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. 3 > Part 13
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Company, the pioneer profit sharing and largest premium giving company in the world.
Mr. Caldwell is one of a number of men who have been called from positions of trust and responsibility in the West to manage large New York City enterprises, and he is one of the men whose names carry weight in banking and business circles from coast to coast. There is something inspiring in the life history of George B. Caldwell, who, beginning at the bottom of the ladder, has won to such a position of eminence in the business world that his speech at the third annual convention of the Investment Bankers' of America was published in all the large papers of the country, and as a message to the business men of America was so strong, so full of encouragement and optimism, that it marked the turn of public sentiment for the better.
His father, Charles Melville Caldwell, born at Jamestown, Chautauqua county, New York, became a substantial farmer of that county. But in 1868 he moved to Ionia county, Michigan, where he in- vested in land and continued prosperous and prominent until his death at the age of sixty-two years. He was a member of the religious body, Disciples of Christ, was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Knights of Pythias, and was an ardent supporter of the Democratic party. His wife, Mary Ann (Kelner) Caldwell, born at Elyria, Ohio, died at the age of thirty-six years, the mother of two sons and three daugh- ters.
George B. Caldwell, eldest child of Charles Melville and Mary Ann (Kelner) Caldwell, was born at Dunkirk, New York, August 24, 1863. and at the age of five years was taken by his parents to Ionia county, Michigan. His early edu- cation was obtained in Ionia public
schools and at Greenville High School was finished, save for a course in com- mercial college at Grand Rapids, com- pleted by graduation in 1881. He taught school the winter following his gradu- ation, then brought his talents, his energy and his ambition to the business world, his first position being as clerk in a hard- ware store at Greenville, Michigan. One year was passed in that capacity, then being offered a position as bookkeeper in the City National Bank of Greenville, he accepted the offer. He was soon pro- moted teller of the bank, a position he held until his resignation in 1888.
These years with the bank had been extremely busy years and crowded with success outside his banking duties. In 1884 he was elected city clerk, and in 1886 he established the first electric light plant in Greenville, a public utility that he afterward sold at a substantial profit. After resigning his position with the Greenville bank, he located in Grand Rapids and there became cashier and chief accountant for Tucker, Hoops & Company, one of the largest lumber manufacturing and wholesale lumber dealing firms in Michigan, operating mills at Chase and Luther, Michigan. For two years he was chief accountant for this great firm, resigning his position in 1900 after his appointment as State Accountant by George W. Stone, State Auditor of Michigan. During his two years service as State accountant, 1900-1902, Mr. Cald- well established a uniform system of ac- counting in all State institutions, boards and commissions.
Mr. Caldwell had won even more than state-wide reputation for his efficiency in handling State accounting, and in 1893 he was appointed national bank examiner by James H. Eckles, then United States comptroller of the currency. He made his headquarters at Detroit during his
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term as national bank examiner, a posi- tion he held until March, 1899, a period of six years. These years had been of inestimable value to the young man not only in giving him the closest possible connection with national banking and financiering but in widening his acquain- tance among financiers of national repu- tation.
From 1899 until 1902 he was assistant cashier of the Merchants' National Bank of Indianapolis. From 1902 until 1910 he was manager of the bond department of the American Trust Company and Sav- ings Bank of Chicago. In 1910 that insti- tution was merged with the Continental and Commercial Trust Company and Savings Bank, Mr. Caldwell continuing as manager of the bond department of the consolidated banks, which united formed one of the largest banking institutions in this country.
With the year 1912, Mr. Caldwell reached executive position, being elected a vice-president of the bank he had so long served as manager of its bond de- partment. His peculiar qualifications for executive management were again recog- nied in 1912 by his election to the presi- dency of the newly organized Investment Bankers' Association of America, an as- sociation of the bond investment houses of the United States, which Mr. Caldwell had taken an active part in forming. He continued president of the association until November, 1914, when he resigned, and on December Ist, following, he offered his resignation as vice-president of the Continental and Commercial Trust and Savings Bank, having been elected presi- dent of the Sperry & Hutchinson Com- pany. He entered upon his duties as president of that great company, January 1, 1915, and has since made New York City his home.
The magnitude of the business of which Mr. Caldwell is the honored head is little
realized, so great has been its develop- ment and so rapid its growth. The Sperry & Hutchinson Company were the pio- neers in their system of profit sharing through premium giving, and it is esti- mated that more than one hundred mil- lions of dollars are employed in their business. The executive management of this vast business is a task not lightly to be assumed, but the years of training with great financial institutions and the great responsibilities he has heretofore successfully carried have thoroughly fitted Mr. Caldwell for that important duty. He is one of the able financiers and executives of his day and generation, and to experience he adds ability, energy, strength of character and a nobility of purpose that marks the well poised capa- ble leader of men.
While a New York man by birth, he has a love for the county and State of his boyhood, youth and manhood years, and in his accumulation of real estate, Ionia county, Michigan, has been given a strong preference. His holding of land in that county is large and includes the homestead farm to which he was taken when a boy of but five years.
He is a member of the Midday Club, the Union League, Oak Park Club, all of Chicago, and is past president of the last named; the Aldine Club and New York Athletic Club, also Baltusral Golf Club and Wykagyl Golf Club. He is a past president of the Michigan Society of Chicago, and is now president of the Michigan Society of New York, and is a member of both the Masonic and Knights of Pythias orders. He is a Congregational- ist in religious faith, and in politics an Independent.
Mr. Caldwell married, in 1886, Lucy S. Patrick, of Ionia county, Michigan. They have a daughter, Helen Marie Cald- well.
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DURAND, John Ewing,
Lawyer, Active in Community Affairs.
Thoroughly conversant with the details of his profession, energetic in all his com- mercial transactions, as well as honorable and high minded in all the different phases of life, John Ewing Durand occupies an enviable position among his fellow citizens, who willingly accord to him a place in their front ranks, not alone for his many professional and business qualities, but for every trait that marks the true Christian gentleman and man of honor.
The Durands of Rochester descend from Samuel Durand, an early Colonial settler of New England, where the line is traced for two and a half centuries. The first of this branch to settle in Rochester was Frederick L. Durand, a lawyer, in 1845, coming from the State of Connecticut. He practiced law at the Monroe county bar from 1845 until his death in 1903, leaving to his two sons, John E. and Harrison C., an unsullied name. He married Lydia W. Powers, a native of Vermont, descended from one of the oldest families of that State, and a stepdaughter of Judge William Buell. They were the parents of four children, John E. Durand being the only surviving member of the family.
John E. Durand was born in Rochester, New York, February 5, 1856, son of that distinguished lawyer and citizen, Fred- erick L. Durand and his wife, Lydia W. (Powers) Durand. Reared in the city of his nativity, Mr. Durand was a student in the Satterlee Collegiate Institute and the Wilson Grammar School. Subse- quently he attended Yale and was gradu- ated on the completion of a successful course, class of 1876. He was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon (Yale). Tak- ing up the study of law with his father
he entered upon active practice as his father's partner, which connection con- tinued until the death of Frederick L. Durand in 1903, since which time he has practiced alone, much of his time being given, however, to the management of large estates and other legal work of this nature, as well as to the care of his per- sonal holdings and investments.
Mr. Durand is a director in the Roches- ter Trust & Safe Deposit Company, presi- dent of Brick Church Institute, a charter member of the Genesee Valley Club, of Rochester, and belongs to Frank R. Law- rence Lodge, No. 797, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and Hamilton Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He is a member of the Kent Club, composed of prominent attorneys of Rochester, the Rochester Historical Society and the University and Country clubs of Rochester. His re- ligious faith is indicated by his member- ship in the Brick (Presbyterian) Church, and his devotion to the public welfare is
manifested by his active cooperation in many movements and measures for the public good. For many years he served as a member of the Board of Park Com- missioners for Rochester, in which con- nection he accomplished much in beauti- fying and improving the city through its great park system.
He has also been active and helpful in the cause of education, serving as com- missioner of schools for some years. He is a trustee of the Industrial School, the objects of which are to gather into the school destitute children, and to take care of young children through the day, while their mothers are at work. In fact, no good work done in the name of charity or religion seeks his cooperation in vain, and he brings to bear in his work of this character the same discrimination and thoroughness which are manifest in his business life. He stands to-day as a type
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of the American citizen whose interests are broad and whose labors are a mani- festation of a recognition of the respon- sibilities of wealth.
In 1894 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Durand and Lillie C. McConnell, daughter of Robert Y. McConnell, of Rochester. They have one son, Samuel Ewing, now at Yale. Mrs. Durand has also taken a prominent place in the vari- ous charitable and social activities of Rochester, serving on many boards, and giving of her time and means for the improvement of conditions of the poor. She occupies a leadership in social circles for which her grace and accomplishments eminently fit her. Their home is one of the principal centers of refined and culti- vated society in Rochester.
DURAND, Harrison C., Lumber Expert, Financier.
For a quarter of a century Harrison C. Durand was identified with the lumber business in Rochester, the city of his birth, although the last three years of his life were largely spent in efforts to regain his health. He spent the winters of those years under California and Florida skies, hoping much from the balmy air and healthful conditions of those States, but the edict had gone forth and at the age of forty-eight years his earthly career closed.
Harrison C. Durand, second son of Frederick L. and Lydia W. (Powers) Durand, was born in Rochester, August 4, 1860, died in his native city, November 1, 1908. He was educated and prepared for college at Rochester Free Academy, entered the University of Rochester but before completing his course withdrew to enter business life. He chose the lumber industry as the line of activity he would engage in, and for twenty-five years followed closely the choice of his younger years. He became a lumber
expert and as a business man and finan- cier ranked very high. For many years he was treasurer and general manager of the Hollister Lumber Company of Rochester, one of the largest and most important lumber companies of New York State. While highly regarded by his business associates and by all with whom he came in contact, Mr. Durand's warm social nature drew to him a large circle of true friends, attracted and held solely by a most pleasing personality combined with most manly qualities. He was a charter member of the Genesee Valley and the Rochester Country clubs, in both very popular and active. He met all the requirements of good citizenship and will long be remembered as an honorable, efficient business man, a true friend and a most companionable gentleman.
MAHON, George S., Rev. Clergyman, Friend of Education.
When appointed by the Rt. Rev. Bishop John Grimes, September 11, 1913, pastor of the Church of the Most Holy Rosary at Syracuse, Father Mahon was a priest without a parish. The boundaries of his territory were drawn shortly after his arrival, and on October 6 a site for a church selected and the work of organiz- ing a parish commenced.
There was no hall or building within the confines of his parish in which he could bring his parishoners together, but that fact did not deter him in the least. Within eighteen working days a tempo- rary frame church with a seating capacity of six hundred was erected, many people cooperating to erect the building quickly, and the first mass celebrated, December 8, 1913. The church was built before the congregation was organized. By the time two years had elapsed. an imposing brick edifice stood adjoining the site of the orig- inal frame structure. This new edifice, a
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combination church, school and social cen- ter for the parish, stands on Bellevue ave- nue, between Roberts and Hubble ave- nues, a site acknowledged to be one of the most beautiful in residential Syracuse, on Bellevue Heights, overlooking the city. Ground was broken for this new permanent structure, July 20, 1914, the cornerstone laid October 4, and the first services held in the edifice, March 25, 1915. The per- sonality of the man who from practically nothing wrought such wondrous results in so short a time, becomes of interest as a man of exceptional executive ability, an organizer and an eloquent pulpit orator.
George S. Mahon was born in Syra- cuse, New York, February 1, 1860, third child of Patrick Samson and Catherine (Foley) Mahon. who came from Ireland to the United States in 1848. Patrick S. Mahon was born in Drumsna, Leitrim, Ireland, in 1829, died at Oxford, New York, February 13, 1893. Catherine Foley was born near Boyle, Sligo, Ire- land, in 1830, died at Oxford, New York, July 22, 1894. Both are buried in the family plot at Fayetteville, New York. They came from Ireland at about the same time, met in Syracuse and were married in 1852. Shortly after his mar- riage Mr. Mahon obtained a position as engineer on the New York Central Rail- road, which position he held until 1862 when he moved to Dry Hill, near Fayette- ville. Near there was the home of a young man who later was to receive from his fellow citizens the highest office within their gift, Grover Cleveland. They became fast friends and though rank and distance later widely separated them, their friendship was never broken save by death. In 1878 he went west and located in Harney county. Oregon, and in 1880 his wife joined him there. They re- mained in Oregon until 1892 when, both having been seriously injured in an acci-
dent, they expressed a desire to return to New York, that they might spend their declining days among friends and kindred. In the spring of that year, Father Mahon brought them to his home in Oxford where they spent the little time remain- ing them for earthly residence. Patrick Mahon was a good speaker, expressing himself forcibly and easily. He also was a writer of ability. Mrs. Mahon is re- membered in the neighborhood of Fay- etteville, where the family home was located, for her open mind and hand and her deep human sympathy. They had children : James F., John J., George S., William H., and Catherine, the latter dying in infancy. Although a personal friend of Grover Cleveland and of Gov- ernor Horatio Seymour, Patrick Mahon never sought or held any political office.
George S. Mahon acquired his early education in district schools, and in 1871, being then eleven years of age, he entered Manlius Union School and a year later became a student at Fayetteville Acad- emy where he was graduated, March 22, 1878. During those years he gave evi- dence of the qualities made manifest in his later life. He excelled in oratory, mathematics and in history, his fellow students of the academy recognizing his merit by electing him president of the William Cullen Bryant Literary Society. After graduation from the academy he felt the call of the priesthood. His father, and his brothers, John J., James F. and William H., were settled in Oregon en- gaged in stock raising and farming. His mother had remained behind with her boy, but when he was well embarked upon his studies for the priesthood she too went west and left him alone. He entered Niagara University in the fall of 1878 and there again excelled in history, literature and mathematics. He was graduated Bachelor of Arts in June, 1883, winning class honors. In 1886 his alma
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mater conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. From his graduation in 1883 until his ordination to the priest- hood he was pursuing his theological studies at the Seminary of Our Lady of Angels, Niagara University, and at St. Joseph's Provincial Seminary, Troy, New York, which he entered in January, 1884. There he was president of St. Joseph's Literary Society and otherwise won ap- preciation. He was ordained December 18, 1886, by the Rt. Rev. Francis McNer- ney, D. D., Bishop of Albany.
His first appointment was assistant to the pastor of Saint Mary's Church, Os- wego, New York, where he displayed a commendable zeal in his holy calling. A year later he was transferred to Saint Paul's Church, Whitesboro, as assistant to the pastor, Rev. John Grimes, later bishop of Syracuse. He spent sixteen months at Whitesboro, then was ap- pointed pastor of Saint Joseph's Church at Oxford, New York. Although the Catholic population of southern Chenan- go was widely scattered, Father Mahon labored zealously and was a true apostle of the church. At Greene he purchased and paid for the Catholic church within six weeks after his appointment. He labored in Oxford fourteen years, win- ning the love of his own people and the respect of all. There too he endured the sorrow of the loss of both parents whom he had brought from Oregon to end their days with him.
Father Mahon always evinced particu- lar interest in the children of his parish and community. This interest in Oxford was expressed in a class to whom he offered, gratis, training in declamation and debate, Catholic and non-Catholic students alike availing themselves of his offer of tutelage. Soon the medals and prizes offered by Oxford and neighboring academies were being won by the stu- dents who had been instructed and de-
veloped by him. From his class went out many who later became men of prominence in different professions, who acknowledge their debt to the training received from such an able and trained public speaker.
At Oxford he practically reorganized the mission work of his field and won commendation for his earnest, successful efforts. On January 25, 1903, he was transferred to the church at Pompey and there his favorite interest found methods of expression. He labored for the cause of education with all his might and was elected president of the Board of Educa- tion, which position he held during the ten years of his pastorate in that historic town. His love of history found expres- sion in the staging of a series of annual historic celebrations which became fa- mous throughout all central and western New York. These celebrations were in the nature of tableaux: "The Coming of Father Le Moyne," "The Discovery of Salt in Salina," "The Irish Peddler," "Governor Seymour's Day," "Moses De Witt," "The Centennial Celebration of Pompey Academy," and others. Father Mahon also took up the fight against the lax sale of liquor in the towns of Pompey, Fabius and La Fayette, because of the great injury it was inflicting upon youth and manhood. He appealed to the people to refuse license privileges for the sale of liquor in their townships, and after a bitter contest no license prevailed and this has since been the law of that sec- tion.
The twenty-fifth anniversary of his or- dination to the priesthood was marked by a most beautiful testimonial of the appre- ciation of his people. A purse of three thousand two hundred and fifty dollars was presented him to defray the expenses of a tour of Europe and the Holy Land. He spent the spring and summer of 1913 in foreign lands, and upon his return was
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notified of his appointment as pastor of the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Syracuse, New York. The results of his work there in the two years since ap- pointment have been remarkable. His parish has felt both the spiritual and temporal effects of his enthusiasm and have responded nobly to his efforts in their behalf. His interest in the children has provided a school wherein they may be trained for future usefulness. The cost of this building, fully equipped, was $125,000. The present estimated value of his church property is $250,000. Over four hundred pupils, now in daily attend- ance, are taught by ten Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He also has charge of the House of Providence, 1164 West Onondaga street, where some two hundred boys, mostly orphans, are cared for by twelve Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul.
Striking in his personal appearance, powerful in denunciation of wrong, mas- ter of the art of pleading, a lover of chil- dren, he is the champion of righteousness and a fearless opponent of evil. His home is at the rectory, No. 1103 Bellevue avenue. His assistants are the Rev. Thomas H. Quinn and the Rev. Anthony J. Logan.
CLARKE, John J.,
Civil War Veteran, Real Estate Operator.
John J. Clarke, treasurer of the county of Onondaga, is a native of England, born in Rochdale, in 1848, the youngest of a family of twelve children. His father, James Clarke, was a native of Ireland, a farmer, having charge of a large estate in England. His mother was Mary (Ma- loney) Clarke.
John J. Clarke was very early made ac- quainted with the necessity of industry in sustaining one's self, and at the age of nine years entered a mill, where he con-
tinued to be employed until 1861, when he came to America, being then thirteen years of age. For a time he resided in Mar- cellus, Onondaga county, New York, where he was engaged in the woolen fac- tory, making army cloth. At the early age of sixteen years he enlisted in the de- fence of his adopted country, September 6, 1864, as a member of Company D, One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Regiment New York Volunteers. Only eight days after his enlistment this regiment arrived at the firing line in front of Petersburg, and young Clarke participated in all the battles succeeding that, around Peters- burg and Richmond, down to and includ- ing Appomattox. His regiment was de- tailed to receive the surrender of Lee's army. After peace was restored, young Clarke returned to Onondaga county, and worked on farms in the neighborhood of Skaneateles for three years, settling. in Syracuse in 1868. For the period of twenty-six years he was employed in the railway mail service, and resigned in 1907, since which time he has engaged with success in the real estate business. He has always been prominent in Grand Army matters, and was junior vice-com- mander of Root Post, and commander in IgII.
Mr. Clarke has always been a loyal supporter of Republican principles and policies, and has taken an active part in the councils of his party. In 1908 he was a candidate for the nomination for the office of county treasurer, but withdrew in favor of another, and the same con- ditions again obtained in 1911. In 1914, in spite of the fierce opposition of the organization whom he had for so many years faithfully sustained, he won out in the Republican district primaries, and was triumphantly elected by a larger ma- jority than any other candidate on the ticket. He is a member of the Citizens' Club of Syracuse, the Republican Escort,
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and the local lodge, Knights of Pythias. Mr. Clarke has constructed over two hundred thousand dollars worth of build- ings in Syracuse, and has contributed ma- terially to the advancement and welfare of the city, to whose best interests he is warmly devoted.
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