USA > New York > Encyclopedia of biography of New York, a life record of men and women whose sterling character and energy and industry have made them preeminent in their own and many other states, Vol. 2 > Part 17
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was rapidly promoted and when Mr. Hub- bell resigned his position as teller, young Mr. Atkinson was appointed his suc- cessor. He filled that post so capably that in course of time he became cashier. He occupied the cashier's desk until the bank passed out of existence, repaying all stockholders in full.
In 1875 when the new Commercial Bank was organized and quartered on the site of the old bank, Mr. Atkinson was elected its first president. He had then acquired honorable standing in Roches- ter's financial world and later was elected vice-president of the Bank of Monroe. He continued executive head of the Commer- cial Bank until 1891, then resigned to de- vote his entire time to the management of the Bank of Monroe of which he was vice-president. On November 9, 1900, the Bank of Monroe merged with the Alli- ance Bank, Mr. Atkinson being chosen president of the amalgamated institution, a position he held with honor, ability, and success until his death. In March, 1871, he had been chosen a trustee of the Roch- ester Savings Bank, the oldest institution of its kind in the city, and upon the death of James Brackett in 1904, he was elected to succeed him as president, a position which he also held the remainder of his life.
As president of these two strong influ- ential banks Mr. Atkinson wielded un- usual power, but this power he used wisely and under his able guidance they increased in strength and usefulness. He was the last of a group of Rochester's dis- tinguished men whose names are closely interwoven with the story of the city's development and from his entrance into official banking circles he was associated with all that was best in business and social life. Of all that galaxy of stars that illumined Rochester's business firma- ment, no name shines more brightly than
that of Hobart F. Atkinson, he whose long life of eighty-three years was an example the younger generation may safely emulate.
Nothing that tended toward progress, or the betterment of a city's life, morally or materially, but had his support. He was senior warden of St. Andrew's Prot- estant Episcopal Church ; for fifteen years was president of the Episcopal Church Home; was a governor of the Rochester Homeopathic Hospital; was the first president of the Genesee Valley Club. In church and philanthropic movements he was ever active, influential and helpful, yet so modest withal that few realized the far-reaching effects of his institutional labors or the scope of his private benefac- tions. He met all issues as presented, calmly and fairly, shirked no responsi- bility, evaded no duty, and as he lived, so he died, unafraid.
ELSNER, Henry L., M. D., LL. D., Eminent Physician.
A graduate and post-graduate of the colleges and universities of two conti- nents, a practicing physician of Syracuse, New York, for thirty-six years, a member of the faculty of the College of Medicine, Syracuse University, as Professor of Medicine, for thirty-four years, an author of standard medical works widely known, an ex-president of the Medical Society of the State of New York, and for many years one of the foremost consulting physicians of the State, the late Dr. Els- ner was classed among the great physi- cians of his day. He came rightly by his love for the medical profession, his father, Dr. Leopold Elsner, having been an emi- nent physician of Syracuse, and to his son transmitted traits upon which foundation he built a most successful professional edifice.
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Dr. Henry Leopold Elsner was born in Syracuse, New York, August 15, 1857, son of Dr. Leopold and Hanschen Elsner. After acquiring a classical education he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, whence he was graduated M. D., class of 1877. He spent a year in post-graduate study in Vienna, and in 1879 began general prac- tice in Syracuse. In 1881 he became a member of the faculty of the College of Medicine, Syracuse University, and con- tinously, up to the time of his decease, filled a chair in that institution, at the same time meeting the demands of his own private practice, which was an ex- tensive one. As the years brought him experience, and deep study great learning, he was frequently called in consultation and his name as a consultant was known for beyond local limits. In addition to his duties as professor of medicine in the Col- lege of Medicine, he was physician to St. Joseph's Hospital and president of the staff, consulting physician to the Syra- cuse Hospital for Women and Children, and held a similar relation to the Hospital of the Good Shepherd, all this being in addition to his duties as private prac- titioner and consulting physician. Dur- ing the years of his professional life he made many trips abroad, spending con- siderable time in hospitals and clinics in European cities. Dr. Elsner contributed largely to the literature of his profession and was one of the best known medical writers. His contributions to medical journals were extensive, while before local, state and national medical societies he read many carefully prepared papers. He was the author of a work on the "Prognosis of Disease," upon which he spent considerable time, including eight months' of European research. This work, published early in 1916, was the first work devoted exclusively to the science of fore- telling the course and event of disease.
Dr. Elsner was a member of the New York State Medical Society, Onondaga County Medical Society, Central New York Medical Association, Syracuse Academy of Medicine, New York Acade- my of Medicine, American Climatological Association, Nu Sigma Nu, and Alpha Omega Alpha. Syracuse University hon- ored him with the degree of LL. D., on June 9, 1915, Dr. Elsner being the second member of the faculty to receive this tribute, Dr. Henry Didama, dean of the college for many years, being the first. Dr. Elsner was unanimously recom- mended by the faculty of the College of Liberal Arts, was confirmed without dis- sent by the University Senate, and elected unanimously by the trustees of the uni- versity, Chancellor Day paying a high tribute to Dr. Elsner as a consultant member of the college faculty and friend of the university. Dr. Elsner was of the Jewish faith, and politically a Republican.
Dr. Elsner married, January 5, 1881, Pauline Rosenberg, born in Rochester, New York, January 8, 1859, daughter of David and Amalie Rosenberg. She was educated in the schools of her native city, and after her marriage resided in Syra- cuse, their home being known as one of the most hospitable in the city. Mrs. Els- ner was in the deepest sympathy with her husband's work and allowed nothing to stand in the way of its fullest develop- ment. Those who knew her well called her an ideal physician's wife in that she was always ready to subordinate social engagements or anything else to her hus- band's comfort and convenience. To the young students and physicians who as- sisted Dr. Elsner in his work she was a true and kindly friend and they were welcome and familiar guests at her table, and it was due to her thoughtfulness that many of them were enabled at different times to come into personal contact with some of the greatest men in their profes-
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DUNN, Col. George W.,
Civil War Veteran, Man of Affairs.
The characters and deeds of good men should be sacredly preserved, not only for the happiness and satisfaction which such a record will give to all those immediately related to them, and to their posterity, but also for the good example which the lives of such men furnish to the young of our land, thus further advancing the true in- terests of our country. Such a life was that of the late Colonel George W. Dunn, of Binghamton, New York, whose bene- ficial influence in politics, journalism, business affairs, and as a soldier, cannot be overestimated, exerted, as it was, through these channels on all classes of the community. In political affairs he be- came noted for his aptitude in grappling with details, and for his accurate and keen perception and judgment. As a business man he was progressive and far- sighted. As a soldier, his conduct in- spired those in contact with him with the same heroism that animated his own breast. He inherited these sterling traits from honored ancestry and, although the limits of this article will not permit going into detail, it is not amiss to give a short account of the origin of the Dunn family.
This ancient patronymic is supposed to be derived from the Gaelic "dun," meaning a heap, hill, mount; and by metonmy, a fortress, castle, tower. Another origin would be from the Saxon "dunn," signify- ing brown, swarthy. The former deriva- tion is favored by the coat-of-arms. The illustrious family of Dunne have as their heraldic blazon: Azure, an eagle dis- played, or. Crest: In front of a holly bush, a lizard passant, or. Motto: Mul- lach abu (The summit forever). The name was anciently written O'Duin, whence come the forms Doyne, Dun, Dunn and Dunne. In England and Ire-
land there are many people of prominence bearing this surname ; among them Albert Edward Dunn, member of Parliament; Right Rev. A. H. Dunn, Bishop of Que- bec; and some surgeons of eminence and officers in the army and navy. Among contemporary Americans are : Jesse James Dunn, a Democratic politician and asso- ciate justice of the Supreme Court of Oklahoma; Mrs. Baker Dunn, the writer, of Hallowell, Maine; Edward Joseph Dunne, the Bishop of Dallas, Texas; and Finley Peter Dunne, the immortal "Mr. Dooley." The earliest American pioneer of the name of Dunn appears to have been Richard, who was a freeman at Newport, Rhode Island, in 1655, and served as deputy in 1681, 1705-7-8-9-1I. William Dunn, born in the North of Ireland, came to Pennsylvania in 1769; served in the Revolution, and founded Dunnstown in Clinton county ; he left a numerous pos- terity. There were many of the name in New England by the middle of the eighteenth century, for no less than forty- nine Dunns are found on the Massachu- setts Revolutionary Rolls. A branch of the family settled in New York State at an early date, the father of Colonel Dunn, John Dunn, having been born in Albany county, while his mother, Isabella (Black) Dunn, was descended from the New Eng- land stock.
Colonel George W. Dunn was born in the old town of Chenango, Broome county, New York, November 27, 1840, and died at his home, No. 62 Carroll street, Binghamton, New York, Novem- ber 27, 1914. The town of Chenango and the village of Binghamton furnished him with his early educational advantages, and he was then a student at the Susque- hanna Seminary, and also pursued a course at a business college. He had just about completed his thorough prepara- tion for a business career, when the out-
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break of the Civil War prevented his en- tering upon it at that time. Patriotic and enthusiastic to a degree, he enlisted in May, 1861, in Company C, Twenty- seventh Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry, and was later appointed ser- geant. He was taken a prisoner at the First Battle of Bull Run, and was held at Richmond, New Orleans and Salis- bury until June 1, 1862, when he was paroled. He returned to the Union lines and was subsequently exchanged. His health had become seriously affected dur- ing his detention in the ill-ventilated prisons of the South, yet he at once again volunteered his services in the army. During the summer of 1862 the One Hundred and Ninth Regiment of Infantry was raised in Broome, Tioga and Tomp- kins counties, Broome county furnishing the largest number of men. Colonel Dunn recruited Company D for this command and was elected its captain, his commis- sion dating from October 10th, although the regiment was mustered into service August 27th. The arduous service of the One Hundred and Ninth Regiment com- menced in May, 1864, in the Campaign of the Wilderness, and was continued almost without even temporary relief until the final surrender in 1865. At Spottsylvania Captain Dunn was wounded, although not seriously. July 14th he was promoted major, and after the terrible mine explo- sion at Petersburg, Virginia, July 30th, Colonel Catlin having lost a leg and Major Stillson also having been wounded, the command of the regiment devolved upon Major Dunn. For meritorious service as line and field officer Major Dunn was sub- sequently advanced to the rank of colonel. by which title he has ever since been known. May 8, 1865, in accordance with general orders authorizing the retirement of officers who had served continuously for three years he was honorably dis- charged from service.
After his return from the war Colonel Dunn engaged in business in Elmira, New York, but he remained there but one year. He then joined a mining expedition to Honduras, Central America, but the ill effects of the tropical climate necessitated his return north in the fall of 1866. In 1868 he was appointed superintendent of Public Documents published by Congress at Washington, and retained this position until he was elected sheriff of Broomne county, New York, in the fall of 1875. At the expiration of his term of office as sheriff he became prominently identified with the consolidation of "The Bing- hamton Republican" and "Binghamton Times," the two leading daily papers of the city, and upon the organization of the publishing company thus effected, was chosen treasurer and business manager of the corporation. He remained the efficient incumbent of this office until his appoint- ment as postmaster, December 20, 1881, in which office he served until 1886. Dur- ing his term of office he introduced many time saving innovations, and the free de- livery system was established in the city under his supervision. After his retire- ment from this office he engaged in the real estate business in partnership with Peter K. Burhans, and at the same time became interested in several manufactur- ing enterprises, thus becoming a promi- nent factor in the industrial history of Binghamton and remaining so for many years. He served as president of the Binghamton General Electric Company ; vice-president of the Bundy Manufactur- ing Company; director of the Susque- hanna Valley Bank; trustee of the Che- nango Valley Savings Bank; director and vice-president of the Strong State Bank ; director of the Binghamton, Leicester- shire & Union Railroad Company, and of the Binghamton Wagon Company; was at one time manager of the Equitable Ac- cident Association ; president of the Board
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of Trustees of the now well-known Bing- hamton State Hospital and member of the City Excise and Police Commission. On March 13, 1889, he was reappointed post- master, and served until November 6, 1893; he was clerk of the Assembly in 1894; and, February 16, 1897, was ap- pointed by Governor Black to the office of state railroad commissioner, a position he filled until 1906. Always a loyal Re- publican, his time was unstintedly de- voted to the promotion of the party wel- fare, and the honors he received from the city, county and state appointing powers, were but the well deserved reward for services and fealty. For many years he was annually chosen as a delegate to the Republican State conventions, also served as a member of the State committee, and was county committeeman-at-large. He was active in the interests of the Bing- hamton Club, of which he was a member many years, as he was also of Watrous Post, Grand Army of the Republic.
Colonel Dunn married, November 15, 1870, Sarah M. Thomas, who survived him five weeks. She died January 5, 1915. Their daughter, Mrs. Horace Wardner Eggleston, and a grandson, George Dunn Eggleston, survive him. We cannot better testify to the high esteem in which Colonel Dunn was universally held, than by quoting from an editorial which ap- peared in the "Binghamton Republican Herald" at the time of his death, and from the expressions of regret, so deeply and sincerely voiced by men of eminence in the community. From the paper we quote as follows:
A very gentle and a very brave spirit passed from this world when Colonel George W. Dunn answered the Great Roll Call .- A complete biog- raphy of Colonel Dunn would be like a history of Binghamton in all its phases since Mr. Dunn came to the years of manhood. He touched life here at so many points, was so active and help- ful, that the force of his energy and wisdom was
felt everywhere. No worthy cause was neg- lected by him, whether it was of great or small import. His time, his money, his advice, his sympathy, were at the service of the community. -Of Colonel Dunn's long and impressive career in politics the public knows much, for his years of political power were passed under the white glare of publicity, a glare that showed nothing to his discredit. Of his secret deeds of good- ness the public as a whole, knows little, but those he helped do know much of them and his passing will bring with it to hundreds the feel- ing that their warm-hearted friend is gone, never again to hold out to them the eager hand of assistance. To his office and to his home came many with appeals for assistance. They were never denied .- The martial deeds of Colo- nel Dunn are written large in the history of the Nation he risked so much, in company with his devoted comrades, to serve .- Yet when he re- turned to civic life he would seldom discuss his experiences in the Great Conflict. But recently one of his comrades was telling of that terrible time, during the Battle of the Wilderness, when the fighting 109th Infantry was kept for hours under a terrific rebel fire, waiting for the time for it to go into action. Company D, said Colo- nel Dunn's comrade, was before the salient of the rebel position on that part of the field. The minie balls came crooning over the field, the shells were bursting all along our line, but we could not stir. The regiment was crouched down, as ordered, waiting for the word to charge, but Colonel Dunn walked along back of our company, speaking words of encourage- ment and resolution. We begged him to cease exposing himself, but he refused. His example had a powerful effect upon the morals of the whole regiment. To a newspaper friend who tried to get Colonel Dunn to discuss this inci- dent the Colonel said: Oh, I was not as brave as the rest. I didn't take any more chances than Winfield Stone, who was as tall crouching down as the most of us were standing up. The men crouching down were worse off than I was, be- cause I could relieve my nerves by walking about, but they had to be still and take their punishment. Let's talk about the weather. The bond of friendship thus formed was strong dur- ing the following years. The boys of the old regiment looked upon Colonel Dunn as their true friend and leader and he kept in close touch with them to the last. In good times and in bad, he was their adviser and helper, when any of them needed it. He visited the sick, closed the eyes of the dying, aided the widows and orphans,
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made long journeys over the bleak hills in winter to lonely farm houses for their sakes, and was present with his boys whenever his presence would cheer and bring joy to them and theirs .- As a political leader Colonel Dunn's power was great. He was the personal friend of Grant, Platt, Depew, Roosevelt, Mckinley, Hanna, Can- non, and other leading Republicans .- Colonel Dunn was always eager to help promote the suc- cess of religious and educational efforts. All movements for better public service had his ap- proval .- Not to see Colonel Dunn's familiar figure on the streets, nor to hear his cheery words of advice, not to have him as a wise coun- sellor in affairs in general, will be a great loss to the people of this community. Yet with this sense of loss will go the feeling that his long and useful life has left behind it influences for good that will have their weight through the coming years. Death has taken him in a physical sense, but can- not rob his friends and co-workers of the mem- ories of his manliness, wisdom and tenderness of heart.
Supreme Court Justice George F. Lyon said :
Colonel Dunn was a courageous soldier, modest and unassuming, a most entertaining companion, a man of more than ordinary foresight and ability, sympathetic, tender-hearted, kind to the poor; a generous giver in an unpretentious way from whom no applicant wearing a Grand Army button ever went away empty-handed; a most loving and devoted husband and father, a good neighbor, a man who did not desert his friends when a wave of unpopularity swept over them. The recol- lections accompanying intimate acquaintance with such a man are to be highly treasured.
George B. Curtiss said :
The Colonel was a very modest man, one who never boasted of his achievements, in fact he was one of the bravest soldiers and best citizens of this country during the Civil War period. He was one of the best known and most popular men of the state. He was recognized as a man whose opinion could always be relied upon. Whatever position he took on any question, he was known to be honest and sincere. He was conspicuous among prominent men of the State for his loyalty to his country, to his party and to his friends. A man of great natural abilities, of good judgment, possessed of courage and stamina, of extraordi-
nary ability to do what he believed in and stood for. He was a very rare man, and possessd of un- usual and extraordinary qualities and attained his position through real work and genuine qualities.
TEXTOR, Reynolds,
Representative Citizen.
Into what Zangwill fitly named the "melting pot" of New York flows in a constant stream of increasing volume the material from which America builds her highest type of naturalized citizenship. It is of course conceded that in the influx one finds the very dregs of humanity, but in so small a quantity as to be alınost negligible. The immigrant to America is the man who has felt within him the stirrings of an ambition impossible of realization in his native land, and under the conditions in which he lives and works. He is the dissatisfied man, who chafes against the bonds of caste, which though they may not be aggressively proclaimed, are nevertheless too rigid to be broken by his mediocre ability. He is the thinker, the earnest worker, the man with visions and the desire and ability, if he is given a chance, to fulfill them. America offers him the consummation of all that he desires-and not only that- offers to teach him the means to secure it. Appreciating these gifts only as one does who has never had them, he utilizes them to the full extent of their value. And he offers in return a gratitude almost unintelligible to the native American, and an eagerness to uphold the traditions and customs of his adopted land, to become identified and to further the best for which is stands. It is of such material, the best from all the nations of the globe, that America is constructing the future of its greatness. The lives of these men of foreign birth who become our citizens are lives that count. They are men that achieve things, and the life so meagerly
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sketched here is an example of the work and accomplishment of the average Ger- man-American.
Reynolds Textor was born in Prussia, June II, 1836, a son of the sturdy and upright middle class. He was educated in the excellent Volkeschule of his native town, under the system of education which Germany has wisely made com- pulsory up to the age of fourteen years. When he reached fourteen years Mr. Tex- tor came to America, dependent for the most part on his own resources. He entered the upholstery business at first as an apprentice, working himself up in the course of his twenty-one years con- nection with the business to the owner- ship of an upholstery store on Sixth avenue in New York City. He gave up his store in 1867 and entered the employ- ment of the Equitable Life Assurance Society, with which concern he remained for forty-eight years, holding positions of gradually increasing importance. At the time of his death, which occurred on Feb- ruary 7, 1915, Mr. Textor had been for some years a general agent for the com- pany.
Mr. Textor was married on November 26, 1872, to Laura Bergen, daughter of Rudolph and Eva (Heine) Bergen. Mrs. Textor, who is his second wife, survives Mr. Textor and resides at No. 401 East Seventeenth street, Brooklyn. Their son, who is the only child, is Rudolph Textor, born February 1, 1874. He is married to Charlotte C. von Glahn, daughter of Theodore and Catherine von Glahn. They have one child, Marjorie Textor. The children of Mr. Textor's first marriage are: Mrs. Lillian Smith, deceased ; Mrs. Ethel Hull, wife of Dr. Hull, of New York City; and Edwin A. Textor, who married Bertha Bose, of New York City ; his son is Arthur R. Textor.
Mr. Textor was deeply interested in
singing, and was an important member of the Liederkranz Club of this city, being one of that famous organization's charter members and trustees. He was for years active in its far reaching work. He was a member of no other organizations, either social or fraternal. He was a man of pleasing personality, and possessed a large number of friends in whose estima- tion he was highly rated. There is no truer gauge of the character of a man than that of his home life and his rating in the eyes of his family. To them all the pettiness of his nature, if it includes any, is revealed, and to them also are shown his highest virtues. In concluding, no greater tribute can be paid Mr. Textor than the recording here of the devotion of his entire family.
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