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 44
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Gun clubs, the Geneseo Sportsman's Club and other similar organizations, an expert marksman, and won a number of medals and trophies at the state meets of gun clubs.
When he was only a boy of twenty he became a member of the official board of the Asbury Methodist Church, his father having been an officer of the church for seventy years. For more than twenty- five years, James H. Brown was treasurer of its Sunday school, and devoted to the interests of the church which he loved, but he was liberal in thought, broad- minded regarding other denominations, and refrained from criticism or discus- sion of creed. The lines of decisiveness and of liberality were plainly discernible in the face of Mr. Brown; there was no trace of impulsiveness upon it; although there was a slight trace of aggressive- ness, he was anything but aggressive, but he possessed a goodly amount of tenacity in his character whenever he felt positive of his argument or knowledge.
Mr. Brown was a man who created a favorable impression both in a business and in a social way, and that impression was one that was never obliterated by any unkind or underhand action. He was not actually known as a philanthropist, but his deeds of kindness were numerous. In conversation Mr. Brown never rushed into a subject without being well in- formed and any topic he discussed was made concise and interesting. He had tasted the joys and successes of life and accepted them modestly.
Mr. Brown never married, and is sur- vived in Rochester by two sisters: Mrs. Phoebe J. Vose, who resides with her sister, Mrs. George H. Waldron, at No. 526 Meigs street, Rochester. His only brother, Francis A. Brown, is a resident of Des Moines, Iowa.
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Jev. Ellevanger
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
ELLWANGER, George,
Business Man, Financier.
He who builds up a great enterprise does for his country as important a work as he who protects its interests upon the battlefield or he who formulates its laws in the council chambers of State or Na- tion. The trend of civilization has ever been westward and upon the frontier out- posts have been found men of stalwart courage and of marked ability who have recognized and utilized opportunities and resources and have builded to their labor a monument in large undertakings which have resulted from their diligence and enterprise. Such a one was George Ell- wanger, who was a pioneer in the nursery business in Western New York. His life record, too, indicated how great are the advantages which America offers to her adopted sons. No cast or class fettered his ambition and the dignity of labor is here appreciated as in no other country. George Ellwanger in early manhood wise- ly determined to make his home in the United States.
He was born December 2, 1816, at Gross-Heppach, in the Remsthal, called "the garden of the fatherland," in the kingdom of Wurtemburg, Germany, and amid the vineyards with his father and brothers he labored during his youth, finding enjoyment in the occupation which proved to him an alluring field for the labors of life. A liberal general education acquired in the schools of the neighbor- hood was supplemented by special train- ing of four years in a leading horticul- tural institution in Stuttgart, and there he continuously advanced toward that per- fection which brought him so goodly a measure of success in his later years. Ambitious for advantages that would prove tangible assets in a business life, he came to the United States in 1835 and
for a brief period resided in Tiffin, Ohio, but the Genesee Valley as he passed west- ward left with him a strong mental pic- ture that proved too attractive to resist and accordingly after a few months he returned to Rochester, where he entered the horticultural establishment of the firm of Reynolds & Bateham, the first of its kind in Rochester. The succeeding four years were spent as an employee, and in 1839 by purchase he became pro- prietor of the business and at the same time acquired eight acres of land on Mount Hope avenue, a tract which formed the nucleus of the Mount Hope Nurseries, which subsequently became so celebrated. The following year Patrick Barry was admitted to a partnership that covered the succeeding half century and was only terminated by the death of Mr. Barry in June, 1890. The business proved profitable from the beginning and as set- tlement increased in the west they shipped their goods more and more largely to those newer districts toward the setting sun until at length Ellwanger & Barry's nursery goods were sold in every section of the United States, while a large export trade was also enjoyed. Additional prop- erty was purchased here to meet the growing demands of the business and they likewise established the Toronto Nurseries in Canada and the Columbus Nurseries in Ohio in order to facilitate shipments and bring the western and northern trade nearer to a base of sup- plies. After the death of Mr. Barry the old firm name was continued, Mr. Ell- wanger remaining at the head of the house until his own demise. The genera- tion to which he belonged represented a different type of business man. They maintained a higher standard of commer- cial ethics and the house of Ellwanger & Barry never for a moment slipped back from the honorable policy established at
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the outset. It was always their endeavor to please their patrons by supplying stock of the highest quality, gaining a fair profit on their sales, yet never overreaching an- other in a business transaction. The firm name therefore became synonymous with commercial integrity and the records of Mr. Ellwanger and of Mr. Barry both furnish an example that is indeed worthy of emulation. The former became widely known in financial circles through close association with the banking interest of Rochester, being successively a director of the Union Bank and Flour City Bank and a trustee of the Monroe County Sav- ings Bank and the Rochester Trust & Safe Deposit Company. The Rochester Gas Company also profited by his serv- ices and sound advice as a director, and he was connected in similar official ca- pacity with the Eastman Kodak Com- pany and the Rochester & Brighton Street Railway Company.
In 1846 occurred the marriage of George Ellwanger and Miss Cornelia Brooks, a daughter of General Micah Brooks, a pioneer of Western New York. They had four sons, George H., Henry B., Wil- liam D. and Edward S., to whom liberal educational advantages were afforded as were also the means of study and travel abroad. The eldest son became a promi- nent factor in the conduct of the nursery business.
strength of manhood and long after he had passed the psalmist's alloted span of three score years and ten he was an active factor in business life. To have attained to the extreme fullness of years and to have had one's ken broadened to a com- prehension of all that has been accom- plished within the flight of many days is of itself sufficient to render consonant a detailed consideration of such a life in a work of this order, but in the case at hand there are more pertinent, more distin- guishing elements-those of usefulness, of high honor, of marked intellectuality, of broad charity-which lift high in rever- ence the subjective personality of one who stood as one of nature's noblemen, "four-square to every wind that blows." No shadows darkened any period of his long, honorable and eventful life and it therefore becomes an important public duty to perpetuate his memory. His ex- ample stands as an object lesson to those who come after him.
ELLWANGER, William De Lancey, Lawyer, Author.
William De Lancey Ellwanger was justly accorded a place among the promi- nent and distinguished citizens of Roches- ter, and he was widely known throughout the country as an author of marked abil- ity. He was born in Rochester, Septem- ber 27, 1854, and was a son of George and Cornelia (Brooks) Ellwanger.
Mr. Ellwanger passed away, November 26, 1906, full of years and honors. He was not only known as a preëminently The boyhood and youth of William De Lancey Ellwanger was devoted to the acquirement of a good education. He attended Racine College and later was a student at Yale, graduating from the lat- ter institution in 1876. He studied law in the office of Oscar Craig, of Rochester, and was later graduated from the Albany Law School. After his admission to the active and successful business man, but one whose devotion to the city was inarked by many tangible proofs. He studied the city's needs and its possibili- ties, labored to meet the former and to enlarge the latter, working not only for the interests of the moment but also for the welfare of the future. He retained in remarkable manner the vigor and bar in 1878 he formed a partnership with
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bell F. ther
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Joseph S. Hunn in 1881, and they suc- CONVERSE, Rev. Roy M., cessfully engaged in practice until 1904, being at that time the oldest law firm of the city. Mr. Hunn was then appointed one of the trustees of the Hiram Sibley estate and the partnership was dissolved, but for eight years prior to this Mr. Ell- wanger had devoted the greater part of his time and attention to literary work, contributing many able articles to vari- ous magazines and newspapers, including the "Century" and "New York Sun." Be- sides this he published several books which won favor with the reading public and his writings embraced both prose and poetry. Among his publications are "The Collecting of Stevensons," "Some Reli- gious Helps to a Literary Style," "A Snuff Box Full of Trees," which appeared in the "New York Sun" and was an article on the big trees of California ; "A Sum- mer Snowflake and Drift of Other Verse and Song" and "The Oriental Rug," a monograph on eastern rugs, carpets, etc. Besides his interest in Oriental rugs he took an interest in Oriental porcelains and also in gardening, following in his father's footsteps in this direction, as did also his brothers, who were considered authorities on the standard rose.
On May 10, 1887, in Rochester, Mr. Ellwanger was united in marriage to Laura Selden, daughter of Henry R. Sel- den, and one daughter was born to them, Evelyn, June, 1895.
Mr. Ellwanger died at his late home, February 16, 1913. He will be remem- bered as a man of fine social gifts, and of scholarly, artistic and broad culture. His literary judgments were accurate, and his writings were characterized by a discrimi- nating treatment of the theme, by a subtle humor, a delicate fancy, and by a most felicitous style.
N Y-3-20
Soldier, Educator, Priest.
Rev. Roy McGregor Converse was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, November 16, 1844. Early in life his family removed to Western Pennsylvania, where his prelim- inary education was acquired, and there, one week after the first battle of Bull Run, and yet in his sixteenth year, he en- listed in the Eleventh Regiment Penn- sylvania Reserves, serving until honor- ably discharged July 4, 1865. He saw hard service, was wounded at Gettysburg, and at the battle of the Wilderness dur- ing the second day's fighting (May 5, 1864) was taken prisoner. With between two and three thousand other Union pris- oners he was sent in a freight train to Andersonville, fifty miles away, and there spent five frightful months ere being sent to another prison at Florence, from which he was released on December 5, 1864. In later years he prepared an address upon his prison experiences that he delivered many times at the invitation of different organizations.
After the war he returned to Western Pennsylvania and entered Washington and Jefferson College, from which he was graduated Bachelor of Arts in 1867, stand- ing first in his class, being a member of the Phi Beta Kappa, honorary society, and also of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. The college subsequently awarded him the de- gree of Master of Arts. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Gris- wold College in 1889, and the degrees of Doctor of Civil Laws in 1897 and Doctor of Laws in 1912, both from Hobart Col- lege. During the years 1868-69 he was professor of mathematics and astronomy in his alma mater. He then became inter- ested in mining engineering, and after completing the course therein and receiv-
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
ing the degree of Bachelor of Science from the Columbia School of Mines, he engaged actively for a time in the de- velopment of certain properties, chiefly placer mines in Wyoming. He then de- cided to enter the Christian ministry, took a course in Divinity and became a minister of the Presbyterian church. Later he became a convert to the Protes- tant Episcopal faith, was ordained a dea- con in 1878 and a priest in 1879, Bishop John Williams officiating at the ordina- tion ceremonies. From 1879 until 1883 he was rector of St. John's parish at Waterbury, Connecticut, and from 1883 until 1888 rector of Christ Church at Corning, New York. For the following nine years he was engaged in educational work as professor of psychology, philos- ophy and metaphysics in Hobart College, also acted as chaplain of the college and was especially beloved by the students.
In 1897 Dr. Converse became rector of St. Luke's Parish, Rochester, the oldest church of that communion in the city, and spent the last eighteen years of a beautiful, valuable life in the service of that parish. The good he there accom- plished can never be even estimated. Every department of the church was thoroughly organized, the parishioners inspired with a spirit of zeal and conse- cration, a parish endowment fund, now of large proportions, was started, and above all a strong spiritual atmosphere created. His graceful oratory, "the elo- quence of deliberation rather than of heated controversy," drew large audi- ences, and as a preacher he was greatly admired, as a priest of God reverenced, as a pastor greatly beloved. At the anni- versary of the tenth year of his steward- ship, at a banquet given in his honor, one of his vestrymen in presenting him with a generous purse thus voiced the feeling throughout the parish: "You have en-
deared yourself to us in countless ways. You have been a constant example to us in magnanimity, in unworldliness and purity of motive and high minded Chris- tian courtesy, showing in yourself all through the week what you preach on Sunday. You have helped us in our joys and in our sorrows. You have done us good and our city has felt your beneficent influence. That St. Luke's has continu- ally flourished under your rectorate might be easily proved by a brief history of the church during these ten years. We are proud of our rector and our rector's wife, a charming lady beloved by the parish and throughout the city."
Dr. Converse also received at several conventions of the dioceses of Central and Western New York a highly honor- able vote for bishop of the diocese, indi- cative of the esteem in which he was held by the clergy and laity of the church throughout the State. Outside his parish he was equally esteemed, establishing in his manly way cordial relations with men of all creeds and beliefs. He served for several years as chaplain of the Third Regiment New York National Guard, and was until his death chaplain of Thomas Post, Grand Army of the Repub- lic. Thoroughly cultured and well in- formed on all subjects, he was a valued member of the Alpha Chi Club, composed entirely in its membership of professors and clergymen, also of the Pundit, a strictly literary club. Before these two clubs many remarkable papers have been presented-Dr. Converse contributing fre- quently. His interest in big game hunt- ing was very great and he accumulated during his lifetime a valuable collection of heads, etc. He was a member of the Moose Hunters' Club of Rochester, the Canadian Camp of New York, and the National Geographical Society. He was also connected with the following:
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Browning Club of Rochester, Ministerial Association of Rochester, the Rochester Historical Association, the Rochester Clerical Association, the Actors' Alliance (as chaplain), National Society of Ander- sonville Survivors (vice-president), the board of trustees of the Church Home (vice-president), Genesee Valley Club of Rochester, and Country Club of Roches- ter.
He knew men under every condition; had touched elbows with them on the field of battle, going forward with them in victory, falling back with them in de- feat and suffering with them in military prisons; had mingled with them in col- lege halls as student, chaplain and pro- fessor; had sat with them around forest campfires after a day's sport ; had minis- tered to their souls as pastor and priest, and no man was more highly esteemed among men, nor more genuinely wel- comed to their homes, their places of business and their pleasures than he. His love of athletics and of "out of doors" that took him out and into the wonders and beauties of nature, attracted men in admiration for the minister who could do the things they did, enjoyed the things they did, and then in noblest sentiment could describe earth's wonders, always keeping in view the God who created, the King to whom he owed allegiance and for whose service he would win them. So one of the "manliest of men," as he stood in the pulpit and in eloquent words spoke for his Master, he impressed his hearers and carried conviction to their souls, as in the deep rich voice with which he was endowed, he told the "old, old story" of the Cross. His sunny heart, kindly greeting, sympathetic word and gracious mien all added to his influence over men and gave him opportunity to reach those who were beyond the reach of his pulpit preaching.
Dr. Converse was endowed with an ex- ceptional memory coupled with remark- able clearness of thought founded upon thorough and profound scholarship throughout his life. His intellectual abil- ity is reflected in the broad field of activ- ity covered by his numerous essays and addresses other than those of a theologi- cal nature. Of his sermons it has been said: "A clear and profound preacher with a splendid command of language, his sermons and addresses were models of sanctified public oratory replete with sound learning."
As a scholar and for part of his life as a teacher, his breadth and depth of learn- ing was remarkable, including intensive studies and researches at different periods in the various fields of theology and liter- ature, history, science, philosophy. His command of languages was also note- worthy, including a fluent use of French, Italian and German, and a thorough working knowledge of Spanish, Latin, Greek, Hebrew and Arabic, and to a lesser degree of Sanscrit. Dr. Converse never published any of his sermons or other papers. At various times, however, colleges and institutions have reprinted individual pieces, some of which obtained a considerable circularization.
He died at his residence, St. Luke's rectory, September 20, 1915. A city mourns the loss of a valued citizen as a parish mourns a well loved pastor and a church mourns the loss of one of her brightest lights. At his last sad rites the Rt. Rev. William D. Walker, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York, officiated, assisted by the rectors of other Episcopal churches of Rochester, while vestrymen, wardens and members of his own parish vied with city and county officials in rendering him honor by their presence. He was laid at rest in Mount Hope Cemetery. He married
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Mary A. Howard, of Corning, New York, who survives him with two sons, Paul Howard McGregor and Rob Roy Stearns Converse.
CURRAN, Richard, M. D., Physician, Philanthropist.
The man who has lived for others and who has brought into exercise the best energies of his mind and heart that he might make the world the brighter and better for his having lived in it, cannot fail to be possessed of a serenity of soul which makes itself felt in every word and in every action. Such a man was the late Dr. Richard Curran, of Rochester, New York, whose influence will be felt long after his earthly remains have crumbled into dust. To have achieved fame in one direction is conceded to be an enviable condition by the majority of human beings, but in the late Dr. Curran we had a man who had attained honor and emi- nence as a soldier, a statesman, a business man and a philanthropist. In every in- stance he always labored for the best in- terests of humanity, with never a thought of self-aggrandizement. His courage and fearlessness in the face of dangers which might well have daunted the bravest men, his personal self-sacrifice, his executive ability and foresight, and his talent for conducting a number of important affairs to a successful issue at the same time, were little short of marvelous. He had endeared himself to all classes, and he was revered, loved and admired far be- yond the measure which falls to the lot of ordinary men.
Dr. Richard Curran was born near Innis, County Clare, Ireland, January 13, 1838, and died in Rochester, New York, June 1, 1915. In the year 1850 he came to this country with his parents. His edu- cation had been commenced in his native
land, and in this country it was continued at the public schools of Seneca Falls, New York, where his parents made their home, and completed by a course at the Seneca Falls Academy. He devoted himself to the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Davis, of Seneca Falls, and at Harvard University, completing his medical course in 1859. His career during the progress of the Civil War was a notably honorable one. Early in 1861 he assisted in raising two companies, and with these joined the Thirty-third Regiment, New York Vol- unteer Infantry, a two years' regiment, and was mustered into service, May 22, 1861. He was made hospital steward, and soon afterward appointed assistant surgeon, remaining with this regiment until its close of service, in May, 1863. In July, 1863, he was mustered into the Sixth Regiment, New York Cavalry, as assistant surgeon, and in September, 1864, was mustered into the Ninth Regi- ment, New York Cavalry, as surgeon, with which rank he remained until the close of the war, being honorably dis- charged at Clauds Mills, Virginia, July 17, 1865, as brevet major. During the greater part of his term of service he was in charge of brigade and division operat- ing corps, and engaged in organizing field hospitals, and as he had a great liking for conservative surgery, he performed many difficult operations and resections which attracted much attention at the time. (See "Medical Records of the Re- bellion"). Dr. Curran was awarded the medal of honor of the Loyal Legion of the United States of America for valor and courage displayed at the battle of Antietam, and following is an account in his own words:
To the Hon. Russell A. Alger, Secretary of War:
On the morning of September 17, 1862, the command to which I belonged (33rd N. Y. Inf.
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Richard Curren, M. D.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Vol. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Div., 6th Corps) after a forced march arrived on the battlefield of Antie- tam. My regiment and brigade were immedi- ately put into action; I was the only medical officer present with the regiment at that time, and in the absence of orders how to proceed or where to report, I decided to follow my regi- ment, and this brought me at once in the midst of a terrible battle which lasted but a short time, as the enemy, after a stubborn resistance, yielded and fell far to the rear. The loss, in killed and wounded sustained by the Third Bri- gade in this charge and subsequent effort to hold the position was three hundred and thirteen (313). The ground at this point of the battle- field was a shallow valley, looking east and west, the elevated land on the south being occupied by the Confederates, while the ridge on the north was held by our troops and batteries. From this formation of ground it was impossible for the wounded to reach the field hospitals in the rear without being exposed to the fire of the enemy. In a battle men will suffer their wounds to remain undressed and uncared for for a long time if in a comparatively secure place, rather than expose their lives in seeking surgical atten- tion, and this was the case with our wounded at the time of which I speak. At this time the wounded Union and Confederate numbering many hundreds, preferred remaining close to the ground and in the shelter of the valley, rather than take the risk of seeking care in the rear, as stated above. During the severest of the fight and later on, I was told many times by the officers and men that if I did not seek a place of safety I would surely be killed. I real- ized that the danger was great and that the warnings in a measure were just, but here were the wounded and suffering of my command, and here I believed was my place of duty, even if it cost my life.
Close to the lines, and a little to the right, were a number of stacks of straw. I visited the place and found that many of the disabled had already availed themselves of the protection afforded by these stacks. Without delay I had all the wounded led or carried to this place, and here, with such assistance as I could organize, although exposed to the overhead firing of shot and shell, I worked with all the zeal and strength I could muster, caring for the wounded and dying until far into the night. In the report of the commanding officer of the brigade I am mentioned twice, in one place as follows: "Assistant Surgeon Richard Curran, Thirty- third New York Volunteers, was in charge of
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