USA > New York > Steuben County > A history of Steuben County, New York, and its people, Vol. II > Part 32
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Maynard H. Rosenkrans is indebted to the public schools of Steuben county for his early educational discipline and when eighteen years of age he initiated his independent career, as a dealer in farm products, a line of enterprise with which he continued to be identified for a period of five years. He then perfected himself in the paint- ing and decorating trades and in this line of enterprise he has for many years controlled a large and substantial business as a con- tractor. The high grade of his work and his fidelity to all agree- ments having gained to him the unqualified confidence of all with whom he has had dealings. He is the owner of farm property in Wayland township and has also been successful in the handling of real estate, with which line of enterprise he is still connected. He is known as one of the progressive and public-spirited citizens of the village of Wayland and has been identified with its fire department for nearly a quarter of a century. He is a charter member of the original volunteer fire department, which was organized in 1883 and which in the early years of its existence utilized the Babcock fire extinguishers. He is now a member of the Wayland Hose Company and it is to be noticed that the facilities and equipment of the de- partment have been brought up to a fine modern standard. In politics Mr. Rosenkrans is aligned as a stanch supporter of the prin- ciples and policies of the Democratic party and he has been a zealous worker in its local ranks, having attended its conventions in his coun- ty and congressional district and having also served on the election board of Wayland township, as well as constable and census enu- merator. Both he and his wife are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church and in the community that has so long represented their home their circle of friends is coincident with that of their acquaintances.
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On the 8th of January, 1888, Mr. Rosenkrans was united in marriage to Miss Rose Ryan, who was born at Arkport, this county, on the 29th of October, 1870, and who is a daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Lindsey) Ryan, the former of whom died at Cuba, Allegany county, New York, in 1890, at the age of sixty-two years, and the latter of whom died in 1877, at the age of thirty-five years, being survived by five children. Concerning the other children it may be stated that Catherine is the wife of Daniel Pike, a farmer of Steuben county ; Stella is the wife of Thomas Dunn, of Syracuse, New York; and Frank is a manufacturer of New Zealand and Australia. The father of Mrs. Rosenkrans was a blacksmith and wagon-maker by trade and he was a valiant soldier of the Union in the Civil war, in which he served during practically the entire period of the great conflict. Mrs. Rosenkrans was a child of seven years at the time of her mother's death and she was reared in the home of a Mr. Campbell, of Livingston county, where she remained until the time of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Rosenkrans have three children, whose names and respective dates of birth are here noted: Paul L., born in 1890, attends the Wireless Telegraph School at Valparaiso, Indiana, and Hugh Hamilton, born in 1894 and Helen Marian. in 1896, are attending the public schools of Wayland.
AUGUSTUS DEPEYSTER HARLOW .- Numbered among the progres- sive business men of the younger generation in the national me- tropolis is Mr. Harlow, who is here engaged in the manufacturing of food products with headquarters at 474 Greenwich street. He is a scion of old and honored families of the Empire state and was born at Bath, Steuben county, on the 30th of December, 1872, a son of Straton and Sarah E. (Dudlev) Harlow, the former of whom was born in Genesee county, New York, and the latter at Bath, Steuben county, where she still maintains her home and where the father died when thirty-six years of age. Of the children, the sub- ject of this review is the only one who attained to years of maturity. He is indebted to the public schools of his native place for his early educational discipline and as a young man he entered the employ of the Long-Distance Telephone Company, with which he continued to be connected for ten years and for the greater portion of the period he was special agent for the company and traveled extensively in its interests, in the meanwhile maintaining his official headquar- ters in New York city. In 1903 he joined the forces of J. W. Beardsley's Sons, manufacturers of various food products. The well equipped establishment is located at 474 Greenwich street, New York city. In politics Mr. Harlow gives his allegiance to the Re- publican party and he is an appreciative member of the Steuben County Society of New York city, besides which he is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity.
In the year 1903 Mr. Harlow was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta C. Beardsley, who was born and reared in Newark, New Jersey, and they have one son, John Dudley.
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CHARLES INGERSOL DEWITT was born in Wells, Bradford coun- ty, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1849, the oldest son of D. Barnett and Rebecca Jane DeWitt. He was married to Mary Jane Knapp, daughter of Annanias and Rachel Knapp, February 20, 1872. Soon after they were married they moved to Bath, New York, where were born to them four sons, Harry B., Eugene Knapp, Harry, and Paul A. Later the liome was changed to Hornellsville, until it was broken up on the death of the mother November 29, 1896, at Elmira. The oldest son had died in infancy and the other three were separated when the home was broken up. The father was murdered under mysterious circumstances at Norwich, New York, January 18, 1903. Harry died following an operation for appendicitis August 14, 1906, at the home of George W. Wolfe with whom he had made his home for ten years.
Eugene K. DeWitt was born May 6, 1877. He completed his course at Hornell High School in 1903; Alfred University in 1908; and McCormick Theological Seminary in 1911. He and his wife, who was formerly Elmina Georgiana Titsworth, the only daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Alfred A. Titsworth of New Brunswick, New Jersey, are now engaged in missionary work among the Mohammedans in East Persia.
Paul A. DeWitt was born February 28, 1883. Although com- pelled to leave school at an early age, he has improved his oppor- tunities and by reason of his retention as manager of the Wayland branch of the Huguet Silk Company has shown what one can do by keeping everlastingly at it. He entered the employ of Merrill Field & Co. as a weaver and has been advanced until now he has charge of the important branch at Wayland, which was started under his su- pervision in 1907. Mr. DeWitt removed with his family to Wayland upon assuming his present office and he and his wife are valued and popular factors in connection with the social and church activities of their home town. Though taking an active interest in all that tends to advanee the general welfare of the community and to con- serve good government Mr. DeWitt is not a strong partisan in politics.
On the 19th of December, 1906, was solemnized the marriage of Paul A. DeWitt to Miss Lelia Evelyn Emory, a daughter of Myron C. Emory one of the representative farmers and honored citizens of Cortland county. Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt have one sou, Albert Knapp, who was born February 20, 1908.
HENRY GINNANE .- One of the representative younger members of the bar of New York city who has been contributed to the na- tional metropolis by fine old Steuben county is Henry Ginnane, who is established in the successful practice of his profession with office headquarters at 100 William street. Mr. Ginnane was born at Addi- son, Steuben county, on the 15th of November, 1880, and is a son of Jeremiah and Susan (Hurley) Ginnane, who still reside at Addison, where the father is now living retired. He is one of the well known
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citizens of Steuben county, where he is held in high esteem. Both he and his wife were born in Ireland and are representatives of stanch old families of the fair Emerald Isle. Upon establishing his home in Steuben county Jeremiah Ginnane first located in the village of Rathbone, where he engaged in the work of his trade until his removal to Addison, where he has resided for the long intervening years. Both the parents and their eight children are living. He whose name initiates this review is the youngest of the children.
Henry Ginnane was reared to the age of nineteen years in his. native town, where he duly availed himself of the advantages of the public schools, including the high school. He then entered the law department of Buffalo University, in the city of Buffalo. In this fine institution he completed the prescribed technical course and was graduated as a member of the class of 1903, duly receiving his well earned degree of Bachelor of Laws and also being admitted to the bar of his native state. He had previously initiated the study of law under the preceptorship of Delmar W. Darrin, a prominent member of the bar of Steuben county. He was admitted to the bar in the city of Buffalo, in January, 1903, and for the following three years he was there engaged in professional work, in the law offices of the firm of Cox, Kernan & Kimball. He then removed to New York city, where he became an attache of the legal department of the Metropolitan Street Railway Company, for which he acted as assistant attorney about one year. Since that time he has been a member of the legal staff of the Aetna Life Insurance Company, besides which he gives his attention to the private practice of his profession, for which he has proved himself admirably fortified. He is a member of the New York County Lawyers' Association, is affiliated with the Delta Chi Law Fraternity, and holds membership in the Knights of Columbus and the Steuben County Society of the metropolis.
EDGAR A. LEWIS .- As principal of the high school at Wayland, Professor Lewis is prominently and successfully identified with educational work in Steuben county and he is thoroughly en rapport with his profession, in which his success has been of unequivocal order.
Edgar Alexander Lewis was born near Smithville, Jefferson county, New York, on the 8th of November, 1869, and is a son of Edgar and Nellie M. (McNeill) Lewis, who still reside on their fine homestead farm near Bellville, where the father took up his resi- dence when a young man. Edgar Lewis served as a gallant soldier of the Union during the Civil war and he manifests his continued interest in his old comrades by retaining membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, whose ranks are being so rapidly thinned by the one invincible foe of humanity. The only child is Edgar A., whose name initiates this review.
Professor Lewis passed his boyhood days on the home farm and his rudimentary education was secured in the district schools. At the age of fourteen he entered Union Academy, at Bellville, Jefferson
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county, in which institution he was graduated in 1891, after which he taught in the district schools for three years. He then, in 1893, was matriculated in Brown University, at Providence, where he con- tinued his studies about two years and in the meanwhile he con- tinued his successful efforts in the pedagogic profession. In 1896 he entered Colgate University, in which he was graduated as a mem- ber of the class of 1898 and from which he received his degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. For the ensuing year he was engaged as a teacher in the public schools of Bellville, in his native county, and for four years thereafter he was similarly engaged at Broadalbin, Fulton county, where he remained until 1903, when he assumed his present position as principal of the high school at Wayland. His long retention of this incumbency stands as the best voucher for the efficiency of his work, as well as for the public estimate placed upon him. He has done much to bring the high school up to a high stand- ard and is indefatigable and enthusiastic in all departments of his work. Both he and his wife are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is a member of the official board of the church of this denomination in Wayland. Professor Lewis is also affiliated with Warren Patchin Lodge, No. 883, Free & Accepted Masons.
In the year 1901 was solemnized the marriage of Professor Lewis to Miss Minnie Elizabeth Rosendale, who was born at St. Johnsville, Montgomery county, New York, and who is a daughter of Lawrence Rosendale, a native of Germany, whence he emigrated to America when a young man; he and his wife have both passed away, the father dying in California in June, 1910, and the mother in 1894. Mrs. Lewis was graduated in the high school of her native town and also took a special normal course, after which she was a successful and popular teacher in the public schools until the time of her marriage and for four years afterward. She is a woman of gracious presence and is a popular factor in the best social activities of the community, as well as an earnest worker in the Methodist Episcopal church at Wayland. Professor and Mrs. Lewis have no children.
LEWIS F. WILSON .- Steuben county has not failed to contribute its due quota to the professional and business circles of New York city and he whose name initiates this sketch may properly be accorded recognition as a successful member of the bar of the national me- tropolis, where his labors have not only been creditable to himself but also to the county of his nativity.
Mr. Wilson was boru at Corning, Steuben county, on the 13th of November, 1867, and is a son of Benjamin Carr Wilson, who was born at Cooperstown, Otsego county, this state, and who was for upwards of twenty years engaged in the clothing business at Addison, Steuben county. He served as a gallant soldier of the Union in the Civil war and was made lieutenant of his company. He died in 1888, at Auburn, New York, where he had resided for about a year at about
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fifty-five years of age. He was a stanch Democrat in his political proclivities, was affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic and his religious faith was that of, the Episcopal church. His wife, whose maiden name was Martha D. Biles, was born at Bath, Steuben county, a daughter of Lewis Biles, who was one of the sterling pioneers of that county, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred after he had attained to the venerable age of seventy-nine years. He was of English lineage, and this is also true of the Wilson family. The mother of Mr. Wilson is still living and resides with the elder of her two sons, R. Carr Wilson, at La Gloria, Cuba. The only daughter, Helen Elizabeth, died in New York city in the year 1903.
Lewis F. Wilson completed the curriculum of the public schools of Addison, Steuben county, in 1884 and he then went to Hornell, that county, where he became a student in the law offices of I. W. Near, under whose preceptorship he continued his studies for a brief period. He then entered the law class of Bemis & Orcutt, in the same city, where he continued his studies about two years. Upon the death of the senior member of the firm, in 1889, Mr. Wilson re- moved to New York city and entered the law office of Frank Sullivan Smith and in 1893 he was admitted to the bar of his native state. He continued to be associated in professional work with Mr. Smith until 1901, and since that time he has given his attention largely to the affairs of the Cuban Land & Steamship Company, of which he is the president. He has been very successful in the development of the interests of this corporation and the demands of the same are such that he has largely withdrawn from the practice of his profes- sion. He is also secretary of the Pittsburg, Shawmut & Northern Railroad Company, besides which he is president of the La Gloria Transportation Company, which is concerned with the development of the colony of La Gloria, Cuba. He is connected with other in- terests of importance and is known as a business man of administra- tive ability. He is a member of the Bar Association of New York city, is an independent Democrat in politics and is a member of the Steuben County Society of New York City.
On the 17th of April, 1901, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Marian Harper Udall, daughter of Charles E. and Fredericka (Folhauber) Udall, who was born at Dubuque, Iowa, where her par- ents resided for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the parents of two children: Marian and Fairfield.
DANIEL E. BURROWS is identified with the operations of the Bor- den Condensed Milk Company in New York city, where the offices of this popular corporation are located at 108 Hudson street. He was born at Campbell, Steuben county, this state, on the 17th of January, 1866, and is a son of Josiah T. Burrows, who still resides in Camp- bell, where for many years he was actively identified with con- tracting and building, being a carpenter by trade. He is now serving in the office of justice of the peace and still continues to be more
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or less active in business affairs. His wife, whose maiden name was Amanda Nute, was born and reared in Steuben county, where her father settled in the pioneer days, and she died when comparatively a young woman. Of the four children two are. deceased and of the two surviving the subject of this review is the younger. His sister Etta is the wife of Charles H. Eygabroat and they reside at Campbell, Steuben county.
Daniel E. Burrows is indebted to the public schools of his native town for his early educational training, which was supplemented by a course in a business college at Warren, Pennsylvania. He initiated his active business career as a bookkeeper and in 1888 he became identified with the Borden Condensed Milk Company, in whose em- ploy he has continued as bookkeeper during the long intervening period of a quarter of a century and he is a valued and trusted attache of the company's offices in New York city. He is the owner of a well improved farm in Orange county, New York, and has other capitalistic investments of substantial order. His political support is given to the Republican party and he is identified with the Steuben County Society of New York City. Mr. and Mrs. Burrows are Pres- byterian in their religious affiliations.
In August, 1888, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Burrows to Miss Maude E. Blood, who was born and reared in Pennsylvania, and the seven children of this union are Gail, Etta, Martha, Daniel, Josiah, Charles and Alta. Gail, the eldest son, married Rose Brooks and they reside on his father's farm in Orange county, this state. They have one daughter, born November 8, 1910, Florence J. Bur- rows.
SALEM A. MARSH .- Numbered among the representative con- tractors and builders of Steuben county is Mr. Marsh, who is engaged in business at Wayland and who controls a most prosperous enter- prise in his chosen sphere of endeavor. He was born in Naples township, Ontario county, New York, on the 25th of September, 1868, and he is a scion of one of the sterling pioneer families of that county, where his grandfather, Stephen G. Marsh, who was born at Southbridge, Worcester county, Massachusetts, took up his residence when a youth, there securing a tract of wild land, which he eventually reclaimed to cultivation. He returned to Massachu- setts after he had selected his land and in his native state his marriage was solemnized. He then returned with his bride to the new home in the Empire state, making the trip with horse and wagon, and he and his wife lived up to the full tension of the pioneer epoch, enduring the deprivations incidental thereto but finding it possible to enjoy peace and prosperity after the farm had been re- claimed to cultivation. Stephen G. Marsh was born in the year 1810 and he died at an advanced age; his wife, whose maiden name was Esther Cave, was born in 1808 and was seventy-two years of age at the time of her demise. Stephen G. Marsh was a stanch advocate of the principles of the Democratic party and was influential in
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local affairs of a public nature. Both he and his wife were zealous members of the Universalist church.
Frank A. Marsh, father of him whose name introduces this arti- cle, was born on the old homestead farm in Naples township, Ontario county, and he died on the 29th of December, 1909, at the age of sixty-three years. He never severed his allegiance to the great basic industry of agriculture, and he eventually became the owner of the old homestead farm in Naples township, Ontario county, where he resided until a few years prior to his death. He was one of the suc- cessful farmers and highly honored citizens of his native county and his farm gave every evidence of thrift and prosperity. In con- nection therewith he gave special attention for many years to the growing of hops. He was liberal and loyal as a citizen but never cared to enter the domain of practical politics. He was affiliated with the Knights of the Maccabees and his religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his widow likewise is a devout adherent. He married Miss Julia A. Morrison, who was born in Cohocton township, Steuben county, on the 1st of October, 1845, a daughter of one of the early settlers and prosperous agriculturists of the county. Mrs. Marsh survives her honored husband and now resides at Cohocton, the subject of this review being the only child.
Salem A. Marsh was reared to the sturdy discipline of the home farm and was afforded the advantages of the public schools of his native township. He continued to be associated with his father in the work and management of the farm until he had attained his legal majority, and he then entered upon a practical apprentice- ship to the carpenter's trade, in which he became in due time a skilled workman. In the spring of 1895 he located in the village of Wayland, where he has since been engaged in contracting and build- ing, in which connection he has erected many excellent buildings that stand in evidence of his ability and faithful service in the line of his chosen vocation. His work has far transcended local limitations, as he has erected fifteen residence buildings in the city of Rochester, besides many substantial structures in various parts of Steuben and adjoining counties. He has marked facility as an architect and has drawn and perfected the plans and specifications for many of the buildings which he has erected. He is recognized as one of the representative contractors and builders of Steuben county and his fair and honorable business methods have gained to him the con- fidence and esteem of all with whom he has had dealings. He had the supervision of the erection of the Gun Lock Chain Factory in Wayland, in 1909, and in 1910 he secured the contract for the erec- tion of the Wayland hospital for the Sisters of Nazareth. This hospital when completed will be thoroughly modern in all facilities and appurtenances and will represent a total expenditure of twelve thousand dollars for the buildings alone. Mr. Marsh has completed other important contracts and during the active season of building work he gives employment to about twenty men.
Mr. Marsh is ever ready to give his influence and co-operation in the furtherances of measures and enterprises projected for the
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general welfare of the community, but he has naught of desire for public office and in politics he maintains an independent attitude. He is affiliated with Warren Patchin Lodge No. 883, Free & Accepted Masons; with Wayland Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, of which he was vice-grand in 1910; and with the local organi- zation of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is also an active member of the Wayland Hose Company, a part of the volunteer fire department of the village.
In the year 1889 Mr. Marsh was united in marriage to Miss Carrie A. Briggs, who was born in Naples township, Ontario county, this state, on the 29th of April, 1870, and who is a daughter of David and Phoebe (Arnold) Briggs, the former of whom still lives in Naples township and the latter of whom is deceased. Mrs. Marsh has one brother and two sisters, namely: Myron, who is a resident of Avoca; Emma, who is the wife of William Springstead, a farmer of Naples township, Ontario county; and Minnie, who is the wife of Byron King, of Wayland, Steuben county. Mrs. Marsh received excellent educational advantages and was a successful and popular teacher in the schools of her native county prior to her marriage. She is prominent in church work and social activities in Wayland and the attractive home over which she presides is known for its gracious hospitality. Mr. and Mrs. Marsh have one child, Vera Julia, who was born on the 23d of May, 1895, and who is a member of the class of 1912 in the Wayland High School.
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