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 43
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ance. He was of rugged Sullivan county stock, the Lindsleys in many branches having figured prominently in the history of that county.
Eliud Lindsley was one of the pioneers of the Monticello section of Sullivan county,-a man of upright life and un- bending integrity whose strong character left its impress upon the life of his com- .munity. His son, Rufus B. Lindsley, was a substantial farmer and stock dealer, long a resident of Monticello. He in- herited the sturdy characteristics of his father and in turn transmitted them to his son in whom they took root and bore abundant fruit. He married a daughter of Smith Weed, also a Sullivan county pioneer, a member of the same family which produced Smith M. Weed, of Clin- ton county, New York.
Smith M. Lindsley, son of Rufus B. Lindsley, was born in Monticello, New York, in 1847, and died at his home in Utica, New York, May 17, 1909. He was educated at the then famous Monticello Academy and Wyoming Seminary and College, near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylva- nia, and after graduation at the latter in- stitution served as a member of the faculty for one year; but pedagogy had no part in his plan of life, his ambition craving a legal career. After teaching for a year, he began the study of law in Wilkes-Barre under the direction of a lawyer of that city until 1869, then finished under the preceptorship of Fran- cis Kernan, the eminent lawyer of Utica, New York. In 1870 he was admitted to the Utica county bar, and immediately began the practice of law in Utica. He so quickly gained public confidence, and so impressed the public with his ability, that in 1872 he was elected city attorney, although every other Democrat but one was defeated at the city election that year. He served with such acceptability
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that he was reelected by an increased ma- is placed where it belongs and where it jority and a third term was insisted on will be most effective." by his friends, but in the meantime his private practice had grown to such pro- portions that either his private clients or the city's legal business must suffer. He chose the latter alternative and refused a third term.
From that time forward, Mr. Lindsley gave his full time and energy to the pri- vate practice of the profession to which he had dedicated his life. He won the confidence of the business interests of his city, and in the many cases he tried in the State and Federal courts he was re- garded as a brilliant pleader, especially strong in the preparation of his cases and in their forcible presentation. He repre- sented important interests and in many of them fought over delicate and intricate points of law winning many notable vic- tories. One of his most celebrated cases was the successful defense of the "Utica Observer" in the Van Auken libel suit in 1891, his victory bringing widely spoken commendation from the legal profession and the press from all over the State. It was as a trial lawyer, and in arguments of appeals, that he won his greatest prominence and he was continually re- tained by other lawyers as advisory coun- sel for the trial of cases and for the argu- ment of appeals. In several important trials he was selected by the attorney- general of the State to act for the State and his practice as a consultant was very large. Said one who knew him well: "He has acquired his present conspicuous position at the bar by being an almost tireless worker. He sharpened his natu- ral abilities by fearless contests with the ablest among those in the profession when he began. When he enters court with a case, not one atom or item of preparation is wanting. Every fact is marshaled and weighed and in his mind
He was standing counsel and attorney for several insurance companies, and had unusual success in their service. That he possessed business ability of a high order was recognized by the directors of the First National Bank of Chittenango, who in 1885 elected him president of that institution, an office he ably filled until his death. In 1887-88-89, he was supreme regent of the great fraternal insurance order, the Royal Arcanum, and through his legal acumen effected settlement of many intricate problems involving con- tests, claims and settlements. He threw his whole soul into the work of the order, infused new vigor, and during his term as supreme regent its growth was phe- nomenal. He traveled to all parts of the country on the business of the order as its official head and formed many life- long friendships in faraway States. He was a member of the Masonic Order and of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and affiliated with many societies, legal, benevolent and special. Genial, brilliant and courteous he was a favorite socially. Men admired him for the manly independence of his character and his up- right life and held him in highest esteem.
A Democrat in politics, Mr. Lindsley could, had he willed it so, gone far in public life, but beyond the two terms as city attorney he steadfastly declined every offer that meant political elevation. In 1884, he was the nominee of a joint convention representing all shades of political opinion, for the office of mayor of Utica, but his determination to allow nothing to interfere with his professional career was unshaken, and he refused the honor. In 1895, a severer test was im- posed by his own party unanimously nominating him for the high and purely judicial office, Justice of the Supreme
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Court, but that honor, too, was declined, as were many others of a similiar nature. He adhered ever to the stand taken in early life and died as he had lived, a pri- vate citizen and a great lawyer.
Mr. Lindsley married, in 1873, Dorlissa Johnstown, daughter of John W. Johns- town, an eminent lawyer of the Sullivan county bar, who survives her husband, a resident of Utica. They had two children : Lew Johnstown, born February II, 1874, died December 4, 1878; Orma, born May 21, 1876, died November 26, 1894.
CHARLTON, John, Founder of Noted Nurseries.
When the career of John Charlton ended at the age of nearly eighty-one years, another of the veteran horticul- turists passed from view, a man who ranked in his knowledge of plants and flowers as the peer of the greatest of those who made Rochester known far and near as the Flower City. Mr. Charlton was known throughout the country as the founder and proprietor of the John Charl- ton & Sons Nurseries, and as a blue ribbon exhibitor of fruits and flowers at the large fairs. His name was known in the far away parts of the world as an importer of the rare and beautiful in plant life. He was the first to introduce to America a number of the Chinese and Japanese flowering and ornamental shrubs that have since become popular in the beautifying of parks and private grounds. He raised the then famous Peter Hender- son carnation from seed and sold it to Louisville, Kentucky, florists, receiving six hundred and fifty dollars for it. He introduced the Pocklington grape and the Golden Prolific gooseberry, and propa- gated new varieties of grape, the Charl- ton and the Purity. Prior to 1883 he did a general nursery business, but after that
date he gave his entire time to roses, clematis, grapes and small fruits. But his capable sons were admitted to part- nership and a general nursery business conducted under the firm name of John Charlton & Sons, with nurseries and greenhouses on Culver road. It is a won- derful monument John Charlton erected to his own memory-a monument not to crumble with the lapse of time, but to annually renew its beauty ; and, so long as men and women love plants and flowers, so long will his monument en- dure. He made the earth more attrac- tive, homes more beautiful, fruit farming more profitable, and he loved his work. Eighty years did not quench his ardor, nor weaken his love, nor deter his experi- ments to produce new varieties, but to the end he was the same enthusiast ; and, while the weight of years caused the bur- den to be laid largely on the sons, there never was a time when John Charlton & Sons was not dominated by the spirit of its founder of the firm, and ever will be, for that spirit lives in the sons, John A. and Joseph M. Charlton, upon whom the ownership and management devolves.
John Charlton was born at Hornings -- ham, Wiltshire, England, November 19, 1835, died at Rochester, New York, Au- gust 2, 1916. From childhood he dis- played not only a love for flowers, but a desire to study their formation and habits. All through his school years this love of botany was clearly developed and at the age of seventeen years he was apprenticed for three years at Longleat Gardens, the estate of the Marquis of Bath, Longleat being noted as one of the finest gardens in England. There were twenty-three applications for the place which he secured, not through influence, but solely from the fact that he had al- ready progressed far along the path he had chosen to follow. He remained at
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Longleat the full term of apprenticeship and had so well improved those years that the owners of several estates strove to secure his services as head gardener.
He accepted the offer of the owner of an estate on the Island of Guernsey, in the English Channel, and for some time was in full charge of his large gardens. While that position was a very satisfac- tory one, Mr. Charlton was ambitious, and had decided that when opportunity offered he would emigrate to the United States. He finally carried out his plans, and in 1857 located at Rochester, New York, his first position being with George J. Whit- ney, in charge of the latter's gardens, which term includes plants, fruits and flowers only. He was next engaged in the same capacity by Joseph Hall, and in addition to the gardens he had the care of greenhouses and grapery. He was so engaged until 1861, but during that period spent one winter at his old English home.
ginning of the great improvement in this flower. In 1869 he brought the ampelop- sis veitchii from England and was the first to advertise it in this country; new varieties of grapes were introduced and propagated and John Charlton became famous among horticulturists. In 1883 he decided to devote his entire time to the growing of roses, clematis, grapes and small fruits and to carry out his plans acquired more land and greatly enlarged the area of his greenhouses. The firm of John Charlton & Sons was formed by the admission of his two sons and a general wholesale and retail business in small and large fruits, plants, rare and common flowers of his special love, particularly roses, was begun, which has ever pros- pered under the care of himself and his sons.
The secret of his success was not more attributable to the talent he possessed than from the fact that he devoted him- self entirely to his business. He studied plant life most deeply, and never was satisfied with what he knew, but was al- ways delving for more knowledge. He not only won first premiums with his exhibits at great fairs all over the country, but also the respect and admiration of his contemporaries who sought the advice and opinions of the quiet, unostentatious man who had made the Charlton Nur- series famous.
In 1861 he purchased a tract of land at the corner of Culver road and University avenue, Rochester, and spent four years of hard work in preparing it for raising fruits and flowers according to the plans he had laid down after careful study and research combined with his own experi- ence and knowledge. He planned to de- part from the beaten path followed by most nurserymen, in fact he was less the nurseryman than the horticulturist. He followed out his plans to the letter and Mr. Charlton married Sarah McAskie. born in the north of Ireland, who sur- vives him with four children: John A .. of John Charlton & Sons, married Emma, daughter of Professor John G. Allen, and has children: Florence and Howard; Joseph M., of John Charlton & Sons, also the head of the Charlton Nursery Com- pany, a distinct business from John Charl- ton & Sons, but in the same line, married Della McLean; Fannie, married William soon John Charlton & Sons became the magnet which drew visitors and patrons from far and near, attracted by the novel- ties in fruits and flowers there grown. He was among the very first to grow grape vines and fuchias for the market ; his Peter Henderson carnation sold for the then fabulous price of six hundred and fifty dollars, and a decade later would have brought as many thousands. The production of this carnation was the be- B. Kerr; and Margaret. The sons also
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constitute the Charlton Nursery Com- pany, 448 Cutler Building, Rochester, Joseph M. Charlton president. The Charl- ton family residence is at the nursery farm, 409 Culver road.
BUELL, George C., Merchant, Financier.
History and biography for the most part record the lives of those who have attained military, political or literary dis- tinction, or who in any other career have passed through extraordinary vicissitudes of fortune. The unostentatious routine of private life, although in the aggregate more important to the welfare of the com- munity, cannot from its very nature figure in the public annals. But the names of men who have distinguished them- selves in their day and generation for the possession, in an eminent degree, of those qualities of character which mainly contribute to the success of business life and public stability, of men who, without dazzling talents, have been exemplary in all their personal, business and social re- lations, and enjoyed the esteem, confi- dence and respect of those around them, ought not to be allowed to perish. Few can draw rules for their own guidance from the pages of Plutarch, but all are benefited by the delineation of those traits of character which find scope and exercise in the common walks of life. Among the individuals of this class in Rochester, New York, was the late George C. Buell, senior member of the firm of George C. Buell & Company, wholesale grocers.
His record is the account of a life which was in the main uneventful as far as stir- ring incidents or startling adventures are concerned, yet was distinguished by the most substantial qualities of character. His life history exhibits a career of un- swerving integrity, indefatigable business
industry, and wholesome home and social relations, a most commendable career crowned with success. It is the record of a well balanced mental and moral makeup, strongly marked by those traits of character which are of especial value in such a state of society as exists in this country. A community depends upon business activity, its welfare is due to this, and its promoters of legitimate en- terprises may well be termed its benefac- tors. Such a benefactor was the late George C. Buell, for many years a leader in the business world of Rochester, and worthy of the high esteem in which he is justly held. A word concerning his forbears is here in place.
The earliest record of the Buell family is in 1270, when one William de Beule witnessed a charter granted by Henry III. for the protection of ambassadors. In 1327, the King sent a petition to the court by "our beloved Walter de Beule." In 1373 John de Beule was appointed by the King to be commander of Calais in France, with the title "Captain of Calais," with supreme power, both civil and crimi- nal, and was authorized to conclude a truce with the envoys of Charles, King of France. From this time, through the reigns of the first three Edwards, the Buells held offices of honor and trust. In the "Rolls of Hundreds," of England, made by George III., in 1812, it contained an account of members of the Buell family as holding honors and public offices in many of the counties of Eng- land.
The Buell coat-of-arms has upon its shield three disks, which in heraldry in- dicate the number of crusades in which the family had been represented. Also, as its crest, a winged horse rampant, upon an ermine-trimmed cap, and carrying in its mouth an olive branch. The ermine- trimmed cap was in early days given to
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untitled men, but only in acknowledge- ment of distinguished service. Motto: Prodesse quam conspici. In ancient rec- ords we read that one Robert Buele was made Knight of the Shire for Hunting- donshire in 1440, under Henry IV. De- scending two hundred years through a line of knights and baronets to 1610, there was born:
William Buell, in Chesterton, Hunting- donshire, England, the ancestor of all of that name in America, who died at Wind- sor, November 23, 1681. He sailed from Plymouth, England, March 31, 1630, in the company conducted by the Rev. John Wareham, on the ship "Mary and John," and landed at Nantasket, Boston Bay, May 30. He settled at Dorchester, Mas- sachusetts, and five years later became one of the proprietors of the new settle- ment at Windsor. After residing there five years, he married Mary - He had children: Samuel and Peter, and probably others.
Eben Norton Buell, a lineal descendant of William Buell, was a resident of Goshen, Connecticut, from whence he removed to East Bloomfield, Ontario county, New York; subsequently he re- moved to Geneseo, Livingston county, New York; and finally to Rochester, Monroe county, New York, early in the history of that city, and was there en- gaged in the canal forwarding business and in fire insurance. He married Re- becca Root, daughter of Jesse Root, Jr., of Hartford, Connecticut, and grand- daughter of Jesse Root, Chief Justice of the State of Connecticut, and among his children were: George C., the subject of this sketch; Henry, a resident of New York City; Mrs. Bethune Duffield, of Detroit, Michigan; and Mrs. Henry Haight, of San Francisco, California.
George C. Buell was born at Geneseo, Livingston county, New York, October
12, 1822, and died at his home, No. 9 Livingston Park, Rochester, January 24, 1898. His education was commenced in the public schools of his native town, and continued in those of Rochester, from which he was graduated. In 1844 he established himself in mercantile business at No. 129 East Main street, known as Minerva Hall Block. He commenced as a retail grocer, but the success attending his progressive methods soon necessitated larger working facilities. He accordingly moved to a large building on Exchange street, where he engaged in the whole- sale grocery business, and was identified with this line of commercial enterprise for many years, amassing a considerable fortune. He invested this very profitably in real estate. He was a director of the New York Central & Hudson River Rail- road Company ; a director and vice-presi- dent of the Traders' National Bank of Rochester; an official of the American Ballot Machine Company; a trustee of Auburn Theological Seminary ; a trustee of the Rochester Orphan Asylum and Rochester Industrial School; a member of the commission that arranged for the elevation of the New York Central tracks through the city of Rochester; a charter member of the Chamber of Commerce, which was organized in 1887, a member of the first board of trustees, and for ten years was the leading spirit of this repre- sentative body of men. His political affili- ations were with the Republican party. He was a member of the Genesee Valley Club of Rochester, and he was also a member of the Union League Club of New York City. Like his father, he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. He was one of the organizers of the Young Men's Christian Associ- ation, and served as president of this body several years. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. Mr
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Buell was a man of broad and liberal tendencies, giving his support to all meas- ures which tended to the improvement and development of the city. In matters of art he did especially notable work in calling public attention to such matters. This taste was especially cultivated in his own home, in which were to be found many fine examples of the painters' art.
Mr. Buell married (first) in Rochester, in May, 1845, Julia Gilkison, daughter of Dr. Gilkison, of Rochester. She died in March, 1847. He married (second) in Rochester, October 24, 1850, Elizabeth House Bloss, daughter of William Clough Bloss and Mary Bangs (Blossom) Bloss. She died in March, 1863. He married (third) Alice Elizabeth Ely, daughter of Lorenzo D. Ely and Caroline Cornelia (Culver) Ely. She survived him. Chil- dren by the second marriage were: Ed- ward Norton, died May 28, 1870; Mary Blossom, who married William H. Aver- ell, of Ogdensburg, New York; Paul Clif- ford, died December 30, 1856; Elizabeth Bloss, died February 19, 1865; George Clifford, who was associated in business with his father, and who married Gertrude M. Ackerman, of Chicago, Illinois. Chil- dren by the third marriage were: Ely, who married Lulu I. McAllaster, of Rochester, New York; Ernest Norton, died Septem- ber 13, 1873; Henry Douglas, who mar- ried Cornelia G. Robinson, of Rochester, New York; and Alice Ray, who married Rev. Du Bois S. Morris, of Hwai Yuen, China.
BROWN, James H., Business Man, Public Official.
Aaron Brown, grandfather of James H. Brown, resided in Austerlitz, Massachu- setts, and in 1813 removed from there to Rochester, New York, where he worked as a carpenter and joiner, erecting some
of the fine houses of that city. He died October 26, 1876, at the old homestead, aged eighty-nine years, having been a widower for seventy years.
Henry S. Brown, father of James H. Brown, was the second white child born in Rochester, New York. His birth oc- curred in a house built from the logs cut and hewed from the trees which then covered the entire section, located on West North street, at what is now No. 540 Hudson street. It was a comfortable, roomy type of the old homestead, as com- fort was then considered, a type now al- most extinct. Mr. Brown and his wife lived to celebrate their golden wedding in the house they built, and eight years later death separated them. Afterward the old house was modernized, and James H. Brown, the son, retained it as his home until his death.
James H. Brown was born October 5, 1846, in Rochester, died there in Decem- ber, 1915. He was the personification of loyalty and was decisive regarding his likes and dislikes, but he never disliked anybody nor anything without having first given them or it the benefit of the doubt, and he invariably found his keen sense of intuition had not been playing him false. He was not of a vacillating char- acter, never tiring of the same surround- ings throughout his lifetime; and he was equally as staunch and steady where his friendships were concerned. In his busi- ness dealings he was always honorable and square, was very competent, and at one time his father and he conducted a stone quarry and a real estate business, handling the family property exclusively and were very successful. He was active in politics, although preferring that what- ever he did in a political way should be of assistance to his friends rather than to himself; but nevertheless he was elected to represent the old thirteenth, and he
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served as supervisor for two years as a Republican. He aided in organizing the Monroe County Supervisors and Ex-Su- pervisors Association, and was then its treasurer and secretary and served as such until his death, never missing a meeting until his last illness, August, 1915. A legislative act went into effect in 1888 by which a board of park com- missioners was appointed for Rochester. Mr. Brown was selected as one of the board and he served in the capacity of park commissioner for over twenty years, during which time he personally con- ferred frequently with the landscape architect in his endeavor to make Seneca Park an especially beautiful one, and de- voted a great deal of his time to the project and studied to restore its natu- ral scenery. He was instrumental in the purchase of property which was then in possession of farmers, but finally bought by the city. Previous to purchase, Mr Brown traversed ever foot of it and he never wearied planning to promote the development of that beautiful and pic- turesque park for Rochester. The little lake therein is fed by natural springs, and in preparing its bed Mr. Brown and the architect were positive that they had re- stored a natural pond. Mr. Brown was a nature lover, and his recreation mostly consisted of those sports and pleasures that were connected with outdoor life. He had a keen sense of appreciation for the beauties of nature, admiring a splen- did sunset, a beautiful starry sky, a rosy dawn or the fresh, brilliant green of spring, with the keen sensibilities and artistic temperament of a landscape painter. His love for the great outdoors was not only confined to a love for sights offered by nature, but he was enthusiastic over the enjoyment offered to a sports- man. He was a member of the Rod and
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