Felton, Benjamin F. (1827-1905).jpg

Benjamin F. Felton, photo portrait (Landmarks of Niagara County, 1897).jpg
Benjamin F Felton Called to the Beyond, article (Tonawanda News, 1905-08-30).jpg
Union News Co emerges from Ben Felton venture, article (Tonawanda News, 1959-07-15).jpg
Felton Homestead, photo and article (Tonawanda News, 1977-10-15).jpg
Union News Company stand, Central Terminal, Buffalo, photo (alexandracharitan.com, 2018).jpg

Dublin Core

Title

Felton, Benjamin F. (1827-1905).jpg

Description

One of the most prominent early residents of North Tonawanda, Felton is born in Massachusetts in 1827. He moves to Buffalo in 1853, involved in the manufacture of leather goods and stationery. He opens a candy business with his brother at 193 Main Street in Buffalo. In 1865 they are listed at 159 Main Street. He secures an exclusive franchise to sell newspapers on the New York Central and Lake Shore train lines (he later sells this lucrative business as the Union News Company).

In 1867 he moves to North Tonawanda with his wife, Ellen.

He invests heavily in real estate, at one time owning (with John Simson) all the Niagara River frontage north of Wheatfield Street, and fosters the area's industrial growth as an organizer of the Niagara River Iron Corp (later, Tonawanda Iron and Steel.) Gratwick's Felton Street is named after him. He is a Mason.

By the 1870s he is breeding horses and even has a race track on his massive farm bounded by Division Street (Mile Strip Road) road to the west, Rumbold to the north, Tremont Street to the south and "Black" Hannah's woods to the east.

His stationery business with his brother continues to be advertised at various Main Street, Buffalo addresses well into the 1870s.

In 1876 he is re-elected president of the Tonawanda Driving Association.

In 1883, he's Sup't of Niagara County Fair

He spends 30 years as president of North Tonawanda's Board of Education. The former Felton School and its nearby orphaned athletic field, Felton Field, still bear his name.

Felton is Village President in 1891. He lives at 211 Division when he dies in 1905.

Date

1827

Source

His obituary

People Item Type Metadata

Birth Date

1827-12-21

Birthplace

Barre, Worcester county, Massachusetts

Death Date

1905

Tags

Citation

“Felton, Benjamin F. (1827-1905).jpg,” North Tonawanda History, accessed July 12, 2025, https://nthistory.com/items/show/650.