USA > New York > Genesee County > History of the Genesee country (western New York) comprising the counties of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates, Volume III > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2019
https://archive.org/details/historyofgenesee03doty
HISTORY OF
THE GENESEE COUNTRY (Western New York)
Comprising the counties of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates.
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME III
1925 The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company Chicago
Allen County Public Library Ft. Wayne, Indiana
22781 14
OH Lowens
BIOGRAPHICAL
DANIEL W. POWERS.
During the past three-quarters of a century the name of Powers has been synony- mous with the growth and development of Rochester along various lines. Daniel W. Powers was the first builder of the modern business structure which is now a typical feature in every progressive city, and for many years he was an outstanding figure in the financial life of this city. He was born in Batavia, Genesee county, New York, June 14, 1818, a son of Asahel and Elizabeth (Powell) Powers, natives of Vermont. On leaving New England, Asahel Powers removed to western New York, establishing his home in this section of the state when it was largely an unim- proved district. Asahel Powers died about 1821 and his wife survived only a few years.
Following his father's death Daniel W. Powers made his home with an uncle and his early experiences were those of farm life, but the pursuits of a mercantile career seemed more attractive and at the age of nineteen he became a salesman in the hard- ware store of Ebenezer Watts of Rochester. Mr. Powers had walked from Batavia to Rochester at this time as a matter of necessity, for his means were extremely limited. Applying for a position to Mr. Watts, his size seemed to unfit him for the work he was to do, but young Powers insisted he was physically able and, throwing off his coat, remarked "I am the boy", and he went to work. For twelve years thereafter he was connected with the hardware trade, during which time the careful husbanding of his resources, together with the increase in his salary as his years and efficiency advanced, brought him capital that enabled him to engage in business on his own account as a banker and broker on the 1st of March, 1850. He made the announce- ment to the public through the columns of the paper that he would conduct an "Exchange business in the Eagle block, Rochester, one door west of the Monroe Bank in Buffalo street." The new enterprise prospered from the beginning. He gave close ard earnest attention to his business and the public soon recognized that he was thoroughly trustworthy, reliable and competent, so that his patronage therefore increased and in years brought him a handsome fortune. His success in the under- taking is evidenced by the fact that on the site of his original office now stands the beautiful and substantial nine-story fire-proof Powers building, the first as well as the finest and most celebrated of the great modern commercial structures erected in the city. He continued to engage in the banking business until his death and was recog- nized as one of the foremost financiers of western New York, not unknown through- out the state and in other sections of the country. In addition to the Powers block he erected the Powers Hotel, which is also nine stories in height and is scarcely equaled in the state outside of New York city. It was not alone through his private business affairs, however, that Mr. Powers became reckoned as one of the most distin- guished and prominent citizens of Rochester. His labors were of the utmost benefit. to the city along various lines of progress. He was one of the founders of the present park system and was a member of the commission which directed the construction of the city hall and the elevation of the Central Hudson Railroad tracks. Twice he served as alderman and his official prerogatives were exercised in support of valu- able measures. The Rochester City Hospital found in him a stalwart friend and champion and for many years he was president of its board of trustees. He was likewise president of the board of trustees of the Home of the Friendless and a member of the board of trustees of the Industrial School. He was charitable and benevolent, giving freely of his means to ameliorate hard conditions of life for others, and in all of his benefactions was entirely free from ostentation or display. Mr. Powers attained the Knights Templar degree in Masonry and was an attendant at the services of the Brick church, to which he give liberal support. He was a patron of art and the founder of the famous Powers Art Gallery, valued at more than a million dollars. His. knowledge of artists and their work was very extensive and his judgment discriminat- ing. He traveled extensively, going abroad several times and visiting many points of historic, modern and scenic interests in the Old World as well as in his native land.
Daniel W. Powers remained a resident of Rochester from early manhood to the
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time of his death, which occurred in December, 1897, when he had reached the age of seventy-nine years. He was honored and respected by all and his name stood to the outside world largely as a synonym of Rochester's greatness and upbuilding.
Daniel W. Powers was married twice. His first wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Lucinda Young, died in early womanhood, leaving a son, Edward, who passed away in infancy. In 1856 Mr. Powers was married to Miss Helen M. Craig, a daugh- ter of the late John Craig of Niagara county, who was one of the early retired citizens of Rochester. He removed from Niagara county to that city and became the owner of extensive real estate interests here. He was born in New Hampshire, his father being Colonel Joseph Craig, who won distinction as an officer in the Revolutionary war. .John Craig was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda Fassett. He died at the age of seventy-seven years, while his wife's death occurred when she was seventy-one years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Powers became the parents of five children: Helen, the wife of J. W. Aitken of New York city; William C., a resident of New York city; Jessie, the wife of G. N. Perkins; John Craig of Rochester; and Walter W., also of Rochester.
DEAN RICHMOND.
Though it has been nearly sixty years since the passing of Dean Richmond, the second president of the New York Central Railway Company and in his genera- tion one of the most eminent men of affairs in the state of New York, prominent not only in industrial and commercial circles but in the civic life of the commonwealth, the memory of that distinguished citizen still is kept green in Genesee country, where his chief activities were carried on, and no attempt to chronicle the events and movements which contributed to the development of that region during the gen- eration so conspicuously represented by Mr. Richmond, would be complete without some brief review of his life and services. Although a large part of the life of this eminent community builder was passed in other localities, his home from 1853 until the time of his death was maintained in Batavia, where the family still is represented, and at his passing he left a good memory there.
Dean Richmond was born in the village of Barnard, Windsor county, Vermont, March 31, 1804, and was a son of Hathaway and Rachel (Dean) Richmond, who not long after that date came over into New York with their family and established their home in Onondaga county, at a point now embraced within the corporate limits of the city of Syracuse. Hathaway Richmond was engaged in the salt trade and became a leader in that industry in this section, but business reverses impelled him to try his fortune in the south and he established himself in business in Mobile, Ala- bama, where he died not long afterward, leaving his widow and three children, two daughters and the son Dean, the latter then being but fourteen years of age. That was in 1818. Owing to the somewhat straitened circumstances in which the bereaved family found themselves after the death of the husband and father, young Dean Richmond early began to assume mature responsibilities and it is recalled concerning him that he even then began to demonstrate the possession of those notable qualities that in good time were to make him a power in the financial, industrial and political life of the state, and enable him to win his way to the front ranks of the men who were doing things in that generation he so ably represented.
Resolutely assuming the burden of family obligation thus placed upon his youth- ful shoulders, Dean Richmond did what he could to carry on the business left by his father and it was not long until, under changing conditions, he found himself in the possession of a going business. It was about that time that the market for salt became greatly extended and what had been a declining line during the time of his father's administration of the business became a rapidly developing industry, which under the adept management of the son was turned to large success. With this industry established on a firm basis and finding himself in the possession of an income which in those days was considered ample for larger operations, Mr. Richmond found an outlet not only for his savings but for his energies in other forms of investment and soon became recognized as one of the leaders in the promotion of large enterprises. In 1842 he moved to the city of Buffalo, where he became engaged in the general commission and transportation business, dealing largely with the rapidly increasing products of the west, forwarding these from the Buffalo market to the seaboard markets, and it was not long until he became recognized as one of the wealthiest and most influential operators in the whole lake region.
In the midst of his active commercial career Mr. Richmond made his entry into
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DEAN RICHMOND,
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THE GENESEE COUNTRY
railroad operations when he was elected a member of the directorate of the old Utica & Buffalo Railroad Company. When the direct line of that road was completed to Batavia he took up his residence in that village and thereafter made that place his home. It was in May, 1853, that Mr. Richmond purchased the fine old mansion on the north side of what now is Main street in Batavia, to the main part of which he made extensive improvements and additions and which place ever since has been held in the family, now being owned and occupied by the founder's granddaughter, Mrs. J. Frank Thomas.
When the completion of rival railroad lines forced the consolidation of seven railway companies into a protective organization that has since grown into that com- pact system of railways operating as the New York Central lines, Mr. Richmond was one of the foremost leaders in this farsighted amalgamation movement and it was largely due to his generalship, native ability and perseverance that an enabling act authorizing the merger was carried through the legislature. That was in the year 1853, historic date in the annals of American railway development. Mr. Richmond was elected first vice president of this company and upon the retirement of Erastus Corn- ing in 1864 he was elected president of the road, a service he continued to render until his death two years later. Mr. Richmond's proved capacity for railway service led also to his election as president of the rapidly developing Lake Shore & Michigan Southern road and in other ways he came to be recognized as a power in the railway world. It is a matter of record that during his many years of connection with the development of the New York Central road the company placed the utmost reliance upon his counsels and judgment and no extensive improvement measures were adopted without his advice and approbation. It also is of record that Mr. Richmond was the first American railway builder to advocate the use of steel rails, a development which started in England but which met with little encouragement on the part of American roller mill men. A trial shipment of steel rails was secured from England and the test made by the New York Central under Mr. Richmond's direction led to the placing of a large order for the steel rails in England, an order, however, that was not filled until after the death of the farsighted man who placed it. The ultimate proof of the desirability of these rails, in preference to the old iron rails, vindi- cated his judgment in the matter and led to a practical revolution in the construc- tion of American railways, the importance of which is fully appreciated by the present generation.
The space available in these pages will not permit a detailed mention of the various enterprises with which Mr. Richmond was connected, but it is proper to note that in each one of these and on every occasion his business acumen made him a promotive power of great personal influence, so that his name is written large on the early records of what may be regarded as the beginning of the period of "modern" development of the great commercial and industrial activities of the state of New York, marking that era of expansion immediately prior to and during the time of the Civil war. Though primarily the active and enterprising business man, to the exclusion of political and social ambition, Dean Richmond believed it to be the duty of every good citizen to interest himself in politics to the extent of keeping close watch upon the tide of events and to labor for the promotion of those principles of government of which his conscience approved. With broad views and a clear knowl- edge of the principles of democracy he readily grasped the various phases of national politics and made his influence felt in the councils of the democratic party. He was long in the full enjoyment of the unlimited confidence of his political associates and it is said that few men of his generation in New York state exerted a larger measure of power in that party than he, and for nine years prior to his death he had been serving as a member of the state committee of that party. In the summer of 1866 Mr. Richmond was in attendance, as a member of the state committee, at the state convention of the democratic party held that year in Saratoga, and returned to his home in Batavia on Saturday, August 18. On the morning of the next day, Sun- day, August 19, he accompanied Governor Tilden to the latter's home at Grammercy Park (New York) to spend the day and was persuaded to remain over night. On Monday he became seriously ill. His family, then at the seashore, were summoned to New York, reaching there on Wednesday morning. The ablest physicians in the city were called to the bedside but their efforts to afford relief were fruitless and Mr. Richmond died on the 27th, then being in his sixty-second year. It is significant of the busy life led by the deceased to record that one of the physicians in attendance at the bedside announced that the fatal termination of what otherwise might not have proved a serious illness was due to a depressed state of the patient's system brought on by overwork.
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THE GENESEE COUNTRY
During the time of Mr. Richmond's residence in Batavia it was his custom to attend to his business affairs in Buffalo and to return twice or thrice a week to the comfort of his home place in Batavia. Besides his interests as the executive head of the New York Central Railway Company and of the Lake Shore line he also was the owner of the controlling interest in what later became known as the Western Trans- portation Company and was a very busy man, his varied interests keeping him almost constantly "on the go", so that it is not unlikely the physician's judgment that his death was due to "overwork" was an accurate one. As noted in the introduction to this brief review of the life and services of this busy and useful man, Mr. Richmond left a good memory at his passing. He not only was diligent in business but in all his relations in life he had rendered a true account of himself. Though in following the promptings of his generous heart it is known that he was not accustomed to letting his right hand know what his left hand was doing, the memory of his many good deeds rendered locally was long cherished in and about Batavia and in some circles these good deeds are not wholly forgotten to this day. Notwithstanding his known aversion to any reference to his philanthropic activities it is known that no worthy cause presented to his consideration ever was disregarded.
Mr. Richmond's widow survived him for nearly thirty years, her death occurring on April 6, 1895, and she, too, left a good memory, for she had for many years been a gentle leader in local good works. Mrs. Richmond was born Mary Elizabeth Mead and was a member of one of the old families of Troy, New York. She and her husband were the parents of nine children, namely: Alfred, who made his home in New York city, and the only survivor of his family is a daughter, Rosland; Henry A., who made his home in Buffalo and who died a bachelor; Adelaide; William Eugene, now deceased; Edward G., who became a textile manufacturer in Chattanooga, Ten- nessee, and who is survived by a son, Edward Dean Richmond of New York city; Edgar (twin of Edward G.), who died young; Dean Richmond, Jr., a one-time vice president of the old Genesee County National Bank, who died in 1885 and in whose memory his mother founded the Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia; Harriet, who died in youth; and Charles. who also died in childhood. William Eugene Richmond, who married Clara Elizabeth Nims and made his home in Buffalo, has passed away, as has also his wife. They were the parents of seven children, Watts Lansing, William Eugene, Jr., Adelaide (wife of J. Frank Thomas of Batavia), Harold, Frances, Dean and Clara. All of these now living, save Mrs. Thomas, are making their home in Buffalo.
Adelaide, the only daughter of Dean and Mary E. (Mead) Richmond to reach womanhood, finished her education in Mrs. Bryan's Seminary at Batavia and in 1869 was united in marriage to Dr. William J. C. Kenny, who died at their home in Buffalo in 1873. Following the death of her husband Mrs. Kenny returned to Batavia and in the old Richmond home there spent the remainder of her life, her death occurring on February 5, 1905, she then being in the sixtieth year of her age. A contemporary reference to this good woman has it that "she was a close student of civic and business affairs and no mind was keener than hers in the ready grasp and practical solution of problems presented for her determination. Her name is asso- ciated with nearly every large business enterprise in Batavia and she was always on the alert to secure new industries. The citizens of Batavia are under many obliga- tions to her for many good deeds done and will always hold in grateful memory the name of Adelaide Richmond Kenny-first in every movement for the uplifting of humanity and the advancement of everything tending to the general good of the community." Certainly a fine and fitting appreciation of the services of this woman, who in her generation wrought well, and one worthy of preservation in this definite history of the region in which these services were rendered.
It is said that for the thirty years prior to her death no single individual had been so prominently identified with the general interests of the city of Batavia as had Mrs. Kenny. With her ample means she aided in the upbuilding of various local industries in which she was more or less heavily interested and she always gave freely to funds raised for the purpose of bringing new industries to town, as well as to funds designed for the general promotion of community interests. Mrs. Kenny was a charter member of the Batavia Hospital Association and was the presi- dent of that body at the time of her death. During the period of the activities of the Batavia Relief Association she was the mainstay of that organization. In general civic affairs she ever took a deep and helpful interest and was for several years a member of the local board of education, during that period of service doing much to advance the progress of the work of the schools. An earnest member of St. James Episcopal church, the handsome rectory that adorns the establishment of that parish
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THE GENESEE COUNTRY
was a gift from her. A clear-headed business woman, possessed of admirable judg- ment in such matters, she was a director of several of the leading industrial enter- prises of Batavia, including the Johnson Harvester Company, the Wiard Plow Company, the Bedwell Thresher Company, the E. N. Rowell Company and the Batavia Carriage Wheel Company, as well as a heavy stockholder in several other enter- prises. By her last will Mrs. Kenny disposed of considerable sums in behalf of various religious and charitable organizations, including a handsome bequest to St. James Episcopal church in memory of her deceased husband, which was used by the parish in the erection of the present church edifice. Mrs. Kenny was a great lover of books and it was said that on historical and nonpartisan political subjects she was one of the best read women in the country. Her extensive and very valuable library contained some of the finest de luxe editions extant.
The only present member of the Richmond family now residing in Batavia is Mrs. Adelaide Richmond Thomas, who, as mentioned above, is the wife of J. Frank Thomas, a well known business man of that city. Mrs. Thomas is president of the Holland Purchase Historical Society and has ever taken an interested and helpful part in the general social, cultural and philanthropic activities of the community.
HARRY B. CLEVELAND.
Harry B. Cleveland, an expert public accountant, has rendered valuable service to the state in that capacity and is now acting as secretary and treasurer of the Elmira Water, Light & Railroad Company, in which connection he is doing equally important work. He is one of the city's native sons and was born April 17, 1874. His parents were Franklin E. and Sarah (Benjamin) Cleveland, the former a native of Canan- daigua, New York, while the latter was born in Brantford, in the Dominion of Canada. They were married in Penn Yan, New York, in 1847 and reared a family of five chil- dren, three of whom survive. The father was in the service of the Erie Railroad Company and for many years acted as its agent at Elmira. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal church and a democrat in his political views. He was a Knights Templar Mason and served for years as prelate of the commandery.
Harry B. Cleveland attended the public schools and Elmira Free Academy, after which he completed a course in a business college. For about six years he was em- ployed as a stenographer and then became credit man for a lumber firm in Williams- port, Pennsylvania, filling that position for eight years. From 1909 until 1913 he was connected with the Elmira Water & Light Company, acting as auditor during a portion of that time, and in the latter year was appointed examiner of accounts by the public service commission for the state of New York. He was thus engaged for three years and his expert work led to his selection for the post of head accountant for the state tax commission, with which he was connected until 1920. He then returned to his native city and has since discharged the duties of secretary and treasurer of the Elmira Water, Light & Railroad Company.
On September 15, 1901, Mr. Cleveland was married to Miss Eleanor M. Sackett, a native of Elmira and a daughter of Frank E. Sackett, cashier of the Chemung Canal Trust Company of this city. The children of this union are: Virginia, Mar- garet and Mary. Mrs. Cleveland is a Presbyterian and her oldest daughter is a Christian Scientist in religious faith, while the other members of the family are members of the Episcopal church. Mr. Cleveland is a member of the Century and Kiwanis Clubs.
HERBERT TAYLOR KEHEW.
With a mind commercially comprehensive, quick to perceive and act, Herbert Taylor Kehew has avoided the many pitfalls into which unrestricted progressiveness is so frequently led, focusing his efforts in directions where fruition is certain, and his name has become widely known in connection with the manufacture of paper. Since coming to Dansville he has taken a leading part in civic affairs and is one of the most public-spirited men in a city which is noted throughout western New York for its civic spirit.
Herbert Taylor Kehew was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, August 10, 1866, and his parents, Charles A. and Julia (Taylor) Kehew, are both deceased. He re-
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ceived a public school education and when eighteen years of age obtained work with one of the large steel-manufacturing corporations of Pittsburgh. He first came to Dansville upon the organization of the Carso Paper Company, which was formed November 1, 1916, and since the incorporation of the business Mr. Kehew has filled the office of treasurer. The firm manufactures light weight paper for waxing. Mr. Kehew is financially interested in other paper mills at Middletown, Ohio, and is a member of the board of directors of the Paul A. Sorg Paper Company of that city. He also serves as vice president of the Fairbanks Fibre Box Company of Middle- town, Ohio, and is treasurer of the Empire Paper Company of Middletown, Ohio, with a mill at Ithaca, New York. He has a highly specialized knowledge of the business, with which he has been identified for over twenty years, and is one of the most prominent executives of the paper industry in the country. His plans are well formu- lated, having their basis in sound judgment, broad vision, keen sagacity and a ready discrimination between the essential and the nonessential, and his influence is one of broadening activity and strength in the field in which he is operating.
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