USA > New York > Ontario County > A history of Ontario County, New York and its people, Volume II > Part 7
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Mr. Post married, 1904, Margaret Barnes, who was born in Phil- lipsburg, Pennsylvania. Children : Abram A., Jr., born December 26, 1905: Thomas, born September 28, 1908; Ann, twin of Thomas.
HUNT.
Practically all of the Hunts in America are of English descent, and a family of this name coming from Ireland is rarely to be met with. Those about to be mentioned, however, are the exception, and are num- bered among the great mass of their countrymen who, while preserving their identity to a greater or less extent, have become one of the important component parts of the American people.
Among the sturdy Irishmen who were compelled by famine and oppression to emigrate to the United States prior to 1850, was William
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Hunt, a native of Queens county. Instead of remaining for any great length of time in a large centre of people he wisely sought a home in the agricultural districts and settling in Geneseo, Livingston county, New York, he found ample opportunity for the exercise of his industry and thrift. He married Johanna Conroy, also a native of Ireland. Children : John F., a resident of Rochester, New York; Thomas R., who also is residing in that city ; Charles J .; Mary, married Patrick Landers; Jo- hanna, died November 4, 1898; and William J., whose sketch follows. All received the advantages of a good education and careful moral train- ing.
William J., a son of William and Johanna Hunt, was born in Gene- seo, New York, August 4, 1869. He pursued his preliminary studies at district school No. 3, in his native town, and attended for three years the Geneseo Normal School. At the age of twenty-one he engaged in farm- ing during the summer season, devoting his winters to teaching school, and he was thus employed for about five years. In 1894 he was appointed supervisor of the Craig Colony for Epileptics at Sonyea, New York, after passing the competitive civil service examination, and he continued to serve in that capacity with marked ability until 1901, when he resigned. From the latter year to the present time he has been actively engaged in the life insurance business in Geneva, New York, representing some of the most prominent companies and securing a large number of policy holders in that locality. As a business man and public official Mr. Hunt has won an enviable reputation for his honesty and efficiency and is highly esteemed by his fellow citizens. He is secretary of the general board of education, was appointed a member of the purchasing committee under the administration of Mayor Rose and reappointed by Mayor O'Malley, and has earnestly endeavored to protect and forward the inter- ests of the municipality. As the Democratic candidate for the assembly he made a gallant fight in a district which is strongly Republican, and he succeeded in cutting down the majority of Eugene Burnett, his opponent, to very small figures. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He attends St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church.
June 16, 1897, Mr. Hunt married at Mount Morris, New York, Miss Katherine B. Hannon, of Moscow, this state, daughter of Patrick and Mary Hannon. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt have one son, Joseph, born Novem- ber 7, 1898.
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PIERSON.
Samuel D. Pierson, director in the J. W. Smith Dry Goods Com- pany, of Geneva, New York, is one of that class of men who seem des- tined to overcome by their innate fitness apparently insurmountable obsta- cles, and his career presents a fine example of honesty and integrity, energy and perseverance, struggling with the adverse circumstances of life and rising into complete triumph. With all the elements of a strong character, he was fitted to assume the responsibilities which have devolved upon him and to increase the value of the interests entrusted to his care.
Rev. Job Pierson his father was born near Troy, New York, in 1824, and died in 1896. He was a well-known Presbyterian clergyman and ministered in many cities of the United States. He was a student at Williams College, from which he was graduated at the early age of eighteen years, and then began to study for the ministry in the Theologi- cal College at Albany, New York, being ordained in 1847. His first charge was at Corning, New York, where he remained until his resigna- tion in 1849, and he then filled the following pastorates in succession : West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, until 1850; Catskill, New York, and Pittsford, New York, 1851; Victor, New York, until 1862; Kalamazoo, Michigan, until July 1, 1869; Ionia, Michigan, until 1881, when he resigned, this being his last charge. He was one of the founders of Alma College, Michigan, and spent a large part of his time in assisting Dr. Murray in his work in connection with the new Oxford dictionary, making many important contributions, and was engaged on this work at the time of his death. He was a man whose death was deeply and sin- cerely lamented, and the influence of his inspired preaching was more than supplemented by the influence of his exemplary and blameless life. He married Rachel W. Smith, born in Gloucester, Massachusetts, in 1820, a woman of excellent education and ideal characteristics. She was beloved by all with whom she came in contact and was very active in church work. Her death occurred January 19, 1908. They had a num- ber of children, among whom were: Samuel D., see forward; John W. S., resides in Michigan; Philip T. H., resides in Bennington, Vermont.
Samuel D., son of Rev. Job and Rachel W. (Smith) Pierson, was born in Pittsford, Monroe county, New York, October 26, 1851. His education, which was a good one for the length of time he was able to take advantage of it, was acquired at the Victor schools, and in Kalama- zoo and Ionia, Michigan. At the early age of fourteen years he entered upon his business career, and this was commenced with the same qualities
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of earnestness and attention to detail that have characterized him throughout his life. His first position was that of a water carrier on the trains of the old Kalamazoo & White Pigeon railroad, which is now known as the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, and he was thus em- ployed for a period of five years. Being then fitted for work of a more strenuous nature, he became connected with the lumber business in the northern part of Michigan and remained in this employment until 1896. He then went to Geneva, New York, where he retired from business for a time to devote himself personally to the care of his maternal uncle, Solomon E. Smith, one of the two brothers who founded the drygoods house with which Mr. Pierson is now identified. He also gave much of his time and attention to the care of his mother, who was in feeble health. The J. W. Smith Dry Goods Company was organized in 1847 and was later incorporated as a stock company. In addition to his directorship in this company Mr. Pierson has a number of other business enterprises. He is a trustee of the Geneva Savings Bank; director of the Chamber of Commerce; and interested in other financial undertakings. His social affiliations are with the Country and Kanadasaga clubs, and he is a member of the Episcopalian church. While he has never aspired to the holding of public office he takes an active and intelligent interest in all matters which concern the welfare of his city and country, and has the courage of his convictions in expressing decidedly independent views in all matters of public policy.
Mr. Pierson has never married. His spare hours are spent in varied reading, to which he devotes a considerable amount of time, and his sympathetic nature leads him to make many personal inquiries into social conditions in all classes in the city. In this manner he is more readily enabled to give the assistance which is dictated by his feeling and gen- erous heart, and he has acquired a circle of friends who are representative of all classes of society. All in all, he is a plain, strong, dependable sort of man, in whom everyone seems to place unlimited confidence.
PARMENTER.
Dr. John Parmenter, for almost a quarter of a century engaged in the active practice of the medical profession, is a man of noble impulses, sound judgment, keen perceptions and remarkable force and determina- tion of character. Honorable in every relation of life, he commands the
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respect and confidence of all with whom he comes in contact, whether professionally or in private life. It is unnecessary to say that as a physi- cian he commanded the esteem of his fellow citizens; the record of his daily life is ample testimony to this fact. As he devoted the best years of his life to a noble profession, so is he now crowned with its choicest rewards. In all professions, but more especially in the medical, there are exalted heights to which genius itself dares scarcely soar, and which can be gained only after long years of patient, arduous and unremitting toil and inflexible and unfaltering courage. To this proud eminence we may safely say Dr. Parmenter has risen, and in this statement we feel confident we shall be sustained by the universal opinion of his professional brethren. the best standard of judgment in such cases.
William L., son of James Frederick Parmenter, a native of Vermont, was born in 1836, and was a prominent physician of Buffalo, New York. where he, spending the active years of his life, engaged in the practice of the medical profession. He married Clara Adelaide Smith, who was born in Dunnville, Ontario, Canada, in 1841. His love for and pride in his profession he transmitted to his son.
Dr. John, son of William L. and Clara Adelaide ( Smith) Parmenter. was born in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada, January 25, 1862. Shortly afterward his parents made their home in Buffalo, New York, and he received his elementary education in the public schools and Central High School of that city, being graduated from the latter institution in 1879. He then matriculated at the University of Buffalo, from the medical department of which he was graduated with honor in 1883, and the degree of Doctor of Medicine was conferred upon him. He immediately established himself in the practice of medicine and surgery in Buffalo, New York, where it was but a short time before his value as a physician and surgeon became a well established fact, and his services were called into requisition not alone by private patients but by his colleagues, in con- sultation. This was especially true of surgical cases, in which he was soon recognized as an authority, being for many years a professor of anatomy and surgery. His patients regarded him as a friend as well as a healer, and his sympathetic heart and manner tended greatly to lessen the sufferings of those whom he was called upon to attend. Having prac- ticed constantly until 1905, he felt that he owed it to himself to retire to a less exhausting mode of life. Accordingly in that year he purchased the old Snell farm in Geneva, Ontario county, New York, changing the name to that of "High Acres." This tract consists of one hundred and sixty-six acres of land, situated on a very high knoll overlooking the town of
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Geneva, about three and a half miles distant, and also affording a beauti- ful view for many miles over the surrounding country in all directions. The house is a large and commodious one, fitted up with all modern improvements which tend to make life charming. Here Dr. Parmenter spends his leisure hours engaged in reading and study, for although he has retired from active practice he retains all his old interest in matters concerning progress in scientific circles, and occasionally writes papers of undoubted scientific value. He is a Fellow of the American Surgical Society, whose membership is composed of one hundred and twenty-five of the most eminent surgeons in the United States, and is a member of the University Club and various medical societies of Geneva and elsewhere, and now ( 19II ) is president of the Geneva Public Health Association. His religious affiliations are with the Episcopal church.
Dr. Parmenter married, September 22, 1892, Frances Perry, born in Auburn, New York, March 16, 1867, a daughter of George and Ellen (Marvin) Gorham, the former a prominent lawyer of Buffalo, New York, the latter a native of Auburn, New York. Dr. and Mrs. Par- menter have an only child, Richard, born November 16, 1894.
PALMER.
Edward H. Palmer, who is the head and the leading spirit of numer- ous enterprises of financial importance in Geneva, Ontario county, New York, and its vicinity, and whose keen foresight and unusual executive ability have been the means of greatly improving the business prospects of the section, is one of that class of citizens who labor earnestly to build up the commerce and manufactures of the communities in which they live. and by so doing enrich and benefit the entire country.
Mr. Palmer was born in Clinton county, Iowa, May 17, 1855, and acquired his early education in the district schools of his native state. He came to Geneva, New York, when he was still a boy, studied at the Nur- serymen's Academy and at the Geneva high school, and was finally grad- uated from Cornell University. His college education was paid for entirely by himself, as he commenced to earn his own subsistence from the time he was eighteen years of age. When he entered Cornell University he devoted all his spare time and all of his vacations to working in the nurseries of Geneva, and contrived to save a sufficient sum to enable him to take up the study of law after his graduation. This study he pursued
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with the ardor and concentration which had characterized his earlier years and he was admitted to the bar and practiced for one year in Detroit, Michigan. His health, however, becoming greatly impaired by this indoor life, he was compelled to abandon it and go to the country near Milford, Michigan. There he was engaged in the produce business for one year. sold this and engaged in the wholesale lumber business for an equal length of time. He then formed a partnership with B. E. Rouse in the coal, grain and produce business, which was conducted for five years in Geneva, New York, when the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Palmer was then in the wholesale grain business independently for some time. until he closed this up, in 1891. During the last few years of his conduct of the last named business he organized the Geneva Preserving Company, was its treasurer and manager, continuing as manager until 1901, when he continued to hold his stock in the company but made E. S. Thorne manager in his stead. Later he sold his entire holdings in this concern. In 1895 he organized the Empire State Can Manufacturing Company, for the purpose of manufacturing tin cans, and conducted the same until he sold the business, in 1901, to the American Can Company. He then purchased the entire stock of the Geneva Gas Company and at the same time was manager of five plants for the American Can Company, dismantling three of them after a time, but operating two for the period of one year. In the fall of 1901 he was one of the purchasers of the Auburn Gas Company and later became the president and manager of both the Geneva and Auburn gas companies, a position he is holding at the present time. In 1903 he organized the Empire Coke Company, and later in the same year this company purchased the Seneca Falls & Water- loo Gaslight Company. In 1907 the Auburn Gas Company was sold to the Empire Coke Company, which latter practically controls these united interests at the present time. Mr. Palmer also organized the Empire Land Company, consisting of upward of one hundred acres of land located at East Geneva, and surrounding the Empire Coke Company's plant. In association with Mrs. Hoskins, Mr. Palmer bought the East Geneva Water Company.
Mr. Palmer realizes fully by personal experience the difficulties which young, ambitious men without means have to contend with in try- ing to realize their ambitions, and he is ever ready to lend a helping hand to those who are really in earnest in their aspirations. Following out these ideas he has taken into his employ many young men who with the assistance received from him, have been enabled to make a successful career. The noble motives which actuate him are fully appreciated by a.
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large circle of those whom he has benefited directly and indirectly, and he stands high in the estimation of his fellow citizens. His political sup- port is given to the Republican party, and he is a member of the Episcopal church. He is also a member of the following named organizations : Masonic Lodge, Kanadasaga Club, University Club of Geneva, Trans- portation Club of New York, Cornell University Club of New York, and three yacht clubs.
Mr. Palmer married, June 25, 1880, Cornelia H. Rouse, born in New York City, January 17, 1856, daughter of J. Platt Rouse, of Catskill, New York. Children : I. Pauline R., born in June, 1881 ; was graduated from the Delancy School of Geneva ; she married Rev. Guy P. Burleson ; has one child, Henry, and resides in Lakota, North Dakota. 2. Henry O., born in August, 1884; attended the public schools of Geneva and Hobart College, and was graduated from Cornell University ; he is now superin- tendent of the Empire Coke Works at Geneva; married Mary C. Guant- lett, of Ithaca, New York, and has one daughter, Mary. 3. Ruth E., born in December, 1888, was graduated from the Delancy School in Geneva and from Miss Hall's School in Pittsfield, Massachusetts; she resides with her parents and is unmarried.
PADGHAM.
Dr. Richard W. Padgham, who at the time of his death had been engaged in medical practice for almost a quarter of a century, was descended from an ancient English family, many members of which have been represented in various lines of professional life. Both of his parents died in England, where his father had spent the active years of his life in the ministry as a representative of the Methodist denomination. Although Dr. Padgham commenced the study of medicine rather late in life he had achieved a remarkable degree of success and was frequently called into consultation by his professional brethren.
Dr. Padgham was born in the Island of Barbadoes, West Indies, April 11, 1850, and died February 27, 1911. It had been the design of his parents that he should follow in the footsteps of his father, and he appeared to be unusually gifted for clerical life. He preached his first sermon when he was but twelve years of age, and was engaged in clerical work for some years. His throat, however, became affected by his too frequent use of the vocal cords, and he was constrained to think of another field for his mental activities. He thereupon decided upon the
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medical profession as offering a wide scope for relieving the physical ills ยท of his fellow men, as nature was debarring him from ministering to their spiritual needs. He at once threw himself with ardor into the study of medicine, becoming a student at the Eclectic College in New York City, from which he was graduated in the class of 1889. For some years he practiced in Interlaken (then Farmer), New York, but removed to. Geneva, Ontario county, New York, in 1896, where he continued his activities in this direction, and had a large and lucrative practice, and enjoyed the fullest confidence and esteem not alone of those who profited by his skill but by all who were enabled to judge of his conduct as a man and a good citizen. He made a special study of the diseases which are apt to afflict the nose, throat, lungs and stomach, and effected some remarkable cures, which attracted widespread attention in medical circles.
While he was undemonstrative and unassuming, Dr. Padgham was naturally interested in all matters which concerned the progress and improvement of the community in which he lived, and took a particular interest in the sanitary welfare of the town. He never aspired to public office, but gave his earnest support to the principles of the Republican party. His life was always an active one; he was a man of kindly impulses, and this together with his winning personality attracted people to him. As a member of the Methodist church he had great influence among his co-religionists, and he was also a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Foresters and the Royal Arcanum.
Dr. Padgham married in 1874, Elizabeth Clark, born in Ontario, Canada, 1851. Children :
I. Ethelbert G., born in Odessa, New York, May 9. 1875; he was graduated from the high school of Geneva, New York, entered the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1902, was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1906, and established himself in practice in Geneva the same year ; he married. October 17, 1906, Grace Etta Ridenour, a native of Gallipolis, Ohio; children: Richard R., died aged three months ; Grace Elizabeth Norris, born August II, 1907; and Donald E., born September 27, 1910.
2. Eleanor Elizabeth, born October 12, 1876, died May 2, 1895.
3. Mabel Gertrude, born November 26, 1877, was graduated from the Cortland Normal School.
4. Maude Beatrice, born January 14, 1880, was graduated from the Geneva Academy.
5. Leila Blanche, born February 21, 1883, was graduated from the Cortland Conservatory of Music.
Clarence Krath?
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HEATH.
Clarence Heath, president of the Shortsville Wheel Company, is one of that class of citizens who have developed our great manufacturing interests, spread our commerce and assisted in improving and enlarging our cities.
Clarence Heath was born in Darien, Genesee county, New York, March 30, 1857. He attended the district schools of Darien, and for a time was a student at Canandaigua Academy. Upon the termination of his school days he at first learned the trade of hand turning and the mak- ing of wagon and buggy wheels. In 1879 he established himself in busi- ness in Shortsville, New York, manufacturing hubs and spokes, and the following year commenced the manufacture of wagon and buggy wheels. His business was conducted on progressive and practical principles, all modern improvements to facilitate the output being readily adopted, and in 1909, the plant was enlarged and machinery installed for the manu- facture of automobile wheels. At the present time ( 1910) the two plants have a capacity of sixty thousand sets per year, and employ one hundred and fifty-five hands the entire year. The business, which operated under the name of the Shortsville Wheel Company, was incorporated in March, 1908, but the name remained unchanged. Mr. Heath was chosen presi- dent and manager; his son, Sidney L., secretary; and A. T. Sheffer, assistant treasurer. Prior to its incorporation, Mr. Heath had conducted the business for a period of seventeen years in partnership with Charles E. Brown.
Mr. Heath married, October 1, 1879, Jennie B., daughter of Hiram L. Brown, one of the original proprietors of the Empire Drill Works, which were organized in Shortsville about 1850. Children : 1. Mildred L., who married Burt R. Thompson and resides in Shortsville ; they have one child : Floy Virginia. 2. Sidney L., mentioned above, married Belle L. Wheeler, of Canandaigua. 3. Hester V., married Ray V. Howland and resides in Shortsville; they have one child : Hiram Heath Howland. 4. Mary Lois. 5. Doris Virginia.
NEEDHAM.
Michael Needham, founder of this family, was born in Burr, county Tipperary, Ireland, in 1834, died in Phelps, Ontario county, New York, July 3, 1909. He emigrated to America as a boy and settled in Phelps,
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where he obtained employment as a maltster. Sometime later he went to Chicago, Illinois, where he spent several years as head maltster of one of the large malt houses there. He then returned to Phelps, and for forty years was in the employ of the New York Central railroad there. He was a trustee of the Roman Catholic Church of St. Francis, at Phelps. He married, April 13, 1861, Margaret Flynn, of Phelps. Children : Mary, born March 1, 1862, married William H. Riley; Edmund F., referred to below ; William, born January 19, 1869, deceased ; Marjory C., born Feb- ruary 24, 1871, deceased ; Anna, deceased ; John Francis, deceased.
Edmund F., son of Michael and Margaret (Flynn) Needham, was born in Phelps, Ontario county, New York, February 10, 1864, and is now living there. He received his education in the public schools of Phelps, and went to work as a boy for the Crown Manufacturing Com- pany. By industry and ability he worked his way up to the position of head clerk and bookkeeper, in which capacity he served for a number of years, and January 10, 1910, he was chosen president of the company. This company employs over sixty men, and is known the world over for its celebrated Crown Grain and Fertilizer Drills, and its Crown Wheel- barrow Grass Seeder. Mr. Needham is a Democrat in politics, was for some time collector of the village of Phelps and also of the school district, and is now ( 19II ) school director. He is a trustee of St. Francis Church, and a member of the C. M. B. A.
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