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 18
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Augusta Maria (Boardman) Smith was born in South Westerlo, Albany county, New York, March 16, 1819, the youngest daughter and child in the family. She cast her lot with that never-to-be-forgot- ten, liberal-minded, energetic, trustworthy townsman, William Brown Smith, who for nearly sixty years made Syracuse his home and place of residence. They were married in the home they afterwards made their own for many years, but which at the time was owned and occupied by Alanson Thorp, who married Lucy Boardman, a sister of Mrs. Smith. For sixty years Mrs. Smith acted as queen of
this household and only relinquished its control when weight of years and the hand of time made her pleased to turn to her only daughter, Mrs. Edward A. Powell, who had always made her home with her, and yield to her the domestic power she had so long held ; this enabled her to live a life of freedom from care for a year or more, and happy in her ability to amuse herself with her garden, of which she was passionately fond, and to be able to visit her son whose ill health had driven him, with his family, to the Pacific coast, and there for a few weeks she was able to see and realize the beau- ties and glories of that beautiful land of fruit and flowers, in company with her son and his family, whom she held so dear. Upon her return home she visited all those cities of which she had read and heard so much, this being a crowning act and a fitting one to her long and useful life. Always pure in heart as well as in spirit, she kept her mind singularly free from the gossips and slanders that fill in so much of the life of the women of our day. Always being desirous of being helpful, she gave of her strength and sub- stance freely until saddened by the loss of her husband, when she turned to her friends and her flowers, in that quiet and unostentatious way that left her as one forgotten except to those into whose life she was able to throw some sunshine and happiness. An intelligent and careful reader, she had stored her mind with much that lends polish and grace to a person of years and made her a charming companion. Abhoring cant and falsity she tried by her words and her acts to teach truth, right living, pure thoughts and a spirit of peace and love towards all. Almost too outspoken in her desire to express her abhorence of what she con- sidered base and ignoble or false, she never willingly gave offence but was al- ways fearless in her utterance. She was
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long identified with the Unitarian church and was for many years a regular attend- ant. Her home was her realm and there she ruled through love, justice and con- tentment. Four children were born to her: Lucy C., who became the wife of Edward A. Powell, aforementioned ; Wing R., of whom further; William Judson, who died in Monrovia, Califor- nia, October 5, 1907, and who married Laura Geddes, daughter of James and Frances Terry Geddes, having a son, Wil- liam Brown Smith; Julia, who died in early childhood. The mother of these children passed away December 26, 1906, and was laid in beautiful Oakwood Ceme- tery, which her husband did so much to establish and beautify.
Wing R. Smith was born in Syracuse, New York, on West Genesee street, March 9, 1850, and has always maintained a residence in that city, where he at present resides at No. 601 Park avenue, corner of Van Rensselaer street. He re- ceived his education at the public and private schools in Syracuse, having been under the instruction of W. W. Ray- mond in old No. 5 or Prescott School, and under T. D. Camp in old No. 7 or Putnam School. From those he went to Peekskill Military Academy, on the Hud- son, and remained one year, and in the year 1868 he entered Cornell University under Andrew D. White, affiliating him- self with the Kappa Alpha Society, in which he still maintains great interest. After two years spent in the study of agriculture at Cornell he spent a winter in the National Greenhouses in Wash- ington, D. C., under Mr. William Saunders, and later returned to Syracuse and entered into the employ of the firm of Smith, Clark & Powell. A year and a half spent in Europe, mostly in Paris, Berlin, and Hanover, in studying the French and German languages, and in travel over northern Europe, brought him
back to his native land and city, and here he again connected ( himself with his father's business until he was admitted to partnership in 1877, with his father, brother and brother-in-law, also An- thony Lamb, under the firm name of Smiths, Powell & Lamb, and which later became incorporated under the name of Smiths & Powell Company, and during this time Mr. Smith made a number of trips to Europe and there made selections of animals for his firm, a number of which have gone down in history as animals of great achievements, and from these were founded the world renowned families of Holstein-Friesian cattle known as Aaggie, Netherland, Clothilde, Artis, Alexander, numbers of which have become famous alike in the production of milk and butter and in the show ring as well, and at the present time (1915) many of the greatest animals of the breed trace directly to these families. In the division of the lands after the death of Mr. Smith, Sr., aforementioned, Mr. Wing R. Smith be- came the owner of the farm and stables at what is known as "Lakeland," where he maintains a large herd of beautiful Holstein-Friesian cattle. Succeeding his father as treasurer of the Holstein-Fries- ian Association of America, Mr. Smith has since held that exalted position and under his management of the funds the association has grown to be the most influential and wealthiest association of its kind in the world. Mr. Smith is a vice-president of the New York State Agricultural Society, secretary of the Hol- stein-Friesian Breeders' Club of New York State, a trustee in the Syracuse Savings Bank, in Oakwood Cemetery, in St. Joseph's Hospital Aid Society, a director in the Farmers' and Traders' Life Insurance Company, and also holds other important and responsible positions. He is a member of the Citizens' Club of Syracuse, the City Club of Syracuse, and
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other social and fraternal organizations of the city and State.
Mr. Smith married, December 21, 1881, Mary A., daughter of Payn and Hannah (Munro) Bigelow, of Baldwinsville, New York. Three daughters were born to them: Hannah Munro, who became the wife of Lewis Dudley Waters, of Hast- ings, Michigan, where they and their two daughters, Jane and Betty, reside ; Esther Wing, unmarried, living with her parents ; Dorothy Bigelow, who became the wife of Oscar Frank Soule, and with their son, Channing F., live in Syracuse, Mr. Soule being connected with the firm of Merrell-Soule Company.
MAGEE, Walter Warren, Lawyer, Congressman.
Walter Warren Magee was born at Groveland, Livingston county, New York, May 23, 1861, a son of John and Mariet (Patchin) Magee. He attended the com- mon schools and Geneseo State Normal, was graduated from Phillips Exeter Acad- emy at Exeter, New Hampshire, in the class of 1885 and from Harvard College in the class of 1889, receiving an honor- able, mention in history and political economy and delivering his class day oration.
His paternal grandfather came to this country with two of his brothers from the north of Ireland in 1792. His father, John Magee, was born in 1812 at Grove- land. His mother, whose maiden name was Mariet Patchin, was the granddaugh- ter of Dr. Warren Patchin, who founded Patchinsville, Steuben county, New York. She was of New England Yankee and Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry, and died in 1892. His father and mother were mem- bers of the Presbyterian church. He was the sixth of a family of nine children : Frances, Luella, Charles M., John C., Jane, Walter W., Edward M., Evangia
and Mary. His brother, Charles M., a prominent surgeon in Syracuse, died in October, 1896. His brother, Edward M., is now serving his third term in the New York State Assembly from Livingston county. His father was prominent in the old training days in the State, and in 1842 was made a colonel in the State militia, receiving his commission from Governor William H. Seward. He was a Democrat in politics until the election of 1860, when he cast his first Republican vote for Abraham Lincoln. He died in 1890.
Of the three Magee brothers who came to this country in 1792, one settled in the south and was lost track of. Mr. Magee's grandfather located at Groveland and the third brother also in the north. John Magee, a son of this third brother, served with distinction in the War of 1812. He resided in Bath, New York, and later became a member of Congress, serving in that body from 1828 to 1832.
In September, 1889, Walter W. Magee located in Syracuse. He studied law in the offices of Baldwin, Lewis & Kennedy, and in November, 1891, was admitted to the bar. He served as a member of the board of supervisors of Onondaga county in the session of 1892-93. In 1896 he be- came the law partner of Charles G. Bald- win, Esq., with whom he is still asso- ciated. He was corporation counsel of the city of Syracuse for ten years from January I, 1904, serving under Mayors Fobes and Schoeneck. In November, 1914, he was elected to the Sixty-fourth Congress as the representative of the Thirty-fifth District, New York, by ap- proximately 8,000 plurality. He is fond of outdoor sports and recreation. He is a member of the Citizens' Club, Chamber of Commerce, Century Club, Onondaga Golf and Country Club, University Club, Harvard Club of Syracuse, Hasty Pud- ding Club of Harvard, Masonic Temple
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Club, Syracuse Escort and Banner Young Men's Republican Club.
He was married, at Fort Niobrara, Nebraska, in 1895, to Sarah Genevieve Wood, a daughter of Brigadier-General Palmer G. Wood, who now resides at Los Angeles, California. They have no children.
WARD, Levi, Connecticut Tract Agent.
From early Colonial days the name Ward has been prominently known in New England, and since 1816 has been a familiar and honored one in Western New York, its introduction following by but a few years the first settlement at Falls Town, now the city of Rochester. Dr. Levi Ward, grandfather of Frank Addison Ward, came to Bergen, a village of Genesee county, eighteen miles south- west of Rochester, in 1816, as agent for the State of Connecticut. His mission was to dispose of 100,000 acres of land known as the "Connecticut Tract" belong- ing to the school fund of that State. Bergen, being located in about the center of the tract, was chosen as his first resi- dence but he soon afterward made Rochester his home. Dr. Ward's agency for the sale of the "Connecticut Tract" continued during his lifetime and at his death passed to his son, Levi A. Ward, who acted as agent until it was all sold. Dr. Levi Ward was born in Haddam, Connecticut, was a graduate of Yale Col- lege, and practiced medicine in Haddam until coming to Western New York.
WARD, Levi A.,
Pioneer, Enterprising Citizen.
Levi A. Ward, son of Dr. Levi Ward, was born in Haddam, Connecticut, in 1801, died in Rochester, New York, Au- gust 6, 1881. He came to Rochester with
his father in 1816, and as that city was also in its infancy at that time they liter- ally grew up together, Mr. Ward bearing an important part in the development of his adopted city throughout a long and useful life. He began business life as a merchant, but later became very promi- nent in the insurance world as agent and official. His partner in mercantile life was William H. Ward, but after entering the insurance business Mr. Ward asso- ciated with his son, Levi F. Ward, under the firm name of L. A. & L. F. Ward. Their agency was a very successful one, representing a number of the strongest fire insurance companies and has never passed out of the family name, being now conducted by a grandson of the founder as Levi S. Ward & Company. In 1836 Levi A. Ward aided in the organization of the Monroe County Mutual Insurance Company, of which he was secretary until it passed out of existence through voluntary liquidation in 1865. That com- pany during its twenty-nine years of life wrote $100,000,000 of insurance and when the books were finally closed, a surplus remained that was voted as a gift to the Rochester Female Charitable Society of which Mr. Ward was also secretary. He was one of the organizers of the original Rochester Gas Company and its president from incorporation until its absorption by another company. The public service rendered by Mr. Ward to his city and its institutions were exceedingly varied and weighty. While still a young man he served several terms on the board of supervisors and was the first president of the board of education. From 1845 to 1847 he was a member of Common Coun- cil and in 1849 was elected mayor. The years of his term were also Ireland's years of suffering from the "great" famine, suffering that Rochester under the active lead of Mayor Ward did a great deal to relieve by donations of money and pro-
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visions. In 1849 the Rochester Athen- aeum adopted a new constitution and under its provisions Mr. Ward was chosen president until the new year began, then was elected for a full term. He was a member of the first board of directors of the City Hospital, a director of the Industrial School and a manager of the House of Refuge, serving for one year as president of the board. He was a member of the building committees in charge of the erection of the old Monroe court house, the old county poor house and the city hall (1850) and the Rochester City Bank building. For many years he was an elder of the First Presbyterian Church, and for fifteen years was super- intendent of the Sunday school. He aided in organizing and founding St. Peter's Presbyterian Church, was chosen one of its first elders and for many years served in that capacity.
It was said of Mr. Ward by one of his contemporaries : "He was always a vigorous and pushing man and possessed in the best sense those qualities which make the successful man, the kind neigh- bor, the good citizen. He was by nature a leader and when he supported a move- ment he was sure to make his influence felt for its good. His ideas were broad and well defined, while the power to execute them was illustrated in many and varied fields." Said another. "He was regarded as a safe and accurate judge of securities and large matters were entrusted to him." The death of Mr. Ward was genuinely regretted by his community, for during his long career he had served the public without consideration of personal inter- ests and his sterling qualities of mind and heart had won perfect confidence and loyal esteem.
He married Harriet Kemp, born in England, daughter of George Kemp, who came to Livingston county, New York, in 1825. Children : Levi F., deceased ;
Frank Addison, of further mention ; Her- bert L., of Rochester; Rev. George K., of New York City ; , married Au- gustus Waters, deceased ; Mary, deceased.
WARD, Frank Addison, 1
Head of Natural Science Establishment.
Frank Addison Ward, son of Levi A. and Harriet (Kemp) Ward, was born in Rochester, New York, 1851. He prepared at Satterlee Collegiate Institute of Rochester, then entered Princeton Uni- versity, whence he was graduated Bach- elor of Arts, class of 1870. From 1870 until 1875 he was associated with his father in the fire insurance business, then became identified with the business of which he is now the executive head. The business founded by Henry A. Ward was incorporated in 1890 as Ward's Natural Science Establishment, Henry A. Ward, president, Frank A. Ward, treasurer. Upon the death of the president in 1906 Frank A. Ward succeeded him as direct- ing head of a business whose value in the promotion of knowledge is little under- stood outside educational circles. The mission of the establishment is to supply colleges, museums and collectors in this country and Europe with natural history specimens of any kind or in any quantity desired. This requires the establishment to carry large and varied stocks and to this end they are themselves large col- lectors of rare and valuable specimens. As president and treasurer of the estab- lishment and in the collection, description and classification of specimens, Mr. Ward's time would seem to be fully occupied, but he has been a director of the Merchants' Bank for several years and a director of the Rochester Trust & Safe Deposit Company since its incorporation.
Like his honored father Mr. Ward is keenly alive to his responsibilities as a citizen and has devoted a generous por-
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tion of his time to the public service of his city. For twelve years he has served as a member of Common Council and has always been found among the supporters of those measures and identified with those movements tending to promote the common good. He is a Republican in politics, an Episcopalian in religious faith and for nearly forty years has been a vestryman of Christ Parish of which he is now senior warden. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and of the Genesee Valley and Rochester Country clubs.
He married Mary H., daughter of Wil- liam B. Douglas, of Rochester. Their living children are : William Douglas, M. D .; Frank Hawley; Charlotte, married Commander Amon Bronson, of the United States navy ; Emma, married Wil- liam G. Woolfolk, of Chicago; George Merritt ; Marie, married Harold G. Bent- ley, of Rochester ; Cornelia ; Dudley L.
RANDALL, James A., Accomplished Architect.
It does not need the name of the artist on a painting to determine who the artist was and so it is with the really talented architect. His work bears the imprint of his genius and can everywhere be distin- guished from that of others. So with the pretentious buildings planned by Mr. Randall. He has an original manner of treating the different orders of architec- ture and so designing a building that its location, material and design all blend into one complete and harmonious whole. In fact the genius he displays in creating buildings that harmonize with their sur- roundings, the material of which they are constructed and the purpose for which they are intended, proves that he is an architect and not a draughtman merely or a drawer of tasteful designs.
Mr. Randall has had a wide experience
in designing and construction and it is worthy of comment that the architect under whom he studied and perfected his art, thought so highly of his attainments that for several years they were asso- ciated in partnership as Kirby & Randall, architects of Syracuse, New York.
James A. Randall was born at Syra- cuse, December 21, 1861, son of Colonel James Randall, a former contractor of stone constructive work, and a noted builder. He attended the public schools of Syracuse, and after a course in high school, in 1880 entered the office of James H. Kirby, a leading architect of Syracuse, as an apprentice. He completed a full course of architectural instruction under Mr. Kirby and in his studies went far beyond the routine of office study, thor- oughly mastering every collateral study that would add to his mental and artistic equipment. During the construction of the West Shore railroad he made his home in New York City, being a member of the staff of that company in charge of the architectural designing of its many buildings of various kinds in all cities and towns through which the road passed. This gave him rich experience and so established him in his profession that commissions awaited him upon his return to private designing.
After the completion of the West Shore he returned to Syracuse and accepted the offer of his old instructor, James H. Kirby, to form a partnership. The firm of Kirby & Randall was thus formed and so continued for several years. Later the partnership was dissolved and the firm of Merrick & Randall formed that has existed for the past twenty years.
There are many monuments standing in Syracuse and vicinity to the skill and genius of Mr. Randall, among the most noteworthy the following perhaps, best display his versatility and originality : Carnegie Library, Syracuse; Carnegie
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Library, Solvay; Sacred Heart Polish Church, Syracuse; the reconstructed Church of the Assumption and Convent, Syracuse; the Poultry Building, State Fair Grounds; Temple Theatre, Syra- cuse; residence of Bishop John Grimes, Syracuse ; residence of Edwin F. Torrey, Clinton, New York; Syracuse Vocational School, and Delaware School, Syracuse.
Mr. Randall is a man of strong public spirit and aids with personal work and influence in the management of many of the institutions of his city. He is a mem- ber of the board of managers of Newark Asylum for Feeble Minded Women, also is one of the managers of that great Syra- cuse organization, the Citizens' Club, and that true philanthropy, the Newsboys Club. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and Onondaga Historical Society. Other clubs to which Mr. Randall belongs other than the two mentioned are the Century, Onondaga Country, Bellevue Country, Technology, and the order of Knights of Columbus. He has ever been a devotee of sports of the great "out-of-doors," with a particular liking for tennis, holding with the late A. D. Jenney the local double championship for several years in succession.
BENTON, George Alden, Lawyer, Jurist.
A justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York for many years, Judge Benton reached that high judicial position solely through genuine ability, strength of character and fitness, the honor coming from his fellow-citizens in recognition of the sterling qualities that distinguish him. Although born in Connecticut he is a graduate of New York's two great uni- versities, Cornell and Columbia, his student years marked by a high order of scholarship and honors conferred by his
class. His legal career has been a suc- cession of honors bestowed by his fellow- men, the first in recognition of the high standing he attained during his first ten years of legal practice, each succeeding office filled clearly demonstrating his fidelity to duty and ability to fulfill greater trusts. As practitioner, district attorney, surrogate, county judge and Supreme Court Justice he has justified the confidence reposed in him and the legal records of his State teem with evidences of his learning, wisdom and judicial acumen. His opinions are always clear, profound and logical, delivered in as few words as the character of the case under consideration will permit. His life has been devoted to his profession and every public honor that has come to him has been of a legal character. This does not argue that he is not interested in other things that affect the public welfare -for he is-that interest having been strongly displayed in the cause of educa- tion, in fraternal affiliation, in political activity and many other ways. His inter- est in the Masonic order covers a period of many years and in the Scottish Rite he has attained that greatly coveted degree, the thirty-third, one that is only bestowed in recognition of distinguished service in behalf of the order.
George Alden Benton was born in Tol- land, Connecticut, May 7, 1848, son of Azariah L. and Louisa (Alden) Benton. On his mother's side he traces direct de- scent from John Alden. His youth was spent in acquiring a preparatory educa- tion, followed by two years at Williams College, 1867-68. He then entered Cornell University, receiving from that institution the degree of Bachelor of Arts, class of 1871, he also having been honored with the presidency of his class. For one year after leaving the university he taught school, then entered Columbia Law
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School, New York City, whence he was graduated Bachelor of Laws, class of 1874. He at once began the practice of law, locating in Rochester, New York, where he formed a partnership with Pomeroy P. Dickenson, an association terminated in 1884 by the election of Mr. Benton as district attorney of Monroe county. From 1884 until 1890 he filled that office with credit to himself and benefit to the county, prosecuting vigor- ously when justice so demanded, but ever tempering justice with mercy. From 1890 until 1894 he was engaged in private practice in Rochester, but in the latter year was again called into the public serv- ice through election to the office of sur- rogate of Monroe county. He served as surrogate until 1906, then was appointed by Governor Higgins county judge of Monroe county. He served on the county bench until December 31, 1906, then took his seat upon the Supreme Court bench, having been elected a justice of the Su- preme Court at the general State election held the preceding November. His term of office will expire December 31, 1918. Although a lifelong Republican with potent influence in party councils, he has never sought the preferment and honor received from his party. Quiet and rather reserved in manner he has pursued the even tenor of his way, doing each day's work as it presented itself, growing stronger as the years progressed, shirking no responsibility, but meeting each new demand made upon him by his fellowmen as the call of duty not to be disregarded. He is an honor to an honored profession, and in return for each office conferred has given the people the best of his learning, wisdom, judgment and experience.
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