North Tonawanda pioneer residents, incorporation and village institutions, lumber, iron, brief sketches of Wheatfield residents, illustrations, transcription (excerpt from History of Niagara County, pp 376-381, 1878).jpg

SUPERVISORS OF WHEATFIELD.

The following gentlemen have been supervisors of the town:

In 1837, Benjamin McNitt; 1838, N. M. Ward; 1839, William Vandervoote; 1840, John Sweeney; 1842, Isaac L. Young; 1843, N. M. Ward; 1844, 1845, Lewis S. Payne; 1846, N. M. Ward; 1847, 1848, L. S. Payne; 1849, Sylvester McNitt; 1850, L. S. Payne; 1851, Seth F. Roberts; 1852, S. McNitt; 1853, 1854, Peter Greiner; 1855, Joseph Hawbecker; 1856, 1857, George W. Sherman; 1858, N. M. Ward; 1859-61, L. S. Payne; 1862, Peneuel Schmeck; 1863-66, George W. Sherman; 1867, H. H. Griffin; 1868, James Carney; 1869, H. H. Griffin; 1870, Edward A. Milliman; 1871-73, Joseph D. Loveland; 1874, 1875, Thomas C. Collins; 1876, L. S. Payne; 1877, 1878, Christian Fritz.

NORTH TONAWANDA.

Previous to the location and construction of the Erie Canal there appears to have been but little progress made in settling that portion of the town now embracing the large and rapidly advancing village of North Tonawanda. As at other localities, the canal was the impetus that moved capitalists to invest at this favorable point. The following original handbill shows the beginning of business enterprises:

VILLAGE OF NIAGARA.

“This village is located at the confluence of the Niagara and Tonawanda rivers, where the Erie Canal from Buffalo enters the Tonawanda, and where boats pass from the canal into the Niagara river by a lock. At this junction of the rivers, and adjoining the village, is a safe and spacious harbor, as well for canal boats as for vessels navigating Lake Erie.

“These advantages cannot fail to render the village of Niagara the depot of the products of the West, destined to the city of New York, and of return cargoes of merchandise.

“A dam of four or five feet high will be thrown across the Tonawanda, at the village, so as to raise the river to the level of Lake Erie, and the river will be navigated for the distance of eleven miles, and be united with the canal between Niagara and Lockport. The surplus water from the dam will afford an abundant and steady supply for mills and other hydraulic works.

“The village is 12 miles from Buffalo, 8 from the Falls, 15 from Lewiston, and 16 miles from Lockport. A line of stages passes through from Buffalo to Lewiston daily, and another from Lockport to Buffalo every other day. Travelers to the Falls will leave the canal at this place.

“A bare inspection of Vance’s or Lay’s map of the western part of this State will at once show the advantageous position of the village for trade, market, and manufactures.

“Building lots are now offered for sale to actual settlers. A map of the village may be seen by application to James Sweeney, at Buffalo, or to George Goundry, at the Land Office in Geneva; and the former will enter into contracts of sale.

“The title is indisputable, and good warranty deeds will be executed to purchasers.

George Goundry,
James Sweeney,
John Sweeney,
Proprietors.
July 5th, 1824.”

PIONEER RESIDENTS.

In 1809 George N. Burger erected a small frame house on the premises occupied by Vincent Koch & Co., in part as a lumber yard. No earlier settler has been found. Mr. Burger was a well-known, prominent pioneer among the earliest settlers in the city of Lockport.

Joshua Pettit located in 1810, on the premises now occupied by Mr. Kreid, on the Niagara river, near the Niagara Iron Works, where he opened a log tavern; the stream near by has long been known as Pettit creek. He remained until 1835, when he moved to Allegany county. He died May 2nd, 1857, aged 76. Two of his daughters, Hannah, wife of Whitman Jacobs, aged 71, and Polly, wife of Daniel C. Jacobs, aged 68, as far as is known are the oldest living settlers in the village of North Tonawanda, which has been their home from childhood.

Stephen Jacobs located in March, 1817, on the river, two miles below Tonawanda, purchasing of Augustus Porter.

196 acres, at $8 per acre, when it lay in the wilderness, and improved it as a farm. The timber for building the first guard-lock where the Erie Canal enters the river was furnished by him. He died at Niagara Falls in January, 1840. He was in the battle of Bunker Hill at the age of seventeen. His children living are Daniel C., Whitman, Dana and Hiram, residents of Tonawanda.

Mrs. D. C. Jacobs states that when the alarm reached them of the burning of Lewiston, and descent of the enemy upon the few scattered settlers, in 1813, the consternation could not be described; the terrified men and women, in confusion, were at a loss where to seek a refuge, while children clung to their mothers' garments for protection. Ox teams were used to land them beyond the immediate scene of danger.

William Vandervoote located in 1825, occupying a log house, the only one that then existed. He had in view the transaction of mercantile business, and the purchase of staves and oak timber for the Boston market. The first public house, called the Niagara, was completed by him in 1828, and burned in 1844. Mr. Vandervoote subsequently purchased of the Holland Company seventeen hundred acres of land, and sold to the Prussians the tract including the largest part of their possessions, on the Tonawanda creek and its vicinity. He was a partner in a store established by the Boston Company, then floating in the full tide of prosperity, on Grand Island. He established the first bank in the place in 1836. His mother and his sister Sarah located with him, the latter of whom occupied a brick residence erected by her brother, the first of the kind in the place.

James Sweeney located first in Buffalo in 1811. As one of the proprietors in the original purchase of the land upon which the village of North Tonawanda has been erected, he located on it in 1828, and built the first frame dwelling. The clearing of the land was commenced for the purpose of furnishing timber for the Buffalo pier, and to prepare the way for the sale of village lots. He pursued a liberal policy in advancing his individual interests, or those of others whom he sought to interest in becoming citizens. The lots for the first Methodist church, built in 1837, and the first school-house, were donated by him. Not alone in these generous public benefits was he conspicuous as a citizen. As the advance of landed property added to his means, his benefactions increased, and he aided worthy objects wherever aid was needed. He worked earnestly to extend the benefits of local schools, manifesting the interest he felt by furnishing books and often clothing to destitute children, placing them in a condition to be benefitted by them. Leaving to posterity the legacy of a respectable name as a valuable citizen and man of integrity, he died January 13th, 1850, aged 57. His son John, who died in the midst of a career of business enterprises, managed the building of the first railroad depot, and was the first, and for several years the station manager at this point. He caused the first dock to be built on the creek, next to the bridge, afterwards extending it 250 feet along the bank of the creek in the direction of the river, employing Elijah V. Day to supply the foundations and planking. He built the first and only grist-mill, which was afterwards destroyed by fire. Colonel John Sweeney built a saw-mill on the dam at the present position of the waste gates, the only one existing in this section of the country.

James Carney was a pioneer in the town as early as 1819, locating with his father, Edward Carney, who was one of the earliest settlers in Avon, Livingston county, in 1791 on Tonawanda Island (for many years and now more frequently designated Carney Island). His object in settling was to gain a pre-emption right if the boundary line, when settled, left the island in the territory of the United States. In 1824 the State of New York caused a survey to be made, ordering an assessed valuation of $4.50 per acre. During the following year the island was ordered to be sold at public auction in the city of Albany, requiring one-eighth of the purchase money to be paid down. James Carney, furnishing the required amount, placed it in the hands of Judge Samuel Wilkison to purchase at the sale, but speculation had been stimulated by the purchase that had been made on Grand Island, opposite, by the Jews, to found the "City of Ararat" and concentrate the scattered tribes of Israel; and Samuel Leggett, of the city of New York, became the purchaser at $23 per acre. Mr. Carney set out in the effort to attain, by buying and clearing land, the position of affluence he now enjoys at an age of seventy-eight years. At seventeen he was an ox-teamster in the employ of Porter, Barton & Co., slowly plodding through woods from Lewiston to Schlosser. He was a subject of pioneer life, doing milling, floating a canoe down the river for a harbor in Porter's mill race at the Falls; returning by applying his shoulder to a setting pole in the way he had learned in propelling scow-boats from Schlosser to Black Rock, often loaded with three hundred and fifty barrels of salt.

INCORPORATION AND VILLAGE INSTITUTIONS.

The village of North Tonawanda was incorporated May 8th, 1865. The first trustees were David Robinson, Jacob Bocker, George W. Sherman, Alexander Kent, Clark Ransom, and J. D. Vandervoote. The board for 1878 consists of F. J. Fellows, H. O. Nightingale, Augustus Brown, Alexander McBean (president) and W. H. Upson (clerk). A well-constructed brick building centrally located accommodates the common council room and clerk's office, fire engine, firemen's implements, and a safe jail, under the same roof. A well-regulated police controls the diversified elements of a mixed population that is brought together to perform the immense amount of labor required to handle daily the arrivals of lumber, in the yards that stretch along the banks of the town for over two miles. The village is a lumber mart of the largest extent, enjoying the best mechanical advantages. Mercantile pursuits are but little engaged in, except provision stores and groceries.

The private banking house of Evans, Schwingers & Co., was established May 1st, 1877, with James H. DeGraff president; E. Evans, vice president; William Saverce, cashier; share holders: J. Simpson, E. Evans, J. H. DeGraff, C. Schwinger, A. G. Kent, L. S. Payne, J. A. Bliss, George P. Smith, H. B. Smith, E. H. Rogers, W. M. Laverack and B. L. Hand, representing a capital of a quarter of a million.

The North Tonawanda Union School has four departments and four teachers. The last winter term averaged 190 scholars and the summer term 125, J. W. Brown is principal, with Libbie M. Pugsley, Hannah Densmore, and Nellie Becker as assistants. The whole number of scholars of school age is 674. The school-house was erected in 1866. The board of education consists of Benjamin F. Felton, president; H. O. Nightingale, clerk; Dr. C. Backer, Giles Schell and John Chadwick.

The school building is a substantial stone edifice, located at one of the most pleasant points in the village. The yards in front and play grounds are kept in good condition.

The Tonawanda Herald, established by J. Densmore July 19th, 1875, passed into the proprietorship of George W. Warren and T. M. Chapman October 14th, 1877. It is a well conducted paper, earnestly devoted to the interests of the business community, and enjoys a patronage creditable alike to itself and its patrons.

The iron bridge spanning the Tonawanda creek is the successor of three others; one was erected by the United States in 1800 or 1801, for military purposes. It was temporary in construction and was of short duration. After it fell, the crossing was done by a ferry until 1824, when a toll bridge was erected, in pursuance of a charter for twenty-one years; previous to the expiration of the charter, the interests of the stock-holders were purchased by the Buffalo and Niagara Falls Railroad Company, who rebuilt the bridge, with a roadway and side tracks for their road. The period of the charter expiring, the bridge became a county and town charge. Niagara and Erie counties erected the third, which remained until superseded in 1875 by the present wrought iron structure, which was built by the “Wyoming Iron Bridge Company of Canton, Ohio.” Fifty tons of iron were used in its construction. It is three hundred feet in length, with a twenty-six-foot roadway, and sidewalks on both sides seven feet wide.

The village has a cemetery, which was organized under the statute, in the year 1868. The incorporators were: Benjamin F. Felton, Garwood L. Judd, Franklin Warren, Hiram Hewell, Selden G. Johnson and John Simpson. Mr. Hewell was the first president, and Mr. Felton the first secretary of the board of organization.

At the first meeting of the board of trustees, Mr. Felton presented the corporation with a splendid book for the keeping of the records. Much credit is due to Messrs. Felton, Warren and Judd for the labor and interest they took in organizing the enterprise.

Mr. Judd drew up the articles of association; and being an attorney, obtained the requisite order from court, sanctioning the articles of incorporation, which were duly recorded in the office of the county clerk.

Many of the citizens have purchased lots in the cemetery and beautified them. Among the number are Hon. Henry J. Smith, Hon. John Simpson, Franklin Warren, Benjamin F. Felton, Hon. Lewis S. Payne, Garwood L. Judd, James Carney, Asa Ransom, Frederick Sommer, James G. Primer and others. The cemetery is situated on the easterly side of Payne avenue.

THE LUMBER TRADE.

The lumber trade is the prevailing feature of business, while other interests are to be included, as in a prosperous condition. At the various lumber yards is seen every necessary arrangement and skillful appliance to transact business with dispatch and economy. The capital employed and energy displayed can not fail of success. To detail the business would exceed our limits, but an account of a few of the leading concerns will not fail to interest the reader.

The firm of McGraw & Co. established themselves in the business over eight years since. Their yards and docks cover an area of six and one fourth acres, on Manhattan street. The main dock, facing on the Niagara river, is 400 feet long, with two slips, 600 feet each, making 1,600 feet of docking, with capacity to store 10,000,000 feet of rough lumber, 500,000 feet of dressed ceiling, siding and flooring, and a full stock of shingles and lath. Aside from the water front occupied by this firm, they also have the facilities for shipping on a branch of the Central railroad passing through their premises, loading cars directly from lake barges. Convenient access to the canal also places them in a favorable business position. The members of the firm are: John McGraw, T. H. McGraw, C. B. Curtiss and Ira D. Bennett. The last is the general manager, and A. J. Hathaway foreman on the yard.

Extensive as are the other yards and docks, astonishment is still further excited upon the premises of W. H. Gratwick & Co., one and a half miles down the river on the Central railroad. The office for the transaction of their business could not be more conveniently and comfortably arranged for employees and customers. W. H. Gratwick, formerly residing in Albany, is now a resident of Buffalo, acting as the local representative of the firm at that point; the other members associated are Robert S. Fryer, in Albany, under the names of Gratwick, Fryer & Co., and Edward Smith, in Michigan, representing the firm of Smith, Gratwick & Co. The capital they employ in the prosecution of their business is $500,000; in the various localities and departments they employ four hundred and fifty men. They own a tract of 31,000 acres of pine land in the northern part of Michigan, where they have two mills that annually turn out 28,000,000 feet, which is transported in barges to Tonawanda and forwarded by rail and canal to eastern markets; they deal exclusively in their own production. Their docks have a river frontage of 863 feet, with a water slip, doubling the means of storage, and an additional dock in the rear, 600 feet long; in all, 2,200 feet. Tramways have been built for wagon roads, and tracks to receive the cars from the Central and Erie railroads, to be loaded directly from vessels or piles on the docks. The docks, 300 feet out in the river, reach thirteen feet depth of water, sufficient to float the largest craft on the lakes. The cost of land, docks and buildings was $25,000. The stock on hand of planed and dressed lumber averages from 4,000,000 to 8,000,000 feet, with a proportionately large supply of shingles and laths. About four years since, Gratwick & Co. became the pioneers in occupying lots far down the river, an example that others have thought worthy of imitation.

IRON WORKING ESTABLISHMENTS.

Where the Niagara River Iron Works are situated on the Niagara river, in 1810 a small opening was made in the woods for the erection of a rude log house, by Joshua Pettit. But a little over half a century has passed, and where stood the lowly log house noble structures rise to indicate the progress that has been made from a primitive to a more advanced condition.

The Niagara River Iron Company was formed in pursuance of the general manufacturing law, in 1872, with a paid-up capital of $400,000. The first purchase of real estate was of 165 acres from M. Bush. The buildings were erected in 1873, and manufacturing operations commenced the same year. The engine house stands in a prominent position, and by one not knowing its design might be taken for an elegant mansion or villa; the building is 68 by 74 feet, with a proportionate elevation, and finished in tasteful style. The boiler house, judiciously separated, located 45 feet by 70, contains ten ponderous boilers, four feet in diameter and sixty feet long; an octagon chimney eighty feet high rises in front. The blast furnace was constructed to run out fifty tons of pig iron per day, and is 60 by 200 feet and two stories high; a tower rising above the rounded kert contains the machinery for elevating ore and brick by steam power. The oven is 30 by 41 feet, with iron-bound exterior. The buildings named are massive and substantial brick erections, upon stone foundations. The stock house is a frame building, 72 by 500 feet and two stories high.

The dock fronting on the river is 500 feet in length, reaching ten feet depth of water. Located upon the dock is an engine for raising freight from the vessels.

Two branch tracks of the Central railroad pass over the docks and into the stock house, to deposit and remove material. The buildings cover an area of four acres.

The trustees are P. P. Pratt, president; Josiah Jewett, vice-president; S. S. Jewett, H. H. Glenny, George B. Hays, F. L. Danforth and B. F. Felton. During the present general depression in business the works are not operated; but as they are controlled by men of permanent wealth, willing to use it and able to hold their own until the day dawns upon brighter prospects, the advantages of this great concern will yet be felt by the community that has clustered about it in anticipation. The premises and machinery are kept in the most perfect order and neatness under the care of Alexander Reid.

The Tonawanda Engine and Machine Company’s extensive machine shops are located in the rear of the Erie railway depot on Olive street, occupying a square of 150 feet. They manufacture steam engines and boilers, and furnish castings for all descriptions of agricultural implements. The firm consists of James Armitage, Allen Herschell, George C. Herschell and George A. Gillis.

The Pickard & Simpson Manufacturing Company, in connection with the above mentioned, organized for the manufacture of Pickard’s patented vehicle axles. The following gentlemen are connected with the firm: R. F. Pickard, John Simpson, E. B. Simpson, A. H. Pickard, E. H. Hewit and H. H. Pickard.

BRIEF SKETCHES OF WHEATFIELD CITIZENS.

HON. LEWIS S. PAYNE.

Lewis S. Payne was born in the town of Bergen, Genesee county, N. Y., in 1819. His parents being poor he had no advantages of education, except the imperfect common schools which then existed, and the academies of Monroe and Genesee counties.

When sixteen years of age, he left his home and found employment at Tonawanda, N. Y., as clerk in a store. At the age of twenty-one he succeeded his employers in the mercantile business, and afterward became engaged in the lumber business, and in 1847 built the first steam saw-mill in Tonawanda. In 1855, Mr. Payne engaged in the forwarding, shipping and commission business, with the extensive elevator and docks at Tonawanda, and in 1858 turned his attention to farming, which is his present occupation.

In 1841 he changed his place of residence, from the Erie county to the Niagara county side of the Tonawanda creek, in the village of North Tonawanda, town of Wheatfield, where he still resides. In 1844 he was elected supervisor of his town, and for many years afterward represented the town in that capacity.

In 1849 he was appointed collector of canal tolls at Tonawanda, his being the first appointment made at that place; and in 1850 he was re-appointed to the same position.

In the fall of 1850 he was elected clerk of Niagara county, and in 1854, at the end of his term, retired with the approbation of the citizens of the county universally, for the courteous manner in which he had discharged the duties of the office.

In politics Mr. Payne was formerly a national Whig; but on the dissolution of that party he became a Douglas Democrat, and in 1859 was nominated by that party for the office of State Senator for the 29th district.

In the fall of 1861 he raised, at his own expense, a company of volunteers, and formed a part of the one hundredth regiment, which was recruited from western New York at Buffalo. In April, 1862, with his regiment he landed at Newport News, and formed a part of Casey’s division of McClellan’s army in his famous campaign on the Peninsula. With his regiment he was second to cross the Chickahominy and the first to take up position at White Oak Station. Colonel Payne was in the battles of Williamsburg and Seven Pines, and afterward was in the seven days' retreat. He participated in the battles of White Oak Swamp and Malvern Hill; and in August returned to Gloucester Point, after a severe campaign of less than four months, in which he lost forty-two out of his company of one hundred and four men. In the winter following he was in North Carolina, in General Foster’s army corps. Early in the spring of 1863 he was sent to Hilton Head; thence to St. Helena Island, in General Hunter’s department; thence up to Cole’s Island, with his regiment as a corps of observation in the vicinity of Charleston. It was from this point that he was ordered out, and made his many bold and daring expeditions and scouts with his company, and learned the nature and character of the whole country, the positions, situations and strength of the enemy in their various localities and stations. Some of his adventures during these expeditions are related in an article by John S. C. Abbott, entitled “Heroic Deeds of Heroic Men,” published in Harper’s Magazine in April, 1867.

On the nights of the 5th and 6th of April, 1863, he led the advance up Folly Island, under General Seymour, to support the attack of Admiral Dupont on Fort Sumter, made with his iron monitors on the 7th of April, 1863. On the 10th of May he led the advance, piloted and conducted up Folly river, and across Light-house Inlet, our forces, 4,500 men, all in small boats, to the point of attack on Morris Island, and was the first to land and first in the engagement. The party carried and took possession, under heavy fire, of the south end of Morris Island; and soon Colonel Payne with his company succeeded in reaching and burning the steamer Mariguita in Charleston harbor, which was engaged in supplying the enemy’s forces at Forts Sumter, Moultrie, Johnson, Battery Wagner and Cummings Point.

On the night of the 3rd of August, 1863, while engaged in intercepting communications of the enemy with Fort Sumter and other points, he was attacked by a superior force, and, after a most desperate engagement was wounded and taken prisoner, conveyed to Charleston and confined in the Queen-street Hospital until sufficiently recovered from his wounds to be removed, when he was taken to Columbia, S. C., and there kept in close confinement until the 14th of February, 1865, when with others he was moved north for exchange.

On the 5th of March, 1865, he was exchanged at Wilmington, N. C., and reached home on the first of April, after an absence of three years and three months.

In the fall following (1865) he was again nominated and elected County Clerk, though in a county giving several hundred Republican majority.

He served his term of three years, and in the fall following (1869) was elected member of Assembly from his district, and in the Assembly was made chairman of the committee on claims, and was also a member of the committees on canals and military affairs.

In November, 1877, he was again nominated for senator for the 29th district, and was elected over his opponent, the Republican nominee, being the first Democrat ever elected in the 29th senatorial district.

William L. Allen, M. D., was born at Ovid, N. Y., February 6th, 1847, and was educated at the New York State Normal School, Ovid Academy and Buffalo Medical College. He came to Tonawanda April 10th, 1876.

Heman A. Barnum was born March 27th, 1831, in the town of Wheatfield. Mr. Barnum is a farmer. His post-office address is Sanborn.

Theodore Bennett was born in Newstead, Erie county, December 17th, 1845. Residence, North Tonawanda. Business, school-teacher and fire-insurance agent.

James C. Betts, son of William C. Betts, was born in Upper Canada, October 19th, 1828, and came to Niagara County in 1835. He was married August 21st, 1867, to Mrs. B. G. Sturges, of Wheatfield. Mr. Betts enlisted in the thirteenth Illinois volunteers in May, 1861, and served three years, after which he re-enlisted, was transferred to the navy and served till the close of the war.

James Carney was born March 23rd, 1800, at Black Creek, Upper Canada, and was married to Sally Martin, of the town of Niagara, March 17th, 1825. Mr. Carney, who is now a retired farmer, has been supervisor and justice of the peace in Tonawanda, Erie county, and supervisor of the town of Wheatfield.

Wilhelm Dornfeld was born September 11th, 1826, in Prussia, and came to Martinsville, Niagara county, in 1843. Mr. Dornfeld is a farmer and merchant, and one of the firm of Krull Brothers & Dornfeld, proprietors of the lumber yard, planing-mill, and sash and door factory at Martinsville. He was postmaster from 1852 to 1865.

Albert Dornfeld was born January 5th, 1831, in Prussia, and came to Niagara county in 1843. Mr. Dornfeld, who is a teacher, has been justice of the peace for eight years, and was formerly proprietor of the dry dock saw-mill at Martinsville.

C. F. Goerss, whose post-office is Bergholz, has always lived in Wheatfield, having been born in the town January 2nd, 1850. He is a farmer and school-teacher, and has been a notary public over four years.

Charles Hagen, hotel-keeper and town clerk at North Tonawanda, was born in the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, February 28th, 1839, and came to Niagara county on the 4th day of August, 1861. Mr. Hagen has been clerk of the town of Wheatfield six terms, and has served as clerk of Payne’s Company D., 100th N. Y. regiment, and as clerk of the 3rd brigade, 1st division, 10th army corps, before Richmond, during the late war.

Garwood L. Judd was born at Augusta Centre, Oneida county, N. Y., July 4th, 1823. He studied law and was admitted to the bar, after having received a good education. Shortly after his admission, he was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States as a proctor and advocate in admiralty. He was married to Maria A. Prynne, eldest daughter of Francis P. Prynne. He practiced at Frankfort, Herkimer county, till 1853, and then removed to North Tonawanda, where his residence has been. He has been a justice of the peace in Wheatfield twenty-four years in succession.

Christian George Krull was born January 15th, 1846, at Bergholz. He was married September 17th, 1869, to Ernstine Betz, from Falkenwalde, Prussia. In November he removed to Martinsville, where he now lives, engaged in farming and holding a partnership in the Centennial Planing-mill. He has been nine years a school trustee in the town and was a commissioner of highways in 1872, 1873 and 1874.

Edward A. Milliman was born April 16th, 1832, in Wheatfield, and was married November 19th, 1854, to Susan E. Teal, of Lewiston. He removed to the town of Wheatfield September 21st, 1868. He is engaged in farming and in rail contracting and jobbing. Post-office, Tonawanda, N. Y. Mr. Milliman has been extensively engaged in railroad contracting, having constructed portions of many leading railroads throughout the United States, and he has held a number of official positions, among them those of commissioner of highways, deputy collector of customs, and supervisor.

Seth F. Roberts was born in Bloomfield, Ontario county, N. Y., December 5th, 1809, and came to Wheatfield in 1822, from Henrietta, Monroe county, N. Y. Mr. Roberts has been variously engaged during a long and busy life, having chopped, logged, taught district school seven winters, and served as supervisor, town clerk, school commissioner and justice of the peace for fifteen or twenty years. He holds the office of justice of the peace at the present time.

One of the thrifty farmers of Wheatfield is Herman F. Stieg, residing at St. Johnsburgh. He was born February 23rd, 1839, in Prussia, and came to this county with the German colony in 1843. He has served twelve years as assessor and four years as highway commissioner in his town.

George M. Warren was born in the town of Wheatfield, January 24th, 1847, and has been a life-long resident of Tonawanda, where, as a member of the firm of Warren & Clapham, he is engaged in editing and publishing the Tonawanda Herald. Mr. Warren was elected on the Democratic ticket in 1875 one of the school commissioners of Niagara county for a term of three years.

Nelson Zimmerman was born November 4th, 1831, at Tonawanda. Mr. Zimmerman, who is a prominent farmer of the town of Wheatfield, held the office of assessor in 1875, 1876 and 1877.

Others of the principal inhabitants of the town, with their post-offices, are: C. C. Thompson and B. F. Felton, of Tonawanda; Hon. J. D. Loveland, farmer, Beech Ridge; Harvey Miller, farmer, Shawnee; L. C. Koover, farmer, Sanborn; Daniel Sy, town assessor, farmer, Bergholz; William Clark, town and village assessor, carpenter and joiner, Tonawanda; G. W. Bush, lumber dealer and manufacturer, Tonawanda; Martin Reistetter, farmer and merchant, Tonawanda; H. O. Nightingale, village and school trustee, Tonawanda; Calvin Jacobs, farmer and boat-builder, Tonawanda; John Poinds, farmer, Tonawanda; Wilhelm Krull, farmer and lumber manufacturer, Martinsville; J. S. Tompkins, farmer, La Salle; W. H. Nash, farmer, Sanborn; S. D. Compton, farmer, Shawnee; Sebastian May, farmer, Tonawanda; Lyman Bruce, farmer, Tonawanda; B. C. Shuman, farmer, Tonawanda; J. F. Hoover, Tonawanda; Rev. John W. Weinbach, clergyman, New Bergholz; John Simpson, farmer and lumber dealer, Tonawanda; Dr. C. Backer, proprietor of the Backer Hotel, Tonawanda; Thomas Collins, farmer, La Salle; Daniel Treichler, farmer, Sanborn; F. D. Habecker and Peneuel Schmeck, farmers, Sanborn; A. B. Williams, saw and planing-mill, Tonawanda; Dr. Clinton A. Sage, Pekin; Emil Schmitze, restaurant and hotel keeper, Tonawanda; Jacob Nagel, carriage-maker, Tonawanda.