Frederick W. Constantine

b. circa 14 December 1859, d. 27 March 1942
  • Frederick W. Constantine was born circa 14 December 1859 in Pennsylvania.
  • He married Sarah Virginia Stuart, daughter of Samuel Mott Stuart and Mary Jane Redfield, say 1880.
  • Frederick W. Constantine and Sarah Virginia Stuart appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Hamburg Township, Erie County, New York. Other members of the household included Martha Belle Dart and Samuel Stuart Dart.
  • Frederick W. Constantine and Sarah Virginia Stuart appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, at 40 Cottage Street.
  • He was a stenographer, according to the 1900 census.
  • Frederick W. Constantine and Sarah Virginia Stuart appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, at 193 Norwood Avenue. Other members of the household included Martha Belle Dart and Marjorie Virginia Harwood.
  • He was an advertising agent, according to the 1910 census.
  • Frederick W. Constantine and Sarah Virginia Stuart appeared in the New York state census of 1 June 1915 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, at 394 West Utica Avenue. Other members of the household included Martha Belle Dart, John Garnett Stephenson and Marjorie Virginia Harwood.
  • Frederick W. Constantine and Sarah Virginia Stuart appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, at 605 Elmwood Avenue. Other members of the household included Martha Belle Dart.
  • He was employed as a clerk for the City Public Works.
  • Frederick W. Constantine and Sarah Virginia Stuart appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, at 112 Windsor Avenue and one domestic servant, Alice Kemp, age 50. It is not clear whether the "daughter Marjorie Harwood" enumerated in the household is actually granddaughter Marjorie or daughter Mattie, but for the moment, we opt for it being Mattie.. Other members of the household included Martha Belle Dart.
  • The following appeared on 6 April 1930 in the Buffalo Courier-Express: Celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick W. Constantine of 112 Anderson place last night received the felicitations of 300 guests at a reception in the Statler. Congratulatory messages were received by the couple from friends in many nations of America and Europe and there were numerous floral tributes and presents.
         Mr. and Mrs. Constantine were married in Hamburg at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel M. Stuart, the bride being 22 years old and the groom twenty. At that time her father was president of the village.
         Mrs. Constantine's parents, descendants of Pilgrim stock, settled in Hamburg when she was a baby, having come from Vermont. The hazardous journey was made by ox team and the little girl made the trip nestled in a cauldron kettle swinging under the wagon. Mr. Constantine's parents, Mr. and Mrs. James W. Constantine, settled in Buffalo in 1860, moving here from Rome, N. Y.
         At the time of his marriage, Mr. Constantine was publisher of the Erie County Independent. After the sale of the paper he came to Buffalo and for a number of years continued newspaper work. Always interested in politics, but never seeking office, he attracted the attention of Mayor Diehl who made him his secretary. In that capacity, he contributed much to the staging of the Pan-American Exposition.
         On leaving the mayor's office, he returned to newspaper work, devoting his efforts to advertising writing. He now holds a position in the accounting office of the bureau of streets. One of the two children of the couple, Mrs. Martha D. Harwood, is living.
         As a Spiritualist Mr. Constantine is known throughout the world. He has held some of the highest offices in that organization and is president of the Church of Spirit Communion which meets in the Statler. For five years he was president of the Lily Dale Assembly; six years treasurer of the National Spiritualists' Association and has been secretary of the General Assembly of Spiritualists of New York for fifteen years.
         Among the out-of-town guests at the reception were: Mr. and Mrs. Harry P. Strack of Washington, D. C., Dr. and Mrs. C. A. Burgess of Chicago, Mrs. M. E. Cadwallader, publisher of the Progressive Thinker, Chicago, Mrs. Adelaide Hilgartner of Baltimore, Md., Mrs. C. V. Morrow of Pittsburgh, Mrs. Belle A. Andrews and Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Andrews of Utica, Mr. and Mrs. H. McGuire of Toronto, Ont., Dr. J. C. Seedom of Trenton, N. J., Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Cushing of Glen Ridge, N. J., and Miss Mara Jore, operatic soprano of New York City, who is a granddaughter of the couple.
  • He was a public accountant, according to the 1930 census.
  • Frederick W. Constantine became a widower at the 20 May 1931 death of his wife Sarah Virginia Stuart.
  • The following appeared on 21 May 1931 in the Buffalo Courier-Express: [Died] At the late residence, 112 Anderson place, Buffalo, May 20, 1931, Virginia Stuart, wife of Frederick W. Constantine; mother of Mrs. Martha B. Harwood. Funeral services from Buffalo Crematory chapel, Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Friends invited to attend.
  • The following appeared on 15 December 1939 in the Buffalo Courier-Express: In this city's service more than 30 years, Frederick W. Constantine, a clerk in the division of streets, department of public works, yesterday celebrated his 80th birthday. Mr. Constantine, who served as secretary to former Mayor Conrad Diehl, 1900-1904, was congratulated by Mayor Thomas L. Holling and other city officials on his anniversary.
         Mr. Constantine, secretary-treasurer of the International General Assembly of Spiritualists, engaged in the advertising business for a number of years after Mayor Diehl's term expired. He re-entered the City's employ in 1913.
  • Frederick W. Constantine appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, at 43 Norwood Avenue. Other members of the household included Martha Belle Dart and Marjorie Virginia Harwood.
  • He was employed as a clerk by the Buffalo Department of Streets, according to the 1940 census.
  • Frederick W. Constantine died on 27 March 1942 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York.
  • The following appeared on 28 March 1942 in the Buffalo Courier-Express: [Died] Frederick W. Constantine, March 27, 1942, husband of the late Virginia Stuart; father of Mrs. Martha B. Harwood; grandfather of Mrs. Marjorie Roberts; brother of Mrs. Frank S. Fosdick. Memorial services will be held at the late residence, 43 Norwood Avenue, Sunday at 3 o'clock. Friends are invited. Flowers gratefully declined. Deceased was a member of DeMolay Lodge 498, F. & A. M.
  • Last Edited: 25 Sep 2014

Family: Sarah Virginia Stuart b. October 1857, d. 20 May 1931