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 38
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He was an early member of Humanity Lodge, No. 406, Free and Accepted Ma- sons, was a supporter of the Episcopal church, but broad minded and liberal in his religious views. He was a useful man to his community and was ever to be depended on to further all good causes and to give personal service. Long years have elapsed since he retired from earthly scenes, but his influence lives and the "Press" now edited by his son is but the "Press" founded by the father, enlarged, improved and adapted to modern con- ditions.
Mr. Van Camp married, in Lyons, New York, in 1854, Mary Wood Terry, daugh- ter of Captain Horace G. and Emily Terry, of Sodus Bay, New York, her father a captain of lake vessels. Mr. and Mrs. Van Camp had three children : William, born September 18, 1856, died November 24, 1911, a journalist and long time editor of "The Wayne Democratic Press," succeeding his father ; Harry T., born December 20, 1859, journalist, now editor of the paper with which the family
has so long been identified; Mary W., born August 3, 1862, married, in 1889, Edson W. Hamm, an eminent lawyer of Lyons.
VEEDER, Major Albert, M. D., Scientist, Physician.
The leading scientist of Wayne county, New York, and an eminent physician, Dr. Veeder lived a busy life, one not devoted to worldly gain but rather to the better- ment of humanity, a life void of reproach, a life filled with good work. His con- tributions to medical science were many and valuable, but his activities were not confined alone to medical research but along other branches of science in which he became equally proficient and his ability duly recognized. In the branches of sci- ence to which he devoted himself, he stood as one of the leaders and by some of his co-workers his opinions were fre- quently sought. His life was not the result of fortunate circumstances but was rather due to the intrinsic merit of the man himself. He chose deliberately to make the most of his gifts and he spared no effort by which these gifts could be developed to the highest point of ef- ficiency. He was apparently unambitious for earthly honors but was content with the consciousness of work well done, for which he merits the respect and love of his co-laborers and fellow workmen.
Dr. Veeder was a descendant of Simon Volkertse Veeder, born in 1624, who is first mentioned in 1644, belonging to the ship "Prince Maurice" plying between Holland and New Amsterdam, New York. In 1652 he bought land in New Amsterdam, selling it in 1654 for thirty beaver skins; moved to Beverwych (Al- bany) ; and in 1662 located at Schenec- tady, New York, where he owned lands. His son, Gerrit Veeder, owned the land about "Veeder's Mills," and had a lease
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from the church granting him the mill privileges and water power in 1718. From Gerrit Veeder sprang Dr. Major Albert Veeder, his branch of the family settling in Ohio. Dr. Veeder was a son of Captain Gerrit W. and Martha Anna (Williams) Veeder, his father master of deep sea and lake vessels; his mother of English descent.
Major Albert Veeder was born in Ashta- bula, Ohio, November 2, 1848, died at his home at Lyons, New York, November 16, 1915. His boyhood days were spent in Ashtabula, his education beginning in the public school. In early life he re- turned to the home of his ancestors, Schenectady, New York, there entered Union College, whence he was graduated A. B., class of 1870, A. M., 1871, having prepared for the collegiate course in the preparatory department of the same col- lege, finishing that course in 1866. From 1871 he was for several years principal of Ives's Seminary, at Antwerp, New York; then during the years of 1878-79 was a student at Leipzig University, Ger- many. In 1879 he returned to the United States, began the study of medicine and in 1883 was graduated M. D. from Buffalo Medical College, Buffalo, New York. In 1883 he located in Lyons, New York, and there continued in active practice until his death, thirty-two years later.
Dr. Veeder became a member of the Wayne County Medical Society, July 10, 1883, and until his death was an active member and frequent contributor of valu- able papers. He was president of the society from July 14, 1903, until Decem- ber 10, 1913; was its treasurer and from the latter date until his death both secre- tary and treasurer. In the agreeable con- troversy between the American Medical Association and the New York State Medical Society, which resulted in the formation of the New York State Medical Association, and which controversy af-
fected the Wayne County Medical So- ciety, he took no part, but the final result of that controversy was in accordance with his view and sympathy. The con- troversy he ignored, but the pursuit of medical knowledge he continued regard- less of schism.
The records show that he contributed a most valuable paper, probably his first written paper to the society, October 14, 1884, entitled "Practical Points as to Prophylaxis," contributed at a time when the "drug cure" of disease was promi- nent and prophylaxis largely in the fu- ture, the morning light of which was just beginning to appear. This paper was prophetic of what he should and did accomplish in after years and for which he became well known both at home and abroad.
Dr. Veeder began and continued his investigations as must be done in all re- search work along true scientific lines, not in establishing a pre-conclusion and the distorting and omitting of data that such a pre-conclusion might be proven, but rather collecting, arranging and clas- sifying data and from such classification arriving at a conclusion, be that conclu- sion what it may. For his conclusions he stood steadfast, without regarding the opinions of others, opinions expressed without proof, but he was ever ready to present to others his evidence on which his conclusions were based, presenting such evidence in the spirit of fairness and in their defense, though steadfast, he was a non-combatant; he waited for time to adjust differences and nowhere was this spirit more manifest than in his home town.
Of Dr. Veeder's contributions to medi- cal literature, which are numerous, it is only possible at this time to mention a few of the more prominent and advanced ones which have been published, viz: "Chorea ;" "Drinking Water and its Puri-
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fication ;" "Atmospheric Changes Rela- tive to the Diseases of Central New York;" "Practical Use of the Micro- scope;" "Questions in Regard to the Diphtheria Bacillus;" "Diphtheria, its Disinfection Within and Without the Body ;" "Roentgen Radiations;" "Flies as Spreaders of Sickness in Camps ;" "The Relative Importance of Flies and Water Supply in Spreading Disease ;" "The Spread of Typhoid and Dysenteric Diseases by Flies." Paper entitled "Flies as Spreaders of Sickness in Camps" is the first article ever published showing or demonstrating clearly the agency of flies in the spread of disease. This paper was published in the "Medical Record" in 1898, and in it he stated his belief that flies were carriers of typhoid germs. Other papers relative to public health should be mentioned, viz: "Public Water Supply for Small Towns," "Typhoid Fever from Sources Other than Water Supply," "The Human Being as a Ty- phoid Carrier," "Why the Open Air Treatment of Consumption Succeeds," "Garbage Reduction by Steam," "Dan- gers of Hypnotism," "Faculties of the Mind Not Understood and Not Used, with Special Reference to the Curability of Epilepsy," "Defective Development and Disease, with Special Reference to the Curability of Consumption and Can- cer."
These are not all of Dr. Veeder's con- tributions to medical science but enough has been cited to demonstrate the trend of his thoughts and the depth of his re- search. In other branches of science he also delved deep and among his pub- lished papers may well be named, viz: "Ice Jams and What They Accomplished," "Geology of the Erie Canal," "Geology of Wayne County," "Magne-Crystallic Action and the Aurora," "Solar Electro- Magnetic Induction," "Solar Electrical Energy Not Transmitted by Radiation,"
"The Relation Between Solar and Ter- restrial Phenomena," "Forces Concerned in the Development of Storms," "Thun- der Storms," "Why Barns are More De- stroyed by Lightning than Houses," "The Zodiacal Light," etc. He also worked in connection with Peary, the Arctic ex- plorer, in regard to the meteorological phenomenon known as the "Aurora Bore- alis."
Dr. Veeder acted as health officer for Lyons, New York, for over a quarter of a century, during which term of service some intricate problems relative to sani- tation were solved. His services along this line were valuable to the health serv- ice of the State and as such were duly recognized. He held membership in sev- eral distinguished organizations and in their transactions he assumed an active part. He became a fellow of the Ameri- can Association for the Advancement of Science ; member of the American Public Health Association; American Micro- scopical Society, of which organization he was at one time vice-president; London Society of Arts ; International Conference of Charities and Corrections; New York State Medical Society; Rochester Acade- my of Science, and other organizations of note. He was a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church. He belonged in addition to his professional and scientific societies to the Wayne County Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and to the Holland Society of New York.
Dr. Veeder married, in Schenectady, New York, in 1871, Mary Eleanor, daugh- ter of Peleg and Eleanor Wood. They were the parents of four children: I. Sarah Eleanor, born June 10, 1872; à graduate of Syracuse University, 1896, in painting course; twice studied art in Paris; taught in the Frances Shimer School for Girls; was in charge of the art department of the Ohio Wesleyan
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University, and is now teacher of draw- ing in the Lyons High School. 2. Martha Anna, born September 22, 1873 ; graduate of Cornell University, 1895; taught at Huguenot College, South Africa, for five years, now an instructor in the Western College for Women, Oxford, Ohio. 3. Albert Foster, born January 28, 1875; Ph. G., Columbia; Rochester State Hos- pital. 4. Willard Hall, born February 17, 1879; graduated M. D. from Buffalo University, class of 1903; now senior assistant physician at the Rochester State Hospital.
KEENER, Stephen Nicholas, Architect, Builder.
A native son of New York, Mr. Keener did a great deal toward the architectural adornment of his State, and all over Western New York stand buildings planned and in many cases erected by him, for to his profession of architect he added contracting and building. Al- though a man of seventy-four, he con- tinued active until the last, death coming to him suddenly through the medium of an apoplectic stroke. He was a son of John Keener, born in Germany, a wheel- wright, who located at Lowville, New York.
Stephen N. Keener was born in Low- ville, Lewis county, New York, January 31, 1841, died at his home in Newark, Wayne county, New York, December 23, 1915. He was educated in the public schools, and before he had attained his twenty-first year had served an appren- ticeship at the trade of carpenter, and was an expert workman. He came of age in January, 1862, and the following June settled in Newark, that village ever afterward being his home. On July 25, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Sixtieth Regiment, New
York Volunteer Infantry, served until the close of the war, and received an hon- orable discharge. He saw hard service, but escaped wounds, although he was captured and served a term of confine- ment in Southern prisons.
After the war Mr. Keener returned to Newark, and resumed business, becom- ing the leading architect of his section of the State, and conducting a large per- sonal contracting and building business, as well as superintending the construc- tion of many buildings for which he had furnished plans and specifications. He continued active in business until his death, being well known in Western New York as a reliable builder and skilled architect. He was for over a quarter of a century a trustee of the Cemetery Asso- ciation, and served the village as trustee for two terms, as president of the village one term and as a member of the school board for many. He was an official mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church of Newark for more than twenty-five years. He was a prominent Grand Army man and served on the staff of the State com- mander and as chaplain of Vosburg Post, of Newark. He was highly regarded in his community and was deserving of the universal esteem in which he was held. He was a man of quiet domestic tastes, devoted to his home, not seeking public office, but when called upon faithfully performing every duty connected with the offices he held.
Mr. Keener married, in Lyons, New York, January 21, 1868, Catherine E. Espenscheid, daughter of John Espen- scheid, born in. Germany, February 17, 1813. He came to the United States when a boy, located at Sodus, New York, afterward in Clyde, finally in Lyons, New York. He married Helen Derich, also born in Germany, who bore him six chil- dren: John M., Catherine E., Philip J.,
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Mary E., William H. and Helen E. John Espenscheid died October 5, 1888, sur- vived by his wife, who died in 1897. Mrs. Keener died in 1904. She had no chil- dren.
RAINES, George, Lawyer, Legislator.
For forty-one years George Raines was a member of the Monroe county bar, practicing in Rochester. At the age of twenty-four he was elected district attor- ney for Monroe county, and in that office he made his remarkable personality felt. As the years passed he grew in strength as a lawyer, finally closing his career with a reputation second to no criminal lawyer of the State of New York. As prosecutor or for defendant he appeared in over forty murder trials in which the indictment specified a crime the punish- ment for which is death. Of those he prosecuted none escaped, and of those he defended none suffered the extreme pen- alty. The only exception to the first statement was the case of the three Sodus murderers who were sentenced to life imprisonment, the growing sentiment against the infliction of the death penalty alone saving them from the electric chair. Besides a large private practice Mr. Raines was deeply interested in public affairs, sat as State Senator, elected as a Democrat in a Republican district, in the New York Legislature and was high in the councils of the Democratic party. As an orator he had few equals and was often chosen to deliver important ad- dresses. He was the orator of the day at the semi-centennial celebration of the city of Rochester, at the laying of the cornerstone of the new Court House, and by joint resolution of the New York Leg- islature was designated and invited to de- liver before that body on May 23, 1887, a memorial upon the life and public serv-
ices of Samuel J. Tilden. That memorial was delivered before an audience remark- able for the many men it contained who were high in public life. The orator out- did himself and the occasion was one long to be remembered.
Mr. Raines was of English lineage the ancient family seat in Yorkshire. The homestead, Ryton Grange, entailed for many generations, is held by representa- tives of the family to-day. John Raines, grandfather of George Raines, was a ship owner, and in 1817 gathered the remnant of his fortune which, invested in the shipping industry, had been sadly de- pleted by the Napoleonic wars and sought a new field of investment. He resided for a time at Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, and about the year 1830 moved to a farm near Canandaigua, New York, his property near that of Colonel Thad- deus Remington who settled there in 1798, coming from Vermont. John Raines had a son, Rev. John Raines, who was a minister of the Methodist Episco- pal church. He married Mary Reming- ton and they were the parents of George Raines, to whose memory this tribute of respect is dedicated.
George Raines was born November 10, 1846, at Pultneyville, Wayne county, New York, died at his residence on East avenue, Rochester, New York, Novem- ber 27, 1908. His education, begun in public schools, was continued in similar schools wherever his father was stationed under the rule of the itinerancy govern- ing the location of ministers of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1856- 1858 he attended public schools Nos. 14 and 10 in Rochester, and until 1862 was a student at Elmira Free Academy. In that year he entered Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, New York, but a few weeks later his father was again assigned to a Rochester church the family moving to that city. There he entered the Uni-
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versity of Rochester, won high honors, taking the first prizes in Latin and Greek, won the prize for the senior essay and also several in oratory, was a graduate of the class of 1866, receiving the customary Bachelor's degree.
He at once began the study of law under the instruction of John and Quincy Van Voorhis, and in December, 1867, was admitted to the Monroe county bar, hav- ing just passed his twenty-first birthday. He began his legal career as clerk in the law office of H. C. Ives, his salary five dollars weekly. That arrangement con- tinned for one year when a partnership was offered the young man by his em- ployer. Ives & Raines practiced until 1871, when Mr. Raines was elected dis- trict attorney of Monroe county. In that office he demonstrated his quality as a lawyer, his courage and the depth of his devotion to his oath of office. The Ste- phen Coleman case, one of receiving stolen property, aroused a great deal of interest at the time. Coleman was strong- ly defended but Mr. Raines secured his conviction. Then followed his successful attack upon the political ring dominating Rochester, a crusade in which he was strongly supported by the "Democrat and Chronicle," J. A. Hockstra then being the city editor. Mr. Raines was successful in breaking the power of the "Ring," writing out a resignation which the chief of police signed. In 1874 he was again elected district attorney and during that term tried the Clark, Ghaul, Stellman and Fairbanks murder cases, securing convic- tion in all. The most famous of these was that of John Clark, the gun fighting burglar who was defended by Howe & Hummel, the then great law firm of New York City.
After the expiration of his term Mr. Raines returned to private office practice and in his professional capacity was con- nected with many famous criminal cases.
These included the Pontius-Hoster trials in Seneca county, the Boyce-Hamm, Heyland and Hulsey murder cases in Monroe county and the Williams murder trial in Wayne county. In 1881 he be- came associated with his three brothers in practice under the firm name of Raines Brothers. In 1883 he secured the ac- quittal of Higham in Watertown, a case celebrated in Northern New York law annals. His practice became very ex- tensive and at different times he appeared in most of the celebrated criminal cases of his day and section. He was desig- nated by Governor Flower to conduct the trial of Bat Shea and John McGough for murder, growing out of the election riots in Troy, New York, securing a convic- tion. He tried the George A. Smith and Leland D. Kent homicide cases and many others.
His practice was not confined to crimi- nal cases, quite the contrary, he acted as counsel for many large corporations and had a large clientele whose civil law busi- ness he conducted. He was noted for his wonderful memory, the careful prepara- tion of his cases and a thorough knowl- edge of the rules of evidence. His last appearance in court was in the George Ellwanger will case, which he won for the contestants, his fee being placed by the surrogate at $25,000. He was a great lawyer and was so rated by his brethren of the bench and bar. Court records of various counties testify to the importance of his clientele and to many victories he won. He reached the front rank in his profession and was accorded high civic distinction.
Mr. Raines began life a Republican and as such was first elected district attorney. He, however, joined in the Liberal move- ment which culminated in the nomina- tion of Horace Greeley for the presidency and thereafter acted with the Democracy, his last election as district attorney in
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1874 being as a Democrat, in a Republi- can county. In 1878 he was the candi- date of the Democracy for State Senator, from the district then composed of Mon- roe county alone. He was elected and served with honor, but in 1881, when again a candidate at the personal request of Samuel J. Tilden, Orleans county hav- ing been added to the district, he was de- feated by a very small plurality. He car- ried his home county and ran far ahead of his ticket, but Orleans county reversed Monroe and decided the contest in favor of the Republican candidate. In 1880 he was a delegate from New York State to the Democratic National Convention, served in similar capacity in 1888, and in 1904 was elected as delegate-at-large. He presided as chairman of seven State Democratic conventions and was an ac- knowledged leader of his party. Yet he was not a bitter partisan- numbered his friends in both parties, and all respected him.
He was a strong supporter of Governor Samuel J. Tilden, a leader of the sup- porters of the reform policy of Governor Robinson, and of Governor and President Cleveland. Many honors were conferred upon him in connection with events of public importance and as orator of the occasion he was in great demand. He was a most eloquent speaker and could sway a large gathering with his impas- sioned words, and was a strong advocate for any cause he espoused. He was a trustee of Rochester State Hospital from 1891 to 1907 and a commissioner of Niagara Falls State Reservation from 1893 to 1907. He served for seven years. 1875-82, on the staff of Major-General Henry Brinkner, New York National Guard, as judge advocate with the rank of colonel. He was a member of the vari- ous bar associations, and when the fact of his death became known, although there were no courts of record in session.
a special meeting of the Rochester Bar Association was called and glowing reso- lutions of respect and eulogy were passed. He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and interested in many charities.
KENT, John H., Photographic Artist.
Eighty-three years was the span of John H. Kent's earthly career and few men wrought more diligently or accom- plished more abundantly than he. He was among the first photographers, if not the first, in either Europe or America to appreciate the artistic value of the camera and the first to avail himself of its won- derful capacity. He was a man of most lovable character, his friends were with- out number, and until a few days prior to his death his kindly face and erect form were a familiar sight upon the streets of Rochester, notwithstanding the weight of his years.
John H. Kent was born in Plattsburg. New York, March 4, 1827, son of John Kent, a prominent citizen of that place. He died at his home on South Washing- ton street, Rochester, November 25, 1910. He inherited from old New England an- cestors a keen mind and intellectual and executive force. His first known ances- tor in this country in the paternal line was Thomas Kent, who came from Eng- land, and received, in 1643, from the town of Gloucester, Massachusetts, a title to land which he had early occupied. His house and land were in the West Parish of Gloucester, where he died April 1, 1658. His wife's name is not recorded, but her death is noted October 16, 1671. Their second son was Samuel Kent, who was in Brookfield, Massachusetts, soon after 1667, but returned to Gloucester, where he was made a freeman, May II, 1681. He married, January 17, 1654, Frances Woodall, who died August 10,
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1683. They were the parents of John Kent, born 1664, who was in Suffield, Connecticut, as early as 1680, and died there, April II, 1721. He married, May 9, 1686, in Suffield, Abigail, daughter of William and Mary (Roe) Dudley, born May 24, 1657. Their eldest son, John Kent, was born January 26, 1688, in Suf- field, where he made his home, was cap- tain of the militia, and represented the town from 1724 to 1732. He married, May 27, 1709, Mary Smith. Cephas Kent, third son of John and Mary (Smith) Kent, was born April 13, 1725, in Suf- field, and removed, in 1773, to Dorset, Vermont, where he kept an inn, and died December 5, 1809. He was first select- man of the town, served on the com- mittee of safety during the Revolution, was the town's first representative to the State Legislature in 1778, and a deacon of the church. A convention for the pur- pose of forming a State organization was held at his house in Dorset, September 25, 1776, and as a result the organization was formed January 15, 1777. He mar- ried, May 20, 1747, in Suffield, Hannah Spencer, born July II, 1728, in that town, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Trum- bull) Spencer, died November 5, 1821, in Dorset. The eldest son of this marriage, John Kent, born October 31, 1749, in Suffield, married Lucy Sikes, and their eldest son, John Kent, settled in Platts- burg, New York, where he had recorded, December 25, 1799, a deed of one hundred acres in lot No. 42 of the old patent of Plattsburg. Later he became a Metho- dist exhorter, and removed to Ellenburg, Clinton county, New York. He had two sons, Benjamin Beach and John. The last named, John Kent, married Lodoski Howe, resided in Plattsburg, and they were the parents of John H. Kent, of Rochester, New York, lately deceased.
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