George Edward Lattimer

George E. Lattimer, well known among the younger business men of Buffalo, was born in that city thirty-three years ago. After attending the public schools of Buffalo until he was sixteen years old, he made an early start on his commercial career by engaging on his own account in the business of carting coal, ice, and sand. He supplied the sand for some of the largest buildings in Buffalo, and built up a flourishing business. Having shown so much ability while still in his teens, Mr. Lattimer developed even more rapidly with increased experience . He attracted favorable notice among the business men of the city; and one of them, William S. Grattan, was glad to form a partnership with the young man. In the spring of 1886, accordingly, the firm of Grattan & Lattimer was organized for the purpose of carrying on a business in general freight contracting. This venture proved successful from the beginning. Little else could have been expected in view of Mr. Grattan's broad business experience, Mr. Lattimer's special training in the carrying industry, and the excellent judgment of both partners. They were the first firm in Buffalo to contract with the railroads to handle their package freight, and they made such contracts with the Lackawanna, New York Central , and Lehigh Valley railroads. The firm employs at all times a large number of men, and in the busy season as many as a thousand are on its pay roll . At the time of the sound money parade in Buffalo in the presidential campaign of 1896, Mr. Lattimer marched at the head of 500 or more employees of his firm. Mr. Grattan has very important business interests outside of this concern, and necessarily leaves the management of Grattan & Lattimer affairs to the junior partner. As for personal qualities unconnected with business , reference may be made to Mr. Lattimer's great interest in horses. He has owned at different times some of the fastest trotters ever seen on the magnificent parkways of Buffalo. Early in 1897 he was one of the prime movers in the proposed speedway running along Scajaquada creek in the rear of the Buffalo State Hospital. Mr. Lattimer is a devoted Mason , and is a member of all the bodies of that order up to and including the 32d degree . He belongs to DeMolay Lodge, No. 498, F. & A. M.; Buffalo Chapter, No. 71 , R. A. M.; Lake Erie Commandery, No. 20, K. T.; Buffalo Council; and Ismailia Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs likewise to the Masonic social organization called the Acacia Club. 

PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY- George Edward Lattimer was born at Buffalo June 19, 1864; was educated in the Buffalo public schools; engaged in a general carting business in Buffalo, 1880-86; married Annie Jones of Buffalo December 10, 1890; has been a member of the firm of Grattan & Lattimer, general freight contractors, since 1886. 

 The above bibliography was found in the following book: “The Men of New York: A Collection of Biographies and Portraits of Citizens of the Empire State Prominent in Business, Professional, Social, and Political Life During the Last Decade of the Nineteenth Century” G.E. Matthews & Company, 1898.

Mary Ann (Lattimer) Freitas

When Mary Ann Lattimer was born on 6 December 1853, in Buffalo, New York, her father, John, was 26, and her mother, Jane, was 33. She was the third oldest of seven children. Mary Ann's father was born in England and her mother was born in Clones, Monaghan, Ireland.  

Mary Ann's father was one of the first to settle on the seawall strip of Buffalo, Erie, New York in 1844.  By the early 1900s, this piece of land was known as the seawall strip ~ the land of the 'squatters' or 'beachers.' Eventually the city of Buffalo 'acquired' the land in order to give it to the railroad.

In 1916 Mary Ann testified before the city commission of how her parents made a home for their family.  When describing the railroad actions in bullying her family and neighbors, Mary Ann had this to say:  "Imagine a silly woman brought a pail of tar into the kitchen and left it on the stove.  It caught fire and burned up the house.  It was a great while later that a big blow took the barn completely away."  Mary Ann was given $3,000 for her seawall home.

At the age of 14 years old, Mary Ann married John P. Freitas on 23 December 1867 in her hometown of Buffalo, Erie, New York at Grace Episcopal Church. John was 22 years old at the time of their marriage. Mary Ann lived with her parents during the first six months of her marriage. They had twelve children with nine of her children living through adulthood. She told of her husband being paid in gold, never banked it and could hardly hold it in her large apron. She would give food to the needy and at her "wake" so many people told of the good she did.

Mary Ann died on 26 January 1937, in Buffalo, New York, at the age of 83, and was buried at the Holy Cross Cemetery.

Emma Elizabeth (Knight) Freitas

When Emma Elizabeth Knight was born on 16 October 1869, in Buffalo, Erie, New York, her father, John, was 36, and her mother, Bridget (nee Brennan), was 21. She was the third oldest among six children. Her father, John, was born in England and her mother, Bridget, born in Ireland which made her generation the first to be American born.

Emma's father died in 1887 when Emma was just seventeen years old. This led to her seeking work to help her mother and younger siblings. Emma became the house maid for John and Mary Ann (nee Lattimer) Freitas family on the 'island' known as the seawall strip. According to daughter-in-law, Madeline (Ritzenthaler) Freitas, Captain George gave Emma a diamond ring which she wore on a chain around her neck. One day the chain fell out of her dress where it was made known of their engagement.

At the age of twenty years old, Emma married Captain George Francis Freitas on 17 March 1890, in her hometown. A devout Catholic, they married at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Their first child was born later that year. They had six children within 15 years. 

Captain George moved their family from Buffalo, Erie, New York to Sandusky, Erie, Ohio in 1903. Emma was an active worker of St. Brigid's parish. She was an avid gardener and could be seen walking through her yard taking care of each of her flower beds. Emma loved playing cards and would often enjoy an afternoon with the ladies in the "Five Hundred Club." Emma had a kind heart and always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. 

Emma died on 28 February 1924, in Sandusky, Erie, Ohio, at the age of 54, and was buried at the Oakland Cemetery.  Emma's death certificate stated her cause of death as "organic head disease" which typically meant having a form of dementia.