As permitted by an act of the New York State legislature which allowed the city of Buffalo to purchase lands and issue bonds in payment for parks to be built within specified sections of the city, a Board of Park Commissioners was established, with a membership of twelve persons as appointed by the mayor and approved by the city’s Board of Aldermen. The mayor would also serve, as an ex officio member. Members of the board were to serve five year terms; they were not compensated, but were eligible to be reimbursed for some of their expenses incurred in the course of their duties. The Board was authorized to select its own officers, and to hire such persons necessary to achieve the stated goals of the body.
Accordingly, the mayor appointed the following men to the Board of Parks Commissioner on 19 April 1869:
1869 – 1872
| Name | Profession | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Pascal P. Pratt | Industrialist and banker | President, from |
| William F. Rogers | Mayor | Ex officio through Dec 1869. President, 4 May to June (?)1869; Secretary and Treasurer from Feb 1870 |
| Alexander T. Brush | Mayor | Ex officio Jan 1870 through Dec 1873 |
| Edwin T. Evans | Shipping owner | Secretary and Treasurer; resigned Jan 1870 in favor or Gen. Rogers |
| Dexter P. Rumsey | Real estate; tannery operator | |
| John Greiner, Jr. | Wholesale grocer | |
| Dr. Lewis P. Dayton, M.D. | Physician | |
| Joseph Warren | Publisher, The Buffalo Courier | |
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker, and railroad executive | |
| Richard Flach | Wholesale grocery and liquor | |
| James Mooney | Real estate | |
| Dr. John Cronyn, M.D. | Physician | |
| Dennis Bowen | Attorney | |
| William Dorsheimer | Attorney |
On 9 May 1872, as it was recognized that having all of the commissioners terms end simultaneously would cause unwonted disruption to the governance of the parks, the New York State Legislature passed a new Act providing for a 15 member board, plus the Mayor, ex officio, serving six year terms. The initial appointments were made in groups of five members each, serving for two, four and six year terms to achieve the desired staggering of retirements.
On 27 May 1873 the Mayor proposed fifteen nominees to replace the original board. The Buffalo Board of Aldermen confirmed all but three of his nominees on 20 July. Five of the men appointed were members of the original Board (denoted here with an asterisk following their names). The mayor then left the other three vacancies unfilled.
1872 – 1873
| Name | Profession | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Pascal P. Pratt* | Industrialist and banker | President |
| Alexander T. Brush | Mayor | Ex officio |
| Edward Bennett | Real estate; bank president | |
| Britain Holmes | Manufacturer | |
| Cooley S. Chapin | Building contractor | |
| Edwin T. Evans* | Shipping owner | |
| Patrick Smith | Gunsmith | |
| John L. Alberger | Meat packing | |
| Dennis Bowen* | Attorney | |
| John Greiner* | Wholesale grocer | |
| Sherman S. Jewett* | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | |
| Michael Mesmer | Manufacturer, banker, insurance executive | |
| DeWitt C. Weed | Hardware merchant | |
| (unfilled) | ||
| (unfilled) | ||
| (unfilled) |
1873 – 1874
| Pascal P. Pratt | Industrialist and banker | President |
| Lewis P. Dayton | Mayor | Ex officio |
| Edward Bennett | Real estate; bank president | |
| Britain Holmes | Manufacturer | |
| Cooley S. Chapin | Building contractor | |
| Edwin T. Evans | Shipping owner | |
| Patrick Smith | Gunsmith | |
| John L. Alberger | Meat packer | |
| Dennis Bowen | Attorney | |
| John Greiner | Wholesale grocer | |
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | |
| DeWitt C. Weed | Hardware merchant | |
| Michael Mesmer | Manufacturer, banker, insurance executive | |
| (unfilled) | ||
| (unfilled) | ||
| (unfilled) |
1874 – 1875
| Name | Profession | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Pascal P. Pratt | Industrialist and banker | President |
| Lewis P. Dayton | Mayor | Ex officio |
| Dennis Bowen | Attorney | |
| Edward Bennett | Real estate; bank president | |
| William Dorsheimer | Attorney | |
| Edwin T. Evans | Shipping owner | |
| Joseph L. Fairchild | Attorney | |
| DeWitt C. Reed | Hardware merchant | |
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | |
| Patrick Smith | Gunsmith | |
| Joseph Bork | Real estate and banking | |
| Britain Holmes | Manufacturer | |
| Cooley S. Chapin | Building contractor | |
| Michael Mesmer | Manufacturer, banker, insurance executive | |
| Colgate Gilbert | Manufacturer | Resigned Jan 1875 |
| Daniel D. Hartnett | Vessel agent | From Jan 1875 |
| Augustus F. Fuchs | Wholesale grocery and liquor | From Jan 1875 |
1875 – 1876
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Pascal P. Pratt | Industrialist and banker | President |
| Philip Becker | Mayor | Ex officio |
| Dennis Bowen | Attorney | |
| Edward Bennett | Real estate; bank president | |
| Joseph Bork | Real estate and banking | Resigned Feb 1876 |
| Edwin T. Evans | Shipping owner | |
| Joseph L. Fairchild | Attorney | |
| Britain Holmes | Manufacturer | |
| Edward S. Bennett | Real estate; bank president | |
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | |
| Cooley S. Chapin | Building contractor | |
| Patrick Smith | Gunsmith | |
| Michael Mesmer | Manufacturer, banker, insurance executive | |
| Daniel D. Harnett | Vessel agent | |
| DeWitt C. Weed | Hardware merchant | |
| Augustus F. Fuchs | Wholesale grocery and liquor | |
| Joseph Warren | Publisher, The Buffalo Courier |
1876 – 1877
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Pascal P. Pratt | Industrialist and banker | President |
| Philip Becker | Mayor | Ex officio |
| Dennis Bowen | Attorney | |
| Edwin T. Evans | Shipping owner | |
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | |
| Edward Bennett | Real estate; bank president | |
| George Urban | Flour milling and banking | |
| DeWitt C. Weed | Hardware merchant | |
| Cooley S. Chapin | Building contractor | |
| Patrick Smith | Gunsmith | |
| Joseph L. Fairchild | Attorney | |
| Michael Mesmer | Manufacturer, banker, insurance executive | |
| Augustus F. Fuchs | Wholesale grocery and liquor | |
| George Urban | Flour milling and banking | |
| James R. Smith | Lumber merchant | |
| Hiram Exstein | Wholesale clothing merchant | |
| James H. Metcalfe | Banker | |
| Frank Perew | Shipping owner |
1877 – 1878
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Pascal P. Pratt | Industrialist and banker | President |
| Solomon Scheu | Mayor | Ex officio |
| Edwin T. Evans | Shipping owner | |
| Michael Mesmer | Manufacturer, banker, insurance executive | |
| Hiram Exstein | Wholesale clothing merchant | |
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | |
| Edward Bennett | Real estate; bank president | |
| Cooley S. Chapin | Building contractor | |
| Patrick Smith | Gunsmith | |
| James R. Smith | Lumber merchant and banker | |
| George Urban | Flour milling and banking | |
| F. Augustus Georger | Bank president | |
| Joseph L. Fairchild | Attorney | |
| Augustus F. Fuchs | Wholesale grocery and liquor | |
| James H. Metcalfe | Banker | |
| Frank Perew | Shipping owner |
1878 – 1879
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | President from Sep 1878 |
| Solomon Scheu | Mayor | Ex officio |
| Dennis Bowen | Attorney | |
| Edwin T. Evans | Shipping owner | |
| DeWitt C. Weed | Hardware merchant | Deceased 16 Nov 1878 |
| Patrick Smith | Gunsmith | |
| Joseph L. Fairchild | Attorney | |
| Michael Mesmer | Manufacturer, banker, insurance executive | |
| Augustus F. Fuchs | Wholesale grocery and liquor | |
| George Urban | Flour milling and banking | |
| James R. Smith | Lumber merchant and banker | |
| Hiram Exstein | Wholesale clothing merchant | |
| James H. Metcalfe | Banker | |
| Frank Perew | Shipping owner | Resigned Aug 1878 |
| Edward Bennett | Real estate; bank president | Apptd 19 Aug 1878 vice Mr. Perew, resigned |
| F. Augustus Georger | Bank president | |
| Cyrus Clarke | Grain merchant and banker | |
| George W. Clinton | Attorney, Superior Court Judge | |
| Pascal P. Pratt | Industrialist and banker | Reappointed but declined |
| Michael Nellany | Dry goods merchant | |
| Asher P. Nichols | Attorney | Appointed 5 Aug 1878 vice Pascal Pratt. |
1879 – 1880
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | President |
| Alexander Brush | Mayor | Ex officio |
| Edward Bennett | Real estate; bank president | |
| Patrick Smith | Gunsmith | |
| Joseph L. Fairchild | Attorney | |
| Asher P. Nichols | Attorney | |
| Cyrus Clarke | Grain merchant and banker | |
| Michael Mesmer | Manufacturer, banker, insurance executive | |
| Augustus F. Fuchs | Wholesale grocery and liquor | |
| George Urban | Flour milling and banking | |
| James R. Smith | Lumber merchant and banker | |
| Hiram Exstein | Wholesale clothing merchant | |
| James H. Metcalfe | Banker | Deceased 5 Oct 1879 |
| Abraham Altman | Wholesale clothing merchant and banking | Apptd 14 Oct 1879 vice Mr. Metcalfe, deceased |
| F. Augustus Georger | Bank president | |
| George W. Clinton | Attorney, Superior Court Judge | |
| Michael Nellany | Dry goods merchant |
1880 – 1881
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | President |
| Alexander Brush | Mayor | Ex officio |
| Edward Bennett | Real estate; bank president | |
| Patrick Smith | Gunsmith | |
| Cyrus Clarke | Grain merchant and banker | |
| George W. Clinton | Attorney, Superior Court Judge | |
| Michael Mesmer | Manufacturer, banker, insurance executive | |
| George Urban | Flour milling and banking | |
| James R. Smith | Lumber merchant and banker | |
| Hiram Exstein | Wholesale clothing merchant | |
| F. Augustus Georger | Bank president | |
| Michael Nellany | Dry goods merchant | |
| John G. Langner | Wholesale grocer | |
| Abraham Altman | Wholesale clothing merchant and banking | |
| Britain Holmes | Manufacturer | |
| Asher P. Nichols | Attorney | Deceased 31 May 1880 |
| Thomas F. Rochester, M.D. | Physician | Appointed 12 Jul 1880 vice Asher P. Nichols, deceased |
1881 – 1882
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | President |
| Grover Cleveland | Mayor | Ex officio |
| Edward Bennett | Real estate; bank president | |
| Cyrus Clarke | Grain merchant and banker | |
| George W Clinton | Attorney, Superior Court Judge | |
| Michael Mesmer | Manufacturer, banker, insurance executive | |
| George Urban | Flour milling and banking | |
| James R. Smith | Lumber merchant and banker | |
| Hiram Exstein | Wholesale clothing merchant | |
| F. Augustus Georger | Bank president | |
| Michael Nellany | Dry goods merchant | |
| John G. Langner | Wholesale grocer | |
| Abraham Altman | Wholesale clothing merchant and banking | |
| Britain Holmes | Manufacturer | |
| Thomas F. Rochester, M.D. | Physician | |
| Bronson C. Rumsey | Tannery owner, banker, real estate investor |
1882 – 1883
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | President |
| Harmon S. Cutting | Mayor | Ex officio |
| Edward Bennett | Real estate; bank president | |
| Cyrus Clarke | Grain merchant and banker | |
| George W Clinton | Attorney, Superior Court Judge | |
| George Urban | Flour milling and banking | |
| James R. Smith | Lumber merchant and banker | |
| F. Augustus Georger | Bank president | |
| Michael Nellany | Dry goods merchant | |
| John G. Langner | Wholesale grocer | Deceased 2 Jul 1882 |
| Henry C. Persch | Furniture dealer | Apptd 31 Jul vice John G. Langner, deceased. |
| Britain Holmes | Manufacturer | |
| Thomas F. Rochester, M.D. | Physician | |
| Bronson C. Rumsey | Tannery owner, banker, real estate investor | |
| John F. Moulton | President Buffalo Electric Light Co., railroad president, and lumber dealer | |
| Augustus F. Fuchs | Wholesale grocery and liquor | |
| Paul Goembel | Butcher |
1883 – 1884
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | President |
| John B. Manning | Mayor | Ex officio |
| Edward Bennett | Real estate; bank president | |
| Augustus F. Fuchs | Wholesale grocery and liquor | |
| Paul Goembel | Butcher | |
| Cyrus Clarke | Grain merchant and banker | Deceased 1 Mar 1884 |
| John F. Moulton | President Buffalo Electric Light Co., railroad president, and lumber dealer | |
| George W. Clinton | Attorney, Superior Court Judge | Resigned ca. 31 Dec 1883 |
| John C. Graves | Attorney, Clerk of U.S. District Court | Apptd ca. 1 Jan 1884 vice George W. Clinton, resigned |
| George Urban | Flour milling and banking | |
| James R. Smith | Lumber merchant and banker | |
| F. Augustus Georger | Bank president | |
| Michael Nellany | Dry goods merchant | |
| Britain Holmes | Manufacturer | |
| Thomas F. Rochester, M.D. | Physician | |
| Bronson C. Rumsey | Tannery owner, banker, real estate investor | |
| Henry C. Persch | Furniture dealer |
1884 – 1885
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | President |
| Jonathan Scoville | Mayor | Ex officio |
| James Ash | Coal dealer, vessel owner | |
| Edward Bennett | Real estate; bank president | |
| Cyrus Clarke | Grain merchant and banker | Deceased 1 Mar 1884 |
| Augustus F. Fuchs | Wholesale grocery and liquor | |
| Paul Goembel | Butcher | |
| John C. Graves | Attorney, Clerk of U.S. District Court | Appointed Jan 1884, vice G. W. Clinton, resigned |
| Henry C. Persch | Furniture dealer | Resigned Dec 1884 |
| William Hengerer= | Department store owner | Apptd 29 Dec 1884 vice Mr. Persch |
| George Urban | Flour milling and banking | |
| James R. Smith | Lumber merchant and banker | |
| F. Augustus Georger | Bank president | |
| Michael Nellany | Dry goods merchant | |
| Britain Holmes | Manufacturer | |
| Bronson C. Rumsey | Tannery owner, banker, real estate investor | |
| John F. Moulton | President Buffalo Electric Light Co., railroad president, and lumber dealer | |
| Solomon Scheu | Maltster, former mayor | |
| James Mooney | Real estate |
1885 – 1886
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | President |
| Philip Becker | Mayor | Ex officio |
| Edward Bennett | Real estate; bank president | |
| Augustus F. Fuchs | Wholesale grocery and liquor | |
| Paul Goembel | Butcher | |
| John C. Graves | Attorney, Clerk of U.S. District Court | |
| William Hengerer | Department store owner | |
| George Urban | Flour and milling | |
| John F. Moulton | President Buffalo Electric Light Co., railroad president, and lumber dealer | |
| John Mayer | Real estate and insurance | |
| James R. Smith | Lumber merchant and banker | |
| Solomon Scheu | Maltster, former mayor | |
| Michael Nellany | Dry goods merchant | |
| James Mooney | Real estate | |
| Britain Holmes | Manufacturer | |
| Bronson C. Rumsey | Tannery owner, banker, real estate investor |
1886 – 1887
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | President |
| Philip Becker | Mayor | Ex officio |
| John C. Graves | Attorney, Clerk of U.S. District Court | |
| Edward Bennett | Real estate; bank president | |
| Augustus F. Fuchs | Wholesale grocery and liquor | |
| Paul Goembel | Butcher | |
| William Hengerer | Department store owner | |
| John F. Moulton | President Buffalo Electric Light Co., railroad president, and lumber dealer | Deceased 27 Apr 1887 |
| Norman W. Ransom | Livestock dealer | Apptd 6 Jun 1887 vice Mr. Moulton |
| John Mayer | Real estate and insurance | |
| James R. Smith | Lumber merchant and banker | |
| Solomon Scheu | Maltster, former mayor | |
| Michael Nellany | Dry goods merchant | |
| James Mooney | Real estate | |
| Britain Holmes | Manufacturer | |
| Frederick L. Danforth | Bank cashier | |
| Bronson C. Rumsey | Tannery owner, banker, real estate investor |
1887 – 1888
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | President |
| Philip Becker | Mayor | Ex officio |
| Edward Bennett | Real estate; bank president | |
| Augustus F. Fuchs | Wholesale grocery and liquor | |
| Paul Goembel | Butcher | |
| Norman W. Ransom | Livestock merchant | |
| John C. Graves | Attorney, Clerk of U.S. District Court | |
| William Hengerer | Department store owner | |
| John Mayer | Real estate and insurance | |
| James R. Smith | Lumber merchant and banker | |
| Solomon Scheu | Maltster, former mayor | |
| Michael Nellany | Dry goods merchant | |
| James Mooney | Real estate | |
| Britain Holmes | Manufacturer | |
| Frederick L. Danforth | Bank cashier | |
| Bronson C. Rumsey | Tannery owner, banker, real estate investor |
1888 – 1889
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | President |
| Philip Becker | Mayor | Ex officio |
| James A. Roberts | Attorney | |
| Jacob Hasselbeck | Contractor and builder | |
| Louis Zittel | Grocer | |
| Norman W. Ransom | Livestock merchant | |
| John C. Graves | Attorney, Clerk of U.S. District Court | |
| William Hengerer | Department store owner | |
| John Mayer | Real estate and insurance | |
| James R. Smith | Lumber merchant and banker | |
| Solomon Scheu | Maltster, former mayor | Deceased 23 Nov 1888 |
| Jacob Dold | Meat packer | Apptd 31 Dec 1888, vice Mr. Scheu |
| Michael Nellany | Dry goods merchant | |
| James Mooney | Real estate | |
| Britain Holmes | Manufacturer | |
| Frederick L. Danforth | Bank cashier | |
| Bronson C. Rumsey | Tannery owner, banker, real estate investor |
1889 – 1890
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | President |
| Philip Becker | Mayor | Ex officio |
| James A. Roberts | Attorney | |
| Jacob Hasselbeck | Contractor and builder | |
| Louis Zittel | Grocer | |
| Norman W. Ransom | Livestock merchant | |
| John C. Graves | Attorney, Clerk of U.S. District Court | |
| William Hengerer | Department store owner | |
| John Mayer | Real estate and insurance | |
| James R. Smith | Lumber merchant and banker | |
| Jacob Dold | Meat packer | |
| Michael Nellany | Dry goods merchant | |
| James Mooney | Real estate | |
| Britain Holmes | Manufacturer | |
| Frederick L. Danforth | Bank cashier | |
| Bronson C. Rumsey | Tannery owner, banker, real estate investor |
1890 – 1891
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | President |
| Charles F. Bishop | Mayor | Ex officio |
| James A. Roberts | Attorney | |
| Jacob Hasselbeck | Contractor and builder | |
| Louis Zittel | Grocer | |
| Norman W. Ransom | Livestock merchant | |
| John C. Graves | Attorney, Clerk of U.S. District Court | |
| William Hengerer | Department store owner | |
| John Mayer | Real estate and insurance | |
| James R. Smith | Lumber merchant and banker | |
| Michael Nellany | Dry goods merchant | |
| James Mooney | Real estate | |
| Britain Holmes | Manufacturer | |
| Bronson C. Rumsey | Tannery owner, banker, real estate investor | |
| Daniel O’Day | Bank president | |
| Augustus F. Scheu | Insurance broker |
1891 – 1892
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | President |
| Charles F. Bishop | Mayor | Ex officio |
| James A. Roberts | Attorney | |
| Jacob Hasselbeck | Contractor and builder | |
| Louis Zittel | Grocer | |
| Norman W. Ransom | Livestock merchant | |
| John C. Graves | Attorney, Clerk of U.S. District Court | |
| William Hengerer | Department store owner | |
| John Mayer | Real estate and insurance | |
| James R. Smith | Lumber merchant and banker | |
| Michael Nellany | Dry goods merchant | |
| James Mooney | Real estate | Resigned 22 Dec 1891 |
| Britain Holmes | Manufacturer | |
| Bronson C. Rumsey | Tannery owner, banker, real estate investor | |
| Daniel O’Day | Bank president | Resigned 14 Mar 1892 |
| John Hughes | Cattle dealer | Apptd 14 Mar 1892 vice Daniel O’Day |
| Augustus F. Scheu | Insurance broker | |
| Norman E. Mack | Editor, The Buffalo Times | Apptd 22 Dec 1891 vice Mr. Mooney |
1892 – 1893
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | President |
| Charles F. Bishop | Mayor | Ex officio |
| James A. Roberts | Attorney | |
| Jacob Hasselbeck | Contractor and builder | |
| Louis Zittel | Grocer | |
| Norman W. Ransom | Livestock merchant | |
| John C. Graves | Attorney, Clerk of U.S. District Court | |
| William Hengerer | Department store owner | |
| Michael Nellany | Dry goods merchant | |
| Britain Holmes | Manufacturer | |
| Bronson C. Rumsey | Tannery owner, banker, real estate investor | |
| John Hughes | Cattle dealer | |
| Augustus F. Scheu | Insurance broker | |
| Norman E. Mack | Editor, The Buffalo Times | |
| David F. Day | Attorney | |
| Henry Zipp | Coal dealer |
1893 – 1894
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | President |
| Charles F. Bishop | Mayor | Ex officio |
| James A. Roberts | Attorney | Resigned 30 Dec 1893, elected NY State Comptroller |
| J. Adam Lautz | Soap manufacturer | Apptd 30 Dec 1893, vice Mr. Roberts |
| Jacob Hasselbeck | Contractor and builder | |
| Louis Zittel | Grocer | |
| Norman W. Ransom | Livestock merchant | |
| John C. Graves | Attorney, Clerk of U.S. District Court | |
| William Hengerer | Department store owner | |
| Michael Nellany | Dry goods merchant | |
| Britain Holmes | Manufacturer | |
| Bronson C. Rumsey | Tannery owner, banker, real estate investor | |
| John Hughes | Cattle dealer | |
| Norman E. Mack | Editor, The Buffalo Times | |
| David F. Day | Attorney | |
| Henry Zipp | Coal dealer | |
| Augustus F. Scheu | Insurance broker | Resigned 1 May 1893 |
| John A. Weyand | Brewer | Apptd 1 May 1893 vice Mr. Scheu |
1894 – 1895
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | President |
| Charles F. Bishop | Mayor | Ex officio |
| J. Adam Lautz | Soap manufacturer | Deceased 13 May 1895 |
| Frederick C. M. Lautz | Manufacturer and real estate developer | Apptd 23 Aug 1895 vice his brother, J. Adam Lautz Resigned May 1895 |
| Jacob Hasselbeck | Contractor and builder | |
| Louis Zittel | Grocer | |
| Norman W. Ransom | Livestock merchant | |
| John C. Graves | Attorney, Clerk of U.S. District Court | |
| William Hengerer | Department store owner | |
| Michael Nellany | Dry goods merchant | |
| Britain Holmes | Manufacturer | |
| Bronson C. Rumsey | Tannery owner, banker, real estate investor | |
| John Hughes | Cattle dealer | |
| Norman E. Mack | Editor, The Buffalo Times | |
| David F. Day | Attorney | |
| Henry Zipp | Coal dealer | |
| John A. Weyand | Brewer |
1895 – 1896
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | President (Not related to Mayor Jewett.) |
| Edgar B. Jewett | Mayor | Ex officio |
| George B. Hayes | Foundry owner | Apptd 7 May 1895 vice Mr. F. C. M. Lautz Resigned 4 Feb 1896 |
| Louis Zittel | Grocer | |
| William S. Wicks | Architect | Apptd 4 Feb 1896 vice Mr. Hughes |
| Norman W. Ransom | Livestock merchant | |
| John C. Graves | Attorney, Clerk of U.S. District Court | |
| William Hengerer | Department store owner | |
| Michael Nellany | Dry goods merchant | |
| Britain Holmes | Manufacturer | |
| Bronson C. Rumsey | Tannery owner, banker, real estate investor | |
| John Hughes | Cattle dealer | |
| Norman E. Mack | Editor, The Buffalo Times | |
| David F. Day | Attorney | |
| Henry Zipp | Coal dealer | Resigned, 14 Dec 1895 |
| John A. Weyand | Brewer | |
| John Guenther | Retired saloon keeper | |
| Ottomar Reinecke | Editor, Freie Presse | Apptd 14 Dec 1895 vice Mr. Zipp |
1896 – 1897
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Sherman S. Jewett | Industrialist, banker and railroad executive | President Deceased, 28 Feb 1897 |
| William Hengerer | Department store owner | Elected President 7 Apr 1897, succeeding Mr. Jewett |
| Edgar B. Jewett | Mayor | Ex officio |
| William S. Wicks | Architect | |
| Louis Zittel | Grocer | |
| Norman W. Ransom | Livestock merchant | |
| John C. Graves | Attorney, Clerk of U.S. District Court | Resigned, 8 May 1897 |
| Charles R. Huntley | General Manager, Buffalo General Electric Co. | Apptd 9 May 1897 vice Mr. Graves |
| Andrew Langdon | Savings & Loan Assn President | Apptd 5 Mar 1897, vice Mr Jewett |
| Britain Holmes | Manufacturer | |
| Bronson C. Rumsey | Tannery owner, banker, real estate investor | |
| John Hughes | Cattle dealer | |
| David F. Day | Attorney | |
| John Guenther | Retired saloon keeper | |
| Ottomar Reinecke | Editor, Freie Presse | |
| Robert M. Harding | Insurance executive | |
| Richard Hammond | Boiler manufacturer | |
| Nathan Wolff | Dealer in hides |
1897 – 1898
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| William Hengerer | Department store owner | President, retired from Board at end of term, 1 May 1898 |
| Conrad Diehl | Mayor | Ex officio |
| Andrew Langdon | Savings & Loan Assn President | |
| William S. Wicks | Architect | |
| Louis Zittel | Grocer | |
| Norman W. Ransom | Livestock merchant | Resigned Oct 1897 |
| James Sweeney | Bank director, real estate investor | Appointed 13 Oct 1897 vice Mr Ransom |
| Charles R. Huntley | General Manager, Buffalo General Electric Co. | |
| Britain Holmes | Manufacturer | |
| Bronson C. Rumsey | Tannery owner, banker, real estate investor | |
| John Hughes | Cattle dealer | |
| David F. Day | Attorney | |
| John Guenther | Retired saloon keeper | |
| Ottomar Reinecke | Editor, Freie Presse | |
| Robert M. Harding | Insurance executive | |
| Richard Hammond | Boiler manufacturer | Resigned Oct 1897 |
| William J. Connors | Contractor | Apptd 13 Oct 1897 vice Mr. Hammond |
| Nathan Wolff | Dealer in hides |
1898 – 1899
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| John Hughes | Cattle dealer | President, elected 1 May 1898, succeeding Mr. Hengerer, retired |
| Conrad Diehl | Mayor | Ex officio |
| Andrew Langdon | Savings & Loan Assn President | |
| William P. Taylor | Manufacturer, railroad castings | |
| August Hager | Tobacconist | |
| Cornelius C. Wyckoff, M.D. | Physician | |
| William S. Wicks | Architect | |
| Louis Zittel | Grocer | |
| James Sweeney | Bank director, real estate investor | |
| Charles R. Huntley | General Manager, Buffalo General Electric Co. | |
| David F. Day | Attorney | |
| John Guenther | Retired saloon keeper | Resigned, 25 Apr 1899 |
| Henry H. Guenther | Attorney | Apptd 25 Apr 1899, vice Mr. J. Guenther (no relation) |
| Ottomar Reinecke | Editor, Freie Presse | |
| Robert M. Harding | Insurance executive | |
| William J. Connors | Contractor | |
| Nathan Wolff | Dealer in hides |
1899 – 1900
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| John Hughes | Cattle dealer | President, elected 1 May 1898, succeeding Mr. Hengerer, retired |
| Conrad Diehl | Mayor | Ex officio |
| Andrew Langdon | Savings & Loan Assn President | |
| William P. Taylor | Manufacturer, railroad castings | |
| August Hager | Tobacconist | |
| Cornelius C. Wyckoff, M.D. | Physician | |
| William S. Wicks | Architect | |
| Louis Zittel | Grocer | |
| James Sweeney | Bank director, real estate investor | |
| Charles R. Huntley | General Manager, Buffalo General Electric Co. | |
| David F. Day | Attorney | |
| Henry H. Guenther | Attorney | |
| Ottomar Reinecke | Editor, Freie Presse | |
| Robert M. Harding | Insurance executive | |
| William J. Connors | Contractor | |
| Nathan Wolff | Dealer in hides |
1900 – 1901
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| John Hughes | Cattle dealer | President, elected 1 May 1898, succeeding Mr. Hengerer, retired |
| Conrad Diehl | Mayor | Ex officio |
| Andrew Langdon | Savings & Loan Assn President | |
| William P. Taylor | Manufacturer, railroad castings | |
| August Hager | Retired tobacconist | |
| Cornelius C. Wyckoff, M.D. | Physician | |
| William F. Kasting | Wholesale florist | |
| James Sweeney | Bank director, real estate investor | |
| Charles R. Huntley | General Manager, Buffalo General Electric Co. | |
| David F. Day | Attorney | Deceased, 21 Aug 1900 |
| James Macbeth | Master car builder, NYCRR | Apptd 18 Sep 1900 vice Mr. Day |
| Henry H. Guenther | Attorney | |
| Ottomar Reinecke | Editor, Freie Presse | |
| Robert M. Harding | Insurance executive | |
| William J. Connors | Contractor | |
| Nathan Wolff | Dealer in hides | |
| John G. Cloak | Attorney |
1901 – 1902
| Name | Occupation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| John Hughes | Cattle dealer | President, elected 1 May 1898, succeeding Mr. Hengerer, retired |
| Conrad Diehl | Mayor | Ex officio |
| Andrew Langdon | Savings & Loan Assn President | |
| William P. Taylor | Manufacturer, railroad castings | |
| August Hager | Retired tobacconist | Deceased, 14 Nov 1901 |
| Cornelius C. Wyckoff, M.D. | Physician | |
| Ignatz Woeppel | Publisher and printer | Apptd 23 Nov 1891 vice Mr. Hager |
| William F. Kasting | Wholesale florist | |
| James Sweeney | Bank director, real estate investor | |
| Charles R. Huntley | General Manager, Buffalo General Electric Co. | Resigned 19 Feb 1901 |
| Matthew D. Mann, M.D. | Physician | Apptd 19 Feb 1901, vice Mr. Huntley |
| James Macbeth | Master car builder, NYCRR | |
| Henry H. Guenther | Attorney | |
| Ottomar Reinecke | Editor, Freie Presse | |
| Robert M. Harding | Insurance executive | |
| William J. Connors | Contractor | |
| Nathan Wolff | Dealer in hides | |
| John G. Cloak | Attorney |
In early 1902, there occurred a major Park Board reorganization. The City of Buffalo petitioned the State of New York to amend the law providing for the Buffalo Board of Park Commissioners, changing the composition to 5 members, down from the former 15. The term of service for the Commissioners was decreased from six years to five, with the initial appointments being for 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 year terms, providing thereby for a regular refresh of membership while ensuring continuity in institutional knowledge. As before, the city Mayor would be an ex officio member of the body. Terms ran from mid-February, rather than from the month of May, as the terms of the old Board were established. Should mid-term vacancy occur, the Mayor could appoint another person to fulfill the unexpired portion of the departed member’s term, subject to Common Council approval. Mr. Hengerer was elected as Board President. After Mr. Hengerer’s death in 1905, the Board established a bylaw that the senior member would be automatically designated as the presiding officer during the final year of his term.
1902 – 1915
| Name | Profession | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Erastus C. Knight & successors | Mayor | Ex officio |
| George Ginther | Foundry owner, brewer | 1 year term in 1902, member of the Board immediately previous; reappointed 1903 succeeding himself; appointed 1911 succeeding Mr. Wall |
| Charles Mosier | Building contractor | 2 year term; reappointed 1904 to a full term; reapointed 1909 succeeding himself |
| William Hengerer | Department store owner | 3 year term; President, 1903 – 1905; reappointed Feb 1905, resigned 15 Sep 1905; deceased 3 Dec 1905 |
| Frank H. Goodyear | Railroad president and lumber dealer | 4 year term Resigned 22 May 1904 |
| Horace A. Nobel | Coal dealer | Appointed 22 May 1904, vice Mr. Goodyear |
| William H. Love | Attorney | Apptd 15 Sep 1905 vice Mr. Hengerer until 16 Feb 1906 |
| William Joyce | Wholesale boot & shoe merchant | 5 year term |
| Maurice M. Wall | Lumber dealer | Appointed 16 Feb 1906, succeeding Mr. Love, 5 year term |
| Thomas B. Lockwood | Attorney | Appointed 1907, succeeding Mr. Joyce; reappointed 1912 succeeding himself |
| William F. Kasting | Wholesale florist | Appointed 1908, succeeding Mr. Ginther; reappointed 1913 succeeding himself, resigned Feb 1914 |
| Nathan Wolff | Dealer in hides | Appointed 1910, succeeding Mr. Nobel; deceased 17 May 1915 |
| Robert W. Pomeroy | Attorney | Appointed Feb 1912, vice Mr. Kasting |
| George J. Meyer | Maltster | Appointed Feb 1912, succeeding Mr. Ginther |
| David Gunsberg | Financier and oil businessman | Appointed Feb 1915 vice Mr. Wolff |
On 1 January 1916, a new Charter for the City of Buffalo came into effect, moving the city to a “commission” format from its governance by alderman elected by ward. In a referendum carried out on 3 November 1915, the new document was approved by a solid majority. As one result, a Department of Parks, headed by one individual appointed by the Mayor, replaced the Board of Parks Commissioners. The following month, the Bureau of Buildings of the Department of Public Works was transferred to new Parks Department, and the agency was renamed the Department of Parks and Public Buildings.
The role of the Buffalo Board of Parks Commissioners in forming and guiding Buffalo’s green spaces was then over. Their stewardship had lasted for 46 years.
260210