admin NORMAN E. MACK, editor and proprietor of The Buffalo Times, and Democratic National Committeeman, is equally well-known as a newspaper man and in public life. The success Mr. Mack has won is the logical result of ability.’ The newspaper enterprise of which he is the head was built up by him from the foundations. He is so thoroughly identified with The Times that a history of that paper is in a sense a history of his career. Yet he is a man of wide activities. Prominent in the State and National Democracy, he is one of the trusted leaders of his party. He is a progressive citizen of Buffalo, aiding its institutions and furthering its development. As an editor Mr. Mack represents popular principles. His paper has always been a powerful champion of reform movements and sound municipal government. Mr. Mack is independent in his views and has the courage of his convictions. His editorial opinions carry weight and are widely quoted. Frank in his dealings with the people, he has been conspicuously rewarded by the public trust. His Americanism is of sterling metal. Mr. Mack’s personal traits correspond with his career. He is direct of speech, quick of perception and strong in execution. His position is a representative one, and he has won his way to it by energy, resourcefulness and the practical qualities which mark the able man of affairs. Mr. Mack was born on the 24th of July, 1858. The beginning of his career in Buffalo, however, dates from 1879.
On the 7th of September of that year he issued the first number of The Sunday Times. The business was located at a small ‘ office at No. 202 Main street, and was the modest beginning of a great and successful enterprise. Two years afterwards the headquarters were removed to No. 50. Seneca street. Here was set up the first press. The next year, during Mr. Mack’s absence at New Orleans, a fire occurred in the building, necessitating the removal of the plant to No. 271 Washington street. In May, 1883, Mr. Mack bought the mercantile printing concern at No. 191 Main street. Mr. Mack now resolved to embark in an undertaking attended with far greater responsibilities than any he had yet attempted. On the 13th of September, 1883, he published the first issue of The Daily Times. From the outset the paper made its way. That it was established was due to its proprietor’s belief that there existed a fair field and a public demand for such a newspaper, and the event justified his judgment. The paper was clean, spirited and newsy, and its independence, liberality and manly straightforwardness took a strong hold on the popular mind. The Daily Times rapidly increased in circulation and advertising.
In March, 1906, The Times’ plant was destroyed by fire. The disaster was a severe one, and the manner in which it was retrieved is one of Buffalo’s most striking instances of industrial resource and enterprise. The destruction of the plant did not interrupt even for a day the publication of the paper. Before the ashes had ceased smoking the place of the conflagration became a scene of bustling activity, and like magic The Times establishment rose from its ruins. New presses and linotype machines were procured and they are now installed in a handsome modern building complete in all its mechanical appliances, with admirably appointed editorial rooms and a palatial business office. Mr. Mack not only rebuilt his plant but greatly extended his operations.
The Times is the people’s paper. It is Democratic in policy and principles, a steadfast supporter of the candidates of the Democracy and an insistent advocate of party unity. It is a friend of individual enterprise and a champion of fair play and the rights of the citizen. It is active in the furtherance of the welfare of Buffalo, believes in honesty in municipal affairs and the application of business common sense to administrative methods and holds that public office is a public trust. Many substantial improvements, many rectifications of wrongs are due to the fearless efforts of this progressive paper. It has brought about the use of free textbooks in the public schools of Buffalo, the enjoyment of free music in the parks, the erection of markets, and the privileges of shorter hours and better pay for our policemen. It has led successful crusades against overhead wires, overcrowding in public schools, and grade crossings. One of its recent enterprises was the rescue of the Buffalo parks and trees from the menace of the tussock moth, which threatened to ruin the natural adornments of our city. As a newsletter The Times is unexcelled, and its swift and accurate investigations have, in not a few instances, brought criminals to justice and removed the stigma from defenseless innocence. When the 13th Regiment went to the Spanish-American War, Mr. Mack supplied the soldiers daily with copies of his paper, and continued to do so when the regiment was sent to the Philippines, the period of field service being more than three years. In 1903 the regiment, in token of its appreciation presented Mr. Mack with a superb loving cup. The Times has won many municipal and political victories, notable among which are its defeat of the Board of Police Commissioners, in 1891, in the attempt to superannuate Superintendent Morin, the securing of a just count which resulted in the election of Andrew Beasley, Democratic candidate for Assessor, and the local campaign of 1897 in which The Times alone of all the English papers of the city espoused the cause of the Democratic party which proved successful, and was largely the means of electing Dr. Conrad Diehl for Mayor.
Personally as well as in his capacity of journalist, Mr. Mack has always been active in politics. In 1884 he was a strong supporter of Grover Cleveland. He has many times been a delegate to Democratic local and State conventions, was delegate to the Democratic National Convention of 1892, and served that year as New York member of the Notification Committee. In 1896 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. He vigorously supported Mr. Bryan. For two terms he represented, his Congressional district on the Democratic State Committee, declining a third term. In 1900, and again in 1901 he was chosen National Committeeman, a position which he has ever since continued to fill, and wherein he has won eminent credit as a party adviser and leader. He has for a number of years been regarded as the most prominent Democrat in Western New York and is today a figure of national importance in his party.
Mr. Mack is identified with a number of representative institutions and societies. Ho has served as a member of the Board of Park Commissioners and served for years on the executive committee of the State Associated Press. He is a member of the Buffalo, Ellicott, Country and Press clubs, the Orpheus and Liedertafel societies and other organizations, and is prominent in social life.
On the 22d of December, 1891, Mr. Mack married Miss Harriet B. Taggart of Buffalo. Mr. and Mrs. Mack have two daughters. Norma Emily and Harriet Taggart Mack.
SOURCE: Memorial and Family History of Erie County New York; Volume I