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1864 William Grant Faatz


Born: Dec. 22, 1864  near Honesdale, Wayne County, Penn.

Died: Mar. 14, 1924  at Binghamton, Broome County, New York.

His father was Henry G. Faatz.

His mother was Jane E. Mayhew.

He was married Dec. 24, 1891 to Rose M. Moore in Buffalo,
Erie County, New York.  They had a child together:

  1896  Raymond W. Faatz
  ____  Pearl Faatz
  ____  Priscilla Faatz  
  ____  Dorothy J. Faatz  (she later lived in Binghamton)

In 1890, Will and two of his brothers started the Faatz Brush and Felting Works.

Will became a successful businessman and became wealthy.  In
addition to the Faatz Felting Factory which he owned with two
of his brothers, Will owned one of the first auto dealerships 
in Broome County, in 1903 in Lestershire (later Johnson City).

He died at age 59 of a stroke.  His wife Rose paid $9500 for a
bronze sealed casket for him.  Rose died penniless, according to 
hand-written notes from my mother, recording information that was
told to her by her mother, Norma Rose Pulis.  

As Will also became a fireman, it is not known how active a role
he took in the family business, but apparently he was simply a
very active and capable businessman, because he also later owned
and operated the Binghamton Motor Car Company, located at 199 Water St.
in Binghamton, which today (2011) is the site of the parking garage
for Boscov's Department Store.  
  
Will was also a fireman.  The photo above shows Will in his fire 
department uniform.  It was taken in Lestershire (later called 
Johnson City), NY sometime in the 1890's.  

In the newly incorporated village of Lestershire, a board of water 
commissioners was established as a distinct branch of local government. 
The first commissioners were:

  Edward M. Kain, chosen for one year; 
  Dr. S. P. Allen, chosen for two years; and
  William G. Faatz, chosen for three years. 

The first meeting of the board was held September 10, 1895. 
William G. Faatz was re-elected to the water board in 1899.

The First Baptist church and society of Lestershire was incorporated 
July 30, 1891, with Loren D. Duren, Thomas L. Dunham and Harrison 
Zimmer for trustees.  In the same year the church was formally organized 
and a house of worship was erected on land donated to the society by
G. Harry Lester.  The building cost about $3,000. 

The first pastor was Rev. William R. Stone, who died about two 
months after his pastoral service began. Rev. George Hine next suc- 
ceeded to the pulpit and remained with the church about one and one- 
half years. The present (in 1900) pastor, Rev. J. M. Crandall, came 
to Lestershire September 1, 1893, and under his ministrations the 
church has continually increased in strength and usefulness.  The 
present membership is 260 persons (in 1900).

The officers of the church are Rev. J. M. Crandall, pastor; Cyrenus 
N. Day and Sylvester Clark, deacons. The trustees of the society are 
Thomas L. Dunham, Cyrenus N. Day, S. T. Harding, D. T. Ballou, 
William G. Faatz, and Rev. V. M. Seagers.

Here is an excerpt from a history of Lestershire/Johnson City NY:

Faatz, William G., founder of the Faatz Brush and Felting Company, 
of Lestershire, is a native of Honesdale, Pa., born December 33, 1864, 
the son of Henry Faatz, a glass manufacturer and a grandson of the pioneer 
window-glass maker of the United States.  William was educated in the 
Honesdale public schools and academy, after which he learned the saddler's 
trade.  Having served his apprenticeship, Mr. Faatz worked one year as 
journeyman and then started in business for himself in Susquehanna borough. Pa. 

In 1889, at the solicitation of G. Harry Lester, founder of Lestershire, 
Mr. Faatz and his brothers Frank and Gilbert H. came to the village and
engaged in the general manufacture of saddlery goods, beginning in a 
small way at first and gradually increasing the capacity of the works 
as the demands of the trade required, until the Faatz Brush and Felting 
Company is now the largest concern of its special kind in the country 
and furnishes regular employment to about 100 workmen. A good measure 
of success has rewarded Mr. Faatz's efforts in business life, and all 
the success he has achieved has been the result of his own industry 
and perseverance; and to-day he is regarded as one of the half-dozen 
men who have made Lestershire. 

Although constantly occupied with the affairs of business, Mr. Faatz 
has found time to take an active part in all the measures proposed 
for the welfare of the village and its people, but he never has been 
in any sense a seeker after political honors. He was one of the first 
village water commissioners, is still a. member of the board, and was 
its president one year. He has an excellent Masonic record, an active 
membership in Otseningo Blue lodge, Binghamton Chapter and Otseningo 
Consistory, also in Malta Commandery, Knights Templar.  By reason of 
his membership in the latter body, Mr. Faatz also is a member of 
Kalurah Temple, A. A. O. N, M. S., of the Oasis of Binghamton. 

Mr. Faatz married Rose Moore, daughter of J. E. and Sarah Moore of 
Buffalo.  Their children are Raymond W., Priscilla and Pearl Faatz. 

End of excerpt

Here is a link to his obituary and transcription.

William (and his brothers) are mentioned several times in this 

  History of Binghamton.