admin ALFRED SCHOELLKOPF. By the death of Alfred Schoellkopf, who departed this life on the 12th of October, 1901, was lost to the community a man of superior business ability and of strict integrity, a manufacturer and financier who in each of these departments of enterprise proved himself thoroughly qualified for the direction of important undertakings, and a citizen who in all relationships, civil, social or domestic, commanded and deserved esteem. Mr. Schoellkopf was cut off in his prime, at the time of his decease being in his forty-first year. His death was the more deeply deplored because it destroyed a bright future. Mr. Schoellkopf had a wide circle of friends, and the large interests with which he was connected made him well known in the business world. His amiable nature endeared him to many, and in his home and family relations he was an ideal character.
Alfred Schoellkopf was born in Buffalo on the 1st of July, 1860. Business talents and the spirit of enterprise were his by inheritance, for he was one of the sons of the late Jacob F. Schoellkopf, who was among the most celebrated captains of industry Buffalo has ever known, and whose immense enterprises in the tannery, milling, hydraulic power and general manufacturing fields made his name famous throughout the State. Alfred Schoellkopf obtained his preparatory education in the public schools and later pursued a course of study at St. Joseph’s College. After finishing his career as a student he became associated with his father in the latter’s great tannery establishment in Mississippi Street, the specialty of the concern being the tanning of sheepskins. Alfred Schoellkopf exhibited unusual business capability and excellent executive powers, ‘ and in all respects acquitted himself admirably of the important responsibilities committed to him.
The elder Schoellkopf’s canal and hydraulic projects at Niagara Falls offered brilliant opportunities for a young business man of energy and grasp of affairs, and soon Alfred Schoellkopf became identified with the Niagara Falls Hydraulic Power and Manufacturing Company, of which at the time of his death he was a Director. Mr. Schoellkopf’s connection with Niagara Falls interests led to his entering the sphere of pure finance as a Director of the Power City Bank.
The biography of Mr. Schoellkopf from the period of his early manhood when he made his first entry into business to the time of his decease is a continuous record of earnest and successful endeavor. Mr. Schoellkopf was an example of the man of affairs whose increase of capability steadily keeps pace with the accumulation of experience. He was, in a word, what is popularly characterized as “a growing man.” Naturally of fine abilities, as he progressed in the business world he constantly developed new resources, and was a large and valuable factor in the great undertakings with which he was concerned. Liberal in his views, he instinctively grasped the spirit of American industrialism. He believed in the future of Buffalo and in that of the Niagara Frontier, and in the two municipalities wherein his interests lay and where his life labors were performed he was invariably in line with advancement, and was recognized as belonging to the class of citizens who form the progressive elements of the community.
The lamented death of Mr. Schoellkopf occurred on the 12th of October, 1901. At the time when he was called from this life he had reached the stage of his career when, still retaining the energy of youth and having combined with it the advantages of extensive experience, he was better prepared than ever for important achievements. His decease was a deplorable loss to the industrialism and the citizenship of Western New York.
Mr. Schoellkopf was married, the maiden name of his wife having been Emily Graebe. At the time of her marriage she was a resident of Niagara Falls. Mr. Schoellkopf is survived by his widow and three children, Lucia, William Graebe, and Emily.
SOURCE: Memorial and Family History of Erie County New York; Volume I