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 37
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need was more so than the procuring of an ample supply of pure water. There were some difficulties in obtaining sufficient from the vil- lage water works, as then existing, both as to quantity and quality, and the State was not swift to respond to demands made upon it. After much deliberation Mr. Winspear believed that in the springs near Marbletown the suffi- cient supply might be found, and that gravity would bring it to the doors. With untiring energy, but no noise, he secured the options of the springs and rights of way, and then sub- mitted to the Managers his project. He had not much support. The conservatism of the board thought it visionary, or, if not, hardly practical. But they had learned to defer so largely to his judgment that they and the State acquiesced. It was a great and permanent success. It led to another as important-the removal of the power honse from the center of the group of buildings to the foot and rear of the hill-and so the danger of fire was almost totally minimized. The water was and has been all of the time abundant and satisfactory, insomuch that when the village supply threatened deficiency its auxil- iary was obtained from the hill with less fric- tion and more composure than its supply to the hill had formerly been furnished.
A little later Mr. Winspear proposed to place on the extreme elevation of the hill a storage tank of suitable dimensions and store there a supply of water for emergency. That was not much believed in, but it was allowed, and he succeeded beyond expectations. The question of proper sewage disposition was always largely considered by him, and he was as successful as was possible, until the present combination was worked out, and in large degree he was respon- sible for that.
The largest achievement of Mr. Winspear, and by far the most valuable, was found in the car- rying out of the purposes of the Institution. Mental deficiencies were and are largely misun- derstood. Susceptible improvements are much underrated. And to this his thought never ceased to be directed, with the result that, with time, patience, thoughtfulness and such changes as from time to time became apparent, very marked improvement in reading, writing, figures, music, dancing, dress and general appearance appeared, so that he made his Institution known in this and all countries where similar efforts have been directed.
The location and construction of buildings; the supply to each of proper heat, water and light; the classification of inmates; the refusal
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to build and the depopulation of floors above the second; the embellishment of grounds; the suc- cess of greenhouses; the building of roads; the systematizing of the office and help; and the organization of the entire administrative work and force, was the marvel of the man. He was of infinite detail and larger patience, and, with the latter, he bore the platitudes of success as calmly as he did undeserved, malicious, wicked and absolutely groundless assaults. The latter is not an unusual accompaniment of success.
WILSON, Jacob,
Journalist and Litterateur.
From January, 1869, until 1906, Mr. Wilson was proprietor, editor and pub- lisher of the "Newark Courier," one of the most popular country weeklies in New York, bringing to his work the cul- ture of college, foreign travel and long experience as an educator. The "Couri- er," established in 1838 as the "Wayne Standard," an organ of the old Whig party, had a varied and checkered ex- istence under different names and pub- lishers until its purchase by Mr. Wilson, who a little later changed its politics to Democratic, and being constantly on the alert for improvements and being himself an accomplished writer, he gave the paper an interest it had never possesed. His work in journalism was such as to class him with the great county editors of the State and brought him prominently into the public eye. He was unfortu- nately located politically, as his congres- sional district, composed of Wayne, Ca- yuga and Seneca counties, was normally from 6,000 to 7,000 Republican. He, however, made the attempt in 1874 and although pitted against the popular Gen- eral MacDougall as his opponent and confronted with the huge majority which the district usually gave, he came within a few hundred votes of an election to Congress, although he gave little atten- tion to the campaign waged in his favor. Aside from his journalism he was a well
known litterateur, the author of educa- tional works and books of general thought in which he discussed religious and eco- nomic questions, works commended by the leading men of the country and en- titling him to high rank and literary fame.
Jacob Wilson, or as he wrote his name, J. Wilson, was born in St. Johnsville, Montgomery county, New York, May 12, 1831, died in Newark, New York, March 16, 1914. At the age of twenty years he was graduated from Union College, now University, read law and in 1852, as soon as legally eligible, was admitted to the bar. He practiced but little, however, but turned to teaching as a profession and for nearly twenty years was an edu- cator, attaining high rank as principal of some of the best academies in the State. When the Civil War broke out he warm- ly espoused the Union cause, gave up his profession, recruited a company of one hundred and seven men at his own expense and served as their captain during part of 1861 and 1862. He continued in edu- cational work of a high class until Janu- ary, 1872, then purchased the "Newark Courier" and devoted himself to journal- ism and literature until his death. He was a pronounced Democrat, and on Oc- tober 23, 1874, received the unanimous nomination of the Democratic conven- tion for Congress from the Twenty-Sixth Congressional District. The district was hopelessly Republican and he took little personal part in the campaign, but so great was his popularity and so favor- ably had he made the "Courier" known throughout the district that he narrowly escaped election. In 1880 he was on the New York Democratic electoral ticket, but he was not an aspirant for political honors at any time, much preferring the independent position he held as editor of a prosperous newspaper. In 1868 and again in 1888 he toured Europe, and later made two other trips, his cultured mind
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reveling in the artistic beauties and won- ders of the Old World.
Mr. Wilson began his literary work while engaged as an educator and in 1858 published "Errors of Grammar," fol- lowed in 1864 by "Phrases," "A Treatise on the History and Structure of the Dif- ferent Languages of the World." In 1870 his "Practical Grammar of the Eng- lish Language" appeared, and in 1874 "The Bible as Seen by the Light of the Nineteenth Century" was published, a work which created intense interest and much discussion. "Practical Life and Study of Man" was published in 1882, "Radical Wrongs" in 1892. These works won him literary fame and brought him into personal contact with the best men of the literary world. They showed the depth of his research and the strength of his intellectual power, those relating to educational work having become stand- ard. He was the most scholarly writer Newark ever had. His skill lay in his clear thinking and writing, his work at- tracting the attention of men of letters in Germany, where he was perhaps as well known as in his own country. He was not a popular writer ; he was a philoso- pher and his name will go down in honor.
AVERILL, Edward Samuel, Journalist.
At the time of his death in 1910 Mr. Averill was the oldest newspaper man in New York State in point of years of serv- ice, his connection with Wayne county journalism having begun in August, 1856. with the purchase of the "Palmyra Amer- ican" which he restored to its former name the "Palmyra Courier." From that year until his death, fifty-four years later, he continued in the editorial manage- ment of the "Courier," making it one of the largest and ablest journals in Western New York. The "Courier" was
founded in 1838 by Frederick Morley, who continued its publication until 1852 when it passed to the ownership of J. C. Benedict, and in January, 1853, to B. C. Beebe, who renamed it the "Palmyra Democrat," and a little later the "Pal- myra American." In August, 1856, Mr. Averill purchased the paper, renamed it the "Palmyra Courier," and dedicated it to the newly formed Republican party, a party whose faithful and valuable ally it has been until the present date, now being owned and edited by Ralph E. and Harry L. Averill, sons of Edward S. Averill.
The history of the "Courier," under the Averill management, was one of progress in every department. When the senior Averill obtained control local happenings received but scant attention in the press of the county, a condition he at once set out to correct, enlarging the paper to make room for a department of local news. The innovation was greatly ap- preciated and was rewarded by a greatly enlarged subscription list which encour- aged the editor to again enlarge. In April, 1857. the "Courier" appeared in an entire new dress and greatly improved. In 1858 it was again enlarged and again in 1865. The paper became a tower of strength to the Republican party in Western New York, and became a source of honor and profit to the man who, in his youth, devoted himself and his paper to the support of a then young and un- tried party. As the years progressed the "Courier" kept pace with the march of progress in printing and publishing and retained its place as a power in the party. Himself a man of clean mind and soul he kept the "Courier" equally clean and its columns free from a suspicion of sub- servience to evil influences. He was de- voted to his paper, cared little for money making, but was ambitious that it should be a welcome and esteemed visitor to
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every home. All who knew him held him in the highest esteem and although he lived for over half a century in the fierce light of publicity no taint of dishonor ever attached itself to his name. He was an able editorial writer and made that page of the "Courier" one from which the State press often quoted. He hon- ored the profession he embraced and the present policy of the paper under the sons he trained in journalism is as he would have had it.
Edward Samuel Averill, son of Erastus and Hannah Averill, was born in Albany, New York, in 1835, died in Palmyra, Wayne county, New York, September 5, 1910. He was educated in the public schools of Medina, New York, learned the printer's trade in Medina when very young and for a time was connected with "The Spirit of the Times," a paper pub- lished in Batavia, New York. Prior to reaching his twentieth year he had been editorially connected with that paper and with Albany and Geneva papers. He located in Palmyra in 1855 as editor of the "Palmyra Democrat and American." On coming of legal age in 1856 he pur- chased the paper from B. C. Beebe, re- named it the "Palmyra Courier" and henceforth was its owner, publisher and presiding genius.
The "Courier" represented the personal politics of its editor and was always a reflection of his own opinions, and al- though always a stalwart follower of party doctrines was never a subservient organ. His fidelity was rewarded not only in public confidence, but in substan- tial recognition so far as he would allow. From 1863 until 1868 he was the collector of canal tolls at Palmyra, and in 1871 and 1872 he was postmaster of the vil- lage. He was a warm friend of public education, and for several years was an efficient member of the Palmyra Board of Education. In 1868 he was chosen cor-
responding secretary of the Palmyra Union Agricultural Society, an office he held for thirty years. He was very liberal and broad minded in his religious views and while not a regular attendant him- self his family were Episcopalians.
Mr. Averill married, in 1859, at Geneva, New York, Mary, daughter of Maurice and Mary (Mason) Caulkins. They were the parents of three sons and a daughter : Ralph E., who succeeded his father as editor and publisher of the "Courier" in association with his brother Harry L .; Annie, residing in Palmyra; Robert, an attorney of Rochester, New York; Harry L., associated with his brother Ralph E. as joint editors and publishers of the "Courier."
ROCHESTER, John Henry, Financier, Man of Affairs.
The mention of the name of John Henry Rochester recalls the presence of a man who is not remembered solely for his great business ability, public service and consistent enterprise, but of one who also lives in the hearts of his many sincere friends as a genial, warm-hearted, social and hospitable man, gracious as a host, charming as a guest, who esteemed the companionship and regard of friends more highly than business success. Courte- ous and courtly, a Chesterfield in deport- ment, he was of the old school, never for- getful of even the smallest detail that marks the true gentleman. Seventy-four years marked his span of life and from the age of eighteen he was continually en- gaged in the banking business, being at the time of his death the oldest banker in active service in the city of Rochester. He was the organizer of the Mechanics' Savings Bank and for nearly thirty years its secretary and treasurer. His sympa- thetic heart responded freely to the call of charity and philanthropy. His public
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official service was mainly as park com- missioner, his membership of the board extending over a period of many years, terminating only with his death. He was keenly alive to his responsibilities as a citizen, had well defined political convic- tions ; was an earnest Republican, with a deep interest in public affairs, manly inde- pendence, abhorrent of all political abuses, but never seeking nor accepting political office. He traveled extensively at home and abroad, was extremely well read, with refined taste in literature and was a well known patron of the fine arts. His social nature and love of the companionship of friends led him into clubs, societies and fraternities, in fact he was interested in all that affected the civic, business, social or religious life of his city. All of his mature life he was a devoted churchman and when death erased his name from the roll of St. Luke's parish, was its oldest communicant in point of years of mem- bership. In his long-time home, his widow, with whom he spent nearly half a century of wedded bliss, survives him aged eighty-two years, charming in her personality, mentally keen and bright as of yore, a true type of the Southern gen- tlewoman, remarkable in the victory she has won over her weight of years.
The lineage of the Rochester family is traced to the year 1582, and to the County of Essex, England. The American an- cestor, Nicholas Rochester, came in 1689, settling in Westmoreland county, Vir- ginia, on an estate in Cople parish, upon which his grandson, Nathaniel Rochester, founder of the city of Rochester, was born February 21, 1752. With Nathaniel Rochester, whose life story is also told in this work, the family residence in Roches- ter, first called Fallstown, began.
Thomas Hart Rochester, son of Colonel Nathaniel Rochester, settled in Western New York with his father and with his
brother-in-law, William Montgomery, built the "Old Red Mill" at the Middle Falls. In 1834 he superintended the con- struction of the Tonowanda Railroad ; was the first cashier of the Commercial Bank and president of the Rochester City Bank; was a member of the board of trustees of the Rochester Orphan Asylum in 1838; was mayor of Rochester in 1839; was a member of the board of trustees of Rochester City Hospital in 1847 and was one of the most highly esteemed men of his day. He married Elizabeth Cuming, daughter of a one-time governor of one of the English West Indies. She bore him children, all of whom have now passed away: Thomas Fortescue, M. D .; Na- thaniel, died in California while in quest of gold in 1849; John Henry; Caroline Louise, who never married ; Montgomery ; Phoebe Elizabeth, who died in 1859.
John Henry Rochester, third son of Thomas Hart and Elizabeth (Cuming) Rochester, was born in Rochester, April 20, 1828, died in his native city after an illness of two years, October 23, 1902. He was educated in the select schools of Rochester, and at the age of eighteen en- tered the banking business, a line of ac- tivity with which he was connected for fifty-six years. His first position was as clerk in the Rochester City Bank, of which his honored father was president, there obtaining an intimate knowledge of banking methods and of the laws gov- erning finance. In 1849 he caught the "gold fever" and with his brother Na- thaniel joined a party bound for Califor- nia, Nathaniel being one of the party who never returned, dying in California the same year. After returning from his gold quest John H. Rochester formed a part- nership with his brother Montgomery and established the private banking house of J. H. Rochester & Brother. After several years as a private banker
N Y-3-17
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he retired from association with his brother to become cashier of the Flower City Bank, a position he held for three years. During the years 1852 to 1855 Mr. Rochester was a resident of Vicks- burg, Mississippi, and during that period occurred his marriage.
He organized the Mechanics' Savings Bank, a successful financial institution of which he was secretary and treasurer for nearly thirty years. His fifty-six years as a banker brought him rich experience, rare wisdom and ripened judgment, his rank as a financier being with the ablest. His business capacity was of the highest order and in his display of public spirit and enterprise his was an example worthy of emulation. He held his honor and promise sacred and was most punctilious in his observance of the strictest code governing business men. His friends were "legion," attracted not more by the sterling business qualities of the banker than by the winning personality of the man. Courtesy and consideration marked his daily intercourse with the world and there was neither blot nor stain upon his business or private character.
Mr. Rochester was one of the first members appointed on the city board of park commissioners and for many years he so served, leaving a record of efficiency and faithfulness unsurpassed. He was vice-president of the board at the time of his death in 1902 and during his whole term of membership rarely missed a board meeting. For twenty-seven years he served St. Luke's parish as treasurer of the church and of the Church Home; was treasurer of the Red Cross Society and of the Yellow Fever Fund ; organized the local chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, and was its president; was president of the Rochester Historical So- ciety for two years; was prominent in the commemoration of the semi-centen- nial of the city's birth ; was charter mem-
ber of Rochester Lodge, No. 660, Free and Accepted Masons, and for many years its treasurer; belonged for many years to the Genesee Valley Club, the Roches- ter Club, the Rochester Whist Club, and in all these organizations was prominent in their activities. So a long and useful life was passed and the flowers that bloom at his grave are not more fragrant than his memory.
In 1853, Mr. Rochester married Eliza- beth L., daughter of Dr. George Moore, of Vicksburg, Mississippi, a lady of rare charm and gentleness, who survives him. Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. John H. Rochester: Dr. Thomas Moore Rochester, born November 12, 1854, died leaving five children-Haydon, Thomas A., John C., Edward F. and Katherine; Paul Affordby Rochester, born August 21, 1857, now general traffic manager of the Catskill Evening Lines, with offices in New York City.
VAN CAMP, William,
Journalist.
In September, 1841, the name Van Camp became associated with journalism in Wayne county, New York, William Van Camp then becoming owner of the paper established in May, 1822, by Hiram T. Day, under the name of "The Lyons Advertiser." The paper had passed through various experiences during those first nineteen years, had many owners and policies. but at the time of Mr. Van Camp's purchase was a six column paper known as "The Western Argus." One year sufficed the new owner, and in 1842 he transferred it to Charles Poucher, who sold it in 1849 to S. W. Russell, he chang- ing the name to the "Lyons Gazette." In 1852 William Van Camp again entered the journalistic field, purchased the paper he had sold in 1842 and from that date Van Camp has been a name honored in
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Western New York journalism. The paper was run as the "Lyons Gazette" until June, 1856, when Mr. Van Camp purchased from Pomeroy Tucker, of Palmyra, a new printing establishment from which had been issued five numbers of "The Wayne Democratic Press." He brought the paper to Lyons, consolidated it with the "Gazette," but retained the name of the new purchase "The Wayne Democratic Press." With the consolida- tion an era of prosperity began which has never been checked and the "Press" has long been recognized as a leading organ of the Democracy of Western New York. Until 1884 the veteran journalist dictated the policy of the paper, and his able pen furnished the editorial page with many articles, inspiring, logical and con- vincing. Then when that hand was for- ever motionless and the active brain for- ever at rest, the capable sons whom he had trained, William and Harry T. Van Camp, conducted the "Press" from 1884 to 1890, then William Van Camp became sole owner and until his death, Novem- ber 24, 1911, continued the "Press," add- ing to its physical equipment all modern improvements possible in a country print- ing office, building up a large circulation yearly and extending its influence. With William (2) Van Camp's death the owner- ship again reverted to Harry T. Van Camp, the present editor and publisher. Thus for seventy-five years, minus the ten years the senior Van Camp was out of the publishing business, Van Camps have been potent in Wayne county jour- nalism, and for sixty years their paper "The Wayne Democratic Press" has been a leader of Democratic thought in West- ern New York. But is it not as party agents alone that William Van Camp, senior and junior, shine in journalism, they persistently worked for a greater Lyons and a greater Wayne county, and through the columns of the "Press"
rendered yeoman service in many move- ments, moral and temporal, furthering that end. The paper has grown as Wayne county has grown and no single influence has been more strenuously exerted for the benefit of Wayne county as a whole than that of the "Press."
The members of the Van Camp family in this branch date in America from 1750. William Van Camp was born in Madison county, New York, in 1820, but in early life went with his parents, William and Sarah Van Camp, to Seneca county, New York, where his father operated a farm. The family were of Dutch ancestry, and in religious faith members of the Society of Friends, William Van Camp being reared in the austere tenets of that sect. He obtained a good English education, and early in life learned the printer's trade in Palmyra, Wayne county, New York. While working at the printing trade he also acted as clerk in his em- ployer's book store, his evenings being devoted to that work. He became an ex- pert compositor, and at the age of twenty- one years had sufficient means and con- fidence in himself to purchase the "West- ern Argus," which must have proved a disappointing venture for he sold it a year later. He continued working at his trade during the next ten years, and in 1852 again became a newspaper owner by purchasing his old paper, but enlarged and known as the "Lyons Gazette." He continued owner, editor and publisher of the consolidated papers as previously told until his death thirty-two years later in Michigan, March 24, 1884, and left to his sons that valuable newspaper prop- erty "The Wayne Democratic Press" of which his son William (2) was editor and publisher from 1890 to 1911, being succeeded by Harry T. Van Camp. The "Press" was not made a Democratic paper through any idea of expediency or gain, but reflected the personal politics
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of its owner and publisher who was stal- wart in his Democracy. During the try- ing period of the Civil War the "Press" was the only Democratic newspaper in Wayne county, but Mr. Van Camp re- mained steadfast and made the county recognize the fact that in spite of his quiet retiring nature he had the courage of his convictions. All men respected him and when the rancor and hate en- gendered by war had died away in men's hearts the most cordial relations were established between those whose political views so widely diverged. His courage was admirably blended with tact and there never was a time his influence was not felt in county affairs, and he was held in high esteem. He was devoted to his paper, and had few outside interests or affiliations, his home circle drawing him in hours off duty.
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