEIMBC'^W'^R
D.. I .4 521
HEIMLIC H
Louit 131
HEIN
Peter ' 6:^7-38
HEINE
Anna' ., I 711
CaroUr-e. I 711
John, I 711
Rachel, I 729
HEINRICH
CaroUne, I 7''3
Catharine. I 723
Christian, I 723
HEINRICH continued
Daniel. I 723
Diebold, I 723
Edirin, I 723
George. I 723
John, I 723
Louisa. I 723
BAagdalene. I 723
Samuel, I 723
William, n 131
Henry, I 273
HEINZE
Franks. M., H 147
HEISSER
Eva, I 723
Godfrey, n 153
HBISTEND
ChristUn, n 359
HEITER
A., n 167
HELD
Fred, H 155
Frederick, TL 369-70,
397-8; B 47
Samuel, II 307
HELL
Magdalena, I 726
HELLER
J., I 463
HELLRIEGEL
Henry, H 161, 169. 234-
35. 273
J., n 169
William II 139-40.
162. 272-3
HELMER
John, I 401
HELMPRAECHT
Joseph, n 167
HELMRICH
gev., 1611
Samuel, n 60, 69. 113
HELWICK
Catherine. I 726
HELWIG
Eva, I 756
Wilhelm. I 463
HEME NW AY
Hiram. I 599
Rufus. I .090
Silas, n 287
HEMSTRF c^T
Abrr-m. 11 137-38
Z". ..A.. I 490. 493. 495-
97
HENJ>EE
E. W., I 444
Homar. I 441-42
Joshua. I 441
HENDEGES
PhiUpH.. I 377
HENDENRTICH
Casper. I 493
HENDERSON
J. J., n212
James M.. H 264. 399
John M. . n 288
HEI4ECKE
HENECKE continued
Charles A.. II 412
HENGAR
. I 651
HENGERER
T. A.. I 496
WiUiam. n 178. 262.
387, 391-92. 396.
399. 405
HENING
Frederic. H 171
Herman, II 486
HENKE
B. , n 325
HENMAN
Ellen. I 721
HENRICH
Catharine. I 737
George, t 735
Magdalena. I 735
Mrs. Sally, I 735
Wniiam, n 144-45,
169. 273
HENRY
E. W. , I 650
F. J.. II 252
JohnL., I 650
W. D. . I 581
William. I 663
HENNEPIN
Ft.. I 34-37
HENPERMEN
Beina, I 712
HENSE
Magdalena. I 715
HENSE L
Carrie. I 74
Christian. I 449
Conrad. I 744
Conrad C. , I 744
David. I 744
Emma. I 744
George, I 744
Matilda, I 744
Minnie. I 744
PhlUp, 1744
Sarah. I 744
William. I 744
HENSHAY
Allen. I 720
Andrew. I 719
Benjamin. I 513, 527
Betsey. I 556
Charles H.. I 259, 261
D.. I 604
Elizabeth. I 556.
Mrs.. 720
Harriet, I 743
Horace L.. I 546, 720
James. I 537
Joseph, I 720
Joseph M.. I 538, 557
Joshua. I 123. 556
Lucina, I 719
Nathaniel, I 122, 401
Samuel. I 556
Theodore. I 556
Theodore R., H 283
HENSLER
Emanuel, I 417; V 377
-45-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
HENTZ, HINTZ
Mary Eve, I 745
Rynard, I 745
HEPP
Catherina, B 84
Louis, I 522
HEPPLER
Andreas, 11 412
HEPWORTH
Mrs. Anna, I 764
Charles C, I 764
Florence M. , T 764
JohnT., I 764
Lillian M. , I 764
WiUiam H., I 420, 764
HERBELE
C. H., I 509
HERBOLD
Henry, H 412
Julius J., II 131
Philip, I 637
HERING
Peter, II 174
HERMAN
Louis, n 131, 144, 175
HERON
Edward, 11 723
HERR. HEHR, HAIR
Andrew, I 391
Eli, I 399. 403, 405,
556
Emanuel, I 401^ 404
Frederick E., II 174-75
H. , I 403
John, I 399, 405. Sr. I
405
Richard M., I 280
WUliam. U 174
HERRICK
Amos, I 441
B. F., I 643
Daniel, I 443
HERSCHEL
George, I 423
HERSEE
, II 243
Harry, II 140
Thompson, II 137, 243;
B 57
Thompson Jr., IT 243
William, H 382-83
William M., II 243
HERSHEY
Abram, I 395
AnnaH., I 395, 729
Benjamin, I 404
Christian, I 401
David W., I 349; II 443
DUoa, I 396
Mrs. EUzabsth, I 729
Florence, I 712
Franklin P., I 711-712
George, I 405
Isaac, I 403, 711
Jacob, I 399, 401, 404
James, I 398
John, I 123, 396, 401,
403-04, 413
Jones, I 729 . _
HERSHEY continued
Joseph, I 401, 413;
n 353
Mary, I 713
Mary M., I 711
MilUe, I 712
Nancy, I 395
Peter, I 401, 403, 711
Solomon, I 389
Susan, I 711
HERTEL
Charles, H 179
HERTKCMIN
Ambrose, 11 273
WlUiam. n 547
HERTZOG
O. G., n 301
HESMAN
Louis, n 131
HESPELEIN
John, II 168
HESS
Frank W., II 133
Josephine, I 745
HESSE LM ANN
Frederick Wm., II
173
HEUER
Johann. II 177
HEWITT
John. I 84; H 23-24
PhlppsW., n 353
HEWSON
A. K. , I 534
Archibald, I 534
Charles, I 517
HEYWOOD, HAYWOOD
BlUii^s, n 328
R. N. , n 436
RusseU, n 224, 270
Russell H., I 470; n
192^ 211, 212, 235,
503, 511, 531
HIBBARD, HIBBERD
, I 453-54
Tninah. I 117. 297, 439-
40
Daniel, U 528
EnosS., I 664, 760; n
391
Francis, n 184
George B. , II 486
Henry, I 94
Julia, I 742
L. D. , n 287
Luther, I 122, 594
Samuel P., 1512
Thomas Scovllle, I 760
HICKEY
E. H. , n 444
Frank, I 629
Lieut, . I 246
Arthur, H 387
Arthur W., 1346; H
486, 552
HICKMOTT
Clarence A., 1251, 254
HICKOX
EUsha E., n 514
HICKQK continued
ElishaC, II 95, 111
HICKS
, I 511, 514
Charles T., H 109
John B. . n 134
HIEMENZ
Jacob, n 145. 16 2,
272-273
HIGGINS
B. S., 1369
James, TI 134
James W.. I 299
Jeremiah, I 346; n
130
John, I 275. 278-81, 284
Mary A.. I 753
HILL
Alonzo E., I 736
Amos. I 612
Cterles, I 567
Chaj:ie8B., U 486
Clayton L. , II 344
Cordelia I.. 744
EUsha. I 369
EUzabeth, I 740
George. I 390, 736
Henry, I, 423, 556
Henry F.. I 421
James, 11 547
Jehial, I 649
John, I 321, 362, 390,
584-86. 590. 736.
Jr. , I 584. St. 736-7
JohnD., n 138, 231*32,
235, 298. 522, 539.
552
JohnW., 1736
Joseph. I 520. Mrs^I 624
LaFayette. TL 355"""^
Leander. I 736
Lucinda. I 738
I 149
Ion, I 736
Martha M.. I 736
MUo W. , n 138
MUees. H, 324
Roswell, I 584. 737
RusseU, I 584. 590
SsmuelJr., I 92. 114.
117, 123, 128, 362-
4, 384, 440
Sarah G., 1767
Silas, I 362
Simon, I 442
Stepben G. . n 389
Thomas, I 362, 562
Wallace, I 736
Wallace C, n 391
William, I 585, 589
William H., U 401
HILLAND
Robert, I 155
HILLER
John, I 576
HILLIARD
Miss. E. L., n 323
hiLLIKEr
Augustus, I 594
HILLMAN
-46-
Index of Names continued
HILLMAN continued
B., n 541
B. E., I 554
E.B,, 1643
HIMMENS
Jacob, n 131-32
fflNCHY
AdaUne Margaret, I 726
Amanda L., 1726
Mrs. Catharine, I 726
tSrrstlxMi.E., 1726
EntlUia, I 726
Ferde EmUine, I 726
JohA. I 726. Sr. I 726
John August A., I 726
HIKES, HYNES
H. K«, n295
John« n 130
Mary Ann, I 745
Rev, , I 463, 510, B 3
TtKxnas J. , I 304
HINGSTON
Edward J., n 283
William n 198
William E., 1305
HINKET
, I 420
Louis, I 764
HINKLET
Edgars., 1291
Leonard, IE 133
HZEOIAN
Diadtha, I 750
Hiram* I 586
Horace H. . I 530
HINSON
Charles W., I 345; H
486
George L, 259, 261
HIPSCH
Lanie, I 757
HIFMER
Catharine, I 731
HIRSCH
George, n 160
EUzabeth, I 730
HITCHCOCK
Aaron, I 473-4, 492
Albert F. , I 546
Alexander, I 321, 401,
467t71, 473-74
Alexander F., 474
AppoiLos, I 325, 466-7,
489, 472-6. 726; H
112, 352
Appoloi, r., 1473-74
Appolloo King, I 474
C, n 1
Mrs. Ce. a, I 726
huts'. CeUaM., I 474
Charles R., I 474
Emily Marie , I 475
Franklin, I 468
Henry, n 423
J., II 193
James, I 468, 474-5
James Jr., I 475
James E. , I 474
James H. , 1 726
HITCHCOCK continued
John, I 469, 474
Margaret, I 702
Mary, I 473, 725
P. B,, 0 387-88, 395
Roxanna, I 474
Sally, I 474
Sarah A., I 474
Sarah B., I 475
Thomas I 534
HTTCHLER
Henry, n 132
HTTE
Rcft>ertG., H 353
HOAG
A. C. , I 504
Abram, I 740-41
Anna, I 741
B. O., 1506
Charles S., 1741
George E. , I 740
H., I 504
I., 1504
IdaM., 1741
James, I 741
JaniMtte, I 741
John, I 652
Joseph, B 81
Louisa L. , I 379
L^man, I 379
Mrs, Maria L., I S34b
Haria P., I 741
Nelson, I 375, 378-79
Permelia Jane, I 379
Phebe, I 740
Robert, I 740-41
Rosella, I 740
Sarah, I 740
Thomas J., I 546
Wabur M., I 378-79, 759;
n 389
Wilson Porter, I 374, 379;
n389
HOAG LAND
Catherine. B 18
HOBART
Bishop. I 433
HOBfiS
George S., I 420
. J. S., 1420
HOCHSTETTER
ChristUn, H 176, 178
RODDICK
Frederick, H 160
HODGE, HODGES
, n 414, 505
Abigail, I 737
Alfred, U 65
Arietta A., 1699
Benjamin, I 141, 153, 188
324, 428; U 279-80,
310, 352-53
Benjamin Jr., tl 68
Benjamin Sr., I 697; U 69
Charles J. , I 699
F. A., n293
George H., 1289, 299, 650
H. n 120
Joseph, I 68; n 18
Lewis L., n 137, 139, 235
HODGE continued
Loren. I 699; II 41
Velorus, I 697; H 41
WiUard Way, I 699; U
486
WllUam. I 12. 697-
99; n 36, 67. 69-70.
73. 79, 313-14. 352-
53, 418. 502-04.
506-07. 536. 547
William Jr.. n 36
WUliam Sr. , t 697-99;
II 509
WlUlam CtattrchiU. I 699
HODGSON
tliomas. n 204
HOEFFLER. HOFELLER
— , n 257
Charles, U 249
Siegmund, 11 308
HOELSCHER. HOLSCHER
Dr.. n 306
TCT n303
HOEN1G
Phillip, n 131
HOT
August, n 174-75
VGPFKLD
— , n 246
Rudolph, n 161-62, 233
Rudolph F. W.. I 461
HOFFMAN BQFM AN
Alice E., n 324
Mrs. Amanda H.. H 324
IBzabeth, I 769
. n 119; B 112
Sn. I 403. 494
Levis G., 0 345, 357-
58
Mary W., U 324
PMer, I 155, 574; U
172
Valentine, I 289; U 413
HQFFMEYER
Frederick, H 178
lohnA., 0 522
JohnF., O 444
HOFFOWER
George. I 759
George Ervln, I 759
Homer, I 759
HOFHEINS
G. F.. O 172
HOFMEISTER
Beina, I 712
Catharine, I 712
Christophet, I 712
Christopher. I 712
Flora. I 712
Peter. I 712
Rebecca. I 712
Q, I 712
HOGAN
. n 264
Hugh, O 130
Michael £. , O 146
HOGENVORST
a, O 166
HOGG
W. T., II 299
-47-
Hifltory of Buffalo and Erie County
HOIL
EUzabeth, I 714
Margaret, I 712. 714-15
HOIST
George, II 153
Michael, n 153
HOLBROOD
T. G., I 576
HOLBROOK
Mary, II 276
HOLDEN
Williajn. I 286
HOLLAND
, n 201, 256-57
Charles, II 193
George I 448
Luther H., I 748
Nelson, II 257, 323
HOLLENBECK
Garrett S., n 518
HOLLEY
Myron, I 309, 687; TL 93
SamuelJ., H 212
HOLLISTER
, II 117, 238
Frank M. , U 533
James, n 211, 235
John, n 370
John J. , I 302
Robert, II 197-98, 262,
270* B 45
WiUiam, H 104, 134, 514
William Jr. , H 136
HOLLCWAY
Isaac, n 296, 383, 402;
B66, 115
John A., 1304, 306
Joseph R,, I 421, 764
R., I 417
HOLMAN
A^ P., 1637
EUaM., 1523
HOLMES
, I 325, 621
Abigail, I 720
Allen, I 557
B,, n 257
Benjamin, B 31
Britain. U 496-97, 500; B
31
Cyrus, I 762
E. n 257
E. L., n 443
Ebenezer, I 95, 122, 321,
349, 562, 564, 566; II
390
Ebenezer Jr., I 562
Edvrard, B 31
Edvrard Britain, II 200; B
31
Elbert, I 621
Elkanah, U 23, 275, 313
George W., 1349, 562, 566
Gilbert, I 562
H. N. A«, I 213
Henry, I a62
Horatio, I 562
J., 1390
James B., 11257, 280
John I 562
HOLMES continued
JchnM., I 95, 160, 562
Maria, I 719
Morgan L., I 546
Nathaniel, I 557
OrsamuB, B 52
Philip, I 553
Ruth B. , 52
Samuel, I 155
Seth, I 562
Sidney, I 562
Stephen, I 546, 552, 622
Susan Bishop, B 31
Mrs. Susannah, B 31
TTiomas, I 160, 554,
563
Thomas, I 160, 554, 563
Wheeler C, 2d I 557
WinfleldS., I 562
HOLMWOOD
, n 266
HOLSER, HOLZER
F. N., n343
John J., n390
HOLSEY
Harmon. I 387
HOLT, HOLTS, HOLTZ
, I 208; n 185, 192-
93
A. J., n302
Arnold, I 605; O 377
Elijak, n 48
Eraatus O., I 251, 255-56
H. F., n 382
Henry, I 377
J., I«78
Keziah, H 276
Nicholas, II 377
HOLTON
PUiy, I 650
HOLZBCXIN
L., n 168
HOLZHAUSEN
, n 160
HOMAN
Henry, I 463
HOMER
Theodore, I 554
HONAYEWUS
, I 48, 64
HONEY
Agnes, I 762
HOOKER
H. N., 1653
L H., n 193
Thomas, B 25
Worthington, 11 427
HOOLE
. n 204
A. J., n204, 209
HOOPES
E. L., I 641
HOOPLE
Charles M., U 135
HOOVER
Mrs. Barbara, I 712
T!£arles, I 712
Elda, I 712
ElBworth, I 712
Emily, I 712
-48-
HOOVER continued
Frank, I 712
George W., I 712
Henry S., I 712
John. I 401. 712
Maria, I 712
Mary A.. 1755
Minnie, I 712
Nelson. I 712
WiUlam H.. I 712
HOPKINS
, I 135; n 75. 486
Asa T. , n 277, 349
B. N., I 445
Mrs,, Barbara, 1753
Benjamin, I 410
Charles W., I 401. 411
Cyrus. I 362. 368, 377
386
Oavid. I 753
Oorcas, I 410
Ehod, I 410
Elvira A., I 410
Florence, I 712
Florence Augusta, I 411
George T. , I 41 1
Hannah. I 753
Harriet P., I 410
Henry R., H 443, 533.
547
Hiram P., 1331. 333
Horace G., I 411; H 444
Horace W., I 410
Ichabod, I 410
J. H., n 430
James, I 328-29, 621
James A., I 411
Jemima, I 410
John, n 132
JohnF., 1410
Mary, I 410
Mrs., n552
%IsonK., 1341, 398,
410 . 669; TL 130,
141-42, 231, 235,
488. 511, 517
Nelsons., 1411
Orlando, I 86, 92, 361.
62, 383. 398, 400.
410
OtlsR., I 114, 123, 348
384; II 108
Ransom, I 410
Rev.. B 53
RooKsna. I 753
Sarah. I 41»
Silas, n 353
T. Orlando, I 411
Thomas, I 621
Tbnotlv. I 410
Timothy A., 1345. 347
398» 401-03, 410-
412, 712
Timothy S.. I 80-81. 86.
98. 114, 116-7. 12i
149-50, 297, 300.
360-62, 381, 383-4.
397-8, 400-01, 404.
410-11, 413, 712; n
52
Index of Names continued
HOPKINS coitimied
WlUiam. L.« 1410
HOPPE
J., I 447
HOPPER
Ada, I 744
Amanda A., 1744
Amy. I 744
Elma U, 1744
George* I 503
Jacob, I 744
James, I 744
James U. t 744
Jettle, I 744
Mary S,. 1744
SalljM., 1744
William E.« 1744
HOPPMAN
F. W.. II 170
HOPSCHNEIDER
Rev., n 167
hoRXn
William C, n 334
HORDICH
John, n 306
HORMEL
Christian. U 173
HORNER, HOERNER
J«, 1504
John, I 411
Michel, I 509
W. T., n347
William, I 404. 411
HORNUMG
Frederick, H 516
HORRT
Peter, I 401
HORTON
, I 543, 591; H 222
CornBlittsM., H 278
O. F., 1423
Ebenezer F. , n 453
F. W. , I 644
H. B., n 443
Helen, I 722
Hiram, I 599
Irvix«M,, 1644
JohnM., n 546; B 88
U L., 1614
Mehitable, B 46
William R., 636
H06ACK
David, n 414
HOSFORO
Delia, I 720
H06LET
George, Tl 526
H06MER
AureUa, : 619
B. K«, I ^02
George W., 1125, 117,
301, 510
MeweU, 16-8
Rev, n 534
SiSney S., 11 518
H06TETTER
1524
HOTCHKISS
Rev. II 302
VTR., I 446; II 291
HOTCHKISS continued
W. H., n262
HOTTINGER
Martin. I 303
HOUCK
Jacob. I 520
Josephine, I 764
PhiUp, II 161-2, 169,
233, 235, 251, 272-73
HOUCH HUFF
, n 120
Mri. Catharine, I 764
TSvld, I 764
David C, I 534
E. H. , I 638
Ella, I 762
G. L. , I 568
HenryD. , I 302
James B., 1420-21, 764
John, 1 610
HOUGHTALING
JohnT., n 402, 404
HOUGHTON
A, A., n256
Andrew J. , H 443
George W., n 118-19,
137, 481
Harley, I 612
R. C, n295
HOUUSTOM
Andrew, H 377
HOUSE
C. N,, 1612, 614
Elisabeth, B 52
Eunice, I 642
Frederick, I 122
John, I 639
JohnC, n 437
T. M. • n 295
WUUs, I 615
HOUSINGER
Bfary, I 727
HOUTS
John, I 606
HOVEY
Ebenezer, n 353
Joslah Jr. , 11 354
HOWARD
, I 458; II 103, 244
Anna Maria B 34
Arad, I 646
Austin A., I 250; n 140-
41. 482; B 66
C. O., n262
Daniel Jr., 1552
Dr.. I 519
^ady, n 136
Ethan. I 593
Ethan H. . II 234, 334; B
32
Fradc King, B 34
Franklin E., U 452
Frederick, U 486
George, H 234. 244, 277
280, 511, 513, 548-9;
B 32-34
George H. , I 303
George Rumsey, B 34
H. E. n 212, 271
Harriet C, B 117
HOWARD continued
Henry C, B 32, 43
John, B 32
Joseph, I 559; II 240
Joseph Jr., 1314,
542. 546-7, 549.
551, 613
Mrs. Mary, B 32
Tlfary E., B 32
Nellie Louise, B 34
RoUinR., II 348
Rufus, B 117
Rufus U, I 333; n
170, 231, 239, 333,
546; B 34-36,- 117
Silas, I 647
Walter, I 450
WlUiam, n 193
HOWCUTT
John, n 534
HOWE
Alexander, I 496
Carey W., I 275. 385
D. B. , I 368, 388, 391
Dr.. 0 844
ISac, I 564
JohnD., I 344. 443
Leman, I 650
Lucien, U 444, 541,
551
Wallace, t 479
HOWELL, HOWELLS
, I 135
A. A. , n 540
Hugh, I 86, 623
James, H 138-39. 288
John, I 345
Stephen W.. U 138-
. 41, 103, 234. 239,
251, 364. 379
WlUiam, n 443
HOWLAND
EUsa, I 534b
EUzabeth, I 741-42
Henry H. , II 541
Henry R., H 323
Job, I 534b
Mary Jane, I 740
Theodore, II 341
HGKSIE
Mrs. A. C, n 550
HUYER
Burt P.. n 445
Emma T., I 764
Frederick F., I 419,
764
Josephine, I 764
MlnardT., 1764
T. F. , n 443
HOYSINGTON
Job, I 155; n 66-69,
503. Mrs, n 66
Sarah, ITTTh
HOYT
A. H., I 544
Albert H.. II 390
AierH., 1268, 272
D. J. B. , I 375
Horace, I 551, 554
James G., » 342; II 477
-49-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
HOYT continued
James M.« n 432
Jerusha. I 747
Jonathan, I 545-46, 548;
II 417, 421-22, 430,
432
Joseph, II 244
Joseph D., II 68, 95. 110,
112, 134
Margaret, I 423
Natlianiel B., II 143
Orson C, II 141
Samuel, I 493
WlUiam, I 95, 561, 564,
613
HU
John, I, 523
HUBBARD
A. K. , I 377
Dr.. I 641
YTH., I 331
EUas, n 95, 110
George L., n 138
Joseph, I 625
MUtonR., II 379, 523
RoUin C. , I 280
Silas, n 437
Thaddeus, II 423
HUBBELL
A., n 444
Alvln A. , n 550
EU S. , II 203. 550
Franklin B. , n 350
John, n 139, 482
JohnC, n 486
William S., n 280
HUBER
Carrie, I 760
George I«« 461
HUDSON
A," C;, n 131
Clark, I 566
Deacon. I 618
Grove A. , 11 136
Henry, I 22
JohnT., n 135, 486,
546
Stukely, I 622
HUELS
John, n 131
HUENEMILLER
Charles, U 173
HUFFCUT
Major, I 367
HUGBEE
John, n 210
HUGHES
n 304
B 108
JohnM., n 370
William M., H 288
HUGHSON, HUSON, HUSEN
a; T. , n 391
Jane, I 748
Lt,. I 267, 270,
"Sph, n 391
HUIS
C, n 160
HULBERT, HULBURT
Gideon, I 421 '
HULBERT continued
M. A., n 379
HULL
, I 454
Aosalcm, II 59
Capt., n 59, 66
Charlotte, I 409, 710
Gen. . I 129
JoHn, B 98
L. B. , I 369
Nancy, U 276
Warren, I 452
William, t 143, 152
HULSE
Sknith, I 719
HUMBERT
Mrs, J.. I 387
Tacob F. , I 385-86, 730
JulUG., I 765
Sebastian, I 730
HUM BUB
John, n 539
HUMMELL, David, I 463
Frederick Sr., I 463.
Jr., I 463; n 412
Henry, I 461; U 412
Jacob, I 385
T., I 576
HUMPHREY
, I 752; n 380, 388
A. fC, I 328
Arthur, I 95, 321, 608,
810, 612
Eunice, I 445
George, I 558; U 488
Isaac, I 612, 615, 619
JsmesM., 195, 237-38,
340, 343, 348, 549; H
119, 486, 540, 808
Marianne, B 75
Miss, I 819
IGtKaniel, I 445
Paschal S., I 418, 784
Sarah, I 445
William, I 439
William, I 439
HUMPHREY VILLE
T., I 504
HUNGERFORD
Benjsmin. I 890-91
Nancy, B 34
HUNN
c. a . n 302
HUNT
, I 382
Beulah, I 393
CaroUne, I 729
CaroUne. B., I 393
Catharine, I 393
Delia, I 752
Ebenezer, I 393
Ebenezer W. , I 383
Edward, I 521
EUzabeth, I 393
EUzabeth E. , I 759
EUaM., I 393
Ellen. I 729
Emory H. , I 393
Garret B., I 392-93, 729
H. B., I 391
HUNT continued
Harrison P. . I 382, 393
James M. , I 393
Langford, n 298
Libbie, I 488
Margaret, I 729
Margaret M., I 393
Martha, I 393
Martin N. , I 393
Rev., I 590; n 297
'5rrn295
Sally M., 1393
SanfordB., U 141,
194. 317, 330-337. 344.
441-42, 549
Warren. I 729
Warren E., 1393
Warren W, , I 393
HUNTER
Charlna, U 488
D. C, n 444
George E., U 146
John, n 551; B 21
Micha*], I 861-82, 663
Robert, B 74
S., 0 444
HUNTINGTON
CoL, B40
TSTW. C, n298
Henry S., I 555
J., 1822
Joseph, B 60
Lucretia, B 60
Ssmuel, I 117. 439;
B60
HUNTLEY
George M., 1557
Joel, I 370
BIrs. U E., 1580
lieEltable. I 764
"Squire", I 389
HURD
, I 481; n 201
Allen Joseph, I 498
Amy A. , B 31
Charles Augustus. I
498. 744
Clark W., I 490-92,
949-95, 497-99.
744
Cloys R.. 1747
Cordelia A.. 1744
Cyrus, I 495, 744
EmeUne. I 829
Emery B. . I 744
P. C. 1627
Frank. 1829
George W. , I 744
Harriet. I 497. 744, 747
Harriet D., 1498
Harvey Jetson. I 306,
348. 498. 744
Henry C, 1747
Hiranv I 497
Hiram Dennis, I 498,
744
Horatio S.. 1747
J., I 422
J. C, n 293
James F. . I 744
-50-
Index of Names continued
HURO coitinued
James Thaddeus* I 498
Jesse. B 2
Lavlnla, B2
LillieH., I 744
Louisa A«« B 31
Rohena. I 747
Ross Clark. I 498. 744
Russell, I 497. 745.
747
S. W.. ia74
SaUiaM.. 1497
Sftrah. I 497. 744.
746
Sheldon. I 747
Sophia. I 747. Mrs, B 31
Thaddeus. I 4Sf7r744
IIURLBURT
Edvrard. n SiB
Edwin, n 136. 515. 526
George W«. n 486
JoiMithan. n 417. 420
HIJRLEY
John, n 132
HURST
Alexander. I 641
George. I 247
HXJSSBT
Beqiamin. I 534b
£• P.. n 552
James. I 664
James Tucker. I 624
Jonathan. I 537
Lucy. I 624
I^dia. I 624
Margaret. B 26
Mary. I 534b
Reuben. I 624
Sylvanu*. I 657
Warren. I 624
HUSTEO
James M.. U 411
HUSTEN
Joseph. I 698
HUTCHINS
Chauncey B. . I.
275. 285; n 442
Rev.. I 462
hutUSInsc
iON
Daniel. I 404
E. Howard. H 397
Emma. I 766
Helen. I 714
Helen M. . I 412
Jessie. I 756
John. I 401-02. 404.
412, .14, 756; Jr.
I 714
JohnM., i 231, 513. 517
546
Joseph. I 404
Lemuel. I 528
Mary. I 756
Morton. I 756
Thomas. I 756
William, I 756
HXJYDEKOPER
Peter, II 110
HYDE
, I 181
HYDE continued
Charles A., H 431
Charles B., 152 2
Dr.. I 519; H 429
Frederick C. I 289
Hester. B 25
JabecB.. 1119.
502. 663. n 276,
348
M; C, II 287, 289
Phoebe. B 25
Bdra. Rusfaa. n 276
'SEwl. B 25
William. B 25, 52
HYER
CaroUne, I 737
George, n 443
Henry. I 737
JaccA) Henry. I 737
JohnH*. I 737
Margaret, I 737
WilUe, I 737
HYDLER
Ernest. I 380
HYMAN
N., n309
HYSLOP
Frances. B 7
I
UKE YOU. I 179
IDE, IDES
Chas. ,H. . I 349, 737
Clement D., I 737
David. I 737
Harriet E., 1737
Wellington, I 590
ILUNGSWORTH
E.. I 463
JMES
S. P.. I 580
IMSON
Jacob, n 189
QyfUS
Sidney P.. 1747
INGALLS
Betsey. I 740
Daniel. I 639; H 417,
421
E., I 582
Joseph, I 589. 607
Lovel, I 599
Otis, I 81, 92, 360-61.
383. 385
Polly, I 589
Rev., I 556. 642
ITTus. I 598-99
Sabrina. I 735
Varney, I 639; H 417
421
INGERSOLL
, I 117. 514. 582
Dr.. I 464
'ECenezer. I 511. 582. 747
Edward. U 286
Gardner. I 747
George W.. 1747
Harriet, I 747
Jennie M., 1747
Josiah, I 747
JuUaL., 1747
INGERSOLL continued
Malcolm G., I 747
Mary, I 720
Nelson P.. I 747
Robert M., 1747
Thaddeus, I 749
Walter J., 1747
WiUiam H., I 582, 747
INGLEHART
Frederick M., n 486
INGLIS
James, n 400
INGMAN
Abraham, I 6S2
INGRAHAM
Henry D., 11 444, 352
INGRAM
jQhnC. n 132
IRGEL
Mary. I 757
IRISH
C. G.. ni31
Davict I 554
Irtf £., 1344, 519
Joel. I 599
Jonathan O. , I 649
N. L., 1597-98
IRR
Victor, I 508
IRWIN
Edward, I 275
James S.. H 131, 412
ISAAC
JOHNNY JOHN, I 491
ISMET
George. I 568
ISRAEL
U, 0 268
ISS
Jeose, I 599
IVES
, I 495
Albert C, U 330
Dr.. I 732
^mies, I 556, 569; H
431
WiUiam, n 533
JACKMAN
Warren. I 492, 495
WiUiam J., I 492
Winthrop, I 752
JACKSON
, I 514; n 414
A. D., n299
Andrew, 1202-03. 205;
n225
Mrs. Anna H. , I 733
THark, I 612
David G., II 132, 486
Dr.. I 639
"ESwin, I 753
Fredericks., 1616
H. D., 1371
Hannah, I 94
J. D., 1371
Rev. , n 300
Robert L , I 505
Roxana, I 752
SaxtonK., I 751
Timothv W., I 346, 368-
-51-
HiBtory of Buffalo and Erie County
JACKSON continued
TimotlvW., Cont. 9
WUliam, I 368« 376; U
299 ~300
WllUain B., I 613. 616, 751
WUliamH., U 398, 444
Willis K., I 303
JACOBS
E. B.. n377
F. W., n 380
J. Louis Jr. , II 540
John. I 654
JACOBSON
D. W. , II 309
JAECKLE
Jacob, n 257
JAEGER
WiUiamH*. n 390
JAMES
I.. I 22, 33, n I 39
Duke of York, I 33
— i II 414 •
C. H.. I 446
Charles A., I 508
Ezra, I 583
Fr.. I 377
?rank. I 464
Frederick H., I 457.
460-61. 464
J.. 1590
John T. . n 299
Nelson, II 285
Silas, n 431
JAMESON
Marion, I 755
JANSEN
Augustus, n 443
JAQUETH
Sampson* B 72
JAR VIS
Albert H. , I 290
JASEL
Christian, I 493
JAYNE
JANE, Miss, I 712
Timothy, I 361
JEFFARS
E. J.. I 386
JEFFERSON
EUzabeth, I 724
Presj, I 87. 189; H 526
JEFFREY
. n 262
JELLINEK
Louis* II 308
JEMISON, JIMESON
George. I 502-03
John, n 28
Mary, I 50, 53, 63. 65
194, 208-10; n 28
JENKINS
, n 486
John, I 257
O. A. . n 133
Samuel, I 469
JENKS
Amos. I 95. 386
B. W., II 533
Oemas, I 598
J. P.. I 633. 636
JENKS continued
Perry G. . I 299
Rev.. I 363. 374
JEfTRlNGS
Alfred. I 737
Asa. I 648. 737
AsaC. I 664. 737
Bertha. I 737
C. C. n 529
IDavld A. . I 737
Phebe. I 761
Rev.. I 556
Wb., Sarah. I 737
Viniam. I 606
JERGE
m Barbara. I 745
. I 745
Joseph. II 145
Philip, I 745
JEROME
Fr.. n 304
jesSemin
Charles, n 144-45
JESSUP
Henry B 63
Major. I 167
JEUDEVINE
Henry. U 136
JEUTTER
JuUusA. C, n 486
JEWELL
J. A.* 1304
Pkrdon, I 619
William O.. I 375
JEWETT
, i 636, 719; U 215-
16. 219, 239, 245,
347
A. B. , n 540
C. R. , n 445
E.. I 590
E^ M., B 39
Ed gar B.. I 304, 306; H
254
ElamR., H 133, 233, 329.
499; B 36-40
Emma Alice B. . 43
Frank Webster, B 43
Frederick A. . I 306; U 254
George Sherman, B 43
H. J., B 103. 104. Mrs. B
103
Henry Clay, I 332, 544-5; B
41, 43
J. L. C, I 345
Jennie MatUda, B 43
JohnC, n 254, 298
Joseph B 40
Josiah, I 332. 520. 545; n
233. 323. 537, 539. 541.
546; B 40-41, 43
Othniel. B 36
Sherman S.. I »41; n 127. 137-
8, 231. 233. 230, 270. 293.
489-90, 493, 496. 500, 513.
533, 546. 548; B 40-44
WiUiam B.. 1247
JEYTE
John A., n 441. Jr 443
JOACHIM
JOACHIM continued
Fr.. I 377
JOfilTTURKEY
. I 185, 659
JOHNS
J. W. . n 299
JOHNSON
. I 403, 453-54. 588
651; n 59. 95. 102.
193
A. W. , n 193
Ambrose C. . I 530. 532-
33
Prea,. H 477; B 61
Bartholcmew. I 453
Beigamln. I 376-7
Benjamin P. . I 324
CalphurnU E. , I 752
Carr, H 294
CeceUa, I 676; B 110
Charles, I 88-89. 122-23.
297, 525, 585, 592-95
Criafield, I 12; U 71. 226.
313
Daniel. I 388. 733
Daniel H., 1764
David. I 759
E. T.. I 555
Ebenecer, I 122-23, 300.
310. 348, 415-17. 674-
76, 696; O 42, 73-74,
80-81. 91, 108-111,
113, 115, 117. 134-35,
22 8, 417. 410. 514.
521; B 15. S3, 110
Ebenezer Sr. . I 674
Elihu, I 517. 593
Fraok, I 733
Frederick, H 283
Freelove, I 453
George. H 441. 528
George W.. 1251. 253-
55, 304. 548
Guy, I 49, 54. 62
Hank, I 145, 162; O 62
Harrison Foster. I 487
Henry. I 122. 344. 453.
462
Herbert Lord, I 676
Hiram. H 514
Hiram S. , I 764
Hugh, I 241
Ira. I 610
James. U 388
James M.. U 265. 334
Jane. I 377
John, I 49. 453. 618,
752; n 300. 312
JohnH., 1650-51, 733
JohnT.. I 733
Joseph. I 461; n 354
Lavinia A. . I 730
Maria. I 676
Mary, I 676
Mary Jane. I 760
Mathew, U 231
MerrlU.I., I 751
MiUicent L.. I 719
Millicent S. . I 558
Monroe. I 377
-52-
Index of Names continued
JOHNSON continued
OUver. I 88-89. 592-93
Peter. I 62
Ralph, n 377
Richard. I 618
Robert. II 302; B 121
Mr^Robert B 121
"Sm., I 417, 420-421
SaUieM*. I 675
Samuel. I 447, 610
Samiiel O. , n 388
8arah LouIm. I 676
QeldenO., I 764
Thomas M«. n 443
Thomas W. , I 247
Usual S., I 304-05; II
486
Sir Walter ? I 47
"Sirwimam I 42-44. 46-47,
'*"49-50, 53, 56, 61
William A., 1345-46, 543,
650, 654, 661
William C, I 486, 549, 558;
0 354
William H.. 1487, 676
Zera, I 730
JOHNSTON
, n 220-21; B 55
George W. . Q 299
John. I 53; U 16-17
Samuel, n 285
William, I 53, 60, 63,
68, 70, 73, 79, 80;
n 16-16. 19 . 29. 32-33,
38, 107, 112. 502
JOLIET
, I 34
JONCAIRE
Cbabert I 41
Clauzonne, I 41
JONES
, I 557; n 525
A. D., I 637
Albert, U 388, 397, 400-01
Anna, I 462
Asa. I 609
Augustus, n 189
Austin. I 477
Avery D. . n 382. 398
Bishop, n 296
Caroline, I 748
David, I 275, 279
EUzabetfa, I 722
Ezra, I 377
Frank R. , n 240
Frederick. I 600
Frederick N,. n 197, 280
Fredericks., I 597
George. '1236, 239-40,
436. 515-16
George O., II 295
George H.. II 240
Hannah. I 554
Harry. I 477. 482
Henry. I 273
Henry U. II 240
Henry R. , I 349
Horatio. I 68. 70; H 53
Joseph R.. n 426, 430
Matilda Cass. B 102
JONES continued
Miles, n 140. 359-60. 362.
373. 394
Nathaniel, II 141
PhiUp L. . I 446
R. B.. I 599
Rhode F. , I 728
Roger, n 358
Sunuel, I 446
W. E., I 643
William, I 375. 386.
477, 741; H 136
WmiamO.. 1555;
n 388-90
WUliam L.. U 486
JORDAN
Michael. I 483
Samuel. H 116. 135. 515
JOSEPH. JOSEF
Sister M. , H 326
P. P.. n 350
JOSEPHSON
Raphael. II 309
JOSLYN. JOSYLN. JOSLIN
. n 209-10
Azuba. I 465
Acuba M. . I 755
D. B.. 1640
Eteniel M. . U 133
G. H*. 1607
George, n 522
Henry, I 650
Laura, I 732
Laura MaUnda. I 396
Samuel. I 396
Simeon, I 396
Simeon H.. I 471
JOST
P., 1504
JOWISTOWSKY
Joannes. 11 164
JOY
. n 102. 117, 192.
93. 211
Ira. n 378
Fhebe L« , I 747
Rev, , I 589
WaSer, H 135, 137, 236,
270. 518. 523
JOYCE
Douglas S., n 451
F. M. , I 764
JTJDD
Asa, I 496
Charles G., U 402
r 3tha, B 16
Linathan, B 16. Jr. B
17
G. L., n 377
Gerrltt Parmales. B 17
He len. I 553
O. X. . n 289
S.. I 375, 652
Thomas. B 16
William B 16
JUDSON
Lydia. I 624
Lyman P.. n 348
Thomas. I 627
JUENGLING
JUENGLING continued
. II 366
Henry F. , II 390
JUSTIN
A. A., n523
Reuben. II 364. 379
KABLE
Barbara. I 736
Margaret. I 756. Mrs.
1 756
Michael. I 756
KAEPPEL
Predrech. II 412
KAGLE
Am. II 76
Mrs. I
kjSCEr
H, C. I 509
KALB
Jacob, n 179
KALLE
John, n 173
KALTENBACH
F. X.. n 248
KALTENEGGER
A,, n 160
KAM
John, U 350
KAMBERUNG
Andrew, n 443
KAMPER
Charles, U 249
KAMPRATH
Francis. H 177. 541
KANE
Robert. U 59
KAPPALE
Rev, n 179
kapPenberger
Rev.. I 509
kAKXIer
Abraham. I 405
John. I 651
KARNER
A. L.. 1420
Amanda (Driggs). I 425
KASSEN. KASS^
A. R.. n302
C. Valette. U 287
W. Marsh. H 383
KASSING
Loisa. I 715
KAST
George, I 754
Henry D.. I 754
Henry Fred. I 754
Lewis H.. I 754
Ubbie. I 754
Peter. I 754
Willie E.. I 754
KAUFMAN. KAUFFMAN
Barbara. I 728. 730
G. F.. I 521
Mary. I 711
KAUJWSKI
Joseph L . II 306
KAUQUATAU
. I 193-94
KAVANAGH
P.. II 303
KEARNEY
-53-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
KEARNEY continued
Edward, I 452, 454
Everard, n 285
KEATING
George Palmer, B 64
Harriet B 64
Jeannette, B 64
Robert II 232, 245, 272, 298
Mrs. Robert, B 64, 70
keSk
Rev., n 167
KEEBLE
Michael, I 470
KEELER
C, A., I 583
Mra. Lucy, I 624
keIm
Catharine, I 769
Freddie, I 769
George C, I 769
Lucy, I 769
Martin J., I 769
Mary M., I 789
KEENAN
Michael, H 132, 143-5
KEENE, KIENE, kean
KEANE
. I
Erastus, n 32
Joseph W.. n 444, 522
Robert, H 51, 68
SebastUn, II 369-70,
385k 390, 397-98
Thomas II 335-36
WlUiam, II 109-10, 294
KEENEY
Allen, B 31
Clara, B 31
E. D., I 460
Mrs. , Julia B 31
keSTP"
N. D. , n 50, 69
KEESE
George, I 666
KEFFER
EUzabeth, I 757-58
JohnH., I 758
KEITH
. I 363
George, 11 108
Thomas J., I 421
KEITSCH
Charles, H 541
Henry, H 176
KELLER
, n 264, 368
Alfred, U 300
Catherine. I 754
Daniel U 176
Edwin F., I 723
Frederick, I 588
George M., I 591, 723
Gustav, II 412
Henry, I 596, 723; H
369, 380
Henry D., I 723; II 145,
273, 390, 397
Jacob F., I 723
Jercsne, I 387
John, I 389
KELLER continued
Mrs. Magdalena, I 723
^Tartin, I 596-7, 614,
723, 754
William M., I 723
KELLERMAN
John, I 496
KELLICOTT
D. S,, n 345, 541
KELLNER
Susanna, I 753
KELLOGG
— , I 653-54; 11 222.
545
Aaron, B 75
Alexander, I 443, 720
Alvin, I 791. 693
E. W., I 423
Elijah, n 135-36
Elizabeth, I 720
Enos, I 85-86
L. O. , I 643
M. P., 1651
Samuels., I 261. 263,
272
Seymour, I 86
Silas O., 1427, 429
KELLON
. I 557
KELLY, KELLEY,
Edward, U 303
F., I 519
John, n 133, Jr. U
142-4, 273
JohnM., 1304
Michael, n 132
Nancy, I 723
Peter, I 273
Timothy W., I 288
W. V. , n 295
William, n 355
KELSEY
Ephralm, I 415, 477
Frank, I 551
Mrs. Margaret. I 740
TTeUnda, I 740
Miss. I 477
Nathan, I 564
Samuel, I 397
Solcmon, I 740
Thomas, I 477
KELSO
Annie, I 723
William I 286
KEMP
Frank C. , II 286
KEMPNER
S., n 254
KENDALL
, II 544
A. A., n 538-39
Clark, n 284
Fan^y, I 743 •
Frederick, H 131
KENORICK
Nathaniel, B 19
KENISER
Martin, I 599
KENNARD
J., 1376
KENNEDY
G. H.. I 131
J.. I 504
Martin, I 480, 523
KENNETT
Thomas II 337, 339
WlUiam H.. 11 397
KENT
. U 193; B 2
Elbridge G.. I 492-93,
567
George N. . I 568
Henry M.. H 234. 541
KENTON
N. W. . n 399
KENYON
Darwin, II 395
H. F. , II 400
John, n 411
Lorenzo M. . H 392,
396, 402. 405. 552
Varnum. I 123. 562-63
W. B. . II 552
KEPPNER
F. A. , n 540
KERCKHOFF
Herm. . H 325
KERLEY
WlUiam, I 387
KERN
Marie, B. 109
KERR
A. T. , n 267
Alexander, I 662
John, I 586, 662
Nancy, I 397
Nancy Ann, I 410, 712
Patterson, I 590, 626
Robert, I 298, 413
T. L., n 210
KESS
A, C, 1509
KESSEL
John, I 463
KESTER
Anna, I 740
Benjamin, I 594. 601
Jeremiah, I 594
John, I 594-95
Pteter, I 525
Stephen. I 594-95. 601
KETCHUM, KETCHAM
, n 284, 296; B
A, R,, n 282-83, 525-
26
Edward M., 1292
George B., n 281
Henry. U 41-42, 111
Jesse, n 42, 321-22. 279-
80
Lewis, n 268
LydU, B 36
Miss S. A., I 404
WUllam, I 57-58, 61.
69, 341, 696; U 15-
18, 20, 29, 33. 40
104, 107, 134. 137.
139, 224, 228, 270.
448; B 14, 29
Zebulon, II 42
-54-
Index of Names continued
KETTERER
EUzabeth, 1 723
KETTERN
Jacob, I 599
KEYES, KEAYS
JuUus, I 92, 381, 383
Orlando, U 184
WilUam J., 1292-93
KEZELER
William H., II 451
KIBBEE, KIBBY
F. M., II 301
Gaius, n 530
George, n 277
George R., II 138-39
Isaac, I 178; n 223
Mary, H 311
KIBLER
Mrs. Betsey, I 765
TSaarles, I 305; n 131
Charles F,, I 765
Christian H., I 765
E. B., II 377
EUzabeth, I 765
Emma, I 765
Eugene, I 765
Godfrey, I 765
Jacob, I 421
Louisa E., 1730
Mary, I 765-66
William, I 417, 420-21
KIDOER
Foster B,, 1718
Frances, I 755
H. B. , I 756
H. R. , I 444
KIEFER, KEEFER
Greg. , n 325
Jacob, I 496
Johann Nicolaus, I 447
N. T., n 444
I^holas, I 448; n 391
KIENTZ
Jacob, I 447
KIEUTZ
Henry, I 463
Henry, I 498
KILHOFFER
William G. C, H 486
KLLLINGER'
Benjamin, II 131
MattUas, I 449
Michael, I 448-49
KILLCEM
Luther, I 641 .
KIMBALL
Mrs. Arsela, I 750
Augustine, 11 136
Austin, I 326
Bertha, I 733
C, 1450
Daniel F., H 135-36
DelossW., I 751
Elvira, I 750
Esther L., 1751
Eunice, I 760
Frank M., I 751
Grace B. , I 751
Harrison, I 750
KIMBALL continued
James, I 751
L. T.. n 275
Lovel, n 277
Rev., I 356
Walter, I 733
KIM BERLIN
John, I 374, 386
KIMBERLY
, II 170; B 117
Capt.. I 249
jShnL.. n 183, 211,
235, 271, 514, 518.
Jr., II 235, 259
KINCAID
William, I 606
KING
I, 402; n 258
AA., 1651
Alexander, I 474
AUen, I 123, 647
Arnold, I 647-48
Bernard H., U 380-81,
397, 399
CaPt, , I 32-34
QMLTlotte, I 126
Clement, I 556
Consider, I 534b
Edmund S., n 390
Elizabeth, I 452
Finlay M., H 365, 410
George I. , 464
Horace, I 445
J., 1504
James E. , U 441
John, I 413, 647
Johns., I 326-27, 345,
404, 411
M. J., I 651
Major. I 142-43
lytaV, I 556
Miss. B 68
Nathan, I 126, 590,
647-8, 651
Preston, I 225
R. G. , I 651
Roxanna, I 474, 726
Rufus L. , n 238
Thomas S., H 147, 485
William, I 449-50, 474
William J. , B 68
WilUam J. Jr. , H 239
KINGMAN
Mahlon, H 215
KINGSLEY
, I 621
C. A.. I 581
Calvin C, I 377
Darius I 471
Elizabeth Ann, B 6
Lucy, I 465
Phineas, B 6
Sidney D., I 621
Silas, n 132. 137, 235.
311, 317; B 40, 60
Theodore N. , I 654
KINGSTON
George L,, U 379, 486
Paul, n 220
KINNEY, KINNE
-55-
KINNEY, KINNE
, I 613
Daniel. H 394
DidymusC, I 88-89.
525. 527. 5b2
Harriet S. . II 323
Henry M.. I 27 4; H
193, 198. 211. 216,
221-22, 232. 270
JohnM. E., II 486
Richard C, I 275,
278
Stephen. I 123
KINNIUS
Frank, H 178
H.. n 177
KINSEY, KINSLEY
Chas. A., I 578. 748
Jane, I 743-44
Samuel, I 404. 423
KINSLER
James W., I 236
KIP
Charles Hayden. B 45
Edvrard Dakln, B45
Gardner J.. I 471
Henrick, B 44
Hendrlck Hendrickson,
B 44
Henry, U 95; B 44-46
Henry Sr. . B 44
Henry Wells. B 45
Samuel B 44
Thomas, 11 515, 518
William Fargo, n 486; B 45
KIRBY
Alice J., 1760
Carrie May. I 760
Charles C. I 661, 664,
760
Chaiies W., I 760
David, B 63
Edmund, B 94
Maria, B 63
Silas, I 760
KIRKLAND
Samuel, I 63, 66-67
KIRKOVER
Henry, I 508
KIRSCH. KIRCH
Alexander, n 146
John, I 643
KISH
, n 264
KISSINGER
Frederick, n 172
KITCHEN
Sarah, I 754
KITH
George, H 313
KITTEL. KITTLE
Henry, I 494
Jacob S., I 273
KITTERER
Catharine, I 757
KTTTINGER
G. W., I 376; II 296-97
Maria, I 727
Martin S. , I 260. 264
KITTRIDGE
History of Buffalo mod Erie Coudty
laTTRUXSE continiied
George« II 350
KLAUSE
. 11 257
KLEBER
CharleaP.. U 14S
KLEEBURG
Mrs. O.. I 496
iCLEIN, KUNE
— — . I 403: n 157
Augustus, I 509; n 17S
Fr.. n304
Swlay, n 867« 395, 400-
01
J. P.. n 370
JchnC, n 147
John P. , I 303
Philip, I 405, 463
KLEINEIDAM
Robert, II 167
KLEINFELOER
Henry, I 496
William, I 493, 496
KLICKER
Jacob, n 389
KLINCK
Christ Uo, II 142
KLINGENSCHMITT
Andrew, I 712
Catherine, I 765
EUzabeth, I 768
Henry A.. I 712
KUNGLE SCHMIDT
John. I 401
KLOEPPBR
John, I 520
KLUDA
Sarah, I 717
KLUEYES
John. I 406
KLUMP
Christopher, H 153
KNAPP
, n 155
Aaron. I 594
Abby, I 754
Aithoiv WaynB, I 761-
62.
C. L. . I 463; B 37
Capt., n 189
Carrie G., I 761
Clara U , I 761
Comfort, I 598-99; H
356-57, 377
EmeUoe, I 709
Henry, I 534, 754
Hiram, H 357
Hiram L^na. I 761
J. C.« 0 281
Julius S., 1285
Louie H., I 806;n 526;
B 115
Lyman, n 515
Lysander B. , I 606
Rachel, I 606
Samuel, I 525
KNAUBER
Barbara, B 57
John, B 57
John v., 1461
KNAUBER coitinued
Joseph, I 460, 756
KNEE LAND
A. S., I 622
KNEHR
Jacob, n 170
KNELL
LouU, n 146
KNIE
John, I 509
KNIEST
J. B., ni73, 323
KNIFKEM
W. C. , I 552
KNIGHT
, I 663; n 239,
241
Avery, I 648
Charles, I 363-64, 374
Edwin. I 734
Battle, I 719
Lucinda, I 734
Mary, I 374
Nathaniel, I 648-49,
O. J., 1648, 651-52
Ruth A., 1733
S. T., 1650
Theodore C, U 367, 395
Thomas M., U 130
W. M., n284
KNOCHE
Barbara, I 766
Cathariw, I 711. Mrs.
Eve, I 766
Phillip, I 711
KNOLL
Christ Un, I 521
KNOORNSCHtLD
Christopher, I 756
Mary, I 756
KNOR
Bernard, n 131
Henry, I 765
Mary, I 765
KNCXTHE
Frederick, I 417
KNOWLES
J. H., n 295
Thomas C, II 539
KNOWLTON
, I 570
Chas. P., II 322, 350,
486
Mary EUsabetfaB., 58
Perrin, B.58
Thomas, B 58
KNGK
172
, I 123
KOCH
, I 520
Adam, I 510
Harry H., I 347; H 146
Jacob, I 404
John, I 493
Martin L., I 765
Matthew, U 170
Robert L., I 421, 765
KOENIG
KOEN1G
, n 368
Mrs. Catharine. I 765
George J. , I 765
H. J. , I 765
Henry. I 765
Louisa. I 765
Mrs. Sophia. I 765
KdRKE
Mrs. Charles, B 31
KdEBlBL
PMer, n 132
KOEVER
Laney, I 766
KOFLER
F. X., n 165
KOFTER
F. X.. 1448
KOHLER
Charles, I 765, ST.. 763
David, I 417. 421
J. H. . I 420
SophU, I 767. Mrs.
1765
KOHLERT
Michael, H 174-75
KOINE
James P. , n 539
KDLB
Catharim, 1 756
George M., D 131
Jacob, I 756
JoMphH., n 146
Mrs. Rom, I 756
KoCBr
Jacob. I 469
KOON. KOOiC
Jacob, I 709
Mrs. Catharine M.. I
-Tb9
HeleM, I 709
Henry, II 178
Jacob H. , n 169
KOOPMANS
I 458
KOPF
John. I 663
Sarah, I 767
Susan. I 767
KOPP
George, I 516, 520
KORZELIUS
Jacob, n 540
KOTTLER
George, n 172
KRAATZ
Lewis, I 378
KRACKT
Joachim, I 509
KRAFT
Anthoiqr. n 132
Henry, n 390
Henry T., U 147
C. H.. n 174
KRAISE
Jacob, I 470
KRAKE
JulU, I 393
KRAMER
Charles D. , n -^71
-56-
Index of Names continued
KRAMER continued
Jacob Jr.. I 401
Peter, n 163-64
KRATZAT
George, 11 177
KRAUS
Andrew, II 249
John, I 330-31, 385,
391-92, 730
Melchior. I 391-92,
730
KRAUSE
Albert, n 146
Alexander, II 156
Christian, 11 540
U F. E., II 151,
175
Rudolph, n 177
KRAY
George, II 169
KREBS
Catherine, I 716
KRECH
Gotthard, n 160
Karl, n 160
KREIG
Maria E. , I 438
KREINHEOER
H. W., ni78
Herman, n 177
JobBt, n 177-78
KRETTNER
Jacob, I 302-03;
n 169, 234
KRETZSCHMER
P., n 172
KRBUSCH
Joseph, n 166
KREUZ
Paul, n 168
KRIEG
Ernst, n 177
KRIEGELSTEIN
Samuel, n 168
KROLL
C, n 160
John, I 385
Samuel, I 385
William, 11 413
KRGMER
Alexander, I 737
Christian, I 737
KRGMPHAROT
Albert, 11 178
KRONENBURG
Joseph, I 518, 520
KROOP
S., n 175
KRUG
Julius, n 444
Julius F. , n 522
KRUGER
Friedrick, n 178
W. , n 541
KRUMHOLZ
Joseph, II 528, 540
KRUMMEL
Julius, n 171
P. Julius, II 172
KRUSE
KRUSE continued
H. W. , II 225
KUBIN
O., I 448
KUECHERER
John, n 152
KUEHNE
Hugo, n 171
KUEPFER
Slegmund, H 179
KUGLER
WilUam, H 253
KUHN
E. W., n 548
Heim-ich, H 173
Jacob F., n249
Sgt. 1270
KXJSBtR
Mary, I 710
KUMMER
Martin, I 599
KUMPF
Peter, U 486
KUNTZ, KUNZ
Michael, I 303
Mary, I 755
KUNZE
Zacharias, H 164
KURTZ
A, J., n 178
Charles, I 457, 461,
756
Oavid, n 307
Heinrich, H 173
Mrs. Jacobina, I 756
KtRTZ^AN
Christian, H 390, 397
KUSS
A.. 1447-48
C, n 174
KUSTER
Casper A., H 390
KTSER, KISER, KAISER,
KEISER
Anna Rebecca, I 72*4
George E. , I 745
Hattie E., I 745
Henry, I 549
Horace, 1490, 493-94,
745
Leopold, n 308
Moses, I 369
Hettie, I 745
William J., 1257
LABIAL
Mrs, Mary I 578
laTTRTe
Carrie, I 737
David, I 737
Emma, I 737
Ida, I 737
William, I 737
LACY
JohnT., n 137, 504
William H., U 518. 532
LADD
Grant, I 475, 726. Mrs.
404
Joseph M., I 590
L. Eliza, I 475, 726
LADD continued
Lenora, I 755
Miss, I 451
LAFAYETTE
Gen.. I 55, 199. 429,
472; n 461; B 82
LAFIN
Fr.. I 581
LA^TlN, LAFFLIN
Eli2abeth, I 423
John, I 425
LA HONTAN
Baron^ I 39
laTSCe
ChristUn. II 145
Christopher. II 133,
144
LAING
David. I 595
LAIRD
Thomas A. . II 373
LAIRE
Tryphena, I 741
LAKE
Camden C, I 641
Cortland, H 147
David. I 519
Henry, H 109. 113.
397
LesUe W., I 552
Samuel, I 636. 651
L'ALLEMANT
Fr.. I 24
LAXIb. LAMM
Charles E., I 551
Clarence. I 551
Curtis. I 479
G.. I 605
George I 552
Henry, H 136, 139
LaFayette. I 479-80
R. P. . I 622
LAMBERT
David. I 255
LAMBRDC
George, I 461
LAMOTTE
~. I 34
LAMPMAN
Warren, n 138
LAMPSON
Sir Curtiss. B 38
LAX!7
Magdalena. I 723
LANCKTON
H. W,. 1622
J. B. . I 375
John. I 619
LANDEL
Frederick, I 765
Philip. I 765
Mrs. PhiUipine,
r765
LANDIS. LANDES
Benjamin, I 713
Fannie, I 716
John. II 107
Mrs. Mary, I 713
TCiary A., I 713
LANDON
-57-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
LANOON continued
, II 268. 452; B
10
Comfort, n 276
Electa. I 736
J. M.. n 112
Joseph, I 98. 100. 114.
696; n. 32, 39. 47.
52. 73, 77. 134. 312,
352-53
MtfU. n276
laotT
I 388
Ezekiel, I 73; n 17, 19
Joseph, n 300
Moses, I 349, 641
LANENGER
HeLen, I 717
LANFER
Margaret, I 717
LANG, U^GE
CarlF., n 380
ChristUn, II 368, 380
Daniel, n 169
George, n 154
Gerhard, n 235, 248;
B77
J., n 156
Jacob, B 77
Joe, n 545
Michael, O 143-44
Rev., n 171
laIISBon
, n 347
Andrew, n 204, 209
Jervls, n 201-02,
208-09; B 71
LANGELLE
J. H., n 283
LANGENBACH
Otto P., 1303
LANGNER
Ferdinand, n 176
JohnG., 1345-46, ^08
LANIGAN
John A,, n 444
LANING
Albert P. , I 336. 343,
345; n 287, 478-79
G.i I 375
LANSING
Henry L. . II 526. 546
Henry M. , I 274
Livingston, 11 486
LAPHAM
, II 264
Abraham, I 647, 657
EUzabetli, I 719
George H,, I 548, 551;
n433
Gideon, I 122, 540, 657
Ira, I 647, 657
Mrs,, 1657
»ephen, I 122, 646-47
LAPP
Christian, II 168
Henry, I 349. 385, 387-
88. 390; U 323, 389
Isaac, I 391
John, I 382. 385. 390
LAPP coitinued
William. I 568
LARAWAY
Joseph F.. I 385. 730
Martin. I 730
LARKIN
Jonathan. I 422-43
Rev. I 553
LARNED
Johns.. II 265
Jasephus Nelson, n
144. 317. 337. 533
LARZALERE
Abraham, U 95, 110, 134
LASALLE
, I 34-39, 184; B 99
LASUER
Samuel, H 123
LATHROP
, B 60
BaUnda, II 109
Deborah, 1674
Denison, tl 108, 110
George, H 430
JedediahH., I 417; n
329
Mary, H 323
PkulB., 1492-93
Solon H., n329;B38
LATIMER
E. H., n206
LAUB
. n 246
LAUBER
Conrad, I 389
LAUER
M., n 1V5
LAUFFENBUR
D., 1406
LAUGHLIN
Frank G. , H 486
John, n 486
LAURIE, LAWRIE
A. G.. n 300
James. I 604
LUTHER
Michael Jr. , I 471
LAUTZ
A., n 160
C, n 255
C. M.. n259
Mrs. E., n255
F« C. M., II 255
Fred, H 160, 259
J. Adam, U 255, 259
Martin F. , n 259
William n. 255
LAUX
Edward A. , H 486
John, n 180
John A,, I 46(f
William, n 412
LAVECTON
B.. I 386
J. B.. 1387
LAVERACK
George. II 262
George E. , II 546
William, n 262, 264
LAW
LAW continued
Benedict, I 761
LAWFER
Adam. I 155
LAWLER
Patrick. II 486
LAWRENCE
Abram B. . I 306
PhebeM.. 1733
Samuel N.. H 278
W. H., 1597
LAWSON
Conrad, I 765
Gedrge D., I 765
P. F.. II 131
WiUiam W.. 1345, 347;
n 131
LAWTON
Amoa, I 497
Ann, I 745
Clarence F. , I 760
D. B., 1386
E. a., 1760
Emily, I 497, 743
Florence, I 760
Henry, I 658
John, I 647-8, 650,
658. 660, 664, 760.
Jr.. 658
Stephen, I 658
WilUeS.. 1760
LAY
n. 184
John, n 64. 68. 227
John Jr.. n 108-09,
112, 510
Nathaniel, I 572, 575
LAYCOCK
John, n 201
LAYER
CardUne, I 710
LAYTON
JohnM., 1241, 247
Thomas, I 86
LAZAUER
, B 121
LAZELLE, LASSBL
John A., n95. 110,
290. 346. 355. 357.
393. 514
LEACH, LEECH
, II 38, 50
EUjah, I 321, 347, 391;
n40, 107, 111-112
Estella, I 760
Francis, I 661. 664
Irene. U 310 -
J. W., n 131
L. R., I 518-19, 520
LEAKE'
Isaac Q., I 178; H 223.
285, 530
R. N., I 376, 520
R. W., 1386
T. J., n295
W., n296
W. U, 1422
LEARNED
Mrs., Helen. I 724
LEAR7
-58-
Index of Names continued
LEARY continued
Thomas, I 464
LEAU
Anna, I 710
Jacob, I 710
Mary. I 710
LE BOTILLEUR
George, II 28 2
LE BRETON
Fr. , 11 304
LETLEAR, LE CLAIR
Alegeroy, 11 388
Mrs. Bethisah Frances,
r719
Hiram, I 719
Lodowrick, n 486
Miranda L., I 719
LE COUTEULX
Jane Eliza, II 107,
112
Louis, I 705; n 304, 506
Louis Stephen, I 91, 99,
122, 158, 347; H 32, 36,
40, 43, 95, 111, 163
LECRAS,
A., n 351
LEIXSER
George, I 493
LEDWID
Fr., I 581
LEETlEA, LEIGH
, II 201, 256, 434
Amos, I 666
Mrs. Anna, I 666
7!nnetta, I 553
Charles A., R 435
Cyrus P., I 464; II 234,
370-72, 382-83, 387,
401, 552
Daniel, I 324, 344; II 329.
347
Edward, II 566
Edwin, I 566 , 568-69
Edward L., 1241, 245,
247
Elisha, I 66
EUza, B 26
Frank, I 461
Franklin, H 257
J. H., II 257
James U., II 371, 382,
401
Jane, B 25
JohnR,, n 136-38, 211,
235, 323, 532
Mrs. I 553
ITT!., n 145
OUver, n 189, 236, 270;
B 25
Richard H., H 214
S. W. , n 383
Sarah, I 666
Thomas, B 25
WiUiam, I 87, 181-82
Zebina, I 490
George, I 599
LEFFLER
Joseph, I 712. Sr, I 712
LEGGETT
LEGGETT continued
Benjamin, I 658
Pulaski L., I 349
Samuel, I 431-32, 434-35
LEHLEY
George, I 627
LEHMAN
Peter, I 730
LEHN
--- I 399
Heiu-y, I 403-04
John, I 403
Mary, I 714
LEHNING
Caroline, I 723
Christian, I 723
Emile, I 723
Frederick. I 723
Henry, I 723
Johanna, I 723
Matilda, I 723
LEIB
Catharine, I 730
Charles, I 387-88
LEIGHTON
John, n 200
Robert C, II 133
LEINHARDT
Catharine, I 722
LEININGER
AmeUa. I 756
Andrew, I 756
Anna A., I 756
Barbara, I 756
Catharine, I 756
EUzabeth, I 756
George, I 756
Helen, I 756
Henry, I 756
Jacob, I 448
John, I 457, 460-61,
756. Jr 461
JohnG., I 756
Louisa, I 756
Michael H., I 756 .
Rosa. I 756
T, D. , I 460
LEIP
George, I 369
LELAND
, I 638
E. O. , I 639-40
H. G., I 639
WlUlam O. , I 639
LEMON
Benjamin H., I 443
LENGNER
John G. , n 273
LENT
J. S., I 375
James L.. I 386
LENTZ
John J. . I 349
LEONARD. LEONHARDT.
LENHART
A., n 132
Allen, I 504; II 56
Charles TI 382
Charles J., II 383
Dr.. I 419
-59-
LEONARD continued
George, 1615
Lief A.. B 46
Louise. I 746
Mosea. I 607
Mrs. Sarah A. . B 9
Samuel. I 285
William C, I 444
LEPARD. LEOPARD
Andrew. I 731
Barbara. I 731
Mrs. Catharim
Wenner, I "Jl
George. I 404
Jacob. I 731
JohnE.. I 731
Sarah A.. I 731
William. I 729
LEPPERT
Charles. I 509
LEROY
David, I 121. 633
LE SEUR LE SUER
John. I 382. 404
Samuel. I 467
William. I 382
LESTER
Ebenezer A.. II 357
F. M.. I 463
Francis N. . II 165
Gerra K. . I 349. 388
LJ.. I 387
William R.. II 349
LETCHWORTH
George J. . B 88
Josiah, n 236. 550;
B 88
Mrs. Josiah. B 87
TJTP., n 539
WiUiam P., TI 323, 536.
541; B 67. 88
LETSON
— . I 651
Erastus, I 652
LETTAU
Michael, II 236
LETWILER
Elizabeth. I 392
John, I 392
LEUSCHER
A. , I 599
LEVEL
John, n 545
LEVI
Emanuel, n 232
LEVYN
SiesmuzMi. II 308
LEWIS
. n 207. 209.
486
AngeloC. I 303; II
451
Ann. I 606
Betsey A., I 606
Daniel. I 122; II 50-51
Daniel W.. B 2
Elizabeth. I 732
F. Park. II 539, 541.
552
Fr.. n 304
History of Buffalo and Erie County
LEWIS continued
George, n 296
George A., n 129, 147,
485-86
George U. n 276, 486
J. J. . n 300
John, n 285, 4S0
John KerfoC, n 289
John L., n 374. Mrt, I 459
John W. , n 264
Mrs. Levi, It S90
rSranU, t 342-43; II
161, 232, 234, 278, 480,
465-86
Mai. Gen.. I 137. 139
lla3l5rTS64
Mary. I 729
Morgan, I 410
Morgan G., n 346, 528
Morgan L,, n 431
Peter, I 160
Silas, 1602-03
Theodore G. , H 41 9, 449
WUliazn, I 397, 602-04
LIAINCOURT
, I 73; n 17
LIBBY
Joseph, n 132
UCHTENBERGER
Ctes«, n 178
LICHTENSTEOf
Barnard, 11 306
BjUU. n 173
LIESENHOPP
A., n 160
LIGHT
Peter, I 469
LKSHTHALL
Rev., I 520
LiCTT"
Dr. , I 444
UMIBITZ
Charles, I S31
Philip, I 531
LIN AHA N
Timothy. I 275. 279
LINCOLN
Abraham, I 233, 237,
255, 679-80; B 70,
108
Mrs. Harriet P., I 410
uOTXTjer
Christian, I 463
LINOEMAN
H. A. . II 547
LINDEN
Charles, n 541
LINDENBACH
P., II 169
LINDERMAN
Henry W.. I 305
P. H. . B 47
LINDIKE
Maria Christina, I 731
LINDO
Fred, I 664
LINDSAY
Aaron, I 376, 646-47
Darius, I 480
LINDSLEY
LINDSLEY continued
Abiah, I 446
Matthew, I 446
LINEN
JotonR., n 256
UNK
Prank L. , II 362
LIPP
Mrs. Catharine. B 57
CSafles, II 147
LITCHPIELO
— , I 444
Lirmiop
Dr.. 1589
utTLe
Diana. I 719
Dr.. 11443
fIBridge, I 377
Henry. H 342
Marion E., I 759
SaUle, I 616, 750
SaUy L. , I 752
William H., n 146
LITTLE BEAR
— , I 179
LITTLE BEARD
— . I 80
LITTLE BILLY
, I 149, 179
UTTLE JO
— , I 491
LITTLE JO'S BOY
— . I 491
UTTtEFIELD
Calvin, I 552
Darwin S., I 741
Dwight, I 741
Helen. I 741
Lansing B., I 530, 532; H
388
Ledyard, I 741
WrayS., I 347; II 269, 314
LITZ
Henry, I 765
LIVINGSTON
Alfred D. . II 444
John, I 60-61
Robert R. . II 378
William, II 416
WlUlam A., B 55
LLOYD
S. N. , II 295
William H. , II 300
LOBINGIER
George, I 423
LOCHERT
Fr. , I 448
LOCHS
lev. H., I 583
S7 LOCKE
— , 201, 485
Franklin D.. II 231, 323,
486, 339, 541j B 79
James, I 653
Jesse F.. I 419. 421-22;
II 377
MehUable G. . I 423
Philander B. . II 387
Simon J. . I 420
LOCKMAN
LOCKMAN continued
— -. I 418
E. R., n 444
LOCKWOOD
— , II 486; B 30
Alonxo. I 591
Alonzo U. . I 546
Ann. B 90
Caroline C, I 757
Daniel. II 358
Daniel N. , I 238. 340.
348. 373. 596; H
466, 546
Howard. I 723
Jesse. I 596-97
John A.. n265. 387.
392, 396. 408; B
121
John F. . n 139-40
Mary, I 723
N. S. . n 443
Orrin, I 347, 596-97;
n 131. 388
Seymour J. . I 723
Stephen. I 347, S96;
n 486; B 30
Timothy T. . I 596; R
140, 437
LOEB
Daniel. I 289
LOEBIG
Michael. H 132
LOESCH, L09CH
Rev.. 1463
YiOentine. I 463
LOEWENTHAL
Jacob, n 307
LOGAN
. I 49
Alexander, I 413
Bartley, H 139
P., I 504
LOGEE
. I 613
LOHMEYER
P. , I 509
LONG
Abraham. I 523-24
Abram. I 401. 518.
588
AnnaC. I 726
Anna Maria, I 726
Annie M.. I 713
Anthony. I 404
Bei\iamin. I 523
Benjamin G. . I 713; n
445
Benjamin H.. I 345. 417
Catharine. I 523
Mr6. , Charles. I 623
CEriStian. I 399. 523.
712. 714-5
D. H.. I 419
Daniel B.. I 713
David, I 449-50. 523,
713. Sr. 713
David N., I 713
E. H. , n 444
Edward, I 36
Eli H. . I 713
-60-
Index of Names continued
LONG continued
Elias A., I 713
Elizabeth, I 323
Emanuel, I 405
Esther, I 523
Esther S., I 713. 715
EttaM., I 764
F., I 607
Fanny, I 715
Flora A., I 523
Frances, T 425-26
Frances M., I 767
Frederick, I 534
George B. . I 726
George J., II 554
H. S. I 368
Henry M., I 401. 404
713
Isaac, I 518, 520, 523-
24
J. O. , I 464
John, I 377, 399, 523-
24, 713
John Jr. , I 523
JohnO., I 404, 713
Joseph, I 523, 713,
725-26
Joseph Sr. , I 726
L. A. , n 444
Lafayette, I 387
Lor In I., I 523
Major. I 367
Margaret Young. I 713
Mary, I 523. Mrs., 1725
Mary E.. I llTT^B
MaryM.. I 523
Nancy, I 523
Nancy A. , I 725
Rachel, I 725
Sobrina, I 714
SuBan C. I 713
LONGLEY
Jonathan. I 462
LONGMAKER
Fannie. I 472
LONGNECKER
Edward C. II 452
Elizabeth. I 524
Frederick G.. II 451
LOOK
— , I 579
William. I 643
LOOMIS
I 135 579
Charles K. , II 402; B 95
Chauncey. I 176; II 223
£. . I 599
Frank M. . II 486
Hobart B. , II 287. 397
Horatio N. , II 431
Israel, n 184
Thomas, II 553
LOONEY
Isabel. I 717
JohnM.. II 486
Robert. I 457
LOOSEN
Frederick. I 471
LORD
— , II 215
LORD continued
EBtella, I 487
Herbert G., II 283
James H. . I 588
John. I 676
JohnC, I 534. 583.
670, 676; 11 110, 278-
9. 281, 292. 302. 349,
499. 511-12. 534; B
53, 64. 113
Mrs., II 42
Johns.. I 607
Lucy E.. I 676
Manly, I 621
Mary. I 487. Mrs., I 676
Nathan, I 589
Prudence, I 589
Sarah P., I 718
T. D. . I 487
Thankful, I 737
William B. , 95
LORE
D. D. . II 295
LORENZ
Charles, I 378
Frederick, B 88
John, II 515
Louis, )l 132
Philip G., II 131
Phoebe. B 88
LOSEKAM
— . II 268
LOSEL
MUe, I 762
LOTHRIDGE
— , I 337
A. L.. n 127. 131.
145
LOTHROP
Benjamin P. . II 444
Benjamin L. . II 522
Joshua R. . II 443
Thomas, n 1441 236.
289. 317, 344. 379,
550. 553
Thomas Jr. , TI 443 .
LOUGEE
Benjamin, I 492
W.W. . I 486
LOUGHAN
Fr. , I 377
loTjiS
VIII, I 22, 24
IV, I 34, 37, 40, 42
LOVE
A. L., I 388
Alex. , II 130
George B.. 110
George M.. I 249, 275.
276, 278-9, 280-2.
284-5, 304
Harlow S., II 136
J. R., II 290
John, I 198, 595-96
Laura, B 110
Levi. II 364. 379
Samuel B. . I 602-606
Thomas C, I l98, 324,
340. 346. 348. 348;
II 103-09, 114. 116-7
LOVE continued
Thomas C, cont. , 135,
271. 311. 453, 457-8
LOVEJOY
Henrv, II 44. 60. 137-
39, 517, 534
Joshua, II 43. 353
Mrs. Joshua. I 154
5^6; II 60, 63. 65,
69
LOVEL
Augusts, I 720
LOVE LAND
MitcheUR.. I 621
Susan B. , 46
William. B 46
LOVERIDGE
Edwin D. . II 387
LOVERING
Mary, II 323
William, II 137. Jr II
275
LOW, LOWE
A. P. . I 643
B. A. I 640-41
C. J., I 637
George, I 423
LOWFINCH
Rev. , I 509
LOWRY
— . II 209
C. C. . I 614. 751
LUCAS
William, II 417
LUCE
A.. I 473
A. W.. I 376
Orlando. II 451
W.. II 296
LUDWIG
JohnH., II 132. 146
Mathew. II 146
LUEOCHER
Adolph. II 174
LUETKE
Frederick .II 177
LUIPPOLD
J. M. . II 249
LUKE
M. L. . 11 132
LUM
Dyer D. . I 292
LUPMANN
Sophia. I 711
LUTES
Abraham. I 712
Ella A.. I 712
Emma L. . I 712
Mrs., Eva,. I 712
Fanny F. . I 712
John. I 712
John A.. I 712
Mary L. , I 712
LUTH
D. , I 448
LUTHER
Barney L. , I 290
LUSK
Aden E.. I 730
Hiram B. . II 364
-61-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
LUSK continued
Hiram R. « tl 379
Jennie L. « I 730
Marcus, I 368
Maria, I 731
William. I 730
William Henry, I 730
Z. J. , I 730
LUTTED
James, It 2t1
LUT2
Patif^ L. , t 724
JohnG.. n 179
William, n 160
LUX
Bertha, I 726
JohnE.. I 726
Louisa, I 726
Martin. I 726
Peter. I 726
LYFORD
Franklin. I 616
LYMAN
— . II 262
C. B.. n260
Carlton M., U 486
Henry B. , 11 94
Misses. n311
H. . n 260, 337
P. S. . n 260
Rev., I 556
WIulamE.. II 260, 281
LYNCH
166
"^67
aothy, I 261. 263
LYNDE
Burdette A. . n 256. 280
Charles C, B 46
Frank. B 46
James U. . B 46
John. B 46
Uri C. 1275. 639; II
443; B 46
William A.. H 184
LYON. LYONS
Edward. II 132
George, n 310
Henry L. . II 486
Horatio. I 391
James S. , II 130
Timothy. U 132
William W.. I 306; II 486
LYTH
Alfred. I 304; II 132, 147;
B 48
Frances, B 48
John. B 47-8. Jr. B 48
Mary. B 48
Wmiam H. , B 48
MA BON
John, 1 751
Lydia. I 751
Stephen, I 751
WiUiam. I 751
MCALPtNE
J. W. , I 607
William J., n 524-25
MCARTHUR
Arthur. I 324; H 522
MCARTHUR continued
J. M., II 411
John. II 281
John J. , n 281
Moses, I 566, 612
Roxana H. . I 751
MOBEAU
Charles S., I 241
MCBETH
Andrew. I 570
C. A. . n 444
CUra. I 769
CUra T. , I 571
Gilbert, I 567. 570-7t;
II 439
Helen, I 570
J.. I 769
James, I 570. Jr. , I 570
John. I 566-67, 570-71
Margaret, I 570
W. C. I 423
MCCABE
John. I 247
MCCALL
Abijah. I 569
John, n 354
MCCANN
J. . B 50
MCCARTHY, MCCARTY
J. R.. n 444
James. II 130
John, n 133
Joseph, II 130
Moses, I 610
R. O. , II 282
MCCLEARY
— , II 542-43
Daniel. I 123, 177,
343-4; n 354.
MCCLELLAN
George B. , I 243, 245
Rev.. I 463
MCJCTOUD
Alexander, II 364. 379
MCCLURE
Capt.. I 126
^oT. II 61
TSeorge. I 146-48. 156
Joseph, I 146, 343; II
297
Robert, H 378
MCCOLLOR
Franklin T. , I 421
H. S. , I 580
MCCOMB
John W. , II 353
Maior. I 133
MCCCHMBER
C. S.. n 126. 140-43.
486
MCCONKEY
Thomas, I 423
MCCONNELL
A., n 304
Samuel. I 114, 398-99; 11
32, 107
Susannah. I 120
MCCONVEY
James, I 287
MCCOOL
MCCOOL continued
James, II 132
MCCORMICH
Samuel, I 531
MCCOWN. MCCOUN
Charles, I 494
Daniel. I 543
MCCRAY. MCCREA
Guilford W. . n. 388
397
P. A., n 552
MCCREOIE
James, n 236. 360.
362. 370-72, 392,
395, 400-01, 405-07,
409
WiUiam N.. H 397
MCCULLOCH
H« B. . n 377
Samuel. I 516
MCCUBCBER
William A.. I 604
MCCUNE
Charles WilUrd. U
233. 265. 334. 546;
B 48-50
EUa, B 50
MCCUTCHEON
Henry, n 450
Samuel, n 3b7
MCDERMOTT
Fr, . n 305
MATfUlARMID
Hugh, n 146
MCDONALD
C. C. , II 253
Dr.. I 532
TTm. . I 627. 629
MCDONOUGH
Charles, II 146
MCDOUGALL
-— . n 222
MCDOWELL
Gen.. I 243. 245
MdEWEN. MCEUEN
Geo. A. . n 377
J. . I 422. 463
T., n 52
MCFINNEY
M.. 0 284
MCGEE
Joseph. I 511
Thomas D. , 11 350
MCGERALD
S. . II 296
MCGILL
Elisabeth. I 751
W. D.. II 412
MCGINNIS
Thdknas. I 421
MCGOWAN
James. I 275. 278
John. I 483
MCGUFFEY
Pres.. B 103
MdSWKE
Edward, U 146
MACHEMER
John, II 169
MCILVAN
-62-
Index of Names continued
MCILVAN continued
Bishop. B 103
MCINTOSH
Mrs., Caroline C. , I 694
iSanTel. II 486
MCINTYRE
A. M. , I 606
Archibald, I 431-32
J. H., I 627-28
Laura. I 721
MACK
— , II 193
Elisha, I 639, 641
Norman E. , II 742-; B 50-
51
William J.. II 135. 137.
518
MCKAY, MACKAY
— -. II 189
Alexander, I 562; II 138-
9
Benjamin, II 356
Charles, I 562
E. M. , II 436
Edward. II 441
G. C, II 143, 523
G. W., II 550
Gustavus E. , II 443
J. I. II 444
James, I 216, 300; n 136
311, 336-7, 524; B 45,
53
Seth, I 556
Sylvester, I 542
Unlike C, I 261
William A. , 11 299
MCKEAN, MCKEEN
Almira, 1 751
Daniel, I 608
John, I 122, 538, 546
Robert, I 490
MCKELL
Miss. I 446
WTC. , I 446
MACKENZIE
Wm. , Lyon, I 214
MCKILLOP, MCKILLIP
— , II 342
Robert, I 382, 388
MCKINNEY
— , I 206; n 543
W. G., II 290
MCKINNON
John, n 443
MACKMER
Edward, I 520
MACKNIGHT
George, II 358
James, II 224. 358
MCLANE, MCLEAN
Alex., n 281
Andrew, I 387
John, I 461
Sarah A. , I 396
MCLAREN
William, I 423
MCLAUGHLIN
Joseph, II 390
MC LAURIE
David, I 590
MC LAURIE continued
N., I 590
MCLEISH
Archibald. II 133, 144-
45, 247
C. G.. II 247
James. II 247, Jr. II 247
James J., I 241, 247
MCLEOD
George. II 266
James. II 279; B 108
MCLOWTH
Charles, II 417
MCMAHAN. MCMANN
— . II 420
Col., I 149. 151; II 59,
66
James, II 20, 107
Jame s P.. I 288
JohnE., I 288
Lieut. , I 267, 270
MdMANUS
John, I 304. 449; II
529
MCMASTER
— . B 79
Alexander, II 146-47
David, B 78
William B. , II 396
MCMBAL
Mdton, I 344
MCMICHAEL
Homer H. , II 486
MCMILLAN, MCMILLIN
— -, II 486
Daniel H. , 11 486, 533
George, I 651
Hugh, I 658
James H. , I 650
John, I 612
Joseph, I 641
R. P., I 654
WUlian, H 127. 494, 541
MACMULLEN
Ft., II 305
James, I 366
MCMURRAY
Samuel, I 247
MCNAB
Sir Allan, I 215
Wniiam, II 305
MCNALLY
John, I 287
MCNAMARA
Dennis, II 130
MCNAMEE
Leonard, I 514
MCNAUGHTON
Peter. I 570
MCNEAL, MCNEIL
Benj. F. , I 349,
386. 422; II 296
Dugald, II 444, 551-52
J. W. , I 459
Marcus, I 344, 368
Milton, I 457
Norman B. , I 349; II
486
MCNETT
Andrew J., I 345; II 139-40
MCXEVEN
Wm.. J., II 414
MC NIL LIB
John. I 377
MCNISH
David B. , 11 395. =>39
MACNOE
George. II 147
MCPHERSON
Angus. II 142-43
Mrs. Angus. II 552
G. W. . I 461. 463; II
444
John, II 359
Rev., I 463
^oEert, I 324. 701;
II 358
MCQUADE
Henry. II 132
S. . II 132
MCROBERT
Isaac T. . IT 41 i
MCVEAN
J. P., I 254
MCVEAUX
Hugh. II 441
MCVICAR
Cirard, II 395. 400
MCWILLIAMS
J. E., n204
MACY
— , II 117, 192
George. B 13
Naomi. B 13
MADDEN
Edward, I 504; II 143
MADISON
— , I 651
James H. . I 12; II 231
Pres., I 135-36
magAvern
William, II 297
MAGEE
J. H., II 413
MAGHER
Michael. H 146
MAGOFFIN
— . 1385
Albert. I 713
Alma, I 713
Emma. I 713
F. J., I 759
Hattie, I 713
J. O.. I 385
John, I 713
JohnM., I 713. Jr.
713
Katharine, B 122
LuluM.. I 759
Mary, I 713
Mary M. . I 731
William T. . I 368, 373-4
376; II 389
♦MAHLE
Mary, I 751
MAHONY
Jeremiah. II 142'43
John, II 131, 146, 522
Patrice H.. II 146
Timothy J.. II 146. 522
-63-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
MAHUREN
Alvira. I 721
MAITS
Rev., I 581
MAlOR JACK BERRY
— , I 178
MALLORY
Col. . I 149; II 59
Israel, I 450
Sterling, I 521. 588
Ft.. I 377, 581
MXDuOY
Matthew, 11 539
MA LONE
JohnF., II 146
MALONEY
Fr. , II 305
MifCTBY
— , I 116, 382
Benjamin, I 326, 345,
603-06
George, I 606
Jonathan, I 582
William, I 397, 399
Zacharias, I 582
MANAHAR
James, II 130
MANCHESTER
Bradford A. , II 234,
328, 333
George, I 516
MANG
John, n 133
MANHARO
Jacob, n 249
MANKE
Charles, I 491-92
MANLY, BIANLEY
Chas., n 133, 528
D. S. , II 350
MANN, MAN
— , II 193
Charles J., n 212; B 62
Daniel, II 132
Elizabeth, I 758
Frederick, I 447
George E.. II 145
Jacob, I 758
Nathan M.. I 299, 550,
562, 564, 566, 569
Rebecca, I 758
Richard, II 312
W. J., II 268
William A., U 413
William H., I 550
MANNING
— , II 486
Aaron M. , B 90
Frankli n R. , II 486
Georgina B. , B 90
J. Oley, B 51
John, II 130, 132; B 51
John Baker, II 146. 212, 233
250, 377, 392, 396; B 51-
52
John S. , I 273
Mayor, II 520
mA195fTeld
J., n 112
Orange, I 324, 382-83
MANTE
Frank, I 457
MANZ
George, I 389
MA PES
J. M. , I 369
L. O. . I 551
MAPLES
Charles J., I 719
Joaiah, I 5S4, 719
Mary A., 1719
Sally. I 570
MAPLESDEN
William H., I 738
MARCH
Abigail, I 589
Alden, I 558
Frederick R., 11 466
H. G. . I 421
John, I 122, 321, 584-85,
588-89. 591. 737. Sr.
I 737
Morris, I 584
MARCUS
Leopold, n 254, 308
M. M., II 254
MARCY
n, 270, 487
Daniel G.. II 138
Gov.. B 86-87
Wliriam L., I 210, 212.
216
MARQRATA
Anna, I 744
MARIN
— . I 44
MARiCHAM
Erastus, I 495
Erastus, J. , I 493
Walter, I 478
MARLE
I., II 156
MARQUETTE
— , I 34
MARSH
Alonzo M. , I 251
Henry N., I 251
John II 423
PhineasS.. II 142, 212,
272-3
Rev.. I 556
aTiSHall
MAHSHALL
— , II 486
A. . I 449
A. W. , I 450
B. D. . II 293
Charles DeAngelis, II
235. 466, 548; B 54
Dr. , I 183
"Birzabeth Cpe. B 54
George W.. I 249
John Ellis, I 299, 347.
675; 11 46. 76, 95.
110, 355-56. 417, 420-
22. 430-31. 521-22; B
14, 52-54
Joslah T. . II 197-98
Orsamus Holmes. I 35. 118,
339; II 46. 99. 137, 235,
314, 323, 355. 486, 511,
-64-
MARSHALL coniinued
Orsamus Holmes cont.
513, 534, 536-37, 540;
B 53-54
Parker, I 448
Rev., I 376
Sarah (Edgerton), B
52
llioinas, B., 52
MARTIN, MARTYN, MAR-
TENS
— . n 245
Aaron, H 133
Albert. I 588
Alexander, H 161-62.
234, 272-73. 275
David. I 730
E. M. . I 287
Elizabeth. I 710, 713-
14, 730
EUen, B 34
Emanuel L. , I 385, 730
Emeline P., B 15
George. I 619
George E. , I 444-45
Guy C. I 614. 621; n
283, 298
Harriet M., 1714
Henry. I 12; H 140. 230.
231, 235, 265. 271.
298, 511, 513
I. R. , I 443, 447
John, I 285. 388, 578
748
John P.. I 413
M. . I 730
Magdalena. I 731
Michael, II 422
P.. n 165
MARTINI
— . 144
MARTZLOFF
Jacob, I 463
Philip. I 460-61. 463
MARVEL
Alfred. I 490. 493-4
498-99, 745
Chloe. I 499
Ettie. I 499
Jane. I 498. 745
John. I 499
John L. , I 499
JohnW.. I 745
Mrs. Lany, I 499
Taurette, I 745
Lovina. I 499
Lucy, I 499
Olive, I 499
Polly. I 499
William. I 499
MARVTN
II, 517; B 5
E. P. . n 282
George L. , II 132. 484
Harriet N. . I 758
LeGrand. II 486
Mrs, . II 39
Sylvanus. I 3"''; B 91
MARY
Mot her. II =^-4
Index of Names continued
MARY continued
Gabriella, Sister, II
554
MARY IGNATIA
Sister, 11 554
MARV Xavier
Sister, II 552
MASON
AdolphC. I 759
Andrew S., II 367
Ellas, I 478
Elihu, I 590
F. H. . I 482
H. F. , I 480
J. L., I 606
M. O. , II 444
Robert Z.« II 2 93
RusseU B. , I 479, 759
Seth L. . n 245, 285
Walter E., I 305
WLUlaxn , II 95
WlUiam H. , II 443, Jr. ,
n396
MASSEY
— , B 95
MASTEN
Joseph G.. I346;n 118,
119. 137, 537. 540;
B28. 54. 78
Joseph P., n462. 474-75
MASTERS
John Jr. . n 367, 395
MATHERS
David, II 32, 40-41. 47
James W., n 146
Mary. I 731
Mrs. , n 67, 276
TOncy, n 276
Rev., I 406
WTT. , B 74
MATLER
Catharine, I 710
MATTER
Catharjie, I 757
MATTESON, MATTISON
Chas.. I 753
Harry H., II 138
Henry E.. II 146
Martha, I 753
Price A., II 132, 145,
387, 486
W. , I 576
llATTHEWS, MATHEWS
— . B 85
Oavfxl E. , I 604
Francis. I 733
George B., 11 130, 252, 533;
B 62
J. D. . n 444
James, I 651, 661; II 299
James N., II 288, 330,
339-40, 546, 553; B 38
40, 56, 110
Louisa C, B 109
Lucy J., 1733
Polly Ann. I 733
Sylvester, II 56, 95, 108, 111
135. 505
MATTHEWSON
Jenks H. , I 546
MATTHEWSON
Jonathan, I 619
William H. . I 285
MATTICE
Lewis A., II 379
MATTOCK
Truman, I 606
MAUER
L. P., II 131
MAUERMAN
Frank, I 289
MAUTE
Frark H., I 461. Jr.. 461
MAXSON
M., I 444
MAXWELL
— , II 193
MAY
Hiram, I 386, 463,
652
SophU, I 747
MAYB£E
Harrison I 626
Lewis, n 18
Sylvanus, I 86, 96;
II 18^20, 32, 312
MAYCOCK
Joseph, II 146
MarkM.. U 322
MAYER
A. J., n 132
Alphonzo I. , II 132
Ernst. II 176
Esther Anna, I 725
Jacob, I 725
John. II 231
Joseph, II 146, 307
Margaret. I 741
MAYNARD
Dr., I 567
"BTA., n 335
Lovlna, I 499. 745
Mary, I 702
MAYNES
Mary Thomas, II 6 53
MAYO
Harriet, I 735
Joseph, I 594
William L., I 260, 263
MAYTHAM
Thomas, n 198
MAYWOOD
II. 542
MAZARET
P.P., I 377; II 305
MEAD, MEADS
— , II 257
Charles, II 443
M.A.G., II 539
Willis H. , II 486
MEADOWS
WUliam, U 214, 546
Henry. I 741
Mary, I 741
Phebe, I 741
Robert. I 741. Jr. I
741
MEDRICH
Michael, I 235
MEECH
MEECH conti:..ed
Asa B., II 102
H. T. , 11 543-44
Henry L. , 11 544-45
Horace. I 667
John H., II 544-45
MBHL
Peter V.. I 339
MEIDENBAUER
---, II 251
MEINAND
Claudius J.. II 445
MEINZER
J. C, II 486
MEISBURGER
WiUiam. H 445
MEISTER
G. P. , I 305
MEIZIG
Nicholas, II 249
MELANCTHON
— . I 607
MELDRUM
Alexander, H 262, 278
MELISH
John, II 49
MELVERN
— -, I 734
MELVIN
Betsey, B 72
J. H.. I 638
Moses, B 72
MENEELE
— , II 170
MENGE
F. A., n 132
MENKER
E. . n 267
Henry A. . I 303; U
267
J. C, n 267
MENSCH
C. F., II 131
Charles, 11 131
MENSHALL
R.. I 375
MENZ
John. II 17:3
MENZEL
F., I 509
MERGENHAGEN
Pfeter, II 249
MERLAN
Charles V.. I 769
Clara C. I 769
Helen E. , I 769
John P. , I 769
Philip, I 769
MERLAU
Charles F. . I 566
MERRIAM
—.1 619
Adolphus, I 619
E. D. . II 441
Eames, II 355
Hamilton. I 619
Mary, I 619
Mason, I 619
Rena, I 619
Samuel, I 122
-65-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
MERRICK
Moaes, B 90
MERRIGAN
Thomas, n 139-40
MERRILL
— , II 92
Alberts., II 137-38
Arden, n 63
David E., n 134
Fredarlck B«, I 137; n 32.
79. 135. Mrs> I 74. 380;
n 19. 29
Frederick E.. I 347
liERRIS
Edirard. I 599
MERRITT
Charles W.. I 536. 551-
52. 560
Jane. B 89
Jesse. II 431
John. B 89
S. J., 1759
MERRCm
Betsey. I 719
MERTZ
August. I 600
John Nicholas, n 163
MERZ
N.. I 521
MERZIG
Nicholas, n 131
MESMER
— . II 243
Cstharine. B 57
John, n 132; B 57
Louis. B 57
Louisa. B 58
Magdalena. B 58
MaHin. B 58
Michael, n 153. 162.
235. 273. 496-7; B
57-58. Jr B 58
UtiUea. B 58
MESSER
Louis P.. n 486
MESSING
Wllhelm. n 171
William, n 140-41
MESTAYER
, II 543
m^TCalf
Albert W.. 1292
Elijah. I 375. 386
Exra. n 37. 40
James. II 209-10. 500
James S. , II 345
John. II 527
Whitman. I 622. 642-43
METZ
Abraham. I 730
Abram. 1713
Andrew. I 385. 388-9. 730
Andrew Jr.. I 730
AnnettaL.. I 714
Benjamin. I 3d9. 730
Benjamin E, I 730
Betsy. I 730
Christian. I 382-3. 728.
730
Christian Jr. , I 349
METZ continued
Christian C. I 713
Clara L.. I 714
Cora Ada. I 714
Edward L. . I 713
Elisabeth. I 728
EUa. I 714
Godfrey. I 588
Jacob. I 714. 730
John. I 588« 710. 713-
14
Kate L.. 1714
Laura A. . I 730
Levi. I 258. 730
Levy. W.. I 713
Maria. I 730
Mary A.. 1730
MaryM.. 1714
Myron J.. I 714
Sophia. I 710
METZGER
G. J. . I 303
George. 11 153
P.. I 504
MEVIUS
E. H. , n 547
MEY
F. H. C, n 390. 398
MEYERBERG
Jacob, n 309
MEYERHQPFER
Philip, n 153
MICHAEL. MICHAELS.
— , II 486
Christian. I 713
Edward. II 486. 540
Henry. I 520
M.. I 599. 629
Phillip. I 713
MICHLER
Laney. I 766
MICH06
O.. I 386
MIDDAUGH
Martin. I 73. 86; U
17. 19
MIDOLEOITCH
Matthew. I 594-95
MIDOLETON
EUsabeth. B 44
Rev.. I 556
MILBURN
John George. II 486.
546. 548; B 79
Joseph A., n 486
MILEHAM
Joseph N.. II 144-45.
282-83
MILES
George, n 189. 294
Peter. B 53 '
Peter B.. U 314
Samuel. I 362
MILLARD
Cant.. I 150
H. W.. II 193
Phoebe. I 689
MILLER. MILLAR
— . I 413; II 294. 366.
369-70. 387. 395-96
-66-
MILLER continued
— , cont.. 411. 548
B 83
A. C. n264
A. D. A. . II 264
A. F.. n 547
A. J.. I 386
Abraham. I 401; II 430-
31
Abram. I 321
Auguat. 11 367
Benjamin. I 401-04.
411
Ctot.. n 92
ClKerlne. I 727
Charles, n 189
CharUsF., H 138-39
Charles G. . n 352
Christian. I 420. 605
Jr. I 604
Col-. I 166-67
DSlel. I 725; II 354
E. Q. S. . n 253; B
109
E. S. , I 496
Edward. I 509; U 414
Edward B. . I 401
Elisabeth B. . I 725
EUen LetUia. I 741
Emmanuel D*. I 713
Eugene. I 741
Freda. I 747
Frederick. I 114. 404,
424; n 52. 54. 74.
187. 169-90. 314.
352-54
Frederick S. . n 54.
169
G. R. . I 369
G. P. . I 481
.. I 172-73
orge H. . I 741
George W. . I 285; H
233. 550
Henry, n 132
Henry B. . I 345. 546.
550-51. 555; U 139-
40. 156
Herman, I 663
Isaac. I 390
Jacobs., n 288
James. I 595; n 95.
108. 135. 236
John A.. II 146-7.
236. 273. 298
JohnG.. I 461. 756; II
444
JohnH.. 1741
Lewis D.. I 713-14
LumanC. H 343. 550
M. L. . I 600
Major. I 157. 322
Martin. I 599. 605
Mary, I 713. 727
Michael. I 605
Myron. I 741
NlchoUs. I 741
P. J., n 17f>
Peter P. , U . 43
Philip. I 6 1 . II 133
Index of Names continued
MILLER continued
R. D. , I 376, 386
R. S., I 460
Mrs. Rebecca, I 725
TtevT, I 483
ItoEert H., I 479
RoUin. I 583
Samuel, I 608
Sarah, I 713
Sarah W., I 738
Silas Samuel, I 741
SophU, I 767
Susan, I 732
T. S., I 551
Thomas, I 47 9, 481,
551
Valentine, I 389
W. G., II 278
W. V. . 11 444
Warren F., II 486
Wells, n 189
William, I 587; II
184, 186, 196,
352
WiUiamC, I 604; n
253
WlUlam F. , II 352. 540
William P., II 268
WiUiam T., II 54, 134
WiUiam WeUs, n 189
MILUS
John. I 648
MILLMAN
Henry C. , I 404
MILLS
— , I 481, 518. 637;
B22
Alonzo W. , I 759
Calvin J. , II 343
Cagt., I 133
Cyrus , I 759
Eliza A. , I 737
Ephraim, I 599
George H., I 621
Isaac, I 595
JohnT., I 518
Jos ph, I 516
Judge. B 110
Mary, B 110
P. W. . I 642-43
Robert, II 141, 197-98.
520
WiUiam, I 344, 364,
365. 368, 376, 387;
n 315
WiUiam I., H 141-142
MILLS PAUGH
C, n 298
MILNE
A., I 446
MILSOM
G., n 220
MILTON
Patrick, II 130, 138
MINER, MINOR
Asa, II 310
Harriet H. , I 412
Julius F. , II 442. 550
M. M. . I 642
W. W. . II 444
MINER y
Frederick, I 247
MINGEN
Jacob, II 540
MINKEL, MINKLE
Adam Sr. , II 173
John, I 568
MINNIG
C. R., I 509
MBSCHKA
Ch., II 325
Joseph, II 160
MISNER
Peter, I 418, 765
MITCHELL
Franklin. I 492
James. II 275
John. II 437
JohnO.. II 518
Samuel L.. II 414
SameulS., II 277
Thomas. I 291
Wood, I 493
MIX
Joel, I 454
MIXER
- — . II 201
Frederick, II 541; B
58
Harvey M., H 370
Know It on, B 58
Minnie. B 58
Nathan. B 58
Sylvester Frederick, n
137, 138, 437, 522; B
58-59
MOCHEL
Charles, I 389
Henry, I 302-03; II 133
MOCHOW
Christian, 13 9 .
MODDISETT
Welcome. I 377
WeltonM.. I 275
MOELLER
II 120
MOENGER
H. , I 509
MOERSHFELDER
Nicholas, n 370
MOESER
Wllhelm. II 160
MOEST
Henry, II 132
MOFFAT, MOFFIT. MUFFIT
— . II 511
Henry C. II 245. 247
Horatio P., I 627; II 379
James. II 245, 247
Joel. I 533-34
Lydia, I 425
Miles, II 486
Parley. I 155. 514, 528
MOLL
J. , I 654
Michael, I 654
MONCHOW
G. C«, I 481, 486
MONIER
Louisa, I 727
MOMN
Edward, I 471
MONROE, MUNROE,
MUNRO
— , I 568
Allen, I 520
J. H. , B 50
J. R., II 257
Pres. , I loO
MONTAGUE
Mary (Cowden), I 740
MONTCALM
---. I 42-43
MONTEATH
- — , II 193
MONTEZ
Lola, II 543
MONTGOMERY
Alva, I 580
Fletcher, I 369
George W. . II 300
Henry. H 146-7, 257
552
James, I 371-72
R. B 95
Robert H. , I 303
W.A.D.. II 445
MOODY
Mary J. , II 444
MOOK
Anna R. . I 7 56
Caroline L. , I 756
Emma A., I 756
Lydia F., I 756
Philip, I 460-61. Jr.
I 756
MOON
Arnold T. , I 636
Asher. I 760
Diana, I 732
Mrs. Mary M., I 760
Nathan. I 562
MOONEY
Hugh. I 287
James. II 493, 550
MOORE, MOHR. MOIR
MORE
A. B. . B 89
Adam. I 471
Alfred. I 741
Annis. I 473, 725
Augustus C. . II 300; B
59
Mrs. Catharine, I
735
Charlotte £. , I 720
D. , n 349
Daniel, U 304
David, II 291
Davids.. II 290
EUa, I 741
EUen. I 720
Fannie. I 735
Frances, I 741
George. I 533. 735; II
133
George A. , I 328; n
411. 735
Gilford J. , I 720
Henry. I 720
-67-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
MOORE continued
Henry F. , I 720
Henry G. , I 720
J. D.. II 281
J. F., I 546
J. L.. II 299
Jane, I 53, 58
Jeremiah, I 720
John, I 533
Julia, I 758
Mark B.. II 486
Mary, I 741
2<ionnan, I 735
Obadiah, I 720, 741
Peter L. , I 295
Reuben. I 720, 741
Mra. Sarah, I 741
'S^ah J. , I 720
Susan, I 720
Walter B., 1259-260
Welcome. I 562, 769
William, n 136, 300
William P., II 141-42,
398
MOOT
— , II 486
Adelbert, 11 486
MOREY, MORREY
— , I 144; II 487
Amazlah, I 610
Charles C, I 446
Homer, I 612, 614
Jerome B., I 613
JohnF., 1612-13
Nathan, I 612, 615.
Jr., I 614
Norris, I 290, 626; 11
486
Vinal L., I 613
MORGAN
A. M., n240
Amos, n 130
Benjamin, I 86
Col. , II 329
T5arwinE., H 387, 391,
396-97, 399, 404-05
Dr., I 662
EdwlnD., I 237, 242, 250,
260, 273; B 65, 80
Gilbert. I 407
JohnF., I 759
L. H. , I 29
Lodoirick, I 169
Louis S., n 387, 399
Sarah, I 759
Sgt.. I 267
Wlmam, I 201-02; H 359
William J., 1278-9, 286,
342
MORRELL
Adaline, I 758
Ruth, I 642
MORHIS
B I 622
Charlotte M. , II 412
David J.. I 490. 493-94
Fr. . n 304
George, I 647
Gouverneur, I 307-08
Horton. I 589
MORRIS continued
Isaac, II 296. 379
Robert, I 68. 74-77, 79;
II 14
Sarah H. , U 552
Stephen. I 477
Sydney R.. II 423
Thomas. I 479
MORRISON
A. , U 193
J. A. . I 598
Jacob, n 76
John. I 385
William, n 306
William F.. H 290
MORROW
Caspian R. . I 556;
II 378. 444
George W. , II 390
Henry. I 564
James B. . I 258
MORSE
— , I 566
Alfred. I 606
C. B. . n 382
C. W.. II 370
Charles E., I 259. 261.
292; II 343. 350
Charles H.. 1257
David R. . II 234, 302,
513, 547-8
George H., I 664
Harvey G. , II 353
iTenry, H 142-43
Jane, I 744
MUtoQ, I 625
Parker, 11 382
S. A. , II 298, 343
MORSEMAN
WiUiam W. I 321
MORTON
— . I 634
A. P., 1644
Elisabeth, I 756
L. P. , B 49
Otis, I 644
Wendell. I 644
Wendel J. , n 412
M06BALL
J. A.. II 165
M06ELEY, MOSELY
— -. II 542
James J.. II 135
William A.. I 213.
224. 340, 343-44;
n 135. 453. 458-9;
B54
MOSSS
WlUiam. II 539
MOSHER, MOSER. MOSHIER
— . II 204
Daniel, I 575
Gideon. 11 41
Hesekiah. I 545
Jeremiah. I 590
Thomas J. . II 340
Ward. I 651
William. I 641
M06PAU
A. . II 547
MOSS
Charles U.. 1251
J. J.. I 423
James. I 520
Jasper. I 404
MOTT
AUen. I 481
MOULTCN
— . n 201; B 1
A. M., I 404
Charles. B 59
Frank T.. I 306; B
60
JohnF., n 529: B
59-60
Joseph M. . I 321
Joseph W. . n 453
Tarbox. B 59
Warren, I 417
MOVIUS
— -. II 486
EdvrardH.. H 486, 546
MOWATT
Anna Cora. 11 544
MOWBREY
J. G. . n 300
MOWER
Mary. I 715
MOYER
Christiana. I 762
John. I 470
Mary. I 712. 730
Sophia. I 713
MUCK
Catharine, I 716
Charles. I 406
Elisabeth. I 763.
Mrs. 763
Henry. I 406
Philip. I 763
MUDGE
Charles. H 354
John. I 86
MUELLER
C. W. F. . n 160
J. . II 325
Michael. I 496
P. . II 325
WlUlam. n 172
MUGRIDGE
Joseph, I 650-52
MUHLFEET
Joseph. I 516
Mum
Mary. B 20
Thomas, B 20
MULDOON
James G. . n 486
MULLEN
Fi*.. I 581
mi/IXenhoff
Leopold, n 132
BlIULLER
— . n 295. 298
Ferdinand. II 368
Paul. I 404
Thomas, n 359
MULLETT
James. I 22 5; n 137
469
-68-
Index of Names continued
MULLETT continued
MYERS continued
NASH continued
John, n 44. 50-51, 107
Adolph, II 173
Daniel D. , cont. , 265-
311, 355-356
Albert J.. I 341; II 146
70. 63^; II 486
MULLIGAN
Mrs. Albert J. . I 696,
Moses. I 377
Edward, I 303
7*54
Samuel. I 637
Henrys.. II 401
Amelia, I 716
NASON
James S., I 247
Augustus B. . I 257
C. P. H.. II 278
Lieut. , I 245
Caspar, II 132
NAST
MULLtkAN
Charles, I 490. 505
Rev.. II 179
Edward. II 130
Charles H. , I 713
naueRt
MUMBACH
Christina, I 765
— . II 156-57
William. I 591
Daniel, I 289. Jr. 241.
Amelia P., I 756
MUNCH
245. 247
Heinrich. 11 160
Mrs.. Catherine. I 765
Edward H.. II 397
Henry. II 131. 142.
Cb-istina. I 765. Mrs.
Emanuel, I 567
390; B 51
765
Francis, I 247; II 179
NEAL, NEILL. NTAL
Frederick. I 765
Fred, I 716
A. B., II 540
Henry. I 765
Frederick G.. I 636
Alfred H. , 11 145
Nicholas. I 765. Jr.. 765
George. I 496
JohnC. I 285
Peter, I 785
Henry B. . II 359-60. 367
Michael, I 389
MUNDHENK
J. A. M., II 140-41
Robert. I 457
EUen. I 748
J. F., I 638
NEBE
MUNGER
J. P. , I 641
John. II 171
Fowler, I 480, 482
J. W. A., n 235
NEEDHAM
RQey. I 381, 454
Jacob. I 388, 496; H
— . I 633
Solomon. I 496
193
Dwight. II 277
MUNN
John. I 713. Jr. I 713
Oliver. I 635
Asa. I 443
John B. . II 540
NEEPER
E. G. , I 570
JohnM.. II 155
James. I 546
Fred. I 718
JohnO. , II 251
NEHRBOSS
Ira J.. I 718
L. P. . I 457
Mrs.. John. I 403
Ira Y. . II 222
Michael, I 567
NElbHART. NEIDHARDT
MUNSHALL
Mordecai. II 383
C, n 380
Robert. I 386
P., I 567
Karl, n 157
MUNSON
Thomas H. , 11 132
NELLANY
Jesse, I 468
Mrs. Wilhelmina, I 716
Michael. H 130
MURBACH
MVOTEr
NELSON
John. I 509
Herman, H 344, 444
Charles. II 296
MURPHY
NABER
Jane. I 712
James. IT 486
Joseph Jr., 1662. 665
Richard William. U 442
James S.. II 133. 519
NACHBAR
Samuel, B 28
JohnW.. I 345; n 53 9
Werner, II 390
NESBITT
Joseph. II 130
NAGEL. NAGLE, NEAGLE
George W. . II 443
Peter P. , H 360
Albert, I 726
James, I 155; H 69
Thomas J.. II 400-01
Alexander G.. 1*471, 726
NETHER
William. II 198
Jr., 726
---. n 156
MURRAY
Anthony, I 726
NE'ITLETON
— . n 182
Charles, I 726
Daniel. I 478
Mrs.. Carrie, I 558
Charles F., II 267
K. D. , I 386
ZoT. n 58
"Francis P., H 540
EUen, I 764
NEWBERRY. NEWBURY
Elizabeth. I 757
Johns.. I 351
H. B.. I 419; II 443
Frank. I 726
Oliver, II 109
Henry, I 723
H. W. . II 179
NEWCOMB
Hubert P.. II 539
J. C, II 262
Harvey, II 328
James, II 193
Jacob W. . I 726
NEWELL
James A. . H 486
John. I 509, 726
Augustus. I 261.
Jennie S. , I 723
Louis, n 267
263
John J., I 604
Mary, I 755. Mrs. I 726
George W. . I 664
Lizzie M. , I 723
Peter. I 726
Harriet, I 570, 738
MarkE.. I 723
NAGLEE
Hiram, I 345, 421-
Peter. I 598. 723
Gen.. 1262, 265
22
R. G.. n 281
naTTSr
Michael. H 520
Rev. , I 556
Gen., I 174
Thomas, II 347
WrTTiamD., I 260,
naTOEeon
WiUlam A.. U 442
419-21
— . I 122
NEWHALL
MUZZY
NARDIN
Elisha, I 610
Mrs., n 544
Miss E. II 303. 306.
NEWKIRK
M^mrS, MEYER, MEIR
^25
Isaac W. . II 359
L, 155, 837
NASH
NEWLAND
734; II 69
Daniel D.. I 259-60, 263,
Abigail. I 694
-69-
Hiatory of Buffalo and Erie County
NEWMAN. NEUMAN. NUMAN
Ainoa. I 372
C. I 372
£. J., I 368, 372
E. L. , II 296
Eooa. . I 372
George E. « II 266
George G.« II 143
George L.« II 511;
B3S. U7
H. H. » a 264
H. L. . I 373
JtfneaM.. n 139, 440.
522. 540
John I., 405
JohnF.. 1293-94
Leroy. I 371-72
N.. 1448
P. N. . I 471
WUliam. H. H. . II 236
292. 536
NEWTON
A. W.. 1606
Cornelia. I 623
Daniel. I 525
H. H.. I 368-69. 373. 376.
760
J. L. . n 200
J. Mack. II 379
J. R.. I 581. 747
J. S.. I 516; n 200
Obadiah. I 527; U 388
Reuben. I 522. 527
Rev.. I 463
VnnamS., 1330-31. 518
NEYERLIN
George. I 471
NICE
— -. I 420
Elizabeth. I 765
John. I 336. 345. 438.
765
Mary. I 764
Philip. I 438. 765
NICHOUS. NICHELL
— . I 603. 619. 621
Asher P. . I 336. 343; n 137.
287. 473. 510. 546
Austin W.. 443
Charles F. A.. I 275. 285
Cyrua. n 283
D. D.. I 375
Oavld. I 375. 542
Edirln. I 273
George W. . I 604; II
378
Henry. II 443
Irene. 1718
James. I 459
John, n 443
L. B. . I 605. 637
Merritt. U 145
OrenG.. I 303; n 405
Reuben, I 619
Thomaa L.. n 346-47
NICHOLSON
John. I 241. 259. 261
292-93
NIC KENS
Adam. U 146
NU5BUNG
Joseph. I 448. 643
NIEHAUS
Gerhard, n 165
Henry. II 165
NILES
— . II 193
Burton C. n 297
H.. n 212
NIM6
a U. B23
NOAH
Mordeeai M. . I 190. 230.
429-436
NOBLE
— . n 247
Horace A. . H 395. 401
Lorlnda. I 762
Major. I 467. 762; H
40
WlUiam. I 261
NOEL
Frai*. n 253
NOLTE
WlUlam. I 403
NOLTON
H. G. . n 232-33. 236. 529
NORRDS
C. H.. 1387
Hsnry F. . n 382
James. I 419
John. I 291; H 130
"nieodore B. . I 641
noeIth
Mrs. Dora B. . H 324
TSIive. I 518
WaUer. I 305; II 290
William. I 308
NORTHRUP. NORTHROP
Chas. . I 751
Eli B . . I 493-94
JaneE.. I 745
Lewis. I 490. 493. 745-46
Mary. I 746
S. Q. . I 590
S. M. . I 583
Stephen. I 493-94
WlUlam P. . I 296; B
38
NORTON
— . II 192. 485
AUen W. . II 193
Anna. I 737
Anson. I 567. 613
Btrdsey. H 107
Callsta. I 762
Charles. II 136
Charles David. I 349;
n 53-5. 138. 476-7
531. 535; B 60-61
Charles P. ; II 486
David. I 566; n 356
E. D. . I 769
E. S. . I 769
Ebenezer F. . I 178. 340.
344, II 80-81. 223.
453. 458. 530
Elizabeth. I 768
Ei^ene. I 566-67
F. . I 369
NORTON cook -lued
Harding. I 644
Joseph G. . B 60
Joshua F. , I 737
Justin. I 737
Laura. I 737
M. D.. n441
Nathaniel. II 107
Nathaniel W. , n 486
Porter. U 486; B 61,
118
Walter. U 184-189
NOTT
1619
Charlotte. I 619
Edvard S. . I 517. 51^
520
Ellphalet . B 52
Elon. I 520
Ezra. I 115. 160.
175, 297. 617-
16. 621-622
RandaU. I 582
Rev.. I 408
Samuel. B 52
Samuel E. S. H.. I
518; II 389
HOTTER
George H. . n 198
JohnH.. n 132
niomas. I 275
NOTTINGHAM
J., n 193
NOYE. NOTES
E. Hayward, B 63
Elizabeth Gales
B 63
Eunice. I 725
F. . I 495
Helen Maria. B 63
Johns., n200. 546
J. T. n 193. 239; B
61-63
MUton. I 568
Richard. B 61
Richard K.. H 214. 323
539. 541; B 63
Samuel. I 662. 664
Samuel C. 1664
NUESSELE. NEUSSALE
— -. I 520
Louisa. I 722
NUNAN
James E.. n 132
NUNO-
Sig. J., n 160
JTTING
NUT
Abner. I 565. 610
NUVER
Mrs. Carberine. I T5T
Frank. I 757
Salissa. I 757
NUWER
. I 460
John, I 461
NYE. NIGH
. I 613
A. H.. n299.
Mrs, n 299
Edward H.. 1209
'TV-
Index of Names continued
NYE continued
Jacob, I 404
OAKS, OAKES
lsaac« I 462, 582-83
Janette, I 741
Samuel, I 741
SilaB A., I 516, 531
OATMAN
David C, I 348, 578,
580-81
Leroy S. . I 580; II 379
Lyman, I 345, 575,
578, 580-81
W. F., I 583
O'BAIL
Henry, I 145
John. I 65. 140
OBERHALSER
Mary A.. I 745
O'BRIAN. O'BRIEN
. I 521
J. W. . I 642
Jam a. I 278-79; H 139-
142
John. I 345
John P.. II 132. 142
Jules. I 346
Matthew, n 131
O'CONNELL
Miss, n 550
O'CONNOR
— . I 493
Angelus, n 304
Fr. . II 305
Toieph. II 336
O'DAY
Pttkrlck. n 350
ODELL
Addison. I 516
O. H. . I 627
O'DONNELL
John, n 130
O'DONOGHUE
John, n 305
J. V. , I 377
O'OONQHUE
John. I 377
O'DWYER
Fr.. I 377
Thomas, n 132
OEHM
Bernhard. I 756
Englehard. I 756
Englehart. I 457, 756
OGDEN
Col., I 185-86
T5avid A.. I 117
F.. n 252
George, I 391
OGILVIE
Col., I 185
OGI3:
George. 11 289
O'GRADY
Thomas, n 140
OLD KING
— , I 52, 56, 65
OLD SMOKE
— , I 65, 111, 501
OLDEN
OLDEN continued
Theodorus, I 607
OLDS
A. D., I 583
OLEY
Eleanor, B 51
OLIN
- — , I 618
Matthew R., I 621
William, I 597
OLIVER
Frederick, II 450
Rebecca, I 762
WlUlam G. , II 450
OLIVEY
Richard, II 298
OLMSTEAD. OLMSTED
— , II 489, 494
Charles G., I 184, 348; II
457, 530
Frederick Law, n 127.
488. 490-91, 501
John B. , n 486
Luclnda, I 120
Nathaniel, n 422
Nathaniel K. , II 357
OLNEY
— , n 544
S. J., I 599
OLSEN
Neal. II 412
OLVER
Nicholas, II 282-83
Thomas, 11 282-83
O'MEARA
John, n 306
P. M. , I 377
CMPHALIUS
Samuel J. , II 547
O'NEIL. O'NIEL
-— , I 81
Cton., n 53
Gen.. II 125-126
ITatthew. n 266
Richard, n 182
ONLEY
L. W. , I 554
OPPENHEIMER
Abraham, 11 400,
405
ORAM
Jans 8, I 688
Jane, I 688
ORCUTT
... Q 9*^
Daniel. H., II 423
ORDNER
John, 1 290-91, 404
O'REILLY
Fr. . I 483
^vester. II 539
ORMSBY
A., n 264
C»IR
A. M., I 613, 615
Abner, I 612-613
Alvln, I 612
Charles A., I 345, 612
George, H 133, 143-44
Robert, I 609, 612
ORR continued
Sarah, I 753
Volnev, I 612
ORTH
Paul P., II 411
OR TON
Joseph, I 664
Phllo, I 183
S. C. I 534
Samuel G. , I 462, 590
OSBORN. OSBORNE
- — , II 525
A. C, I 569. 614
Albert, I 569
Anna, I 558-59, 752
E. W. , I 569
Ellas, I 123, 177. 185
344, 538, 540, 345
Ethan, I 559
F. G. , I 769
Frank, I 566, 569
Harrison, I 369
James, B 68
John, II 299. Mrs. II 299
L. , I 423, 55o
Lemuel, I 95, 363-4.
474-5
Lydia. I 374
Mitchell, I 364. 369,
374
Morris, I 516
Seth, I 344
Stephen, I 344. 347.
364. 368,387, 603
OSGOOD
Benjamin. I 619
D. R.. I 461
Thaddeus, II 48. 276
06GOODBY
George M. , II 405. 486
O'SHEA
M. , I 377
06TRANDER
Amasa K. , I 754
Anna. I 745
Hosea, I 754
Ira W. , I 745
John W. , I 530, 745
John Z.. I 754
Mary E., I 754
Peter, I 479
Robert, I 516
Thomas, I 530, 745
Vashta R. I 754
OSWALD, OSWALT
Elizabeth N., I 411, 712
John, I 404
OTIS
Calvin N. . I 260. 265-67
Henry H., II 296. 298,
552
OTT
Catherine, I 727
Helen. I 745
Jane, I 745
Louis, I 496, 745
Louis F., I 745
Louis J. , I 745
Louis L., 1745
Mary, I 745
-71-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
OTT continued
MatUda, I 745
Michael, II 1 3
OTTENOT
Nicholas, n 131, 162,
235, 272-73
OTTO
, II 33
Jacob S. I 196, 198,
202
John, n 276
R.. I424;n 179
T., I 424
OVENS
W. S., II 131, 144
OVERTON
R. J. . I 605
OWTEN, OW^ENS
A., I 375
David A.. 1615
Dr. , I 577
BTf. . I 643
Eplnetus, n 299
James, I 654
Jane E. , I 606
CWISTANOATSQUONICH
— , 1380
PACKARD
A. J., n264
PACKER
. B. 107
Joshua. I 446
PACKWOOD
W. J. . n 444
PADDOCK
G. W. . n 295
Julia. I 240
2.. I 375
PAGE. PAIGE
Miss A., nsii
TOaton F, . n 375, 409
David, n 132. 311
Dr.. I 519
T5oIly. I 749
Edward H., II 372
Timothy, n 95
WUkinsonW.. I 290-91
WlUiam. I 462
PAINE. PAYNE
— . I 453. 549. 551
Albert. I 462
Charles. J. , I 279
Chester. I 766
Col.. I 416
TTW., II 343
BdirardI314. 537-38. 542.
545. 547. 551
Garret W. , I 328, 766
Ira. I 537
James M.. I 326-27
Lewis S.. I 259. 261,
266-67. 272
Mary Taber. I 423
Milton H. , I 537
Timothy. I 537
Walter. I 537
William B.. I 554
PAINTER
H. M. . II 281
PALEN
PALEN continued
— . II 264
Lieut. , I 295
PAl3ir&R, PARMER
— -. II 23, 239. 241.
193
A. , II 95
A. M. , I 760
Aaron. I 375
Alanson. 1 199; B 57
Asa J. W. . I 492
Benjamin. B 63
Charles H.. 1251
Charles N.. I 306
Charles S.. 1760
Cynthia J. . B 63
Edward W.. n 486
EdwinaK.. I 745
Eli. I 745
Everatd. n 141. 231.
374. 377. 396, 402.
511; B 63-64
Frank, I 554
George, n211. 231.
235. 244. 281; B
63-64. 70
Harlow. H 281. 373
Harlow C. I 306; B 64
Harriet. B 70
Harriet F. . B 63
Harvey C. I 493. 748
Innis B. , I 123
Job. I ;22. 572, 593
John, n 18-20. 23. 39
JohnW., n 486
Joseph. I 760
Joseph Richard, 1120-21.
312
Judah, I 741
N. B. , n 277
Mrs. Phebe. I 745
KufusC, n211 231.
235. 270
Theodore II 451
William J. , I 464
PALMERTON
— . I 651
Duram A. . I 733
Eunice A., I 733
Frank. I 733
Hannah, I 733
Henry, I 647
Joseph A.. 1651. 733
Joshua. I 646. 733
M. R.. 1651
Sarah. I 647
PARCELL. PARSELL.
PURCELL
Isaac. I 369; H 486.
439
M. . n 306
Robert, I 388
PARDEE
Mrs.. Charles W., B 24
^Itfic, I 369. 760
Edward. I 405
Harriet A., I 760
PARK, PARKE
— , n 486
Harrison, II 138
PARK continued
Hudson H. , n 486
Minerva. I 762
PARKER
Aaron, I 517. 737
Asenath. I 765
Caleb. I 393
Chester G. , I 479
Cyothia E. . I 393
Deloss, I 394
Dr., 1614
fTc. n2»8
E. Lewellyn. H 486
Eliza. I 729
Ely S. . II 380
Fannie. I 737
Harrison. I 589. 737
Homer. I 588
J., I 457, 730; n 212
J. B. . n 241
J. S. . I 578
Jared. I 885. 388.
393-94
Jason, n 193. 201.
271
Joel A.. I 566
John. I 765
Joshua. I 303
Julia A.. 1797
L. P. L. . I 374
Laura, I 394. Mrs. I
730
Lyman. I 385
N. M. . I 387
N. P. L. , II 443
Newton, I 388
Orlando K.. 1385. 388;
n441
Perry G, I 3 17; H 481
Rev.. 1463
IHc&rdR.. 1753
S.. n296
Sarah. I 737
SlUs. n 356
Smith. I 664
Stephen. I 394. 610
T. W. . n 444
"nieron. I 534
W. W.. 1421
Washburn. I 442. 445
WUberH., 1623
WlUiam, I 765
Zerah. I 478
PARKHILL
James 8. . I 516
PARKHURST
Ede. I 749
PARKINS
Wllfre4. I 706
PARKINSON
— . n 448
William H.. 1650
PARKBCAN
Francis. I 35
parmalee; parmelt
Abisl. I 582
Horace. II 279
Joel. I 364, 452
John J. , I 44b
Lemuel. I S28. 565,
-72-
Index of Names continued
PARMA LEE continued
Lemuel cont. « 588, 594
Rev., I 556, 607
g ^ 321
Theodore N. , II 329, 337
PARREN
Agnes, I 751
PARRISH
---. II 414
JaBper, II 53
Joaeph, II 16
PARSONS
— . II 193, 480
Armond, II 76
Comfort, I 566
Galusha, I 461
Gideon, I 122
H. C. I 423
Henry M, , II 278
James W. , HI 43
Johnson, I 461
Lorenzo, I 641
Lyman, II 51
P. F. , B 74
Samuel B. , n 298
Samuel v., U 147, 550.
Mrs.. 550
WllirS T. , I 303
PARTRIDGE. PATRIDGE
. I 663
AUen. B 53
CaPt.. n 315
E. P. , II 391
George W., n 146-47
WiUlam. I 590
PATCH
CXliver. I 564,- 568-69
Stephen W. . I 564
Thompson, I 564, 568
PATCHEN, PATCHIN
. II 236
Aaron A. , II 526
Aaron D., II 164, 523
Almus T., n 144
Talcott. I 595. 597, 600
PATRELL
Horace P. , I 44
PATRICK
Adrian, I 576
Marsena R. . I 243. 246-47
PATTERSON, PATERSON.
PATTISON
. II 300
A. C, n 288. 301
Alvln. n 190
Amarilla, I 423
Mrs. Ann, I 735
"Eawln C. , 11 486
Eliza, I 758
Emogene, I 7*8
F. Romelia, I 735
George I. , II 389
George T. , I 443. 445,
718
George W., I 303; II 51,
44
James, I 445. 551, 735;
II 133
Jennie M., 1717
Jessie, I 446
PATTERSON continued
John, I 718
Mary, I 740
Norman, II 190
W. , II 262
PATTINGILL
Allen, I 567
Eugene, I 569
George H. , II 390
Hiram, I 489
Oliver, I 125, 537,
539, 563
Truman, I 325, 567
PATTON
J. K.. II 486
Henrietta, I 742
PAUL
Adam, I 541, 555-56
Adijah, I 540
Carl. I 747
Charles F. , I 747
Cornelia, I 747
David, I 613-14, 721
Mrs. David. I 614
Trank, I 747
Freda, I 747
Gen.. I 246
lames W. , I 721
Jonathan. I 613
Lorance, I 721
Louis, I 747
Peter, H 164, 540
Rev.. I 509
lOieul. I 721
Sophia, I 720-21
Zoraster, I 614
PAULEY
Nicholas, I 520
PAULTER
Magdalena, I 755
PAULUS
Pfeter. I 305
PAWLING
Mrs. Albert, I 700
Mrs. Eunice Porter
Bird. I 430
Mrs. I 553
paST*""
Alexander, I 405; II 164
George. I 405, 521
PAXON, PAXSON. PAXTON
— . I 737
Amos B.. II 388
Mrs. Amy. I 737
THSrles B., I 737
James. I 526-7, 584,
737; n 487
JaneE., 1737
Julia, I 741
Samantha, I 722
Sarah H., I 737
William, I 530, 588
William H., I 733
William L., II 389
PAYER
F., I 521
PAYSON
Edwrard, I 462
Rev. , I 462
PEA BODY
PEABODY continiu'v
- — . II 311
Frank. I 644
H. H.. II 291
J. M.. n 193
Joseph, II 440
William H. . II 496
PEACOCK
W. H. , I 651
William, I 87. 654; II
20, 25, 80-81. 107,
HI. 223-224
PEART. PEARTS
— , I 57
Benjamin. I 54
Elizabeth, I 53
Thomas. I 53-54
PEASE
— , II 270, 314; B 53
Alfred H. , B 75
Arthur W. , B 75
Catharine, B 75
Elihu. II 108, 184
F. S. . II 25
J. M. , I 599
James, I 404
John Jr. , n 397
Rachel, I 721
Seth, I 78
Sheldon, II 183, 198;
B. 74-75
William T. , II 135, 189
PECK
Adjutant. I 270
B. F., I 446-47
Bishop. I 615
Christopher, I 545
Daniel, I 722
Elsie, I 752
Esther, I 722
Francis J.. II 300
George W.. II 296, 522
John. I 122. 390
JohnS.. I 748
Joseph. I 490, 494
Nelson. 11 431
W B. II 132
PECKHAlCl. PECKAM
— , I 454
A. , I 390
Maryette. I 759
Olive, I 462
Pardon. I 452, 454
Philip. I 454
T. N. , I 453
PEEK
Christopher, I 493. 553
H. S., 1550
J. K., I 550
PEET
James, I 303
Stephen. II 349
PELLS
JohnB., II 184
PELZEL
Ignatz, II 176
PENDER
Ann, I 747
PENFIELD
Daniel, I 676
-73-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
PENFIELD continued
Electa, B 32
Henry F. . I 676-77
Mary, I 676
PENFOU)
H. J.. I 581. 747
PENN
Richard. I 523-24
Thomas. I 523-24
William, 1713
PEr^ELL
George C. II 285. 289
405
PENNEY
Dr.. B 19
PEOT^LOW
John. I 464
PEREW
Frank, 11 500
PERGEL
John. I 614
FERINE. PERRINE
Henry E. . II 513
Richard. I 389
Rath Ann. I 739
PERKINS
AdaUne. I 741
Almon, I 599. 741
Caroline M. . I 739
Edgar B. . II 146. 487
Frank R.. II 144-45. 487
JohnW.. I 741
Lyman P. . II 487
Myron W. . I 604
Spencer L.. I 741
Waterman. I 739
William. II 280
Zenas. I 741
Zephaniah. n 184
PER LEY
T. M.. I 754
PERRIG
Aem.. n 325
PERRY
Adin J. . n 390
Albert, I 447, 558
Edward H.. I 461
G. W. . I 463
John W. . I 546
Joseph. I 442
Leonard B. . 11 278
Miles. II 138
Oliver Hazard. I 136-7
13a 146-7, 560; II 181
P. H. , I 650
Rev.. II 282
WTnslow. I 512
PERSCH
Francis. II 169
Frederick. H 273
Henry C, H 141-42
162. 235. 272-73. 397
PERSON. PERSONS
— . I 632
Byron D. , I 551. 55: H 390
Charles. II 131. 145. 267
Charles P.. I 300. 347,
546. 551
Gideon Jr.. I 123
Harry H. , I 537-38, 554
PERSON continued
Henry Z.. I 325-26. 537. 545.
529. 551
Magdalena. I 764
Robert. I 314. 325.
540, 542. 546. 551. 553
555
Robert G. . II 390
PETER GIMLET
— . 11 34- 3S
»TE]t3
Ella. I 714
Frank O. , I 714
G. M. . II 293
George. I 714
Henry. II 170
J. A. . r 241
James. I 177. 415
James W.. I 118, 574
John, 1713-14
JohnH.. II 170
Joseph, II 443
Mary, I 688
Nathan, I 525
Samuel G.. U 143-44
St^hen. I 646
Theodore C, 11 136, 328
347
PETERSON
Frederick. U 444
George, I 275
J. M. , I 629
Jane, B 18
Stephen. I 647
PETRIE
John, II 174
Sherman, n 196
PETSCH
D. . I 448
PETTIBONE
Jay, II 267. 400
PETTIT
Claude, II 350
Hannah, I 415
J. A., n 444
James M. . I 257
PEUGEOT
George. II 399
PEUTER
Philip, I 406
PFEIFFER
George. II 132. 154
George F.. II 140, 157
398
George P. . II 397
George T.. II 146
Henry P.. II 411
Louis, II 236
PFEIL
John, n 145
Peter, H 170
PFISTER
G. . B 85
PFITFEWMEYER
Mary A.. I 765
PFITZINGER
M., II 175
PFOHL, PFOHLE
Anthony, I 471
Francis, I 715
PFOHL continued
George. I 461
Jacob. II 142
Jacob H.. II 131, 142
PHALIN
Jeremiah. I 416
PHANNER
Conrad, I 766
Frederic <, I 766
PHELPS
— , B 83
Cidvin F. . B 65
Charles B. , H 450
Darwin, I 552
Frai^lin. I 583
George £.. I 461, 487
H. H. , I 643
Isaac, I 123, 344, 539,
555
Isaac Jr., I 183-84.
321, 538, 545; H
355-56
Israel Jr. , I 123
Jeannette. B 61
Ledyard R. , I 53j. 556
Oliver, I 60-61, 63-64,
66, 68, 75 209; B 61;
64
Orson. B 64-65
William C. H 522
Zerah, II 22, 32. 36.
197
PHIUPPBAR
Frederick W. , H 413
PHILLIPPI
Heinrich, U 176
PHILLIPS
Mrs. , Alice, I 766
Caroline. I 766
Henry. I 295
Jesse, I 766
Jesse A. , I 766
John H. . I 417, 766
JohnW., n 401
Joseph, I 483
M. , H 167
Sarah. I 725
Smith. I 651
Thomas T. . U 451
William A.. I 766; n
520
PHYSIC
II 414
PICKARD
Charles. I 389
Diana N. , I 767
Mary. I 710
PICKEL
Carry. I 750
Lorens; I 611
PICfOBNS
CUrence, I 761
Mrs. Edith, I 761
George S. . I 761
Joshua, I 761
Joshua J. . I 761
Phoebe H.. I 761
WiUlam. I 761
PICKERING
Charles, U : 7. 360. 362
-74-
Index of Names continued
PICKERING continued
■Col., 73
David, II 300
Edgar A. « II 289
PIDGEON
Charles D. , I 553
PIER
John. II 130
PIERCE, PEARCE, PEARSE
Aaron. I 504, 508
Adam, I 329-330
Caleb, I 514
Charles S., n 136-40,
359-60. 362, 367
Dr., II 281; B 83
Francis. I 626
George, I 504; B 76
George M.. I 330-31. 516
18. 520
George N. , II 539
H. W.. II 137
Hiram. II 525
John, n 136. 143-44.
519-20
Loren, n 115. 134, 510.
521
Marmaduke. I 375. 386
Mary, B 76
MoUie. I 488
Myron. I 651
Nathan. I 651
0. C. I 518. 521
Pardon. I 122. 513. 527
R.. I 554
Ray v.. 1238. 340.
343; n 236
Thomas, I 643
William, I 594
PIERSON, PIRSON
Andrew T. . I 292
Annie. I 766
Caroline. I 766
Daniel. I 553
Daniel H.. II 131
Edward. U 232
Mrs. Elizabeth, I 553
TjeSrge H. , I 766
John. I 766
Lieut. . I 269
Magdaiena. I 711
Philip. I 766
PIKE
— , I 572. 633
. Mrs. Charlotte. I 735
Charles. I 735
Charles W., B 80
Gen.. I 137
Ida Vaughn. I 735
Isaiah. I 735
Uriah D. , I 735
PINGRY
W. H. . I 636
PINKEPANK
1. H.. n 176
PINNER
James A., I 420-422
Michael, I 12; II 373. 377
396, 398-400
PINNEY
Ovid, II 357
PITASS
John, II 306
PITCHER
Leman H. , I 650
PITT, PITTS, PITTZ,
PYTZ
A. S., I 588
Mrs. Charlotte. I 727
ToCn, I 665
John A., II 258
JohnB., II 258
Pet*r, I 727
Philip, I 726
W. H. . II 541
William, I 42
PITTMAN
John B. . I 643
PIUS DC
Pope. B 38
PLACIDE
Henry. I 207
PLATT
— , n 108
Charles M. . I 441, 448
James, I 309
PLiESS
Frederick. I 448, 759
PLIMPTON. PLYMPTON
— . II 262. 264
Mrs. George. B 108
George A. , I 531
Luman L. . II 138
LumanK., II 137-38
M. A. , II 243
PLOGSTED
JohnF. E., I 251.
254, 302
PLUMB
H. M. , I 520
Joseph, II 193
Joseph H., I 345, 650,
653
Ralph. I 344, 347, 650.
653; II 76. 270, 280
Ralph H. . n 541
PLUM LEY
A. L. . II 139-40
Edmund J. , II 487
Edmund L. , II 285
POCH
Philip, I 443
POCHEL
— , I 562
POETTING
Henry, II 177
POHLMAN
Christian, II 177-78
Julius, I 350; II 541
POLK
Pres., B 78
POLLANDTE
Christian, I 449
POLLARD
B. F. , I 567
POLLEY
— , B 22
POLLOCK
--- B 38
POLTQRAVITZ
S. . n 309
POMEROY
— -. I 154; B 5 3
C. R.. I 641
Cynthia, I 750
Ralph M. . II 36, 45. 58
81-63, 70, 73, 79
352-53
Robert, II 112, 137,
234
William. II 353
POMPELLY
H. , II 232
POND
Chauncey, I 642
Jacob, I 584
L. , I 404
Laura. I 729
Susannah, I 642
PONTIAC
— , I 46-47
POOLE
Arthur A., II 518
Cyrus, n 139
Cyrus O., II 138
Parker A.. H 451
Rushmore. II 532
S. N. , I 605
POOLEY
Charles A.. H 487
Samuel M. , I 304
WiUiam. n 296
POPE
Gen., I 243
'TEooias, I 602
POPPLE
Alexander N. , I 653
William. I 652
PORT
M., n 325
PORTER
n 181-83. 188
Aaron L. , II 135
Archibald. I 477, 483
Augustus. I 77, 99. 116
178; II 17. 28. 55,
181, 222, 224. 453; B
99. 100
Benjamin, I 86
Charles E. , H 283
Cyrus K. , U 400
David O. , n 283
George P. , II 295
George W., I 461
H. H. , B 96
John, I 521
John Germain. II 279
Joshua, I 699
Miss, n 294
Moses, I 131, 136. 11 23-24,
62
Pfeter A., I 204
Peter B. , 87. 116-17,
131. 133-35, 137.
141-46, 160-63. 166-
67, 170-74, 176-7,
185, 189, 193, 202, 204,
308, 339-342, 344, 364.
434-35, 686. 700-01,
707; U 53. 55. 58, 62,
75-76, 79, 93-94, 314
-75-
History of Buffalo and Er-e Coaiity
PORTER continued
Peter B., cont., 345. 417.
323, 530; B 99, 101
Sally. I 748
Sanford, I 608
Stephe.iB.. II 4c7
POST
A.. I 373
Daniel. 11 131
J. C. IT 283
John, B 25 , (2
Margaret. B 23
William 11 133
POTTER
— . I 454, 579; II 226.
487
Abner. I 533
Abner D. . I 530
Ada I. . I 754
Alice F. . B 67
AUen. I 326. 329.
346. 528. 530. 532
Benjamin. 11 355; B 65-66
Beulah. I 735
Cephas L. . I 533
CUra R. . I 754
Cynthia. I 738
Diat. Attorney. I 198
ISFT, I 408
"ETB. , n 444
Erva. I 735
EsteUa. II 544
Fannie M. . I 466
Frank Hamilton. II 444; B 67
Gardner B. . I 741
George, I 754
George R. H 236. 517.
526
George S. . II 487
Gilbert. I 741
H. Evans, I 735
Helen Blanchard. B 67
Helen S. . I 741
Heman B. . I 298-9. 321.
348. 389, 677, 695-6;
II 47-8. 61. 72-4
78, 80-81. 112, 117.
133-4, 224, 235. 270.
313. 352-3. 393. 408.
436, 453. 455. 456.
458, 464. 482. 503.
517. 530; B 5. Mrs. II 54
Henry. II 358
Herbert V.. I 754
Hjgh. I 735
Jacob. I 516. n26. 532
James, I 754
Jennie. I 754
John. I 754. Jr. I 754
John Sr. . I 754
Joseph, I 754
Joshua. I 741
Julia A. . I 741
Levi, I 345. 532-33; II
388
Lindorf. B 65-66
LLssie, I 735
Lvicy. I 754
Mary. I 737
Mary A. . I 754
POTTER continued
MalinihU. B 18
Milton E., B 65-66
Milton Groevenor, 11 443;
B
Nathaniel I 526. Jr. U
349
Nettie^ I 754
Reuben, f 663, 754. Sr. I 754
Samuel, I 461; 11 443
fittnuel, Jr., I 466. Sr. I 466
Sarah, I 754
Sarah E. , I 741
T. W. , I 387
Theodore, I 599, 735
William, I 754; H 388
William Warren, I 251; H
444; B 65-67
Willie, I 735
POUND,
WUliam, I 595
POWELL
, n 262, 264
Col.. I 53-4, 58. 60
■(58-70; n 15
David, I 534
Dr.. I 532
Joseph, I 420
Miranda, I 619
Miss. I 56-59, 61
If OSes H. . I 471
Mrs.. 158
Thoeb^ Ann, I 471, 724
POWERS
Abigail, I 547, 694
Abram, n 207, 209
Asahel, I 362
Calvin, I 457
Dr., I 577
Inline, I 737
James, I 122
Lemuel, I 694
P. W., I 329
Philander, I 375
Stephen, II 339-60
Thomas J. , I 329-30, 349
PRATT
, I 550; n 117, 125,
192, 198: B 107
A., I 590
Alathea, I 761
Alice, I 737
Asa, n 34
Benjamin, II 35
Beulah, I 761
Byron F. , I 349
Catherine B 88. Mrs.
I 737 """~
Edward, I 268, 273,
546
EdirardP., B 88
Emma, B 88
Esther, II 34-35, 66.
276
F. M. , II 140-41
Frederick L., B 88
George C. , II 293
Gorham Flint, 11 418,
426, 436, 521; B
B 70-71
PRATT continued
Helen, B 68
HenenE., 1759
Hiram, I 667-68; TL
34, 65-66. 95. 102,
110-12, 134-36. 224.
503. 532; B 37
Jacob, I 364
Jeannie, B 68
JohnC. I 542. 545. 546.
Jr. 551-2
Joseph, I 273
Lucius H., n 137. 235; B
120
Lyman. I 588. 737
MarlUaA., 1669
Mary, n 66
MeUssa D., B 88
Mrs., n 276
73rlen. B 48-49
Pascal, Paoli, I 12. 194.
341; n. 127. 214,
230-33, 256, 263,
723-74, 323-24, 489-
90, 493, 496, 500.
536, 539, 552; B
67, 87-88, 120
Peter, I 381. 452, 632
Fbabe, I 735
Pbila N., 1742
Samuel, I 91, 153; H
17. 32-35. 38, 40,
66, 72, 107, 112,
312-13, 502:8 87.
Mrs., n 34. 66; B
120
Samuel Jr. , I 347; 11
40, 43-44, 107, 353;
B 71, 87. Sr B 71
Samuel Fletcher, n 137,
232, 263, 270, 518.
528; B 67-8, 87-8.
121
Mrs. Samuel Fletcher, I
7*62
Sgt. , I 267
Sophia C, B71
Stephen. I 622
William A., I 508
WiUlamF., B 71
William H., I 344. 588-90;
n 417. 421-22
William T.. II 358
FREFERT
John, I 471
PREISCH
George, II 283 -
PRENATT
A*, n 144-45
PRENDERGAST
Martin. I 178; n 223
PRENTICE, PRENTIS
Deacon. I 644
Horace, I 554
Sarah, I 629
PRESBREY
OtlsF.. n 141
PRESCOTT
Wmiam C. . II 139-40
PRESTON
-76-
Index of Names continued
PRESTON continued
Col.. I 137
George A. , 11 298
George H., n 233; B 117-
18
Merritt« I 375. 386
Reuben F., I 254
PRICE
Dr.. I 721
V. C, B 116
PRIDE
John B.. I 443-44; H 432
PRIDEAU
Gen.. I 43-44
PRIEST
Betsey. I 484
PRIME
J. A.. n290
PRINCE
Alpheua. I 345. 368. 388
George N.. 0 281
Jchn. n 135
JohnW.. n 135
Mr*.. 1377
pRlUdJC
Ittm. A. . n 552
prIngLe
Chas.. I522:n 417.
420. 422
PRIOR
Frank. I 637
James. I 637
PRITCHARD
Nathan. I 628
PROCTOR
Robert, n 282
ThOD&s. I 68-71
PR06SER
. I 483
Eraatus S. . I 343
PROUDFIT
W. P., 11423
ProTel. Christian. I 401
PROVOOST
Benj. A. . n 372. 396. 399
John M. . n 487
John S. . n 549
Samuel A. . Jr. n 232
PREWETT
Thomas, n 133
PRUDDEN. PRUDEN
Anna. B 122
Samuel S. . 11 439
PRYCR
J. H.. n 444
PUETZ
Frank, n 133
PUGEOT
George. 11 236
PUGSLEY
George E. . I 385
PUNDERSON
James M. . H 373
PUPIKQFER
Ernest G.« 11 441
PURDY
S.. n 193. 211
PUTNAM
Edward HaU. B 64
FrSnk Curtlss. B 70
PUTNAM continued
George Palmer, B 64, 70
Harriet Osborn. B 64, 70
Harvey, I 677; B 68
Harvey Worthington, B 70
Israel, I 48
James, I 479
James Osborne, I 339,
341. 343, 677; H 487,
527; B 63-4, 68-70, 86
James Wright, II 444; B 70
John, - B 68
KateE., B 70
Mary Hall, B 64
Seymour, I 450
PUTNEY
Joseph. I 477, 483
PUTRESS
Ebenezer B. . 11 360
QUALU5
WiUiam. H 294
QUAYLE
Ann. I 738
^UEENAN
James F. , n 487
QUIGLEY
Edward. U 306
QUINBY
. n 486
George T. , II 487
QUINN
Thomas, n 130
RABE
WUliamC. U 179
RADCLIFFE , RATCUFF
Chas., n 359, 394
Jerry, n 136
Misses. n311
Stephen M.i H 372. 396.
399
RADFORD
George Kent. II 494
RAFFEINER
Rev., n 164
RAHE
Henry, n 165
RAINEY
Hamilton, n 193, 287
RALTEA
Abram, I 546
RAMSDELL
Albert N., B 71-72
Alfred C. , B 72
Anna K. . B 72
Belle C, B 72
Bessie H. , B 72
Charles B.. 71
Clarissa C, B 12
Evelyn, B 72
Isaiah, B 71
Orrin P. , n 264-5; B 71-
2
Orrin P. , Jr. B 72
Thomas. B 71
Thomas T., 11 265; B 72
RAND
Benjamin L., I 420, 423
RANDALL
Anna. I 752
Annis C. . I 752
RANDALL continued
Charles B., I 412
James A. , 11 342
John, I 652
Lyman, B 34. 35
Millard, I 652
Nelson, I 301; II 132,
137. 359-61. 363, 367.
370-72, 383, 395,
406. 409
Wolney. I 301; U 132
WiUiam E., I 412
William H.. 1258.412
599, 714
RANDOLPH
Thomas B.. II 353
RANKIN
A. T., I 423; II 281-2
Sylvester, 11 443
RANMEY
O. W., II 192
RANO
Charles O.. H 391
RANSOM
Albert F. . I 247
Amasa, 11112
Asa. I 74. 80-1, 83. 86.
92. 95. 96. 99, 116.
149, 347, 360, 379-
85. 423, 545; II 18-
20. 23, 32. Mrs. H
18-19
Asa Jr., 1381
Catherine, H 19
Clark, n 377
David, n 528
Dr., II 511-12
l!iras, I 98, 114, 321,
381, 384. 398, 400;
II 107-08, 134. 285.
313; B 102
Harry B., I 80, 216-17, 299
345, 380; H 270
John E. , I 247
MaryR.. H 19
Portia, n 18
W. G.. 1735
W. W., I 664
RAPEN
Edward. I 727
Louis. I 727
Samuel. I 727
Sophia, I 727. Mrs.. I 727
Theodore, I 727
RAPP
John, I 627
RAPPOLD
H. G., n343
RATHBUN, RATHBON,
RATHBORN
, II 542
Mrs., Anna C, B 10
"^Bnlamln, I 212, 686;
n 134, 224. 226-27;
B 82. 91, 113
C. F. , I 589
Charles H., II 366-67,
395, 397. 400
Charles N. , I 739
Charles S., I 588. 738
-77-
Hlatory at Buffalo and Erie County
RATHBUN cofiftifiued
Everett S. , I 738
Fernaado Philander, I S22
Flora, I 738
J., Henry. 0 443
James. I 599. 738
JeeeieB.. I 738
LouUe. I 738
Lyman. I 298-99. 310; n
227
Maria. I 738, 739
naiander. t 51f
RAUCH
CbarlesR.. H 249
RAUERT
CterlesE.. 1259. 261.
267
Charles H.. H 370
RAVEILL
Rev., 1463
RAWSoK, RAUSON
DanUl. I 123
Rev,. 1590
warren G. . I 640
RAY, REA. RET
Alexander. I 86
F., n 179
lliomas S, . n 539
RAYBURN. REYBURN
P. C. n 487
Thomas C.« II 464
RAYUOKD
Chas. H. . n 136. 430.
522. 532
Or.. 0 533
E. R.. I 577-78. 560
Edmund. I 583. 663; O
352
Irad. I 748
Lyman R.. I 748
RAYNCR. RAYNER. RAINCR
AlODKO. O 136
Aufustue. I 324. 344. 387
Charles A.. 1388
Frank. I 483
John. I 460
M.. 0 434
REAM
Susan. I 713
REAR DON
James. 11 130
REARICK
EmeUne. I 729
REASONER
Rev.. 1463
REnBOW
Adolph. O 487
REBSTOCK
J. E.. O 286
RECKTEMWALT
N. C. 0 257
PSter. O 131. 139-40.
143. 236
RECTOR
NichdUs. I 595
RED JACKET
. I 55. 64-5, 69,
72, 75, 94, 111-2
126-8, 145, 160,
162, 165, 166, 176,
RED JACiOST continued
178-9, 185-7. 194-5. 199-
200, 203-04. 206-07, 230,
365. 502. 503; O 24. 506; B
REDFERN
James A.. B 115
REDFIELD
H. J.. O 110
Horace. I 589
J.. 1666
. O 414
REBO. READ, R«D.
RIED
. B 79
Anna, I 579
Catharine. I 711
Charles, I 460
Charles M.. O 186; B 75-
76
Dr.. 0 281
flUaheth, I 716. 746
Enuna. I 741
Fanny, t 766. Mrs. I 714
Hawley. U 184
Isaac, I 562
Israel. I 155, 538. 563
J. W.. 1637
James. I 576. Mrs. B 21
John. I 399. 7nCr7l6
JohnW.. 0 398
Lsnrrence. I 557
Mary. I 741
Nelson; I 504. 508
R. D.. O 391
Rufus S.. O 182
Swuuel S.. I 530. 741; O 368
Sarah. 1746
Tunis. I 741
William. O 281
REESE. REBS, REISS
Chas., B 120
David. I 113. 122, 157;
0 28. 38, 40, 51. 57.
60, 68, 110
George. O 350
Gilbert W.. O 450
WiUiam I. , O 300
WiULamS., I 324; O
136, 135
REBSER
D. , I 464
REEVE. REEVES
Aaron G.. 1748
Betsey Maria, I 748
John. I 748
Judge, B86
Tappan. I 699
REGAN
Matthew F.. 1288
REHM
George J., O 139-40
REICHERT
Charles, I 496
George, O 132
REIMAN
Jacob, O 169
REINECKE
Frederick, O 156
Ottomar, B 118-19
-78-
REINHARDT
George A., 0 272. 381
REINHEIMER
11 Geo., O 144-45
REINWALT
A. L. , I 404
REISCH
Amelia. I 727
Mrs. Barbara, I 727
sSTard. I 727
Frances Y.. 1727
John. I 727
Peter. I 727
RBISSIG
E.. 1615
REOST
Abr^iam. I 534
Anna. 1 524
Christian. I 724
Daniel. I 402, 714
Elias, I 402, 523
Bsthsr, I 524
Jacob. I 524
John. I 399. 402, 405.
524. 714
Maria, I 524
Peter. I 524. Jr. 1 524
I J.. 0 540
George J. . O 131
Martin, 1421
REITEB
B.. O 166
RITHART
C. O380
REMINGTON
C. K.. 0 529
George U, 1247, 348;
0 367
James, I 445, 462
REPENTINI
. I 44
RESICSKI
I 521
SL
. D 193
REU
Leonard. O 174
REUBER
J., O 175
REU9CH
George, I 401. 406
REXFORD
George C. n 382. 387
REYNOLDS
. I 606
A.. O 271-72. 528
C. W. . n 293
David S. . n 520
E. W.. n 300
F. E. , O 451
H. A., I 651
Hiram H., H 278, 373. **'
50
James, I 528
James L. . n 370, 401 .
Nathaniel G. . T 546. 5fii
357-58
RHINES
Adeline. I 471, 724
Index of Names continued
Judah,
Naomi,
Peter,
Sally.
RHODES, RHOADES
RODES
Adam, II 45
Anthony, I 382, 391
Catharine, I 391, 729
Daniel, I 730
I 642
I 739
I 730
I 744
RIALL. RIEHL
Frederick, II 266
Gen., I 151, 163, 166-
58: II 58
RIBBEL
Charles H., II 487
RIBER
Mary, I 750
RICE
— , I 613; II 311
Alfred, I 618
Angelett, I 560, 721
Asa, I 694. II 96
Edwin, I 621
EUhu, I 123. 160, 617-
19. 621; n 356
Fanny, 11 466
G. S., II 298
Lloyd, I 552
Victor M.. I 342, 345; II
138-39, 317
WiUiam M. . I 466
William S. . H 145, 317
RICH
Mrs. Abbie. I 816
AlEert L. , I 752
Andrew, II 60
Andrew J., n 230, 271,
324. 549
C. B., I 345, 367-68
Charles, 11 280
Charles S., I 616, 751
Charles S.. Jr., I 616
Edwards., H 236-37, 256
534
Gaius Barrett, I 306, 678,
682; n 230. 235. 270-71
Mrs. Hannah. I 616
Israel. I 613, 616, 752
Jane, 1719
Johns., I 616
Lydia C, I 616
Martha S., B 199
Mary D. , I 616
Nathan M., I 616
Ruth. I 724
Stephen R. S., I 616
William H. H., I 616.
752
William W., I 616
RICHARDS, RICKARDS
Anna. I 730
Arba, H 426
C. W.. I 518
Charles B. . II 442
Dr.^ I 569
Mrs. George. B 121
Jesse J. . n 443
Lewis C. I 257
P. S.. I 554
RICHARDS. RICKARDS
continued
Rev.. I 553
rkHIaRdson
— , I 483. 566, 612,
614; II 204
Addie A., I 721
Alanson, I 644
Amos, I 469-70
C. C. I 555
Charles, I 213
Edward H.. 1757
Elijah. I 644
Ella M., I 721
Fannie A. , I 758
H. A. . I 757
Harris E., I 721
Harvey W., I 543-44,
555. 644; 721
Increase, I 608
James H. , II 417
Jeremiah, I 644
JohnT., 1730
Martha. I 718
Mary E. . I 711
Thomas, I 644; 11 350
Thomas B., I 711
W. H., I 757
William, I 268-69, 272;
n 133
RICHELIEU
— . I 22. 23
RICHMOND
— , I 619; II 265; B
83. 95
Alonzo. I 331. 333; H 212-
13, 231. 234; B 72-73
Anna, I 632
Anson. B 72
Dean, I 248; H 193, 222.
235, 271, 533; B 44..
73, 75, 96-97, 106, HI,
117
Frederick, I 115. 123, 160,
297, 299. 617, 621,' 633,
636
George, I 115, 617-18. Jr.
115. 617
Henry A. , II 541; B 73. 75
Hugh, I 581
J. M.. n 513, 528
Jacob. I 641
James M. , I 635-36
James N. , 11 382
Jewett Melvin, I 333; II
212, 214. 231, 254.
374, 548, 548. 550;
B 72-73, 75
Josiah, B 72
M. M., B 72, 73
Vashti, I 642
RICKERT, RICHERT,
RICKART
P., n 381
Jacob, II 133
Louis P., I 304; II 144,
178. 526
Rev.. I 520
"SopHia C, B 81
RICKETTS
RICKETTS continue.'
Eli, I 762
George W. , I 546
Sarah, I 762
riddle
Lieut. . I 154, 172
RIDER
Charles E., II 551
Charles M., I 621
Horace, I 619
James. I 345. 621-22
RIEBE
Caroline. I 763
RIEBLING
John. II 173
Martin. II 160
RIEGER
Rev. , I 509
RlfiGLfe, RIEGEL
A. J., n 296
Andrew, I 389
Philip, I 385
William. I 388
RIESENFELD
Emil. n 413
RIESTERER
Austin. I 766
Edward G.. I 766
Emma E., I 766
JohnM., I 766
Martin. I 766
Ubert, I 766
RIGGER
Fred. II 132
RIGGS
T. G. , II 545
RILEY, REILLY
— , II 198
Aaron, I 299-301. 314-
15. 325-6. 345, 542,
547, 549, 551, 53,-
556, 558. 60, 721,
752
Anna Mary, I 560. 721
Bennett, I 341
Dayton, I 559, 752
Dennis, I 160
DeWitt C, II 487
Ella Grace, I 560
Ella S., I 721
Isaac, II 280
James, I 558-59, 752.
Jr. 752
JohnG., n 138
JohnO. , I 549. 612-3
619, 752
Joseph, I 314, 490.
495. 542. 547. 549,
752
Marriett Emilv, I 560
Marv A., I 721
Michael, I 288
Philip D., I 612-3, 615,
752
Rev.. I 652
"SopEia. I 560, 721
William H., I 752
RINCK
Mina, B 84
WiUlam, B 84
-79-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
RINDSKOPF
Louis, n 307
RINEBOLT
Alsace, I 766
Ignatius, I 766
RINEWALT
Adam, I 714
Adam L.. I 714
Henry, I 7'4
RING
C. A., n 444
J. L., 11253
WUllam, n 132, 441
RIPLEY
Allen, I 375
AUen P. , n 296, 298.
343
Allen P. Jr. , II 343
Gen,. I 160-61, 164-67,
""T70, 172; II 70
Rgv., 1463
Srah, I 570
RIPONT
P. J., n 131
RISIUS
Henry, I 766
J. H., I 766
Mary, I 766
RISSfSl
Daniel, I 471
RISUWSKI
R. W. , I 521
RITSCHEL
Albert F. , II 412
RITT
M. Leo, n 131, 273
RITTEN
J., I 517
RITTER
Victor, 643
RITTMAN
Abram, I 754
George A. , I 754
Irene, I 754
John, I 520
Mathias, I 754
RIVER
Frederick, 1611
ROBBINS
n, 266
Daniel. I 120
Edward, C. n 487
EdwrlnC, II 287
N., B 90
Rev.. I 590
Wnnam, n 19, 20, 32,
40
Winfield, I 339
ROBERT, ROBERTS
Amos. I 550
B. T. . n 299, 349
Eleanor, I 404
EUjah J. , n 135, 329
Henry E. J. , II 346
Isaac M. . n 412
James A. . I 346; 11 236
391, 487
John. I 621; n 131
John D. , n 297
JohnO. G., n 178
ROBERT continued
Leander J., I 602-04
O. N. , I 606
Paul, I 417; n 138
Warner. I 404
ROBERTSON
Johns., n 146
ROBOB
JohnE.. 1241, 247. 303;
n 343, 403
ROKNSON
, I 642; n 193, 486
A. B.. I 423, 654
Alanson. H 279
Albert. I 482
Albert B. , II 450
Mrs. AUce. I 451
Wril Almira. I 718
TCnoa. I 469, Mrs. I 453
C. C. , I 576
Charles K.. H 487
Mrs. Clark. I 682
iSfntel. I 381. 453
Erasmus D., 11 137
Finley, I 494
George. I 451
George A. . II 487
HeUn. I 724
J. B., n 302
James. I 413
Joh^. I 664
LydiaM.. I 724
Mary. I 684
Mary. iBlisabeth. I 451. 718
R. L.. I 387. 396. 606
S. M. . I 534; U 133
W. D. . n 412
Wllltam. I 451. 642.
618; n 389. 443. Sr.
I 451
William E.. H 337
ROCEK
Joh^. I 509
ROCHESTER
Judge, n 531
Nathaniel, n 533. 540-51
Thomas F. . I 304; H 323.
420. 428. 442. 541, 546.
549. 550, 553
WiUiam B.. II 223-4. 229.
457
ROCHEVOT
Geo., n 144. 249
Henry, n 146
ROCKWELL
Augustus. B 88-9
Daniel. B 88
James Otis. B 89
Margaret. I 714
WLUiam. B 88
ROCKWOOD
Amos. I 599
E. A. . I 306; 11 399. 540
Emma, I 737
RODENBACH
Christopher, n 140,
235, 529
Louis, n 273
ROEHER
Pauline, I 718
ROELLER
G. P. , I 588
ROESCH
Frederick. 11 172
ROESSEL
C. II 174
ROGERS. RQDGERS
. I 610; II 485.
525. 535
Albert S. , 11 444
Caleb. I 398. 403-04
Catharine. I 377
Charles, I 327; H 216.
350
"Commodore". I 619
700
Cyrus. I 568
Dr., n440
■STTh.. 1766
Eugene V.. I 401
Fanny. B 80
Fillmore, I 664
Franklin. I 293-94
Gustavus, B 79
Gustavus A.. H 281, 443
Henry W., 1250, 274.
276, 348; U 362. 370
436. 473-4. 523.
526. 534. 536; B 28.
77-79
Jabez J. . n 394-95
James. H 132. 146.
306
James L. , n 516
Jedediah, II 186
John. I 368. Mrs. I 479
JohnC, I 4417148
JohnR. B.. n 414
L. L. . I 376; II 296
Lewis, n 324
Lydia. B 80
Mrs. MarlUa. I 479
grs.. I 377
l^rsls. I 759
Richard. I 413
RDbert Camercm. B 80
Samuel. B 78
Sherman S. . I 336. 343,
346; n 233. 281. 487,
541. 550; B 60-61.
79-80
Thomas J. . n 146, 522
W. W. . I 642
WiUiam F., I 235. 238
241. 244, 247. 303.
304. 306, 341; H 127
142-43, 349, 365,
367, 387, 395. 404.
409. 411. 489-91. 496,
526
WiUiam H. . I 641
Wilson. I 345
ROHA
Margaret. I 736
ROHAN
JohnH.. 1284. 2f5
ROHR
Heinrich v., II 177-78
MathUs. B 80-8'
RODL. ROLLS
-80-
Index of Names continued
ROLL, ROLLS continued
Eliza R., I 734
George, I 443
M., I 494
ROMAYNE
Nicholas, U 414
ROMER
— . II 486
Alexander, I 757
Carrie E., 1757
Isaac J., I 757
J. P., I 852-54
John, I 757
JohnL., I 461« 463. 757;
n 487
Mrs, Leah, I 757
Martin Van Buren, I 757
Nicholas. I 652-54
Washington Irving, I 757
ROCKER
1654
ROOP
Henry, n 69. 108. 137.
234; B 117
John. I 155; H 69
R006
George, n 248
Henry, n 170
Jacob, n 153, 248
ROOSEVELT
James. I 402
ROOT
, I 158, 389, 517-
18; n 72, 215-8,
219. 239, 245,
Adrian R.. I 241, 247,
304
Amos. I 578
Daniel, I 404
E., n 193
Edirard. H 514
Ellas. I 419, 714
Elisabeth, I 731
Erastus. B 86
Esther. I 731
FrancU H.. U 230-1. 233
235. 239. 245. 298. 322-
3. 511. 513. 516. 552;
B 40-41
Henry. H 114, 116. 135. 224.
514
J., n 72
J,. 0 72
Jacob. I 731
John. I 100, 695; U
139. 441 453. 455-6
522. 549
JohnC. 1730-31
Julia. I 731
Kind. I 512
Maria, I 731
Mary, I 731
Miranda, I 401, 714
Sophronia, I 462
Thomas, I 575
ROSALINE
Sister, II 554
ROSE
Chester, I 660, 662
Henry, I 405
ROSE continued
Ira W. . I 423
J. I 504
J. F., I 386
L. P., I 421, 423
William, n 177
ROSENAU
David, n 254. 308
Solcmon, II 308
ROSENBERG
Charles, I 651
H.,'n 308
ROSENBLATT
EUaM., 1755
ROSENKRAUZ
Louise. I 718
ROSENTHAL
Rev. , I 521
RdsSfi
Asa, I 752
Calvin, I 615
Jonathan H. . I 752
William E.. 1752
ROSS
Theodore, I 7' 8
ROSSEEL
Charles, I 304; B
109
ROTH
, n 168
Henry. I 496
ROTHENMEYER
Henry, I 387
ROTHER, ROETHER
Chas., O., n 540
Christian. U 177
J. C, n 178
W.. n 166
ROUGH
James I 202; VL 113,
182. 189, 504,
530
ROUNDS
Edirard H. , I 306; n
533
S. P., B 40
ROWAN
James C. I 117, 439
ROWE
Abel, I 86
J. G.. I 567
ROWELL
R., I 582
ROWLEY
D.. I 599
Daniel. I 554, 563
David, I 538
Hattie, I 737
Henry, I 446
Josiph, I 470
Lydia, I 579
Moses, I 579
Mra . I 553
T^IIver G.. I 612, 615
Mrs. Phebe, I 554
RUCH
Michael, n 168
RUCHDESCHEL
C. W., n 398
RUDDEROW
RUDDEROW contkriued
John, B 73
RUDEN
. n 193
RUDOLPH, RUDOLFF
Victor. I 516
Wilhelm, U 157
RUDY
John, n 364, 379
RUGER
Augustus, n 241
J. W.. n 241
RUHLAND
F. Th.. n 176
RUHLMAN
G. M., n 131
aUMRILL
Henry. B 81-84
Levi H. , B 83
Luther, B 81
RUMSEY
. n 244
Aaron. I 543. 614; II
136, 2441 B 33
BronsonC, I 333, 614.
753; n 230-1. 324.
513, 546, 549. Jr.
614
Dexter P., H 234, 493.
511, 546-7; B 113
Fayette. H 132, 139; B 33
L. D. . n 547
Lawrence B.. I 614
Mary E. . B 32
RUNCIE
WlUiam J. , U 395. 548
RUNCKLE
Charles H.. 1267. 272
RUNK
E., n 172
RUNNER
Mary E., n 444
RUNYAN
Jane, I 741
Susan, I 740
Terrace, I 740
RUPP
Chades A., U 146-7; B
82
RUPPUN
Fr.. I 521
HlfPPkECHT
Erhardt. I 463
RUSBRIDGE
Rev.. I 463
RiySHT^USCH
. n 414
Friederich, H 154
Sebastian, II 154
RUSHMORE
I 640
RUSSELL
Mrs. Angeline. I 474
^etTie M. , I 762
Casper L. . I 733
Cclia M. . I 474
Charles, I 621. 651
Charles B., I 762
Dorothy, I 710
Edwin, I 733
-81-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
RUSSELL conllaied
fUrrietN., I 533
Harry J. « 1738
Honry. I 362
Honry P.. n 527
HoirardA., 1762
Humphrey. I 733. Sr. 733
Isaac. I 3-29-31
John. I 122-3. 563. 560. 631-
633. 640. 642
Jonathan. I 205. 366. 369.
375
I 198
. I 762
Marlbah. I 761
Marlnda. I 642
Mike LoseU I 762
MUlardF.. I 566
R. E. . I 762
Robert. U 137. 359-60
S. W.. 1257
Samuel. I 176, 341.
346. 474; U 223. 527
Samuel L.. 11 285
T. J.. I 576
Thomas. I 450. 661. 733
W. P.. B2
Warren K.. II 379
Washii^ton, U 133. 141
WLIliamC.. I 563. 578.
762; n 236
WUllam W. . I 650
RUSTIN
Sgtf, 1267
Christian. I 403
RUTTER
Thomas, n 141
RUXTON
. 11 95
RYAN
James. II 132. 142-3.
526
Mathias. n 130
Stephen Vincent. I 510; n
168. 303. 305-06. 550;
B 81
RYDER
John A.. n297
RYNECK
Rosella. I 748
RosellaW.. 1748
W. H. . I 580. 748
WllUam A. . I 748
RYTHER
Carmine. I 576
Julia A.. 1752
SACKETT
JohnB.. n 141-2.
145. 317. 392.
396. 366, 408-09
Marcus n. 487
Reuben. I 503
Tyler. I 512
SACKRIDER
. I 146
SADO
Chauncey. II 355
SADDLER. SADLER
Christopher. I 82. 381
SADDLER contUaied
Henry. I 449
Henry P. . I 450
Jsmes B. . I 386
SAFFORD
A. N. . B 48
EUjah M. I 457. 461
EUsha. n 133. 143-44
Henry. I 387. 462
JohnU.. I 457. 461
SAGE
cues. I 123. 513
Mary M.. Moon. 1760
SAGER. SEQAR. SAEGER.
SEAGER
Anton, n 165
Aurora. I 375. 386
Innocens. I 448. 521
Katherina. n 170
Konrad. O 170
Michael. U 294
J. n 510
iiyler. II 295
SAGOYEWATHA
. I 64-5. 179. 194.
200. 204
SAHM
NlchoUs. I 294-95
SAINT
Clair. Gen. . I 69. 71
ST. GALE
, I 248
ST. JOHN
. I "52 5
Abicall. B64
AureUa. U 45
Elijah, n 45
Gamaliel. I 388; U 44-45
108. 310. 312. 503.
Mrs. I 154k 157-8; H
44-45. 57. 60. 63-65.
68. 74. 187
Julius. I 444
L.. I 718
Maria. B 65
Orson S*. TL 426. 430
Samuel. B 64
Sarah. I 688
TlMinkful. I 534
ST. MOLITOR
Stephan. n 155
SALE
JULIA. I 752
SALFAS
Ft., n 305
salInger
John. I 599
SALISBURY
Aaron. I 115. 160.
344. 346. 572-75
577, 582; H 479
Anna. I 741
Benjamin F. . I 303
E.. I 504
Elder. I 480
EliasO.. n 535
Emily Jane. I 748
GuyH.. n 123. 180.
226. 328-29. 333.
335. 345. 510, 535;
-82-
SALISBURY continued
Guy H. , cont. . B 37
James. C. n 540
Maria. I 579
Samuel. I 375; H 431
SbiithH., I 119-20.
122. 158. 389; H 32
50. 74. 108. 222. 327-
28. 332. 345. 530.
542
SALTER
Charles. U 147
Joseph, n 224
SALZIAAN
G.. n 173
J., n 173-74
SAMO
Jame s B. I 12; U 414. 438
548
SAMOGYI
Alpys, n 165
SAMPLE
John. I 122 387
SAMPSON
Perrin. I 641
Peter. B 22
SAMUEL
Ft,, I 377
SASSbRS
£. L. . 1 See
Nathaniel. H 32
SAND
John. I 469
BCary A.. 1716
Salome. I 744
SANDER
Ernest. U 165
Henry. H 165
SANDERSON
. n 197
Homer, n 298
SANDMAN
Jacob. I 448
SANDON
L. A. . I 580
SANI»OCK
George. II 212. 273
SANFORD. SANDFCRD
Allen P. . I 464
Altha. I 730
Anson. I 464-65. 757
Ellhu. I 465. 475. 757
EmUy E.. I 464-465
James H.. H 333-34
Lewis H.. n 475; B 28
Maria B. . H 465
MaryE.. I 464
Patience B. . I 475. 726
R. M.. I 553. 556
SANGER *
Eugene M.. U 487
SANOTT
Margaret. I 764
SAPERSTON
Jacob, n 309
SARGENT
, n 517
Henry. I 481
Isaac, n 416
Nathan. 11 |14
Index of Names continued
SAUER
Adazn,II 32
Carl, n 169
Charles, n 131, 143
SAUERWEIN
Henry, n, 381.-82, 399
SAUNDERS
AtweU, I 742
Capt., I 144; n 509
'Ensba, I 444
Jacob, I 531
JohnC, n 539
L. D. , I 638
Nancy, I 742
Mrs.. Rhoda, I 742
Wmiam. £., I 444; H 389
SAUTER
John, n 179
SAVAGE
H. R., 1623
Thomas, n 140-41
SAWm
, B 30
Albert. I 549; n 132, 477
Benjamin, I 554
Silas, n 135, 138
SAWTELL
Elvina, I 712
Elvira M., I 411
SAWYER
Frederick A* , I 272
George P., n 231, 323
Jamies G,, U 212
Nathaniel, I 225
Sarah, I 710
SAXE
John. I 507-509
JohnB., I 555, 638
SAXER
Dr. , I 388
SAXTON
Asher, I 321
E. R,, n 131
Phebe, I 717
SUaS, I 377
SATENGERAGHTA
. I 52-53, 56b 65
SAYER
Charles A., I 254
SCANLAN
Michael, I 421; U 127
SCARCE
Henry, I 401
SCATCHERD
, n 200
James H«, n 297
James N., II 214, 298,
526, 550
James N. S. , II 549
John N. , n 547
SCEPPLER
O., I 521
SCHADE
Louis, n 444
SCHAEFLER
Aloys, n 167
SCHAERFF
C, I 377-78
SCHAFFNER
Henry W., II 412
SCHAMMEL
Henry, I 531
SCHANZERENBERGHER
Christoph, I 387
SCHANZLIN
H., n 272
Jacob, n 153
SCHARIG
John, I 521
SCHARLOCH
John, I 509
SCHAtTNER
Joseph P. , n 487
SCHAUER
E. P. , n 168
SCHEELER
. II 259
P., II 548
SCHEFFEL, SCHEFFELS
G., n 360
Rev., n 167
scheFfer
Louisa, I 723
SCHEFFLER
Mrs. , I 460
SCHEFTER
Mary, I 725
SCHEIDEL
Andrew, I 520
SCHEIK
Joseph, I 494
SCHELL, SCHELLE. SHELL
P., n 169, 70. 553
Harriet, I 767
John, n 377
William H., I 554
SCHELLING
Robert F., n 487
SCHENACKER
John, I 303
SCHENCK
Jacob, I 711, 714
John, I 406, 509
Michael, 1711. 715
Susan, 1711
Veronica, I 715
SCHENKELBERGER
Jacob, I 294
SCHERF
Henry, I 534
JohnG.. n 368, 380
SCHERMER
Henry, U 132
SCHERMERHORN
Byron. I 247
Isaac M.. H 527
M. K. . II 301
SCHEU
. I 460; II 548
August F., n 251
Charles. I 757
Henry Jacob B 84
Jacob, n 130, 141-42,
144. 235. 249
Louis. II 147
Philip, n 247. 368
SolcKXion. I 303. 342.
757; n 139. 142-43
i4£^ 162. 251, 272
380. 520; B 84-85
SCHEU continued
Sophia, I 757
William. II 273
SCHEUERMAN
J. . II 541
SCHEVER
Louis ? I 713
SCHIEFER
Johann. II 171
John George. II 170
SCHIER
WlUlam, n 132. 146-7
SCHILD
C. L., II 169
SCHIMMELPENNINCK
Rutger Jan, I 76
SCHINABECK
Fr. , I 448
SCffllTRA
Conrad, If 540
SCHLAGDER
Adam, TL 157
SCHLANDERAFF
Wllhelmina, I 723
SCHLEE
Francis, I 665-66
SCHLEGEL
Jacob, n 172
SCHLENK
A. . I 509
SCHLEYER
Margaret. I 757
SCHLOPP
C. n 173-74
SCHLUETER
WiUiam, 1377; II 179
SCHLUND
. n 243
SCHMALZ
Emma, I 745
Frank. I 745
letha, I 745
■ John J. . I 745. Jr. I
745
Magdelena, I 745
Mary. I 745
Sophia. I 745
SCHMELZER
Christoph, II 177
SCHMIDT, SCHMITT
Anthony, n 167
Augustus. I 666
Bernard. II 168
Christopher, I 294
Francis Joseph. II 165
Frederick, I 666
George A., I 517-18.
519
John, I 463; II 172
Klllan. n 174
P J B 81
wWam, I 406; n 369
SCHNITZER
Emll. I 767
Frederick. I 767
Mrs. Margaret. I 767
scffiJUii
Henry L. . II 146
SCHOEFFEL
. n 544-45
-83-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
SCHOEFFER
S. F., I 448-9, 509
SCHOEFLIN
J. , I 507
SCHOELLES. SCROLLS
Adam, 1715
AmeUa, I 714
Andpeas, I 714
AnnaE.. 1715
Mr«. Anna MarU. I 714
CSn&rini, I 715
EUsabctti, I T14-15
Jacob, I 714-15
Jacob P., 1715
John, I 401, 714-15
Loin, 1715
Margaret. I 715
Mary, I 714-15
PhiUp, I 714. Jr I 401
Sarah, I 714
SCHOELLKOPF
Alfred, n 245
Jacob F., n 159, 161-2,
169, 212, 214, 232-3,
245, 252, 272-3, 513,
529, 550; B 85
John RusB, n 245
Louis, n 245
SCHOEMAKEIi SCHUMAKER
, n 247
Mre. Catherine F., I 766
T^aSEsrine Louise, I 767
Mrs. Catherine T. , I 767
Conrad, I 766-7; U 179
Edson G. , n 232
John, B 93
SophU, I 766
William, I 727
SCHOENFELD
Gottfried, n 177
SCHOENING
Margaret, I 726
SCHOENTHAL
John, n 171
SCHOENWALD
Albert, I 289
SCHOEPLIN
Charles, I 509
SCHOFIELD, SCOPIELD
Annie, I 724
Edwin, I 272
SCHOONOVEN
O. F., I 615
S. W., I 529
SCHORNSTEIN
E., n 169, 174
SCHRADER
Philip, I 388, 731
SCHRANKEL
John, I 460, 757
SCHRENER, SCHREINER
Barbara, I 735
NichoUs, n 257
SCHRIER
George, I 421
SCHRIVER
Renora, I 747
SCHROEDER, SHRQEOER
Ch., II 173
M. , I 644
SCHUCHERT
Anna, I 767
SCHUDT
Philip, I 508
William, I 504, 508
SCHUETLER
John, I 389
SCHULER
Adam, I 766
Andrew, I 7M
Mr». Magdalene, I 766 '
MSf&ew, I 766
Pvter, I 534
SCHULTE
G. A., n 179
SCHULTZ, SHULZ
Caroline, I 759
Ernst, n 160
Frederick, I 521
Gottfried, n 380-81
Joseph, I 390
Peter, n 173
SCHUMER
P. J., I 517
Frank, I 520
SCHUNERMAN
William, I 469
SCHURR
Peter, I 493
SCHUSLER
John, n 249
SCHUSTER
George, I 599
Martin, I 599
SCHUYLER
Bdrs. Louisa B. , I 407
13n7n287
p. B., n 443
PhlUp, I 307-08
SCHWABL
Sebastian. II 273
SCHWARG
J. R., I 760
SCHWARTZ, SCHWARZ
, II 485
A. S. , H 373
Abram, n 221
Adelaide, I 757
August, I 757
Catharine, I 757
D. C. . I 446
Edward, I 757
Eugene, I 757
Frances, I 757
Frederick, I 421
G. W.. II 219
Helen, I 757
Henry, H 171
J. F., n 141
John, n 131, 170
Josephine, I 757
Julius, n 390
M. M., I 460-61
Mary, I 757
Matthias, I 460, 757. Jr.
757
SCHWECKART, SCHWEICKERT
James. I 588
Sarah, I 736
SCHWELL
SCHWELL continued
Carl, I 566
SCHWERT
Marcus, I 517. 520
Plus, I 629
SCHWINGER
Chrtstoph (Christian)
1417, 420-21, T67
William, I 417
acisM
W., I3T6
SCCS7
Madison, I 640
SCOTT
B« 49
eI'j., I 554, 622
Edwin A. , I 639
Prsderick, H 302
George B. , n 451
George W. , I 326-28
Harriet N. , I 674
Jared, I 95, 564, 608
John. I 532-33; H 134.
p8S, 51i
JolmM., n 130
Sst.. 1270
T^ I 504
wVl., n206, 200-210
WilliamK.,I674;n
136, 138, 437
William M. , n 130-131
William R., 1296
Winfleld, I 159-164.
166-68, 216-17, 281.
425. 676; H 70-71. 74
SCOVILLE
C. H. . I 420
Hrastus. n 236
Jonathan, I 238; H 239-40.
341
N. C, n233. 239-40
SCRANTON
Hamlet D.. H 136
Hannah, I 488
SCRIBNER
, B5
P. N. , I 418
SCRIPPS
George H. , H 342
James E., U 342
SCROGGS
Gustavus Adolphus. I 234.
259-60. 301, 303.
347; II 367, 400, 406,
409, 487. 516
SCTHOULEPNIKOFF
Serge de. U 164
SCUDDEN
Eben. I 531
SCUTT
H. B. , n 256
SCWHORM
George W. , I 369
SCHAEFFER , SCHAEFER.
SCHAFFER, SHAVER
SHAEFER
. n 347
Barbara A.. I 758
Catherine. I 763
Ed. C. n 412
-84-
Index of Names continued
SCHAEFFER continued
Frank, I 289; II 390
Gustavus A., II 250
Henry, n 170
Henry L., II 250
John, n 161, 234, 411-12
Margaret, I 765
RegLna. I 727
SEAL
Joseph, n 452
SEAMAN, SEAMANS
,1 405
Marvin, I 471
WLUiazn, H 135
SEARLE, SEARLS
AddUon, I 433; H 285,
288-9
David, I 599, 643
George S. , n -296
Macy B. , I 566-67
Samuel, I 562
Samuel J., 1562-63, 566
W, A«, n296
SEARS
, I 619, 637, 640
Mr a. Charles, I 619
Trank.A., H 143-44, 520
Harry, I 633
Richard, U 136, 192
Seward H.. I 614
Thomas P., n 273
SEATON
John, I 377
Lewis, I 377
SEAVER, SEVER
, 11 487; BUI
Daniel U*. , n 359
Nathan. W., n 32, 312
Robert W., U 354
W. A., n 333-34
SEBALD
Catharine, I 745
SECOR
Anna, I 747
MaryH., I 747
SEDGWICK
Noah, n 378
SEELEY, SEELYE
Miss C. E., n
Mril Elizabeth, II 276
John, n 59
John J., n 276
Lieut.. I 149
Nehemiah, I 122; n 352-53
Walter G., I 304; U 130
SEEREITER
Peter P. , n 540
SEETER
Charles, I 460
SEIB
' ClB rle^, I 449
George, I 766
Henry P. , I 766
Jacob, I 766
Louise, I 766
Mrs. Mary, I 766
SEfSERT
N., n 131
SEIBOLD
Jacob, n 235
SEIBOLT
Fr. P. . I 448
seITOl
Julius, n 179
SEITZ
Christina, I 726
George, I 726
John, I 715
Joseph, I 715
Mrs. Magdalena, I 715
TgrF. Margaret, I 726
seCRS^an
Louis, n 169
SELKIRK
Charles E., U 264
George H. , 1251,
256-7; II 337, 339
John H. . II 281
SELLECK, SELLOCK
Eugene E. , I 752
Fayette D., 1752
Horace, 1612. 614-15
752
Jeremiah, I 752
Jerome B. , I 752
Jesse, B 82
Jonas, I 752
MUes, I 752
Randall J., I 752
SELLEW
AshbelR., 1653
SELLSTEDT
Lars G. . II 541
SENECA WHITE
, I HI, 203, 490
SENN, SENNE
Aug., n 176
J., n 179
SENTELL
Charleflk H 328
SERGE L
John, I 752
LEONARD. I 612, 752
SERVICE
William, H 247
SESSIONS
Rev.. I 590. 663
Samuel, I 582-83
SESTER
F. M. . I 757; II 303-04
SEUERMANN
F., II 166
SEVERANCE
. I 444
Charles C, I 344, 349,
635-6, 639. 641. 735
Consider. I 735
Henry. I 636
SEXTON
Jason, I 250, 328; II 270.
549
SEYE
Hendrick. I 78
SEYFANG
George, I 389
John, I 388
SEYMOUR
— . II 193
Cynthia, B 109
EliBha W. , I 275. 286
SEYMOUR continued
Harriet Lucretia, I
676
Henry, II 93
Henry H. , I 306; tl 487
Henry R.. I 341; II 95.
113, 134-135. 530
Horatio. I 345, 349;
II 373; B 51. 87. Jr.
U 138. 474
J. A., n 131, 144
Poly dor e. I 546
Walter M.. 11 108. 110,
112-113
William, n 131
SHANG
Frank, I 566
SHANK
GeorgQ I 448
SHANNON
George, I 374
M., n 145
William, n 133
SHARP, SHARPE
C. R.. n 111
J.. n294
Matilda, H 113
SHATTUCK
Rev.. I 633
shXTTTol
Louis. I 305
SHAW
— . II 103. 245
Albert W.. H 278
Dr.. I 589
'EHgar A. , I 733
Edith. I 733
Edmund R.. II 487
Herbert, I 733
John, n 283
Joseph, n 293
M. Eugene, I 285; II 443
MerriU H. . U 443
O. C. n 444
S. H.. I 663-64
Salmon. II 520
Thomas, n 283
Timothy. I 564
W. H. . I 386. 463
W. M. . II 297
W. P.. I 566
SHAY
George. I 480
SHEARER
JoS'phH., I 546. 549.
551
M. B. . I 423
SHEARS
John. I 576
SHEDD
Andrew. I 619
Mrs. Eunice. I 619
TraTl 619; II 422
SHEEHAN
— , n 485
Fr. . I 377
ToKn. II 143-44
JohnC, II 145-46, 487
William F.. II 487
SHEESLEY
-85-
HUtory of Buffalo and Erie CounKjr
SHEESLBY continuad
AdaM.. I71S
Cbrlatian, I 715
David, I 715
Eliza A., I 715
LavyD., I 715
Lilla D., I 715
Mary E«, I 715
SBEFFELS
v., I 321
SHELBY
Dan, n 545
SHELDON
, I 454
Alexander J. « (1823-1876)
n350. 537
Corp.. 1244
£jrtl415
lT. Ezeklel. I 123
l^derlck« U 357
Col.. Jamea 3rd (1782-1850)
^Tl83. 667; U 76, 134, 297-
Judaa Jamea 4th (1821-1887)
'^ri2, 336. 346-7, 667; n
119, 128, 133, 137-8, 147
452. 457, 462. 475, 485,
487, 536; B 30
U, Jamea 5th (1856-1937)
"^ 303; n 487
Joaeph, I 526
MlBB Mary Cheaebro (1825-1906)
11 324
William, I 87. 452, 454
WlUiam P., fl 364, 379
SHELLEY, SHELLY
R. S.. n 378
Richard I 604-05
WlUlam W. . I 605
SHELMAN
PllQyC, 1612
SHELTON
WlUiam. I 464; II 285, 289, 510
531
SHEPARD, SHEPHERD
— . I 514
CharleaE.. H 487
CharleaC, H 258
George H.. I 285
Henry H. . I 589
Jamea D. . II 448
James M., n 520
JohnD., n 258. 270, 511
JohnH., n 142-43
Joaeph. II 135
Orrllla, I 589
Oraon, I 422
Ralph. I 517
Sidney, n 211. 230, 239,
511
Walter J. . n 258
SHEPHERDS(W
Daniel. I 652
SHERED
HaniMh. I 557
SHERIFF
George, n 133. 296
SHERILL
. I 640
SHERMAN
, I 420, 663; H 193
Alice D., I 761
Arthur. I 761
Benjamin M., 1650
BlUa, I 651; U 312
C. A. W. n 140, 400
Charlea, I 612. Mra. I 624
Daniel H.. H 148
DWfM, I 662; n 391
Dftaduna. I 394, 731
B. M., 1623
ElitaaR., 1761
GMrge, I 381
Mra. Harrlette. I 534b
liSc. n 137. 235. 523
Job, I 761. Jr. I 761
John, I 662. 761
Joaeph S. . I 761
LeroyB., 1761
Lucy A.. 1761
Lydia, I 780
M. B. . I 690
Marietta, I 738
Mary A. . I 761
Mary Ellen, I 761
MaryL, 1761
MUton B. . n 412
Mordecal B. . I 761
Pardon C. B 118
Phabe, I 740-41
R. D. , n 549
R. J., n 549
Rebecca. I 761
Reuben C. , I 761
Richard, I 627. Mrs. I 624
Sarah E.. 1761""""
Shadrack. I 626
Zuba, I 761
SHERWIN
Betaey, I 749
Biaael, I 749
SHIPPEN cootimied
. n 414
Daniel, H 307
Moaea, H 487
SHERWOOD
— . 11 111
Adlel, I 321; n 212; B
3
Anna J. . B 103
Buckingham. B 103
G. N., B 93
MerrlU B. . B 28-20
Thomas. I 639
Thcmaa T.. U 453. 464-
66, 473, 475; B 28-29,
78
William C. . n 234
SH1FFLER
Annie M. . I 732
SHIMER
Bdvard J.. 1731
Jacob. I 731
John, I 390, 731
Mary, I 731. Mrs. I 731
SHINN
. 1 460
SHIFMAN
D. W, . 1 663
G. W. . I 578
SHIPPEN
ChriatianB., 1715
Fannie E.. I 715
George. I 422
laaac. I 715
Jacob. I 405, 715
LaaraA., 1386, 715
Sarah E., 1715
SHOOK
Jamea, II 190
John, n 190
SHOPE
Abraham Jr., 1381
Abraham St., 1381. 385
Jacob. I 381
SHORT
Frairii, U 148
LeviE., n 133
SHUMWAY
Horatio, I 344; U 104,
270, 453, 461, 476.
483, 523; B 61
Horatio H.. 0 316
SHURLEY
E. R. P.. I 235: n 387
SHURTUFF
Anm. B 110
SHUTTLBWQRTH
C. J.. 1604-05. 640-
641
H. F. . n 252
J.. 1504
SIANGAROCHTI
. I 52-53
SIBLEY
, n 266
LucienG., U 452
MarkH.. Xt 482
W. A. , I 652
SICARD
, n 485
George J. , n 487. 533
SICKMAN
Charlea, I 519
Charlea. W.. I 417. 419.
421
SIDWAY
Mra. Frank, I 682
Franklin. H 232. 546.
550
Harry, B 108
James H. , n 124
Jonathan, n 95, 107.
109-111, 184-185.
288'
SIDWELL
Thomaa. n 32
SIESENPFEIFFER
C. n 173
SIBBER
Conrad, I 289; n 131
SIEBOLD
A. L, n 547
-86-
Index of Name a continued
SIEBOLD continued
Jacob, n 152, 168
SIECK
John, I 599; 11 178
SIEFFERT
I. Ch.. II 176
J. I. , n 296
SIEGEL, SIGEL
, II 246
Catharine^ I 737
Charles, I 518, 520,
523
Henry, I 591
John, I 518
John P., 1754
SIEHL
Frederick, I 597-98
SIEXAS
A. B. , I 432
SIGMAN
Albert J. , H 487
SnCES, SYKES
Abl^lM., 1738
Edwrln, n 242, 278
Ellen, I 754
Freeman, I 754
George W. , I 754
M. U, B 96
S. D., n242. Mra. n 241
SUas, B 17
Simeon, I 754
W. S. , I 583
WUIF., I754;n 242
SILL
— , n 117, 183, 188,
196
Charles A., 1345. 566
Charles B., H 147
Deloss A. , I 548
Henry S. , H 274
Joseph, II 281, 353
Mra^ Kezlah, II 276
T9la!&iniel. I 122, 347; U
51, 56b 276; B 100
Richard E., U HO
SethE., 1225. 342; H 137,
473; B 78
SILLAWAY
Eunice. I 753. Mrs. 753.
Mrs. 753
Harvey, I 753
Narcissa, I 753
SILLIMAN
Willard S. , I 293
SILVER
D. M. , II 487
SILVER HEELS
, I 145
SILVERSTONE
L. , I 420
SIMKINS, SIMPKINS
J. N., II 297
J. S., II 296
SIMMET
Mary, I 755
SIMONDON
Henry, I 413
SIMONS, SIMMONS. SYMONDS
-— . I 337, 618
Benjamin. B 68
SIMONS continued
Catharine. B 1
Daniel, I 590
Hannah. I 732
J. S. . I 622
Marcius. II 430
Nathan C, II 127. 145.
232
Olive. I 407
Philip, I «9
Roderick. I 621-622
Rudolphus, B 1
Seward A. , H 487
Susan. I 769
WarenW.. 1621-22
SIMSON, SIMPSON
Bishop, n 295
Clarence D., II 145
Douglass, I 405
Everett B. , I 767
Fannie^ I 768
Mrs. Frances, I 768
Trancls M.. I 767
Hattle A. , I 767
Ira, I 643
James, I 42j5
John, I 127. 416. 418,
422, 425-26. 767-68
John R. . I 767
Josephine C. . I 767
Mary. I 425. 763. 767
Robert. 1413-14. 422. 425
Volney, I 767
WiUiam, I 420-21, 554
WQliam B., I 419. 767
WiUiam T.. 1767
SINCLAIR
D. J. . I 387
D. M. , II 299
David, n 552
SINSEL
. n 170
SINZHEIMER
— . II 307
Hirsch. II 307
SIPP
Frank. I 346; II 144. 370
SIPPEL
G.. Paul. I 665
George. I 665; Jr. . I 665
John. I 665
SIRRET
— . II 268
Emile G. , II 133
WiUiam B.. I 304. 349; H
143
SISLER
Hattle H. . I 742
John, I 742
Sarah. I 742
William. I 493
SISSON
Alexander, n 391
Ambrose. I 654
Benjamin, I 657
Daniel. I 661
E. W., 11 391
Lemuel, I 657
Lydia M. . I 760
Nathaniel. I 656-57
SISSON continued
Patience G.. I 760
Stephen, I 657
Stephen A. . I 650
WiUiam, I 657
SISTO
Fr.. I 377
sUTSr
Henry H., I 300-01; H
I 300-01; II 109, 193;
B 95. 106
Henry M., U 110
JohnM.. 1275, 279,
284-285
Thomas J., 11 487
WiUiam S. , II 404
WiUiam T. . I 288
SKEELS
D. C. I 444
SKIDMORE
B. W.. n 131
SKILLEN
Robert M.. I 373
SfQNNER
. I 73; n 18
Aaron. I 597, 739
Benjamin. B 86
Dolphus, n 362, 368
Isaac Watts. U 5321 B 40
Jane A., 1722
JohnB., m 281, 323, 549;
B 85-87
Judge, n 462
L. A., I 482. 556
Lucinda, I 739
Palmer. I 597
Sarah. B 78
Sophia. B 40
Thomas, B 85
Wilson E., II 412
SLACER
WiUiam H. . H 391
444
SLADE
Harry, I 344; II 131, 453.
462
Samuel. I 439. 4421 H 139,
143. 317. 541
WiUiam. I 443, 446
SLAGHT
— . I 653-654
Charles, I 651
SLATER
J. M., I 578
SLATKY
J. M., n 307-308
SLATTERMENT
F.. I 509
SLEE
J.D.F., II 202
SLEEPER
— . I 610
Ira, I 461
James F.. I 621
Jane A. , I 743
John. I 610. 752
John A. , I 566
John S. , I 752
Rufus. t 610. 752
Sidney. I 611
-87-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
SLEEPER continued
Sidney S. . I 752
SLENDER
Henry, I 629
SLOAN
Alexander, I 303; n 387
James. 11 72. 444
ThomaB, I 241
WUUam, n 294
WiULam J., I 305
WlUlam W.. n 251, 546
SUXUM
Pyer, Q 444
Hiram. I 559
James E.. I 303
WaiiamH.. n 550
SL06S0N
Belden. I 321
SLOTE
John, n 240
SBfALL
John. I 492
Joseph. I 469
SMEDLEY
. II 270
SMILEY
B. F. . I 457
Benjamin D.. 1757
Norman B., I 757
Samuel. I 757
SMITH. SMYTH
, I 418. 542, 552.
556, 761; II 117. 192.
207. 220. 300; B 47, 79,
94
AbigaU. I 740
Abljah. I 603; U 377
Abram, I 537-38, 556-57
Albert, I 742
Alexander, I 129, 131-136
Almon. I 90, 525
Alsey E. , I 534b
Amasa. I 90, 513. 516-17,
525, 527-528
Amiah, I 90
Amos, I 123, 585
Amy, I 525. 527
Andrew J. , I 737
Ansel, I 624, 626
Arabella P., I 761
Asa B., I 479
Augustus. I 647. 734
Avery L., II 264
Barnabas, I 761
Benoni. I 534a
Bertha. I 742
C. A. I 374
C. C. , 1 302
C. D. , I 374
C. E., I 457. 460
C. F.. I 551
C. T. , n 544
Calvin, I 735
Calvin C. , I 632
CaroUne, I 712. 727
Carrie. I 742
Cephas. I 523
Charles H., 1303; H 286
Charles L.I 534b, 742
Charlotte S. , 11 41
SMITH continued
Christina, I 725
Christopher. VL 133, 145
Clarence, I 769
Duiiel, I 90, 92, 416, 512-
13, 525-526
Duiiel A.. I 479
Darius. H 359
David. I 517
David B. , I 626
Dtborab, B 72
Dr., 0 296
TT, I 390. 618
Miss E.. n325
E. B.. II 548
E. C. . I 637
E. D., 1404
E. H., 1419
E. S. , I 446
E. Peshine. n 330
Edirard. I 742
Edward B., I 12; H 214,
723- 275. 294. 533
Egbert. I 566
EU B*. 11290
Ellhu A., n 414
ElihuH.. n 440
Elijah P.. I 575-76. 580
626. 748
Elisha. I 344. 532. 534a-b.
516. 741-42; H 417
Ellsha Fitch. I 534b
Elisha T.. 11231-232
Eller^P.. II 441
EoU W.. 1742
Ezekiel. I 90. 525. 528,
Jr.. 90. 525
P. O.. 1639
F. Falston, n 487
Frank. I 769
Frank A. . I 636
Frank G.. I 374
Frank N.. 1769
Frederick. H 411
G.. n296
G. G. , n 130. 283
Gen., n 509; B 39
George, I 405
George W. . n 136, 299
Gerri^ I 432
Gilman. n 134
Greenman, I 569
Griffin, II 297
H.. I 424; n 325; B 90
H. E. , I 389
E. R., n 228
Harriette I. , I 534 B
Harry, I 554
Harty, I 738
Harvey, I 664
Helen V. , I 534b
Henry. I 599, 605-06; U
280, 282, 367, 395
Henry C. , B 89
Henry K., 1215, 348. 419;
n 117-18, 138, 235, 332,
470-71, 527. 532; B 28.
78, 102
Henry P., I 417, 423
Henry T., II 270, 546
SBflTH continued
Hiram, I 663
Horace L.. I 479
Howard M. , H 205
HoweU, I 599. 643
Rowland. I 599
Humphrey. I 536-38.
65 8. 661
I. Craig, n 207
Ira. I 742
Isaac. I 497
Isaac S. . I 432; U
92. 113-14. 116. 135.
193. 269. 33:; 514-15.
531
J. H.. 1738
J. Hyatt, n 291
Jacob, n 133
James. U 526
James H.. H 244
James L.. U 443
JamesM.. 1336. 671.
673; n 119. 147. 193.
231. 289. 423. 48^ 511.
536; B 29
Jam«sR.. n233. 500
James S. . I 306
Jane. I 553
Jennie. I 738
John, I 534
John A., n 133
John Henry. U 273
JohnM.. n 138
JohnN.. n 170
Joseph L.. n 518
Joseph R. . n 441
Joseph W. , I 345, 627; n
131. 230. 273
Joeiah. I 628
ge. n 482
JST 1257
Lewis. I 421, 520;
n300
Lizzie A.. I 769
LodemaG.. I 737
Lydia. I 652
Lyman B. . I 349; n 487
Lysander R. , I 303
M. L. n 547
Maland. I 621
Margaretta. I 766
Maria L., I 534b. 741
Martha. Maria. I 750
Martin. I 404
Mary J. . I 534b
Mathias, U 164
Michael. I 642
Mortimer. I 742
Mortimer F. , I 534b. 742
Moses, B 89-90
Mrs. , I 520
iTatCan, I 570
Nathaniel, I 626-27,
748; II 379
Nathaniel K. . I 626
Nehemiah, I 525, 565
Nelson, I 664
Norton B.. H 147
Olive, I 729
Oliver, I 637. Mrs. 637
-88-
Index of Names continued
SMITH continued
Oziel. I 123, 344. 401-02
405, 411; n 41, 107, 112
Patrick, U 137, 140. 496-
97
Peter, I 432, 434
PUny. I 328; II 382. Jr.
I 641
Reeder, I 375. 386
Rev. . I 556
■RHoda, I 742
Richard, I 90. 123, 344,
513, 516-517, 525, 534; II
352
Rodney B., Jr., 1261, 264
272
Rufus. II 417, 420, 422
RuaseUD., I 477, 479
S. C. I 405
Sally. I 606, 721
Samuel C, B 89
Sarah, I 525, 731
Sheldon, I 198. 311; H
135, 453, 463
Silas, n 430
Simon, I 738. Jr. I 738
Sophia. I 748, 761
Stephen R.. 1739, 40;' 735;
II 300
Stephen W., I 651, 734
Sumner C, I 375, 422
T. Ralston. II 280
Theodore, I 641
W. F., I 248, 251
Walter, B 89
Walter B., I 597
Walter D., I 722
Willard, H 353-354
WLLliam. I 553-54, 632; n
38; B 89
WUIiam B., II 143-44
William C. n 412. 518
WiUiam H. , n 396, 548; B 90
William L. G., I 306, 3 41; H
140. 370-372
WiUiam M., II 399
William N., I 305, 533
William T.. I 528
Zenaa, I 90, 123. 513, 525
SMITHER
John, I 643
Robert K., n 132
SMOOT
John W. , n 353
SMULLER
Rev.. I 556
SNXITfi
, II 263
SNASHELL
— , I 556
John, I 557
SNEAVLY, SNIVELY
David, I 714
Esther N.. I 714
Mary. I 465, 755
SNELL
H. P. , I 400, 403
SNELLING
Col., I 176
SNtET
SNIET continued
George, II 168,
^--303
SNOW
George B., II 449-50
Irving M. , II 444
Reuben G.. 11 236, 430,
449
SiUs, I 442
William, I 117. 439
William S., H 332
SNYDER SCHNEEDER,
SNIDER
, I 598
Abraham. I 715
Alonzo P.. I 516
AnnaM., I 758
Benjamin, I 715
Capt.. I 61
^atKerine, I 769; B 120
Mrs. Catharine, I 715
^Erlstina, I 723
Daniel, I 447
EmQ, II 412
FsLnny, I 731
George, II 163, 168
Germain, I 666
H. H. , I 590
Jacob, I 482, 643, 715
James, I 448; II 178
John, II 411
JohnW.. I 715; U 146.
Joseph, I 292
Louis, I 715-16 723
Mrs. Mary, I 716
Ifatthias, I 723
Michael, I 401, 406, 715
P. J.. I 716
Peter, I 390
Philip, I 448
S. A. , I 390
Theodore. 1417. 509,* 767
Theresa, I 756
138 Mrs. Veronica, 1711, 715
WIITlam A., I 290 '
SOEMANN, SOEMON
Anna, I 757
Barbara, I 757
Caroline, I 757
Charles, I 460, 757
Chas., J.. I 757
Francis J. . I 75 7
John, I 757
Joseph. I 757
Margaret, I 757
Peter, I 757
Mrs. Theresa, I 7 57
Joannes. I 521; II 164
SOLDAN
KarlF.. II 169
SOMMER. SOMERS
Frederick, I 275
J. A. I 418
Matilda. I 727
SONNICK
Peter, L., I 289
Philip, II 444
SOONONGISE
— , I 179, 193-95
SORG
Joseph, II 157. 164
167, 304
SOUGH
David C, n 359
SOULE
Luther. I 594
S. L., I 651
S. W.. I 349
Tibbett s J. , I 722
SOUR
Joseph, B 57
SOUR WINE
Daniel, I 306
SOUTHARD
Samuel L., II 2 87
SOUTHWELL
Mary, I 748
SOUTHWICK
Alfred P., U 450
Clarinda B. , I 760
D. B. , I 627
Edmond, I 761
Z., I 575, 578,
748
Enos. I 657
Ernest. I 748
F. L. , I 581. 663
Frank, I 748
George. I 657. Jr. I 648,
657
Georgiana, I 761
Grace, I 761
Hannah. I 657
Idan, I 748
Jane. I 719
Jesse. I 602
Job. I 346, 575,
577. 627, 657.
748, 761; U 391.
Jr. I 657, 761
John J.. I 748
Jonathan. I 657
Joseph, I 748
Josiah, I 575. 578.
581, 761
Lawrence. I 748
Lillian, I 748
Lyman, I 761
Phebe. I 761
Priscilla. I 761
Richard. I 761
Richard E. I 748
Sophia I.. 761
Sophia I. , I 748
Stephen, I 602
Wheeler. I 761
Wilfred W., I 748
SOUTHWORTH
E.. I 580
JohnH., I 748
Lyman, I 748
William. I 748
SOUVERHILL
James M. , I 371
SPARKS
WiUiam, II 135
SPARLING
Anson, I 377
Charles. I 377
-89-
Hlatory of Bu^alo and Erie County
SPARLING continued
George, I 362
Rev., I 463. 606
^TEion, I 362
SPAULDING. SPALDING
Charlotte, I 720
E. W. , II 349
Edward, I 677
Edward R.. 1682; II 232
Elbrldge Gerry, I 12,
227, 233, 235-37. 333,
340-41, 344, 437. 677-
82; II 135-37, 229-30.
232. 270. 473, 528; B
10
Mra. Fanny, I 499
Prank P., II 382
Harlan P. . I 636; n 382
Henry, I 612, 640
John P., I 755
Levi, I 681
Luther, I 403-04; H 426,
430
Lyman A., II 224
Parley B.. H 423
PercU, I 719
Rufua, n 353
Samuel S., I 681-82; n 232
530; B 118
Sarah M. , I 762
Thomaa, I 755
SPEARMAN
Alfred S. . II 441
Simon, U 193
SPECHT
Val. , Jr. , II 548
SPEERS
— . I 552
SPELLMAN
Oliver W. , n 382
SPENCER
Ambrose B 2
BurraU, n 193
BurraU Jr., H 367, 395,
400
D. . I 493
Harvey C, 11 389
Harvey S.. I 516-17,
520
John, I 175, 181-82.
440. 445, 454. 522,
533, 556, 582. 590,
598, 622. 642, 663
JohnC. I 184, 325. 398;
B 86
Nettie, I 743
SPERRY
Ella, I 760
M. M., 664, 760
SPICE
Sarah, I 768
SPICER, SPEISSER, SPICHER
— . August, n 397
Charlotte, B 110
P., II 166
SPIEOL
Joseph, n 165
SPIEGEL
Marcus, n 308
SPITTLER
SPITTLER continued
Jacob, I 754
Kate. I 754
SPITZMILLER
Ambrose, n 273
SPITZ NAGEL
Gustav. II 160
SPLETTBR
Minnie, I 734
8POERI
Francis, II 164
SPOONER
— , I 540, 551
Dorr. I 545, 551
OvrlghtM., II 390
Gardner, I 381
Lemuel, I 542-43
Samuel. I 569
Whipple. I 492, 554
SPOOR
John* I 386
William, I 385
SPRAGUE
— , n 487
AldenS., TL 135. 278,
420, 425, 431, 436,
522
Arthur, n 378
Asa. I 525
Carleton, n 258
E. Carlton, I 336, 343,
695; n 29. 106, 487,
546. 548
EUa. I 629
Henry S., H 233. 541
Henry W. . II 487. 541
Leonard, I 590
Martin, I 572
Mercy, I 741
Noah P., I 347-48; n
117, 224, 234. 514,
531
Norman B., I 532-33; U 315
O. J., 1622
Seth, I 572
SPRAYTH
David, I 404
SPRINGER. SPRENGER
H.. II 173-74
H. C. II 2-8. 347
LovLna L., B 118
SPROUT
Eden, I 641
SQUIER. SQUIRE
JohnB., n 538-39
Miles, I 533
Miles P.. I 177, 46^ n
108. 276-277. 290. 530
MiUer P. , I 445
STAATS
Barent L, II 95, 108-09.
514
Barent J., n 531
Jeremiah. II 109. 135, 255
STADIN
Oloff W. , I 285
STADNITZKI
Plater. I 76
STAFFEL
Conrad. II 413
STAFFIN
Jacob, I 661. 664-
65 n 33
STAFFORD
Lilly, 1658
R.. n268
R. F., n 268
STAGE
Hiram, I 450
STAGG
, 11 135
Henry Rutger. n
135, 329. 422
B37
STAHLSCHMIDT
Daniel, I 389
STALEY
Christian, I 716
Edsrard W. , I 716
Ella A., I 716
Isaac. I 716
Mrs. Margaret. I 716
Rpy Sherman, I 716
STALL, STAHL
John, I 494
Mary, I 711
FhiUip, n 179
STAMBACH
Peter C. , 11 387
W. P. , I 504
STAMP
J. , I 504
STANARD
Asa, n 51, 54-55. 196
352
Benjamin, II 190
Charles, H 190
Walter S. . H 137
Walter W.. H 138; I
345
STANBRO
-.— . I 633
Almon W., 1636, 639;
n 382, 487
Charles. C. , I 636,
644
Deacon. I 644
Dr. , I i39
George G. , I 275,
635; n, 382, 398
STANCUFT
Edward, I 662
Edward W., 1761
Fannie L, I 761
Jennie, 1761
Jessie, I 657, 663.
761
John, I 657. 662-63,
671
John Jr., I 649, 657, 663
JohnW., I 761
Lucy, I 663
Mary, I 663
May. I 761
Phoebe. I 663
Sarah. I 663
Timothy, I 657. 663
WiUard. I 657-58.
663, 761
STANDARD
-90-
Index of Names continued
STANDARD continued
George « I 604
James. I 495
Oliver. I 123, 413
STANDART
— -. I 454
Mrs, Bethia, I 746
George, I 746
Laura M. , I 746
SaliiA. I 494
STANLER
Catharine, I 754
STANLEY
David. I 637
Henry, I 421
Horace. I 444
Lyman G. , I 420
Seth. II 184
WUliam. I 325
STANTON. STAINTON
i^ugustus. B 21
Charles W.. 11 451
James M. . I 752
Joseph. I 567. 752. Jr.
I 753
Mrs. Lodisa. I 609
TucyR., I 753
Maria. B 21
S. C, I 827
Sophronia L. . I 753
STAPLES
Mary Lucy, I 408, 709
STAPLETON
Arthur, I 369, 374
Michael G., 1288
STARK, STARKS
B. B., II 311
Helen, I 716
M., n 160
STARKEY
D. C. I 389-390
Orlando P., II 288
STARKWEATHER
G. , I 504
Rodman, n 138
Sophia, I 739
STAUNTON
Phineas, I 142-43,
145. 260. 263.
265. Jr. I 145
STCOULEPNIKOFF
Sergius de I 448, 463
STEADWELL
Isaac E. . I 664
John B. , I 626
Matie. I 629
STEARNS. STERN
— , B 17
Mrs. G. C. . II 552
^Seorge R.. II 278. 539
Jacob. II 485. 487
John, n 131, 415
WUhelm. II 176
STEBBINS
Amy. I 736
Harriet. I 737
Henry S. , I 349, 650
N. G. . I 324
STEDMAN
Daniel P. , I 488
STEDMAN continued
Ebenezer, I 488
Francis Marion. I 488, 759
George, I 488
George R., I 488
Hannah, I 488
James Elbridge, I 488, 759
James P. , I 479, 488, 759
John S. , I 488
Jonathan, I 479, 488
Josiah C, I 488
Matiam, I 488
Mary Jane, I 488
Polly. I 488
William. I 488. Jr. , I 488
WlUiam E., I 488
STEELBINGER
Lttvis, I 508
STEELE
Allen, I 375; R 295
Epaphras. I 597, 644
Horace; n 332
John, B 1-6
Morgan. I 644
Oliver G., H 39, 118. 132,
136-138, 270, 310, 312-
13, 315-17, 323. 511, 516
518, 523. 526, 528. 531-
32. 534-36; B 16, 67. 121
Mrs. Oliver G. , II 59
stIECwheuer
Nicholas, I 505, 507, 509
STEEPE
C. I 509
Rev. . I 509
STEGMEIER
Andrew. I 767
J. J., I 767
Mrs. Sophia, I 767
STEHT
— , II 487
Andrei, I 516-17. 520
Andrew. II 389
C. P., n 174
John A. , 11 413
STEINGOETER
Phillip. II 131. 272
STELMSMA
Catharine, I 755
STENGEL
John, II 131-132
STEPHENS. STEVENS,
STEPHAN, STEFFAN,
-r-, I 413. 467; B 34
Albert G. , II 528
Alexander H., II 414
Amelia. I 757
Anthony C, I 600
Catharine. I 757
Mrs. Catharine, 11 19
Mrs. Charlotte S. . II 41
CHFTstopher, I 448, 504
Edmund S. , II 357
F. J.. II 131
Frank, I 757; II 540
Frederick, I 471, 727
Frederick P., I 345-46; II
139-40, 288, 373. 467.
532
G. E. . IT 440
STEPHENS contiM-ed
George, I 757
George B., II 284
George L. , I 600; II
246
Harry A. , I 566. 769
Henry B.. I 321.
565; II 356
J. Fletcher. II 443
Jacob. I 457. 757
Jacob P., I 600; H
246
James M., I 123. 298-99.
539. 547; II 356
James S. . II 355
James W.. I 403; II 107.
112
L. S., II 285
Lydia A.. 732
Magdalene, I 757
Malissa, I 728
Mary. I 757
Michael. F. . U 246
Michael S. . I 600
MUo. II 265, 334
Mortimer. I 56 5
Peter. I 757
Philip. I 25-. 727
Phineas. I 94. 125.
537. 539.
542
Robert, H., II 487
Rosa. I 757
Samuel, I 644
Thaddeus. I 235
Walter L., H 388
WillardW.. I 567
STEPPITH
Christina. I 756
STERNBERG
Chester W., I 241. 247
P. B.. n 217
P. L., n 271
P. S., n 193
STETSON, STITSON
T. S., I 627
WlUiam. I 626-27
STETTENBENZ
Anthony, II 143, 145
STEVENSON
Charles. I 621
Ed- ward, H 233; B 90
Edward Hairy. B 92
Edward L.. U 135-36.
235. 273; B 90-92
George. B 91
George P.. II 131. 382; B
92
Samuel D.. I 293-94
STEVER
John, I 404
STEWARD
Nancy, I 754
STEWART
— , I 374
A. T. B 49
Alexander. B 93
Alvan, I 755
C. A., IT 413
CaroLiie, I 393
-91-
History <tf Buffalo and Erie County
STEWART continued
D. M., 1 462
Daniel. B 93
Dr.. 1663
TTS., n 453
Elliott W.. 1328. 333.
755
George H. . I 303
J. R. . n 233
Janes. U 41
John, n 189. 283
JolknJ.. I 753
JohnW.. n 135
Josephys B.. n 184
Lillian. I 755
Philetus. I 755
Rev.. I 558
KoBert. B 93
Robert G.. n 232-33; B 92-4
Samuel. I 477; n 32
Thomas, B 92
WiUiam. I 100
WiUiam K.. n 356
STICKLER
Maria A.. I 710
STICKNEY
. I 751
Austin A. . I 753
Austin N.. I 612-13
D. C, n 487
David. I 633. 636-37. 753
FloyB.. 1753
J. J.. 1444
Jonas. I 439
L. P. . I 444
Rufus W.. I 624; n 391
STIENKE
C. n 157
STIFF ARMED GEORGE
. I 84; n 23-24
STILES
Almeda. I 749
Capt., n 189
TSamel, I 721
Daniel D.. I 325. 327-28.
545, 750
Fannie. I 721
James W. , I 721
L., n 295
Lawrence G. , I 721
UlUan. I 721
STILLMAN
Bennett, n 107
H.. n235
Robins, I 546. 553
Stephen, n. Ill
STILLSON
Jerome B. . I 256
STILLWELL
. I 566
Giles E., n 146. 487
Horace G.^ 11 386
Myron H. . I 326-327
STIMPSON
N. R. . n 346
William. U 193
STITZ
Henry W. , I 745
John. I 745
STITZ conlinued
Irs. Taresa. I 745
Mrs.
STOCK"
Charles H.. I 471
J. H.. I 471
Uaut., I 295
ST^SCRlHG
EUjah. I 582
EUsha. I 582
Joseph, n 47, 50.
•5, 107; 112. 134
224
Thomas, n 133
Thomas R.. n 133
STOCKMAR
C. n 146
STOCKMEYER
Jacob. I 421
STOCKTON
Charles G.. I 305
STODDARD
, I 579
Cstharine. B 67
Ira. I 589-90
Richard M.. B 87
S. . I 504
STOECKER
Charley I 378. 463
STOERR
Frank. U 412
STOKES
ThooB s. I 769
STOLTING
A. C.', I 519-520
STONE
, 11 486
A.. 1752
Alfred P. . B 109
Chauncey. 11 379
Christopher. I 94, 12%
n 630-2
Georgiana. I 718
J. W.. I 554
James. I 718
Jesse, n 278
John B. 22
JohnB.. n 109
Lucius. I 630
Nancy Rice. 11 27
Nathaniel, I 746
Fhebe A. , I 746
Ralph, n 487
Randolph, H 348
Mrs. Sarah, I 746
Spencer. I 443. 718; H 389
Stephen B. , I 590
W. L.. I 51
Whitman, I 299
WiUiam, I 302, 447, 663
STONEBRAKER
John« I 449
STOPE
Levi. I 653
STORAM
N. , n 294
STORCK. STC»CKE
. II 156
E. E., n 444
E. W.. n 442
-92-
STORCK conttnued
Edward, I 250; H 141.
143-4; B 65-66
STORM
Mrs. AnnaM.. 1726
'SarSara. I 726
George, I 726
Maria, I 720
STORRS
Juba. I 100. 347. 399.
402; n 43-44. 47.
66. 75. 107. Ill
Lucius, I 298, 401; U
43-44. 136, 270. 531
Mary. I 741
STORM
Mrs. Settle M. , I 762
Cyrus. I 375. 386
Richard. I 377
W. F.. B 40
STORZ
PoUy. I 746
STOVER
Jefferson. I 275
P. R.. I 376; n 295.
297
Theodore. 11 380
STOW. STOWE
Charles, n 337
F. D. . B 97
Gsorg^ n 95. 109. 112
278. 517
Horatio J. . I 346;
n. 111. 118. 467;
B 54
Silas, n 467
STOWELL
— -. n 542
A. H. . n 543
John W. . n 487
L. S.. I 446
Nathan W. . I 492
Theron. I 482. 492
STO WITTS
Lieut. . I 269-272
stRAIGIit. strait
STR EIGHT
, I 647
Chester L . . I 423; H 450
Milton B. , n 450
STRANAHAN
George, I 122. 393
John. I 122
Rhodes. II 357
STR ASS
Abraham. II 307
• Joseph, ft 307
Joseph E., II 308
Leopold, n 308
STRATFORD
H. S.. I 388
STRATMYER
, I 517
STRATTQN
, n 324
Bfary. I 552
Philinda. I 729
R. N. . n 295
Zebulon. I 642
STRAUB
Index ot \aznes rontinued
STRAUB
Joseph, I 653
STRAUSS
Albert. II 307
Emanuel, 11 307
Jacob, n 307
M., n 246
STRAY
James S. , II 379
STRECKER
Christopher, I 448
STREET
— , I 81
Benjamin F., I 293
Samuel, I 60
STREICH
J. G.. n 131
STRICKLAND
ClarUsa. I 485, 759
R. K., n 284. 538-39
Samuel, I 364. 387
William, I 377
STRICKLER
Daniel. I 385
Fani^M., I 731
Jacob, I 409
John, I 731
Marie A. , I 409
STRINGHAM
Joseh, n 137, 271,
333
STROBRIDGE
George R., n 295
STRONG
, II 487
Charles, I 581, 606
Christina, I 734
EUza A. , I 766
Mrs. Elizabeth, I 734
James.C, 1241, 247; II
487
Jennie, I 732
John, I 734; II 355
JohnC. n 478
Levi, n 108, 312-13
Mary Jane, B 68
Minerva, I 623
Miss, I 682
Morgan, I 766
Nelson, I 732
OrvelC, I 557, 605,
732; II 378, 444
P. H., n 140, 440. 549
Phineas, II 549
Rev., 1663
"Srni -93
Tacy, B 55
Timothy, n 68
STROOTMAN
— , II 253
Gregory, II 540
John, n 253, 540
STROPE
Miner, I 557
STRYKER, STREICHER, STRIKER
STRYCHER
— , I 765
J., n 104
Jacob, II 133
James. I 346; II 332. 472
STRYKEK continued
Judge. II 531
John, n 243. 256
STUART
John, I 632; n 283
Matilda H. , II 510
Sylvanus S. . II 41 7
STUDLEY
W. S., n 298
STURGEON
— . II 310
STURGES
Edward, B 103
STURN
Charles F. n 541
STUTTER
AnnaC, I 757
Charles F. W., I 757
Elizabeth, I 757
George, I 757. Jr. I 757
Henry O., 1757
Jacob, I 757
John, I 757
Louisa, I 757
Mary Magdalena, I 757
STUTZ
John, n 219-220
SUFEST
Rosena, I 756
SUHR
George, II 412
SULLFORT
Rev., IT 309
SULLIRAN
, II 305
SULLIVAN
Dennis, I 769
Frank, I 769
Gen.. I 51; 71. 209
"CTB. . I 663
SULLY
Thomas, II 258, 299-300
SUMMERS
WiUiam, II 147
SUMNER
Charles, I 670, 680
Daniel, I 527
Josiab, I 617
SUNDOWN
Henry, I 664
SUOR
Charles, II 133
Joseph, II 154
SUPPLE
Joseph, 11 198
SUTHERLAND
A., n 288
A. R. , n 444
Isaac. I 86
R. R. I 423
Thomas Jefferson. I
214. 217. n 347
SUTTER, SUTER, SUTOR
A.. II 166
Augustus J. , II 390. 398
Eve. I 723
George, II 174
John, T 723
SUTTON
J.. I 504
SUTTON continuen
WUliam. n 373
William'A.. II 141.
373; B 82
SWAHLEN
John. II 179
SWAIN
Albert. I 348
Daniel, I 321. 594
Daniel G. . I 754
Julia Ann, I 754
SWAN
Caty. I 554
E. T., II 539
Edwin A.. II 298
SWARTZ, SWARZ
— , n 511
Abram S., II 138.
396, 398-9
Henry A.. U 142
Henry A.. C. I 286
SWEENEY
James, I 422. 667;
n 44. 95. 113. 541
John. I 422; II 37 7
Justice^ I 409
Timothy, II 132
SWEET
— , I 494; n 264-
265
Adele, I 742
Alice. I 742
AUenG., I 614
Charles A.. II 212. 214
232, 298, 529, 533; B
90
Charles H. . I 533. 742
Chester, I 742
Cora, I 742
D. Bradley. B 90
George. I 742
George W., II 265
H., n 450
James, I 602
Joseph B.. n 258. 552
Lorenzo. II 281
Richard. I 602
Siney M.. H 265
Silas, II 292
Valona G. . I 749
William C, II 265
William S.. I 122
SWEETAPPLE
--- I 323
Chai-les J.. I 604
SWEETLAND
F. W.. n 445
George, I 574-75. 577.
582. 748; II 430. Jr. . I
7 48
George L. . I 748
Lizzie. I 747
Nelson. I 577
Nelson D. . II 430
Thad. C. I 748
SWEETZER
Nelson B. . I 732
SWEGLES
O. J. . n 539
SWIFT
-93-
History at Buffalo and Erie Coucty
SWIFT continued
— . II 267
Alexander H. , I 369
Col.. I 124, 131. 169
CuSblOg, I 522; n 388
Harlan J. « I 293-294
4aznec, I 368
Julius Sr., I 368. Jr. I
368
Levi A. , I 369
Lwaan P. , I S68
N. J., I 531
Oraon, I 534
Simon P., I 346
Mrs. VacttaR., 1754
7enasM.« I 487
SVnCERT
, n 350
SWOPE
E.. n2io
SNYNDOR
Margaret, n 39
TABER, TABOR
, n 264
Aaron A. , I 753
Amanda M., I 423
Anne, I 7*9
Brigmman, I 753; R 253,
301
CharleeF., I 345, 457,
461; n 467; B 30
Charlee P., I 571
Helim, I 565, 567
Hirem, I 481; II 444
Jeeee, I 753
Martin, I 489
N. A., 1613
N. C, 1759
R. S., n 389
Sarah, I 753
Seth P. , I 479
Thankful, I 423
W. J., 1613, 753
TADODAHOH
, I 29
TAPT
C, 1652
H. S. , n 443
TAGGERT
Mre, Ann, B 27
TTIgR, B 27
Juliette, B 27
WUUam, B 27
TAINTOR
Charles, n 224
TALBOT
Abble, I 762
George, n 379
Michael, H 444
W. S. n 444
TALCOTT
JohnL., I348;n 135,
487; B 53, 78
TALMADGE, TALLMAOGE
II 50
Charles, n 353
TALMAN
Elijah, I 582
TAMM
H.. I 509
TANNER
Alono, n 140-41, 281.
487
Amos B. , n 133, 409. 487
C. J. , I 637
Charles C, I 612
Evallne, I 734
Hannah, I 734
Isaac W.. 1734
Jmtm. I 427. 439
R. W. . I 687, 642
SttsanJ.. 1768
Warren. I 734
TAPPAN. TAPPENS
c, n 112
Christopher H., H 354
D. P. , I 589
TARBCK
James .L. , I 644
TATE
J. S. , I 606
TAYLOR
, n 192, 200-01; B
25
Anderson. I 572, 578
Anson. I 627
Anthony, I 629
Benjamin Grant, I 734
Caleb, I 94. 646
Clayton. I 651
David. I 766
E. , I 377. 534. 583
E. S. , I 542
Enoch.* I 734
George L.. n 253, 444
George W. , I 734
Jacob, I 94, 115. 646-649
James. I 518
James A. , I 531
James M.. I 570
Job, I 531; n 133, 388
Joseph, I 734
Joseph B. , I 734
Luc ret ia, I 762
Mrs. Lydia, I 734
BnT. AAargaret, I 734
Mary B. , l 734
Permelia, I 712
Peter, I 415. 417
Peter A.. I 251
Phebe, I 719
PoUyC, I 769
Pres.. 1225, 227
Rev.. I 462
Tloaney M. , n 141-42
S. D. , I 581
Samuel, I 734
Solomon, n 367
William, I 556; U 515-16
William F. P.. n 135-36
William O. , n 444
TEACHOUT
Jacob, I 715
Paulina. 1715
Mrs. Rebecca. I 732
"Smuel J.. I 732
TEAL
Helen, H 552
TELLER
F.. n 552
TELLER continued
Frank S. , H 352
George R. , II 533,
547
John J. Jr., 1295
TEMPLETON
Peter B. . I 554
TENNEY
Festus. I 443
TEPEE. TEPB
Christian, U 177
Frederick, H 177
TERNAN
John, T 287
TERRY
. A. G., n299
Albert E., I 457
Henry Hovard, B 90
Miss, nsii
Seward H.. 1254
TESNOW
Christian. I 378
THANEY
G., 1450
THATCHER
Frederick. I 444
THAUER
Henry, n 172
THAYENOENEGA
. I 61, 626
THAYER
. I 198-99. 394,
429, 441. 454. 472;
n 456
Edwin, I 461; U 139-40,
483
Hiram P. , U 139-40. 235
Isaac, I 595-596
Israel St.. 1595-596
Jr.. 595-6
Israel St., I 595-596. Jr.
595-6
Joel, n 198
Nelson, I 595-596
R. H., n257
W. W., I 419
IHEALL
Thomas, I 391
TWE¥S
Peter, I 600, 620, 723
THIESFELD
E., n 178
THISTLEWORT
J., n 200
THOM
Leslie, n 343
THCMA
Otta, n 444
THOMAS.
. n 347
Adeline C. , I 755
Alden, H 426
C. A., n 175
C. S. F. . B 38
Calvin F. S. , H 329,
344, 347. 351. 547
Charles J. . n 487
Oavld. n 90. 94, '85
DTi. 1419
ISHwin. n 193
■94-
Index of Names continued
THOMAS continued
Eleazer. II 295
Ephraim. I 477
Harriet, I 751
Henry, n 283
Horace, n 136
Horace G. , I 241, 245
J. H., n 175
J. N., I 718
James, II 294
John, I 447
Jonathan, I 751
R. E., I 386; II 297
Simeon, I 477
William, I 444
THOMPSON, THOMSON
, n 117, 163,
186, 196, 241;
B64
Agnes LatU . B 132
Amos F., I 736
Archibald, I 364
Augustus Porter, 11 289,
496, 553; B 102
Benonl, I 344; H 137,
476
C. B. , B 47
Calvin, I 584
Charles I 177, 415
CurtU B. , 74
Daniel B. , I 738
David B., I 738
E., n 184
E. A., n 451
Edward H., XL 346
Edmund, I 382
Emogene, I 738
F. C. , I 557
FlaaUen, I 738
Frederick, I 330
G. U, I 576
H., n 111. 184
Harriet, I 750
Harry, H 133, 252. 270;
B 100-101
Hiram, I 738
Mrs. I . F. , I 580
TTSl, I 418-419
Jabez, B 97
James C, 1275, 442
James E. n 398
John, I 80, 83, 367, 397.
400
Jonathan, I 738
Justin G. I 251, 577; H
379, 444
Laetitia Porter, B 102
M. L. R., n277
M. L. R. P. . I 304
Moses, I 538
N. K. , I 637
S., I 582-583
S. B. , I 637
Sally Ann, B 102
Samuel H., n 413
Sheldon, H 46, 79, 102,
111, 119, 136, 181.
183-86, 188, 196,
224, 285, 358; B 14. 74,
THOMPSON. THOMSON
continued
Sheldon cont. , 97-102.
109
Sylvanus B. . I 549. 551
Thomas, n 133
WUliam. B 96
THORN
Abraham. I 742
Abram.I 349. 519
Charles, II 545
FrakiK M. , I 531-533, 742
Jane A. , I 740
Joseili, I 123. 584,
590, 740
Mary. I 740
THRONTON
Henry. H 411
Thomas. U 214, 233. 252.
556
WUliam H. , H 445
THRAM
Frederick. I 496
Frederick H. , I 493
mURBER
Charles, I 558
Edward, I 598
N. H. , I 638
THURSTON
Daniel Jr., I 538
Thomas. I 538. 545
WiUiam, U 132, 196, 212
214, 218
TIBBITS
William, I 286
TIBBS
WUliam H. , U 550
TICHNC», TICKNOR
Minerva, I 769
William H., 1639
TIFFANY
Augustus J. , I 345
Jared, I 566
Lucius F. , n 136
Oscar F. , I 280
TIFFT, TEFFT, TEET
, n204. 210. 221
Amos, n 113
E. B. . n 443
Elijah, I 560
George Harrison, II 124;
B 108
George Washington, I 327;
n, 193. 219. 221-22.
235-36. 239. 268. 292; B
3, 22, 104-106
Harry, B 108
J. S.. I 404, 411
James, I 568
John, B 104-165
John Vallett, H 239, 243;
B 108
Joseph N. , n 539
Pardon, I 568
Sarah A. , B 22
Simon E., I 578
William M.. H 487
TILDEN
Jared H. , II 536
TILLINGHA3T
Annie, B 94, 97
Pyer, 1213; U 104, 113
119, 135, 288, 462,
521-522, 531
Fraacis D. , B 94
Gideon, B 94
Henry D. . I 251, 257
James II 265; B 94-97
James W. , B 96
Kate, B 97
Pardon, B 94
TILLMAN
, n 487
TILLON
Alpheus, I 746
Mrs. Elizabeth, I 499
Henry, I 742
James, I 746
Joseph. I 746
Lavina, I 742
Olive, I 742
TILLOTSON
Lewis, n 135
TILLOU
Mrs. Elizabeth, I 499
BTTl 494
James, I 493
Joseph, I 490
TILSON
M., II 296
T1MMERMAN.
, n 243
Joseph, I 494; II 161-62,
234, 236. 273,
369, 390
John, I 375-76, 422
TIMON
John 1510; H 166. 303-04,
550
TISDALE
. James, n 356
TITUS
AnnaC, B 72
Nathaniel, I 92. 512
Orrin B.. 11 288
Roberts., I 519
Robert C. 1306, 329.
343, 346. 516; 11 389,
487
Thomas W. B 72
WUliam Jr., I 522
TOBIE
Edward, n552
P. P. , n 442
TOLES
Benjamin. H 382-83,
399
David. I 589
HaniWLh, I 569
Nathan, II 44
TQMLINSON
, n 313
RusseU, n 300
Thomas, I 566
TOMMY, JEMMY
, I 179, 193-196
TOMKTNS
A.. I 377
-95-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
TOMKINS continued
Daniel D., I 122. 135, 171
176, 188. 410; B 52
TONG
George W.. I 423
TONTI
. I 36
TOPPING
M. H. . I 260
TORGE
WlUiam. I 566
T<»RANCE. TORRENCE
Aaher. n 360
Cyrenlua C. I 348. 650.
633-54; B 80
Jared S«. n 119
TORREY
Cant.. I 594
Ermitus. I 594-95, 598
Uriah. I 594
Urial. I 299; n 315
TOTTMAN
— . I 157; n 61. 68
Col.. 1698
TOWER. TOWERS
John, n 50
Thcmaa. B 26
TOWEY
George C, 11 390
TOWN, TOWNE
Esra. B 116
Joseph H., n 279-80
TOWNSEND
. II 183-84, 192
AnnaM.. B 109
Charles. I 374, 417.
486. 496; U 46-7.
51-2. 73-4, 76. 78,
80-81.95, 102, 104,
110, 112, 117, 133-4,
183-4, 222-3, 234-5,
269, 314, 353, 393, 461,
530; B 14-16, 108t109.
Jr. B 109
F. R. , n 193
Fannie H., B 109
George C. B 109
George W., n 234, 536
Hannah, B 14
Isaac, B 99
J., n no
Jacob, B 98-99. 101
Jane C. . B 98-99. 101
JaneC, B 109
John. I 555
Jonathan, I 632-633
Kneeland. B 99
Mary W. . B 109
Nathaniel. B 108
Sheldon C. B 99-100
Thomas B.. 108
TOWS
F. H. . n 235
TOWSEY. TCWSLEY
U B. , I 635
Martha, I 722-723
TOWSON
Capt.. I 129, 188-69,
TOY. TOYE
TOY TOYE continued
Carl, n 176
T. W. , n 132
TOYNBEE
C. W., 1464
TRACY
•M B 75
Albert H. , I 177, 183, 205,
213, 340, 343, 364.
417, 422, 705; H 76,
80-81, 108-09, 224, '
234-5, 299, 316, 453,
457. 494, 526, 530,
546; B 91. 117
Albert M.. B 79
John, I 583; B 52
Kester. I 626-27
Philemon. B 52
TRAENKEL
Frederick, n 369,
390
TRAIN
B. R. , I 576
Mary. I 720
TRANSCHBL
A., n 179
TRANSCHEL
A., n 179
TRASK
Anna. I 737
TRAVIS
— , B 25
TREAT
Or en, I 538
Folly M«, 1742
Timothy, I 538
WiUiam, n 438-39
TREFFTS, TREFTS
— , n 239
George M. , n 540
John, n 241
TREMAINE
WiUiam S. . n 552
TRESIDER
J. R., n 411
TRETAT
Dry, n420
TREVETT
A. R. , I 636
Albertus, I 531
Mrs. Alblna, I 735
Caroline. I 735
Fannie J. . I 735
Mrs. Helen, I 534b
Itn^rtM., t 735
J. Hyman, I 735
Lewis. I 735
Lobeski, I 739
Mrs. Serepta, I 735
thEVIS^e
W. H. . II 299
TREW, TRUE
Andrew R. , I 767
Mrs. Anne. I 767
ToKn, I 767
M. B.. 1791
TRIBLE
J. M.. n 301
TRIMBLE
J. S. , TI 422
TRIPP
Augustus F. , II 280
Luclnda, I 766
Noah, I 658
TRIPPENSEE
Christian, I 731
Ernest, I 731
Ferdinand, I 731
Frederick, 0 731
JohnC, 1731
Julius. I 731
WllUam. I 731
TRISKET
John, t 155; U
69
TROTT
James F.. 11 236
TROUP
* G<^<yg*» n 513
TROWBRIDGE
Dr. . n 521
ToCn S. . I 137. 302; n
137-38, 141, 522
Josiah. n 46, 63.
76. 133-5. 285,
353. 417. 419-22.
425. 427-28. 436.
530
S. , n 430
TRUBY. TRUBE
Anna. I 731
Henry, I 389
TRUEMnSR
Gull., n 325
TRULL
BUrs. Esther A.. 1716
TSavTdW., 1716
Hiram P., t 716; n 444
TRUMAN
Thomas, n 140
TRUMBULL
Jonattian, B 97
TRUSCOTT
George, n 230, 511,
513, 526
TRUSINSKI
Peter, I 449
TRUST
Catherine, I 727
Edward. I 727
Michael. I 727
WiUiam. I 727
TRYQN
Isaac, n 539
M. H.. n387
WiUiam. I 49
TSCHENHENS
F. X. . I 448
TUBBS
Benjamin, I 123, 584
Samuel. I 115. 122.
584. Jr. 584
TUCK
Nancy. I 120
TUCKER
— . I 653
Abraham, I 115
Abram. I 293. 656-57
Anson, I 622
Chauncey, II Ar '
-96-
Index of Names continued
TUCKER continued
Daniel, I 450
Elijah, I 624
Elisha, I 405; II 290-91
EmeUne C. I 747
George, I 657
H. J. , I 293
Henry, I 657
J. W., n 391
J. W. , I 446
Mrs. James, I 624
"EevT, n 291
Luther, B 111
Moses, I 624
Phebe Jane. I 761
Samuel, I 657, 660
Seth, n 184; B 99
TUHL
FredH., H 131
TUKESBURY
Naomi, B 27
TULLER
Susan, I 748
TULLY
William, I 558
TUPPER
H., n 443
Samuel, I 92, 09, 335,
346, 696; H 38-9, 45.
60, 68, 73-4, 77, 107,
111, 222, 285, 530
TURCHER
G. , I 600
TURNBULL
George, I 748
Helen, I 748
Mark, I 748
Martha. I 748
Mary, I 748
TURNER
Chester P. , n 553
Or. I 519
Tacob, I 96, 561-62, 564
568
James G.. II 140-41
Judge. I 560
Nathaniel A., I 325, 555
Qrsamus, I 118, 275,
419, 423
Phebe. I 538
Roswell, I 92, 535
W. H. , n 430
TURNEY
Mrs. MaryR., n 19
William W., n 444
TUTON
WUllam n 302
TUTTLE, TUTHILL
, n 348
Benonl, I 621
David N., n 271
David W., I 275, 280
E. D., n 268
Henry, I 578
JohnW., 1280, 376
W. S. , n 296
TWEEDY
, n 268
William, n 235
TWENTY CANOES
. n 71
TWINING
JohnC, I 585, 588,
593, 594, 597, 601
Sallnd, I 738
Stephen, I 94, 658
Thomas, I 597. Jr. I
595
TWISS
Nelson M. . I 622
TWITCHELL, TWICHELL
Abram, n 296
Asa L., n398
Henry H., H 146-47
Samuel Jr. . n 139
TYLER
AsaK.. n 377-78
Clarence A. , I 444
Bmma L. I 716
Henry, I 289
J. K., n 130
John, I 382; U 487
Joseph K., n 141-42, 367,
391
M. S. V. , I 254
Morris, n 190
Sarah, I 451
W. W. , n 201
TYRER
Tlieodore, I 258
W. , I 504
UEBELHQER
Jacob, II 236, 257
UHRICH
D., I 448
F. Stephen, I 463
Fr., I 600; n 304
577X643
ULBRICH
Otto, n 160
ULLMAN
Henry, I 461
ULRICH
Francis, I 422, 620
Michael, n 169
ULTSCH
Andrew, I 767. Sr.
767
Mrs. Mary, I 767
uiA5S1Chill
— , n 76
Almeda, I 721
Amos, I 538, 719. 721
C. M. , II 202-03
Cyrus Jr., I 721
Deloss, I 721
Don Carlos, I 721
Grant C. I 721
HanraihM., 1721
Horace D., I 721
JamesH., I 721
James P., I 721
Joel, n 442
John P. , n 378
Laura M. , I 721
Mrs. Mary, I 721
IRJary A., I 721
UNDERWOOD
Miss. B 53
L'NDERWOOD continued
Morris, I 388
UPDEGRAFF
WlUiam, I 381
UPPER
. II 266
URBAN, Urbane
-—, I 403; n 252
Caroline. B 109
EnmiaM., I 727
George, I 727; 11
154, 235, 253. 500;
B 109
George Jr., n 233, 236,
253; B 109
George P. , I 727
WUliamC. B 109
URBANZECK
Anthony, H 167
URICH
Fr.. I 521
ur'SHel
Theobald, I 448
USHER
JohnH., n 256, 298
UTLEY
, I 389
Beulah, I 731
BeulahM., I 394
Mrs. Cecelia. I
676
Charles. I 394
Charles B., I 742
Charles Horace, II 546,
548; B 110
Frank, I 534, 742
George E. , B 110
Henrietta M. , I 742
Horace, n 232; B 109-
110
Jeremiah, B 109
Mary B., 1742
Palmer, I 393
William H., I 534, 742
VAIL, VEIL
Amelia, I 722
William, n 171
VALENTINE
Henry C. , I 254
VALLEAU
WlUlam, n 135
VALLETT
Annie, B 104
VALLIER
Levi, I 241, 246-47
VAN AERNUM
Dr. , n 446
VA'fTSLLEN
Isaac I., II 144-45
VAN ANDA
C. A. , n 295
VAN ANTWERP
C, n 223
VANATTA
Jacob, I 398
VAN BENTHUSEN
JohnH., II 364, 379
VAN BOKKELEN
L., n 286; B 45,
58, 76
-97-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
VAN brcx:klin
Cora. I 767
Eric O., I 12; n 516-18
Ezra, I 482
Frank, I 767
John, I 767
Rolo. I 767
S. A.. I 767
VAN BUR EN
E., n 228
James, n 143-45
Martin, t 212, 215. 225.
227, B 5. 86
VAN CAMP
A.. I 581, 663
VAN CLE VE, VANCLEEF
G. M., I 374
James, II 197; B 74
VAN DE BRAAK
Adrian, II 167
VANDENBURGH
A. A.. II 146
VANDERBILT
Wm. H.. I 318; B 96
VANDERLIP
Harrison. II 378
VANDERPOEL
David M.. II 138
Isaac v., I erl, tr9
VANDERVOORT
Andrew P. , I 443
G. F. . I 444
VAN DEVENTER
Hugh, n 288
Peter. I 83. 85-6, 88,
92, 95. 100. 114, 361-
2, 364, 383, 545
VANDUSEN
Esther Maria, I 736, 747
Matthew. I 470
VANDUZEE
B. C, I 520, 643
C. B., I 643
J. B.. n 342
William S., II 279. 449
VAN DUZER
Wm.. I 575, 577-8
VANDYCK
Louis B. , n 289
VAN EEGHEN
Pieter. I 76
VAN EPPS
Julia A., I 744
VANGUYSLING
H., n 443
VAN HORN
Philip, I 632
VAN NAlilEE
— . I 514
John. I 511
Leonard. I 511. 514
VAN NESS
Peter, I 95, 363, 374,
386
WUliam P., II 416
VAN ORMAN
Isaac, I 381
VAN PELT
Wm,, I 402-05; n
436-37
VAN PEYBAA
Herman B. , n 487
Jacob. I 388. 461; H 444
John W. . I 403-04
P. W. . II 344
VAN RENSSELAER
Rensselaer. I 214. 216
Solomon. I 214
Stephen. I 128. 130-31.
308*309; H 93. 355
VAN R06SUM
Th. . II 325
VAN SLYKE
C. A., n 132, 137. 277
Garrett. I 417
Mary E.. 1749
Robert. I 413
VAN SNIDER
Christian. I 531
VAN STAPHORST
Jan Gabriel. I 76
Nicholas. I 76
Roelif Jr. . I 76
VAN STENBURGH
Eliza. I 764
VAN TINE. VANTINE
. I 385
C. G.. I 385. 391, 731
ChazOesE.. 1731
David. I 382-83. 388
Florence M.. I 731
George K. I 731
Henry K. . I 386
Jacob Jr. , I 155, 383
James A., I 731
Josephine, I 728
Matthias, I 382-83
Walter, I 731
VAN VALKENBURGH
Anna, I 753
VAN VLECK
George H. , 11 236,
546
Joseph. II 200
VAN VUET
Charles. I 721
Emma L. . I 721
George, I 721
Harriet. I 721
Henry, I 543. 721
Henry P. . I 541
Hoel. I 721
VANWEY
John. I 442
Jonas. I 95. 441
VARNEY
Lewis. I 626
Mary, I 740
VAUDREUIL
Marquis de, I 45
VAUGHN, VAUGHAN
— , I 633
Alzina, I 751
Frank O., II 444
Hannah v.. I 738
J. W., I 375
James. I 632
Jesse, I 469. 475-76
John. I 475
L. C. P. . I 329
VAUGHN continued
Otis, I 302; H 131
^usseU J. , I 349
VAUX
, n 489, 494
VEDDER
Edmund B. , n 487
Eleanor, I 766
Jane, 1759
VELLUM
John. I 589
VELTEN
v., n 167
VENOR
WiUiam, I 520
VERINDER
William. I 599; H 348
VERPLANCK
Isaac A.. I 346; H 118-
19. 288. 475. 546
Judge. B 54
VETTER
J. , n 166
n 166
Chauncey, B 96
VICTORIA
QUEEN, n 16
VIELE
Henry K. . I 302-03; R
138, 140, 317, 401-
02; B 102
Sheldon T. , H 487. 546,
548
VILAS
Byron D. . n 387
VINCENT
Abram. I 628
J. F. , I 423
Rev. . I 446
vifisrc
Elon. I 565-566
VODEN
William, I 520
VOEGELE, VOGEL
F. W.. I 377
Frank. I 727
Henry, I 727
Joseph, I 727
Joseph F., I 727
Mary. 1727
VOELIOER
George, II 541
VOGDES
Wayne, I 273
VOGT. VOUGHT
— . n 156
Andrew, H 172
Georges., II 171, 173
JohnH.. II 212, 529,
546
VOLGER
O. W. , II 487
Otto, n 129
VOLKER. VOELKER
Daniel. II 176-7
Louis C. , n 444
William, n 273
VOLLENHOVEN
-98-
Index of Names continued
VOLLENHOVEN
Cornelius. I 76
Hendrick. I 76
VOLLNER
Adam, I 399
VOLNEY
. I 29
VOLTZ
C. G.. n248
Christian, H 168-9, 554
J. S. , n 248
VQM BERGE
George, II 143, 145
VON ARX
James, II 160
VON GAYL
Frederick, I 251, 257
VON LINGE
Rev., n 169
VOTTPUTKAMMER
Alex, I 554; n -78
VON SCHULENBURG
Rev,. I 509
vdinraiMER
Rev., I 556
vcmORSees
-•>•■ B 19
VOSBIJRG, VOSBURGH
, I 654; n 76
H., I 422
Jacob, I 257
Nathaniel, n 108,
112, 134-135, 355
Pteter M« I 348, 549; n
141« 142, 472
WiUiam, U 379, 396
William H., n 399
VOSS
C, n 160
Theodore, II 167-^68
VROOM
George, I 482
John A.. I 376
WACHTER
E., William, I 289
-WADE
Mrs. William B 89
wXSSXm
, 221
Alonzo, I 590
WADSWORTH
, 11 239, 241, 252
Charles F., 1275, 278
Gen., B 63
George, II 141, 487
James, I 343, 560; n
138, 224, 234
James S. . I 242-43; n 231
Julia M. 1746
Richar4 n 514
Waiiam, I 125, 128
WAGONER
Annie E. , I 753
Barbara, I 716
Mrs, Barbara, I 716
TiTTu 131
Carrie, I 716
Catharine, I 716, 723
Charles, 1716
Charlotte, I 716
WAGONER continued
Chrlssena, I 745
Christopher, U 176
Chrysostomus, II 165,
168
Clinton D., 1753
Edward, I 716
EmQy, I 716
Eva Jane, I 753
Frederick, 11 273
George, I 753
Gr.. II 167
Helen. I 716
Henry, I 389
Jacob, I 731, 753
John, n 173-175
John J., I 716
John W., I 716
Leonard, I 721
Lucy, 1716
Mary, I 711
P. J., 1721
Peter, I 716
PhiUp A. . n 397
Philip H., 1289
W. , n 541
Webster, B 96
WAGSTAFF
John, n 76
Robert, H 189
WAHLE
, n 545
WAINWRIGHT
John, I 369
WAIT, WAITE
C. C, B 103
Mrs.. C. C. B 103
CEarlBsH.. 1273. 435
Esther, I 7^9
Justice. B 103
Levi, I 421
Lucy Ann, I 425, 763
WAITH
William, I 454, 457-8, 461-
2
WAKELEE
Orlando, I 385-6; U 421
Orlando Jr. , I 385
WALBRIDGE
Chas. E., 1261, 272
n 263, 323; H 552 Mrs.
Geo. B. n 212, 280
H. B.. n 193
Wells D. , n 230
WALDEE
J. H.. n 295
WALDEN
, I 100, 154-5; n
542
Ebenezer, I 96. 178,
198-9, 321. 341.
343. 346. 399. 695-
696; n 39-40, 61, 65-6
69, 72-4. 78. 80-81, 95,
104, 107. 110, 112. 114.
116, 133-36, 222-23. 453.
455, 458. 503, 531; B 15
Mrs. Ebenezer, B 91
WALDO, WALDOW
. II 193
WALDO continued
Louis, n 178
S. P. . T 443. 450
Shubael, I 549
WALDRON
Cornelius A. , II 359
WALDRUFF
Eugene C. II 444, 522
WALKER
Augustus, n 185, 190
193. 196; B 101
Charley I 461. 486
Ellhu, I 551-553
Estella, I 722
George. IT 137
George H. , I 629
Henry G. , B 87
Jesse. I 346-47; II 138,
476
Joel, n 487
John S. . n 347
Julius, n 552
Mary Clarence, n 553
Nathaniel. I 90. 535
Randall. I 618
Rev., n 300
SmuelG.. n 137-38
Sarah A. . B 87
William H.. n233. 264-65
WALL, WALLS, WAHL
, II 263, 487
C. A. . n 382
D. , n 382
F. W. , I 554
Frederick B. , I 303
John. II 143, 281,
398-400
John C. . I 288
Mary A. . I 755
PhiUp, I 387
WALLACE, WaUis
. Erastus, I 326-27. 548;
n 370, 421- 422,
436
Hugh. I 462
J. E. . I 482
Julia. I 720
Rev., I 495
WHTiam, I 314-15. 542.
720
William D., I 555; H 389-
90
WALLACK
Lester. II 545
WALLASH
E., I 614
WALLER
Paul. I 731
WALLNER
Rev.. I 496
waIXon
Louis, n 179
WALRATH
C. K., II 283
WALSH
John. I 303; R 138
Patrick. H 141-142, 144
Peter, II 140-141
WALTER. WALTERS
B. A. , I 644
-99-
History <tf Buffalo and Enc ('oiinty
WALTER continued
David, I 758. Jr., 1758
Elixabeth, I 758
EUlnor. I 758
George, I 758
Henry, 1 758
J. P., n 132
Jacob, 1 758
John, I 463, 758
Samuel, I 758
Stephen, I 441
Theodore, I 758
William, n 184
WALTERIN
Barbara, I 756
WALTON
Jonathan, II 55
WALTZ
, n 210
Michael, I 599
WALWORTH, WALSWORTH
, B 28
Reuben H., I 198; H 456;
B 54
WUllam, I 86
WAMHOFF
Franz, n 165
WANDEL
Mra. Catharine, I 723
^Barles, I 723
Clara, I 723
WANENACHER
Flora, I 751
WANNEMACHER
O. J., I 490
WARD
, n 193
AngeUne, I 753
B. C.,.1'583
Clyde, I 753
E. B. , B 95
Edwin, I 621
Ellsha, I 734
Ellen, I 743
Henry, I 534; U 282
Hiram L. , I 552
Ina, I 753
Ira, I 753
J. Edwin, I 753
James, II 355
James H. , I 490, 493-
94, 557, 744
James W. . n 537
Jesse, I 753
JohnE., 1753
Laura M., I 734
Lena, I 753
Louisa, I 753
MatUdaM., 1753
Polly, I 750-751
Roger D, , I 753
Roger P. , I 753
Samuel, n 187-188
Thomas, I 753
William, I 753; U
23
WARDWELL
George S., I 336; U
129. 142-44, 147,
485, 487, 546, 549
WARDWELL continued
WlUiamT., U 549
WARE
Dr.. 1419
George n, 300
George E. Jr. . n 130
WARNER
, I 420
Aaron, I 563, 569
C. S,, 1650
Clark, I 569
Davids., I 177, 566, 569;
B9
r. n 43
Hirard, H 254
Gad, I 92
Jamas, I 471
Jane. I 745
Jane E., I 746
John, n 254
JohnR., n 254
Joseph, II 254
Lamar, I 450
Leopold, II 254, 308
Lewis E.. n254
MarU, I 769
Mary, I 409
Nelson, I 469
Samuel, I 469
Sarah A. , B 9
William H. . I 636
WARREN
I 605, 612, 619; U 193,
239; 241, 544; B 56,
64, 88
A. J., I 336
Asa, I 160k 297, 344,
375, 339, 586, 588,
590. 617
Asa W., I 567
Augustus, I 391
C. G., n547
CoL. I 440
dTt,, n287
Daniel F., II 288
Deloss, I 314, 542,
548
Edwards., I 274, 306;
n 141, 471-72; B
102
Mrs. Elizabeth, I 607
TrankUn, H 377
G. W. , I 643
Horatio, H 360, 370,
373, 377, 401
Jabez, I 86, 90, 535-
536
James D., I 349, 384, 568; H
231, 330-32, 339; B 39,
110
John, I 381
Joseph, II 127, 140, 265,
317, 333-335, 489-90,
493, 498, 500, U 511,
534; B 49, 110-112
Joseph S. , I 664
Leroy D. , I 604
Mary, I 406
Obed, I 586
Orsamus, I 384, 386, 568: B 1
WARREN continued
Orsamus B. , U 330
P. H., 1642
Rev. , I 554
STW., n 233
Samuel H. , II 444
Sumner, I 160. 297,
539, 554. 617-8.
Thomas, n 184
W. Y., II 289
William. I 93-4, 96,
114, 116-17, 123.
1238, 147, 149-51
160» 169, 171. 177,
297-99, 536-37, 539-
40, 545, 574. 609; U 355
56, 423
WARRINER
. WlUlam. I 123, 513-14.
522, 532; U 423
WARWICK
Lily B. , n 540
WASHBURN
A. L.. 1292
Betsey, I 533
Ellsha, I 734
George E. , I 734
Israel C. , I 734
J. C.,I651
J. P., I 241, 245
Louisa F., I 734
Mary, I 734. Mrs. I 734
Rufus, I 734
Rufus P. , I 257-258
Ruths I 734
Smith B., 1734
WASHINGTON
G«orge. I 51, 64,
72, 112, 307
WASSON
, I 528; B 56
Lemuel, I 347, 516,
734
Fhege, I 745
S., I 504
Sablna, I 740
Thomas, I 742
Thomas W. . I 533, 742
W. A.. II 444
WATERMAN
, I 632
D. B., n 288
James H. , U 450
WATERS
B., 117
ArchyR., I 769
Charles, I 288
David L. . I 558
Gertrude A. , I 769
Harriet E. , t 769
Harrison P. . I 557
Henry, H 367, 395,
400, 405
J. , I 566
J. W. , I 769
Levi J., n 139-141
Martha A., 1769
Mortimer S. , I 567, 769
Rdt>ert T.. I 76.
10 Sarah C. . I 769
-100-
Index of Names continued
WATERS continued
Sidney W., I 769
WiUiam S., n 134
WATKINS
John, I 122
WATSON
, II 511
Annie, B 118
Mrs. Charlotte A., B 118
D. J., I 450
Gertrude « B 118
Hannah, B 22
Henry M., II27i, 530
IraG., I 538. 563-64,
566, 569-70; H 417,
421-22
Isaac M. I 476
Jeanie H., B 118
John, I 122, 538; H 417.
421
L. D. , I 422
Mary N. , I 570
Mrs. I 553; H 219
ISEephenV. R., 1345;
n 177, 234, 271, 530,
533; B 44, 118
WATTLES
Prudence, B 88
WATTS
, I 129
Emma, I 727
J., I 376
WAUD
Thomas S. , I 303
WAUGH
, II 543
WAY
Nathan, H 437
WAYLAND
JohnU., II 235, 552
WAYNE
Anthony, I 72
WEATHER LY
J. S., II 271
WEAVER
II 487
Ernest K. . H 487
George B., I 769
John, I 769
Nettie, I 769
William, I 769
WEBB
Claudice, I 743
F. C. , I 482
Harry S. , I 767
Henry, I 767
J. A. . I 445
Joseph, n 51
Mary, I 767
T, E., I 767
WEBER, WEBBER
, I 637; II 368
Anthony, I 598, 600; H
547
Frederick, I 448
George, n 132
George A«, H 547
Herman, H 160, 173
I., n 169
J. W. , I 642
WEBER continued
Jacob, I 447; II 380
JohnB., 1 274-5, 280-
81, 347; II 264
JohnC. II 145
John J.. II 139, 144
Lewis, I 302
Margaret, I 756
Michael, I 406
Philip, II 382
Philip J.. I 280
Sarah. I 728
WEBSTER
— , I 374; II 102, 117,
192, 211, 303, 344;
B 117
Alanson, H 131, 135,
525
Amos C, n 388
Amy, I 738
Aschooly, I 738
Benjamin, I 585
Daniel, I 228, 231, 585,
588, 738; II 453. Jr.
1738
David I 585
David L. . I 738
Davis, I 738
Dr., I 519
'S3ward, I 585
Edwin, I 585, 736
Ell, I 533
EUis, I 328, 585; II 144
Emily, I 736
Erastus D. , I 638
George B., n 95, 104, 111,
135, 211, 224, 503, 514
George C, 11 288
Hannah, I 488
Hugh, I 585, 738; II 130-
31, 236, 552
Ira R. , I 585
James, II 435
JoelB., I 585
John, I 439. 585, 718 '
Joseph, I 526, 591, 738
Justus, I 382
Levi, I 585
Marvin, II 300, 423
Mary. I 738
Mrs. Mary C. I 718
TJancy, I 742
Paulina, I 735-736, 760
Rachel. I 721, 739. Mrs.
I 736
Samuel, I 526, 585, 721
Sarah, I 739
Susan, I 735
Thomas, I 585, 738
Thomas S, . 739
William, I 585, 735-736
William G., U 342-343
WEED
— , II 265
DeWitt C. n 496. 500.
511
Ell Jr.. I 562
George, II 95. 263; B 67
Hobart, II 263
Thaddeus, H 95. 263. 514;
WrlED corr •ued
rhaddeas com., o 67
Mrs. Thaddeus M. . II 29
WTIliar. W.. I 345
WEEDEN
George W. , I 636
SaUy, I 642
WEHRLE. WERLE
Demeter. I 401,
403, 716
Michael, n 164
WEIBERT
Gottlieb, n 170
WEIDRICH
Michael. I 303
WEIL
C. II 444
Jacob, n 161, 362. 367-
• 68. 370
Louis. II 308
Morltz. n 307
WEIMER
B. , n 362
John A.. II 359. 368
WEINANGE
Edmund. I 377-37R
WEINER
— , II 254
WEIR
, II 257
WE ISBECK
W, M. . I 305
WEISBERG
J. , II 309
WEISENHEIMER
Henry J. . ft 487
WEISGERBER
Stephen, n 171
WEISS
Carl. II 154
WEISSER . WISER
Henry. I 390; II
160, 368
Joseph, I 546
Peter, I 493
WELCH
A. R., I 591
Benjamin Jr., I 306,
341; n 362.
370
Benjamin C, II 335
Daniel, II 306
Deshler, n 350
Ellsha, I 115, 5^4,
591
Mrs. Eliza, I 131
eUTs, I 738
Fraric, I 738
Irene. I 738
James. I 584
Jeannie M., II 323
Jemima. I 736-737
John. I 585. 738
JohnM.. I 584, 587,
589. Mrs. 585
L. , n 2S5
Melissa, I 738
Nelson. I 345. 584.
587-88, 738
Phllena, I 738
•101-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
WELCH continued
R. C, I 520
Rev. , I 463
"STM. , n 540
Samuel M. Jr., I 303; H
487, 547
Theodore F. , 11 487, 553
Thomas C, U 478
WELD
Johns,, I 517
Mrs. Mary E., I 754
'SiMn, I 522
WELLBANK
Margaret, I 767
WELLER
, II 153
Adam, U 132
Jacob J. , n 243; B 57
Richard H. , II 370
Russell, n 282
WELLINGTON
Duke of. I 179
WELLOCK
Mrs. Elizabeth, I
7^5
John, I 725
Mary A., I 724
WELLS, WELLES
, I 374; II 193; B
45
Aldrich, n 25, 217; B
112-113
B. , I 607
Chandler J., H 25, 139-40
14^-143, 217, 224-22,
234, 511, 526; B 112-
115
Charles, I 619
CharlesC., II 68
Charles W., I 305, 534
Charlotte Miriam, B 45
Elizabeth, B 115
Henry, I 293; II 270; B 45,
55-56, 78
Horace, B 57
I., II 356
Jennie, B 115
John, I 503
John A., I 349, 642
JohnG., B 115
Joseph, I 297; II 25, 41,
217, 312; B 112-113
Mrs. Lucy Ann, B 115
TCulina, I 747, 769
Richard, B 45
Rosetta, I 748
Theodore, B 115
W. H., 1292
WiUiam, 1214-15, 636;
11 25, 136, 215, 217.
222; B 112-14
WELTLY
Margaret, I 393
WENBIERSKI
Charles, I 448
WENBORNE
C. A. , II 344
WENDE
A. B. , I 441, 449
Bernhard A. , I 443
WENDE continued
C. H. , I 449
Ernst, I 444
Gottfried H. , II 487
Herman, H 368
Herman A. . I 443, 449
Louis, I 349
WENDELL
Clarissa, I 724
George, I 461
Julia, I 724
Martin, I 714
Philip,! 417, 768. Sr.
I 768
WENDUNG
Frederick, I 507, 509
WENDOVER
B. S., I 639
Peter. V. S. , I 641
WENINGER
Rev., n 184
WriWER
Catharine, I 731
WENSIERSKI
C, I 521
WENTWORTH
David, II 337
J. B., n295
Rev., n 297
w^nZT
James, II, 161, 361-62,
364, 367-68. 370,
38O78I, 395
Julius, I 461; II 444
WEPPNER
Arnold. H 273
Frank, 11 540
Jacob, I 235-236
WERINSKY
L . n 308
WERNEKE
H. M. , n 444
WERNER
George, n 390, 398
Jacob, n 174
Michael, I 463
WERRICK
Charles H., 1727
Edward W. , I 727
Henry P. , I 727
John, I 290, 727; TL 143-
44, 522
Joseph, I 727. Jr. I 727
WERTMAN
Lydia, I 731
WESCH
Frederick, II 382
WESP
George, II 259
Philip. II 259
WEST
Caleb, I 534
Charles E., I 333; H 122
Dr. , n 39
Emma D. , I 760
John, I 624. Jr. I 624
Jonathan, i 624
Mrs, n 39
Stephen, I 626
Thomas, I 624
WESTCOTT
Byron H. , 11 278
Jesse, I 505, 568-569
Mrs. I 485
ICeuEen, I 566-569
WESTFALL
Augustus M. . n 278
WESTOVER
William, n 377
WETHERBEE
Asa, I 626-627
John, I 627
WETHERELL
Joseph R. , n 450
WETHER LOW
Chauncey
I 622
Martha J. . I 762
* Samuel, I 762
WETMORE
Samuel W. . II 345. 443
WETZEL
C. H., n 444
WEYAND
Christian. II 250
WHALER WHELAN,
n 193
James, 11 487
Robert, 11 132
Thomas, H 142-143
WHALEY
, I 610
Benjamin, I 117,
124, 593, 612
Frank N. , I 551
J, . I 504
SaUy, I 741
WHAPLES
Set. I 267
WriARTON
G. L. . n 301
WHEAT
Louisa, I 762
WHEELDON
John H. , n 444
WHEELER
A. B. , I 374
A. J. , n 250
Algar M. . I 241, 247.
296
Almeda S.. I 721
Antoinette. I 739
Asher, I 760
Caroline B. . 40
Charles B. . H 487, 533;
B 79
Charles R. . I 306
E. S. , n 529
Prank §., I 742; H 362
George W. , n 487
H. , Beacher, T 742
Hattie S., I 760
I. G. , I 481
J. N. , n 444
Joel, II 141, 143. 235,
250; B 115
JohnR., I 421
Joseph, B 110
Josiah, I 122
Lester, II 324
-102-
Index of Names continued
WHEELER continued
Manly A. . I 760
Mary, I 732
Mary E. . I 760
Minerva, I 742
Miss, I 637
Paul, I 742
Phebe, I 742
Polly, I 720
Ramond J., &60
Resolved Grosvenor,
I 122 381
Rufus, I 341;n 330, 332,
336-337; B 39
Stephen, I 742. Jr. I 742
Susan Jane, B 115
WlUiam P., 1241, 245,
251
Wailazn S., n 549
WHEELOCK
Addison, I 621, 762
Chapln, I 610
EUza (?), I 762
Esther; I 751
Harmon, I 530
Homer, I 534
Jane, I 755
Jesse, I 758
JohnT.. I 345, 457
Lucy A. . I 762
Oscar, I 331
Otis, I 160
Rena, I 533
Rev.. I 462
"Snai, 1533-534
WlUiam A. , I 762
WHICHER
, I 369
WHIPPLE
Esther. B 10
Job, I 731
T. C, I 731
WHTTCOMB
— , I 484; B 32
N. W. . II 450
WHITE
— , L654; n HI, 486
A. G. ^ I 566
A. R. , II 377, 443
Aaron, B 115-116
Adam, I 651
Albert A. 1 742
Ansley D., U 282
B., I 504
Belle, I 742
C.. I 504
David P., I 552
Dr. , I 674
CTenM., I 742
Emma F., B 116
Ersklne Norman, n 280
FredC. I 738
George I 522, 664
George C, XL 137, 231,
235, 271
George I,, II 397
George J., n 379
George W. , I 738
H., I 521
H, G.. I 738
WHITE continued
HamUton, II 230
Harriet E., B 116
Harvey, I 553
Helen, I 733
Henry, H 104. 114, 116
135, 333. 453, 463-465
Henry B., I 198
Hiram C, I 326-328
Horace. T 755; II 230
Horace W., 1330-331, 516,
II 389
I. J., n 259
Isaac, I 733
J. B. Jr., n 548. J. G.. n
299
James P., I 676; II 287, 427
29. 431, 435-40, 511
521. 534, 546, 548,
550
John, n 111, 145-47,
189, 233, 251
JohnC, 1257, 607
John H. . I 650
John Webster. I 742
Kate E. , I 742
LemuelM., I 648
Leroy, I 755; U 259
Lewis T., I 514, 517-
18, 520
Mabel T.. I 738
Mrs. Mary. B 115-116
Mary W. . I 723
Moses, I 626-627
Nathan, I 477
Noel, I 516
O. L. , I 663
Oliver, II 107
Paul, I 442
PaulH., I 650, 661
Rev. I 534
Russell Jesse, B 115-
116
Sarah M.. I 755
Stephen, I 648, 650.
658
Stephen J., I 652
Stephen T. , I 650
Susan, n 104
Thankful, 642
Thomas T., I 516-518
Truman, I 293
Truman C, II 487, 552
Wealthy M., I 761
WillLam. U 289
William C. . II 130, 234
WHITE CHIEF
— , I 83, 85
WHITE SENECA
— , I 83, 111, 203
THE WHITE WOMAN
— , I 209, 210
WHITEHEAD
Condlt, II 443
WHITEMAN
Frederick. I 644
WHITING
Capt.. I 245
^liarles L.. U 239, 243
Mark, 1 349; II 37
WHITING continued
Samuel, II 313
Silas, I 297, 59-1
WHITLEY
William, I 377
WHITMAN
n 544
George, n 293
Mrs. Jacob, I 415
WriTTSTER
555; Elizabeth, I 745
WHITNEY
Benajah T., II 441. 449-
51
David Jr.. II 201
Experience, I 74^^
George W. , I 546
I. W.. II 383
Milo A., II 397, 467
Morgan L., I 504.
508
William H.. I 290
WHITAKER. WHITTICER
H. P. , II 268
Harry. II 187, 190
J. , n 141, 443. 523
Lansing, I 514
Nelson. I 511. 513
Seymour, I 514
Wessel, n 189-190
WHITTMORE
Asa, II 388
WICK, WICKS
Adam. II 132
Henrv, I 446
WICKHAM
Hiram, I 734
Marinda. I 734
WICKWARE
N. B. . I 374
WICKWlRE
Elisha. I 367
WIDEL
Lilas. I 404
WIDELAR
John, I 385
WIDRIG
Spencer. I 636
WIECKMANN
C, 11 157
WIEDERRECHT
Philip, I 447
WIEDRICH
Michael, I 294-9^;
II 411; T 303
WIER
Edmonson, I 746
Mrs. Elizabeth. I 746
Tane Adele. I 746
Jar vis. I 746
Letitia. I 746
Thomas, I 746
Thomas E. I 493
WlUiam. I 746
WiUie, I 746
WIERLING
WlUiam J.. U 487
WIESMANN
— . n 177
WIGGINS
-103-
Hlctory of Buffalo and Erie County
WIGGINS continued
WiUiamT., 1251, 254
WIGHTMAN
Daniel, I 738
Dora, I 769
EUen A., I 738
George. I 738
H. Ward, I 738
Heman A., I 738
Herman, I 738
Isaac, I 563
Lettle, I 738
Orson H. , I 738
Mrs. Phoebe. I 738
WlCBEh, WILBOR, WILBUR
, I 651; n 297
Albert, I 734
Albert D. , II 295-96, 343
AUha, I 500, 743
C. C, n297
Charles, I 92
Cyrenlus, I 344, 500
EmUy, I 734
Eugene, I 734
George, n 182
James, I 734
Job, I 651
John, I 734
Jonathan T., U 387-88, 402
404
Mary, I 734
PhUip, n 136
Stephen, I 646-648
Winiam, n 68
WILCOK
, I 618; 11 486
A« J., I 518. 590,
599
Ansley, U 487, 536
Birdsy. II 135. 505
Charles H., n 438, 549
David J., I 346, 639, 641
Frank A., I 578
George, I 579-580
H., n 212
Harvey M. . I 304
James, n 299
Jeremiah, I 618
John, I 618
John F. , I 576
Joseph, II 531
Libbie, I 769
Rev., I 642
WILDER
Gratia, I 446
H. A., I 376
John, t 488
JohnR., I 479
Joseph, II 432
Julius, I 482
Julius P.. I 479
Lot S. , I 377
Maton, n 131
Monroe, n 298
R. J., I 419
Rice, I 477
Walter D., 1257
WILEY
C. N,, n 383
Eliza, I 743
WILEY continued
John, I 557
JohnM., I 345, 605;
II 398
WILGUS
— , n 420, 517
A. W., II 138, 350; B 26
Lewis L., n 140-141
Nathaniel, I 188; H
110, 135-36. 270,
514
WILHELM
, n 487
Edirard, n 540
Ludwlg, n 131
WILKESON
— , n 120, 517; b 23
Bayard, I 689
Ell, I 688
Elizabeth. I 688
George. I 375-76
John, I 274, 666, 684,
688-89; II 137, 222,
230, 236
John Jr., 1261. 263,
272
John WUkes, I 689
Louise, I 688
Samuel. I 158, 177, 241,
310-11, 343, 344, 346,
415-17, 675, 682-89;
n 42, 45. 66, 72, 74
78, 80-82, 88-96, 102,
104,* 109-11, 117, 133-
35, 184. 187, 192, 223,
430, 459, 503, 530; B
15, 37, 109. Jr. I 688-9;
n 137
Samuel H.. 1291
WUliam, I 688; n 234
WILKINS
George A. , n 451
Major. I 46
RicWdP.. n 193
Thomas, n 189
WILKINSON
Charles, I 643
G., I 386
Gen., I 145, 46
John T. , I 369
WILLARD
Jonathan, I 86
WILLAST
Dorothy, I 763
WILLETT
Docia W., I 761
Edith, I 740
Elijah, I 761
Elijah P., I 761
Grace, I 761
James, W,, n
479
Mary A. , I 761
Paul. I 761
Phoebe, n 444
Prince A., I 761
Robert F., 1761
William R., I 761
WILLIAMS
. II 247. 255, 261-2
WILLIAMS continued
, 487; B 35, 114
A., n 184
A. G., II 217
A. W. . n 444
Addis* E.. I 755; n 377
Alberts.. I 417-18,
426, 768; H 377
Alpheus, I 595
Anna H. , B 55
Asa, I 386
Benjamin, B 116
Benjamin H. , I 343, 348;
n 144, 487
Buel, I 395, 731
Caleb, I 394, 731
Carrie E., 1755
Charles E. n 387
Charles H., n 547; B 43
Charles H. S. . I 348
Clara, I 394
Clark S.. I 768
Dr.. I 568
ISutee J., I 556; n 422
E. B., I 643
Ed. , n 547
Edwin E. , I 641
Elijah P.. n271
Elisha. n 456
Ella, I 755
Frank. H 207, 208
Frahk F. , H 487
Frank W., 1755
G. F., n 377
G. Stedman, n S46. Mrs.
B76
George, I 303
George L. , I 333; n 246
541
George W., I 755
Gibson T.. H 231,
233-234, 271. 484,
511, 533; B 42, 116-
17
H.. n 193
H. K.'. I 331
Hannah, I 411, 712
Helena. I 768
Henry R. . n 532
Hester Ann. I 394
Horace B. , 12
HoweUC, n 325
James Morris. H 300
Jane, I 394
Jennie, I 732
John. I 647
John B. , n 546
JohnL., n 199, 533. 547
JohnR., II 138
John Wesley. I 394-395
Jonas, I 93. 114, 123,
178, 335, 343, 384
398-402, 404; U 28.
32. 77, 222-223
Jonathan B. . 11 283
Joseph R., n 146, 516
Joseph W. . I 394
Kate, I 755
Laura M., I 731
Leopolds.. I 755
-104-
Index of Names continued
WILLIAMS continued
Ubbie« I 755
Lucy, I 394
Mary, B 96
Mercy, I 409
Nathan, I 516; B 55
NeUieM., I 395, 731
P. B., n 132
Rev., I 462
Mrs. Richard, n 324
Hoger, B 94
Sanford^ I 755
Sanford A., I 755
Samuel, I 553
Mrs. Sarah, I 768
Mr a. Susan, B 97
TT^., I 416
Watkins, n 137-139, 398-
399
Wesley, I 388, 731
Wesley Sherman, I 394
Waiiam, I 238. 340,
345, 416-17, 732;
n 109, 112, 117,
136-38, 211, 223. 231,
370; B 22
WILLIAMSON
EU, II 370-71, 373, 395
WILLINK
Jan, 176. Jr., I 76
Wilhem, I 76, 541. Jr. I 76
WILUS
Charles I 483
Glossy E., 1718
Ephraim, I 628
Eugene, I 483
Eugene L. I 479
James, I 443, 464, 481-83,
718
Jay, 1718
John, I 483
Leander, I 275
lyUry F., I 718
Nathan, I 439, 442-43,
447
O. E., 1758
R. G. . I 481, 483, 759
W. G. , I 477
Wallace, I 7»8
Winfield, I 718
WILLOUGHBY
B. C. , I 590
Mathew, H 433
Prof.. B 10
WlCITOUNG
Catherine, I 727
Christian, I 727
Cora B,, 1727
Franklin H. , I 727
Harry W., I 727
John, I 727. Jr. I 727
Margaret, I 727
Mary, I 727
Michael. I 727
Samuel, I 727
WILMOT
J., n444
WILSON
, I 497; n 486
Abner, I 321, 513, 516
WILSON connnued
Benjamin, I 618-19
Mrs. Caroline, I 746
Denison L., I 746
Dr.. I 135
Esther, I 619
Ezekiel. I 746
Fred L.. 1746
Frederick, n 300
George, I 664
Guilford, II 324
Guilford R. , II 205, 209,
230, 264; B 109
Jacob. I 619
Jack, B 95
Millard F., I 612
Minerva A., I 717
Miranda, I 717
R. C, n 299
Robert, I 576, 627
Robert P., n 487, 533,
549-50
Stephen, I 717
Stephen V. R., n 230
T. D. , I 553
Thomas, n 182
W. T., n 205
WILTING
F., I 496
WILTSE
Buradore, I 349, 401
Caroline, I 396
David, I 395
Diana, I 396
Elixabeth, I 396
James L., I 396, 732.
Jr., 732
Jeremiah, I 395-96, 465,
732
Jeremiah Simon, I 396
L. P. , I 369
Laura A. , I 396, 732
Livingstone., 1385, 387,
395-96, 732
Maria E., 1755
Marie E., I 465
Rena, I 732
Rena E., I 396
Samuel J., I 396. 732
Sarah A., 396, 732
WINANS
D. H., n232
WINBORN
George, I 732
WINCHESTER
E. W. , II 297
WIND
H. . n 175
WINDER
Col.. I 131-134
WlfJECTAR
CaPt., I 295
Thomas H., I 305
WING
Charles J., I 304
George L 419; n 487
Halsey R. 11 532
Matthew. I 452
WINGERT
WINGER' )m. lu
H., I ^06
WINKHA^.I
Ch&uncey L. 11 412
WINN
Amasa C, II 400. 403
WINNE. WINNEY
Charles, I 301;
n 135-36. 420. 425,
532. 341
Charles. H. . II 522
Charles K. . H 443
Cornelijs. I 67-68, 71;
n 14-19
win:ship
Howard. II 285
James. II 487
Walter C. , II 144-45. 387
WINSLOW
A. D. , I 626
Henry C. . H 273. 346
Leroy M., I 581; II 379
Myron D. , I 578
Mrs. S. F. , B 16
TG^as J., n 277, 359
WmSPEAR
AdaE.. 1727
Clara J. I 727
James. I 727
Mary A.. I 724
Pennock. I 471. 727
William. I 493
WINSPERGER
Julius, I 292-293
WINTER, WINTERS
Frank E.. U 132
Jeremiah, II 109
John. I 627
WIPPERMAN
Mary, I 725
wmsuM
Mary C, 1737
WIRTH
J., I 504
WIRTZ
D. , I 404
WISE
Rev., n 307-308
"Smuel, I 369
WISTAR
, n4l4
WISWELL
Daniel H. , U 373.
394
WTTHERSPOON
Orlando, H 286-87
290
WITLED
J. G., I 386
• WTTMER
Abraham, I 716
WITT
C. L.. I 494, 509
WITTE, WITTY
Rudolph, n 411
William. I 446
WITTENBAGER
Mrs. Caroline. I 712
iSrothy. I 712
Johi' I 712
-105-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
WITTHAUS
R. A. . II 444-45
WITTNAUER
Theresa, I 712
WITZIG
John, I 589
WOEHNERT
JohnG., I 285
WOELFEL
, n 177
WOELFLEY
G. J., II 133, 379
WOERZ
J., n 179
WOESNER
George Jr. , II 412
WQHLERS
Peter, H 132
WOLCOTT
Cora May, I 721
Harriet, I 750
Harriet M., 1721
James, I 721
JosiahB., I 548, 721
Samuel, I 721
WOLF, WOLFE, WOOLF
, I 43, 45
Adam, I 716, 764
Catharine. I 716. Mrs. I
764 ""~
Charles T., 1768
Christopher, U 109
Cyrus G., I 717
Mrs. Dorothy T., 1768
Hizabeth, I 713, 764
Frederick, I 405
Gen.. I 702
George, I 768. Jr. I 40 1
George Sr., I 716
George G., 1716, 717
George J. , I 406
Henry, I 716
Henry H., 1768
J., 1420
J. K., n 132
Jacob, I 406, 716-17
JohnD., 1768; H 109
Joseph, I 615, 768
Louisa, I 716
Margaret, I 727
Minnie, 1768
Sophia M., I 768
Teal, I 768
William J. , n 520
WOLFRED
Charles, I 534
WOLFSOHN
, n 413
Joseph, n 412
WOLGAST
Charles, I 716
Charles F.. 1716
Mrs. ElishaH., 1716
ToEn, I 716
Paulina, 1716
WOLSEY
, I 6-8
WOLTER
Henry G., 11 176
WOLZ
WOLZ continued
Mrs. Catherine, I 727
"Enzabeth, I 727
Jacob, I 727
WOOD, WOODS,
— , I 418, 451
A. B., I 628-29
Charles, I 761; H 279,
391
Charles H., I 590, 661,
761
Chillon, I 761
Clara, I 780-61
Col.. I 172-73
13:11161, I 120
Darwin, I 554
David, I 586
E. G., I 554
Elizabeth, I 756
Emma, I 769
Florence L., I 761
Gabriel, I 450
Gansevoort, I 621, 623
H. B., I 651
Herman G., n 289
J. D., I 296
James, I 324, 326, 344,
562, 565-566. 568;
11388
Joel, I 607
L. D., I 588
Lyman, I 563
Mabel ^., I 761
Martha L., 1742
Mary, I 751
Fhebe, I 761
Polly, I 739
Mrs. Sarah, I 761
"SopCU, I 739
T. W. , n 442
Thaddeus, n 457
W. C, I 552
Walter, 1692-93; U
96
Wealthy L.. 1761
WlUlam, n 107-108
WlUiam J., n 108
William P. M. , n 332, 345
William v., n 145. 210
WOODALL
Benjamin. II 296, 298
W. J. , n 296
WOODBRIDGE
Henry B., I 302
WOODRUFF
, I 612
A. U , I 533
Ephralm, I 122, 125, 321,
537, 539. 609
H. B. . I 605
J. D., I 663
John. I 325
Lawrence J. , I 545, 552
M. R., 1605
Morris M., B 95
Rev,. I 590
WCJTOSON
Warren A., H 399
WOODWARD, WOODARD
Ambrose, I 597
WOODWARD continued
Amos. I 87. 91. 452
Asa. I 452. 464
David. I 384-85. 390
Dr.. n 417
kmma. I 746
Epsom, I 746
Erin, I 746
George. I 746
Ira C. , n 398
Isaac, I 644
James. I 91. 452, 46 4
James A., I 746
Josiah. I 636
Levi, I 648. 657,
659
Mary, I 533
Fhilo, I 644
• Theodore, I 558
WOODWORTH
C. H.. n275
Henry, H 276
Lorenda, I 379
Wayland W. . H 487
WOOLEY
J. R., I 386
WOOLSON
Theron W. , I 417. 421-422
WOOLVER
"Maria. I 714
WOOLWCHITH
Miss, n 324
W(!StCfiSTER
Amos. I 386. 465
WC^DSWORTH
Richard, I 641
WORENSKI
Rev., n 309
WdRKELY
Adam, I 716
Barbara, 1716
WORMWOOD
Charles. H 138
WORTH
Cart.. n71
CoTT. I 515
Wn&am J., I 216-17-
219
WORTHINGTON
C. G., 0 274
DeBtas, H 297
James, I 387
Louise, n 323
S. K. , n 232, 273,
546
WllUam F. , TL 487
WOSTERS
Salome, I 769
WRIGHT
. I 837
Mrs. A. R. I 550
XCert J., n 533; B 118
Alfred P. . I 333; HI 212.
214. 233-34,273;
B 117-18
Alpha, n 295
Amos, I 344. 346. 384;
II 357
Amzl, I 85
Asher, I 111. -03, 655-56
-106-
Index of Xamts continued
WRIGHT continued
YAW
YOUNG continued
Daniel, I 604
George R. , II 141-42, 526
Jasper B., I 399. 401
Dr. . I 369
Hiram, I 298, 593
709. 717
USwin, I 328
Joseph, I 114. 545, 593-
Jasper H. . I 746, 758
Mrs. Eliza Ann, B 117
94, 631
Jasper P.. I 336, 345
lEmlly, I 752
YAWISTOWSKY
Jasper S., I 717
GUbert. I 513
John Ignatz, n 165
Jasper T., II 146
J. B.. I 387, 520
YEAGER, YAGER
John, I 671; U 468
J. W., n 299
Charles, I 736
John Foster, B 121
Jacob, I 512-13, 522
Mary, I 752
JohnG., I 591
KateF., B 70
YEOMAN
Laura C, Baxter.
Pattie L., B 118
Jas. D. , I 333, 537, 544-
I 717
Peter P., B 117
46, 554
Lxjren P. , I 758
Silas, I 224; U 482. Jr.
Rebecca, I 409
M.. I 387
B 5
YOCKEY
Magdalena, I 758. Mrs.
Thomas B. I 241
Margaret. I 766
I 758
WiUiazn, I 578
YONTZ
Mary F., 1717
WiUiam W., B 97
Catharine. I 722
Mason, U 357
Worthington, B 70
YORK
Mehitable Elizabeth, B
WRIGHTMAN
Duke of, n 14
121
A. R., 1642
George W., I 305; II
Michael, I 463, 758
Daniel, I 592
444
Nellie M., 1746
George, X 592
YOUNG, YUNGK, JUNG
Nina A. . I 758
Heman, I 591-592
— , II 156
Orlando, I 604
Herman, I 591
A. T. , I 553
Peter, II 540
WUERZ
Albert Barnes, B 122
Ralph R., I 758
William, I 251, 275
Alice, I 717
Rev^, I 482
Rosa. I 727
WUEST
AnnaR., 1758
Frederick. H 169
Anne, I 758
Samuel, I 309; II 93
O., n 178
Bertha, I 717
Samuel Warren, B 121
WUNDERLIN
Carrie L., 1717
Sophia Charlotte, B 121
A., n 160
Charles A., I 349
Susan Jane B.. 121
WURTEMBERGER
Charles Edward, n 130, 132-
Thomas E. , 11 404
, I 566
133. 238, 265, 392,
Mrs. Valinda, B 120-
WURTENRRRGER
408; B 120-22
li21
Jacob, I 401
Charles Edward Jr., B
WiUiam, I 448-449
WURST
122
William B., I 554
Edward, I 728
Charles Fletcher, B 122
WQliam Foster, B
Hattle, I 728
Clara Lavinia, B 122
120-121
Jacob. I 612, 728,
Cyrena Aurelia B 121 .
YOUNG KING
753
Dr., I 652
BT: n 171
. I 51, 69-71, 111
John, I 727
140, 144, 203; II 28;
WURSTER
Edwon J. , I 746
B 11
Jacob, n 173
Elizabeth M., 1758 '
YOUTZ
WURTZ
EUaL., 1746
Jacob, I 599
John, I 600
Emile, I 443
YUERKE
WUTZ
Fannie Mar iaB 121
Charles, I 378
C. C. . II 302
Florence L. , I 717
YUND
WYCKOFF
Foster, I 401; B 120-121
E. , I 449
Cornelius C, H 141, 382,
Mrs. Foster, B 121
ZACHER
441, 523, 549-50; B 122
"Francis, II 265
Charles D., I 304
Cornelius Hastings, B 122
Francis Henry, B 121
ZACKEY
Eliza. I 766
Frank H., 1717
Charlotte, I 766
George S. , B 122
Frank J., 1758
Henry, I 767
Joseph. B 122
Frederick Caryl, B
ZAHM
Peter, B 122
122
B., 47
WYERS
George Foster, B 122
George, n 155, 164
, I 445
George W., I 748
Geraldine, I 709
J., n 325
WYLAND
Jacob M., n 155
Catharine. I 712
Geraldine Ayer, I 717
ZAVITZ
YANCY
Gov., B 38
Ann E., I 723
William U, B 53
Jacob, I 746, 758. Jr.
ZAWISTOWSKI
YASTER
I 758
I. I., I 521
Joseph, I 534
James, I 717
J. , I 463
YATES
James F. , I 399. 717. Jr. I
ZEILER
, 11 207, 209
717
George, II 273
JohnB., I 431-32,
James S., I 122, 399,
ZELLER. ZOELLER
434
401, 717
, III 248
YAUGH
Jane A. 1717
A., n 172
Martin, H 174
Mrs, Jane Ann, I 709
Bertha, I 718
-107-
History of Buffalo and Erie County
ZELLER continued
Christian, I 334
Clara, I 718
F. W., I 443. 718
G. Frederick, n 144-45.
273
PhiUp. n 170
ZENT
George. I 421
P. J. . I 404
Philip. I 404
R. I 404
ZENTZ
Magdalena. I 716
ZENY
Carl. I 289
ZERMEEKE
A.. I 496
ZERNECHI
A.. I 509
ZESCH
. n 156
Frank H.. B 119
Franz« B 119
Frederick. 11 390
WUliam. I 385
ZIEGELE
Albert. 11 248. 272-3.
541. 551
Albert Jr.. H 248; B
120
Albert Sr.. n 159. 161-62.
233; B 119-120
Bertha. B 120
Pauline. B 119
William. B 119
ZIEGLER
Sophronia. I 754
ZIER
John, n 131
ZILLIG
George, n 131
ZIMBCER
CaroUne. I 729
Catharine. I 729
Gideon. I 729
H.. n 172
Rudolph. I 390
ZIMMERMAN
Adam. I 728
CaroUne. I 728. 758
Catherine. I 763
Charles. I 728
Mrs, Elixabeth. I 728.
768
Emeline. I 763
Emily. I 728
Eugene L. . I 768
Fanqy. I 728
Fred. I 728
G. A., n 174
George. II 236
Gertrude. I 768
Godfrey. I 728
H. C. . n 252
James B.. I 768
John. I 375. 386. 387
Levi. I 422. 768
Louisa. I 728
Mrs, Maggie. I 768
Martin. I 768
Martin J.. 1768
Bfa-s. Mary. I 763. 788
'Saloine. I 728
William. I 728. 763; n
377
WiUiam C. n 369-70. 409
ZINK
Christian.. I 302
ZINK continued
George W.. II 144-45. 273
ZINTZ
Pteter, n -64
ZIPP
Henry. U 390
ZITTEL
Henry O. . n 390
ZOEGLE
Ft. . n 304
ZOLL
John, n 147
ZUBER
L.. I 496
ZURBRICK
AnnaL.. 1728
BeU. I 728
Mrs. Christiana. I 728
. rawin. I 728
Elisabeth. I 728. Mrs.
1728
EsteUa. I 728
Fan^y. I 728
Frank. I 471
George P.. I 728
Henry, I 728
Henry W. . I 728
John. I 728. 758
JohnL.. 1728
Levy. I 728
Mary. I 728
Micael. I 728
Nicholas. I 728
Pfeter. I 728
FhilUp. I 728
William. I 728
ZURNEDDEN
C. n 172
ZUZEL
Frederick M.. I 496
-108-
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