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 37
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in universal use on both steam and elec- tric cars throughout the world. He engaged in the manufacture of these and other products of his invention, and in producing the well known Omeco line of padlocks and steel office furniture and bank and battleship furniture. He is president of the O. M. Edwards Company, Incorporated, which is now conducting a very extensive business. He is affiliated with the Masonic order, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree, and is associated with Central City Command- ery, No. 25, Knights Templar, of Syra- cuse, New York, and Ziyara Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Utica, New York. He is connected with many clubs of busi- ness and social character, including the Citizens, Century, City, Masonic Temple, Technology, Onondaga Golf and Coun- try, Sedgwick Farm, and Automobile Club, of Syracuse ; the South Bay, Stony Island, Fulton Chain Yacht, New York Railroad, Central Railroad and Trans- portation clubs. His home in Syracuse is located on James street, and he also has a camp in the Adirondacks, called "Paomnyc" at Eagle Bay on Fourth Lake of Fulton Chain.
Mr. Edwards married, in Johnstown, February 3, 1886, Josephine Adele Riton, and they have six children: Joseph Jean, born January 8, 1887; Eleazer Wells, born July II, 1889, died September 13, 1915; Amy Murray, born August 27, 1891 ; Harold, born September 28, 1893; Oliver, born December 29, 1896; Helen Louise, born December 8, 1898.
NICHOLS, Erwin George,
Attorney-at-Law.
"The name Nichols (an abbreviation of Nicholas) is of purely patrician origin, having been invented by the
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Alexandro-Egyptian dynasty as a Cog- nomen for princes," (Patronymica Brit- tanica). By degrees the brevet acquired the permanence of a surname, eventuat- ing in the historic Nicholas family of Europe which has given the church two Popes, besides a long line of nobility. The branch of this celebrated and ancient family from which Erwin George Nichols, of Syracuse, descends settled near Berne, in Switzerland, from whence they came to the United States. His great-grandfather, John Nichols, fought with the Swiss Highlanders in the Na- poleonic wars and in each generation the family in all its branches have displayed high qualities of leadership in whatever station placed. Livingston county, New York, was the early seat of this branch of the family.
Erwin George Nichols is a son of John E. and Sarah E. Nichols, now living retired at Avon, New York, grandson of Smith Nichols, and great-grandson of John Nichols, the Swiss soldier. Erwin G. Nichols was born at Avon, Livingston county, New York, September 8, 1856. He passed through the various public school grades and was graduated from Avon High School, class of "04." He then entered Syracuse University, Col- lege of Liberal Arts, whence he was graduated Bachelor of Philosophy, class of "08," and from the University Law School, Bachelor of Laws, class of "10." He was at once admitted to the Onondaga county bar and has been in continuous practice of his profession since that year as a member of the well known and highly regarded law firm of Wiles, Neily & Nichols, with offices at No. 540-46 Gurney Building, Syracuse.
Mr. Nichols is a Republican in politics ; member of Park Central Presbyterian Church, Syracuse; Phi Delta Phi frater- nity ; the various bar associations of the
city; Central City Lodge, No. 305, Free and Accepted Masons, and all bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, hold- ing all degrees up to and including the thirty-second of Lodge of Perfection, Chapter of Rose Croix, Council Princes of Jerusalem and Consistory. His clubs are the Citizens', City, University, Bellevue Country, all of Syracuse. Although in practice but a few years, Mr. Nichols has demonstrated his fitness for the profes- sion he chose and has gained a large degree of public favor.
MOREY, John Everts,
Journalist.
Journalism in Rochester and the name Morey have been synonymous terms for well on to three-quarters of a century, John Everts Morey, father and son, rep- resenting two generations of the family owning and publishing the Rochester "Daily Advertiser," consolidated with the Rochester "Union" in 1856, the "Union and Advertiser," the Rochester "Herald," and the "Evening Times."
John Everts Morey, Sr., was born in Onondaga county, New York, in 1821, died in Rochester, New York, September II, 1890. He was thrown on his own resources at the age of eleven years, learned the trade of printer, came to Rochester and became one of the promi- nent figures in Western New York jour- nalism. He became owner of the Roches- ter "Daily Advertiser" and was its pub- lisher until 1856 when a consolidation was effected with the Rochester "Union." The new paper the "Union and Adver- tiser" was successfully conducted under the business management of John E. Morey until 1885, when he sold his inter- ests and retired, being sixty-four years of age. He died in Rochester five years later. He married Ann Maria Smith.
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born at New London, Connecticut, in bottom of the ladder. Three years later, :822.
From 1874 until the retirement of Mr. Morey, Sr., in 1885, father and son were contemporaries in the journalistic field, and both interested in the ownership as well as in the management of the "Union and Advertiser." When the senior with- drew the junior Morey continued as a large owner in the Rochester "Herald" until 1895, and since 1901 he has been principal owner of the "Evening Times," president of the Evening Times Company and general manager. There is no posi- tion in a newspaper office he has not filled from press boy to editor and man- ager. Journalism has been his life work and he has never been led astray by the allurements of political office, holding to the chief tenet of the school of journalism in which he was trained that independ- ence was an editor's chief duty to his readers and must be preserved from such obligations as the acceptance of office imposed. Independence and progressive- ness have marked his course and he is one of the best exponents of modern journalism. The "Evening Times" is one of the leading journals of Western New York and in every page breathes the high purpose of its leading spirit, John E. Morey, Jr.
Jolın Everts Morey, Jr., was born in Rochester, New York, November 22, 1856. He has spent his life in his native city and since his eighteenth ycar has been connected with newspaper work. After courses in Rochester private schools he entered DeGraffs Military Academy, completing a four-year course in 1874. He was naturally attracted to the business in which his honored father was so conspicuous, and at the age of eighteen he entered the office of the "Union and Advertiser," beginning at the
in 1877, so rapidly had he advanced, he was admitted to a part ownership. He took an active part in the development of the paper during the next eight years, but in 1885 both Mr. Morey senior and junior sold their interests in the "Union and Advertiser," the elder man retiring from active business. John E. Morey, Jr., at once purchased a large interest in the Rochester "Herald," became its busi- ness manager and for ten years con- tinued in that capacity. In 1895 the "Herald" was sold to a Democratic syndi- cate, Mr. Morey retiring from the paper with the sale of his stock. He was not concerted as owner with any of the city journals for the next five years, but in 1901 again entered the field of journalism as purchaser of the "Evening Times," which has since attained high rank under his able management. He is president and general manager of the Evening Times Company, and gives to the paper and its interests his entire time and energy. He is one of the best known figures in Western New York journalism, and is highly esteemed both within and without his own particular field of activity. He is a member of Frank R. Lawrence Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, the Genesee Valley Club, the Rochester Athletic Club and several purely professional associations.
Mr. Morey married, February 8, 1877, Alice R. Gage, daughter of George W. Gage, of Fredonia, New York. Their only son, Frank G. Morey, died in early childhood. The family home is at Avon, New York, a beautiful stone mansion of the style of eighty years ago, built on a well situated tract, five hundred and eighty feet front, a bower of horticultural beauty in which the soul of its owner delights.
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WOODBURN, Hiram H.,
Enterprising Citizen, Public Official.
Hiram H. Woodburn, of Binghamton, New York, is one of those men who have had success attend the efforts which they have strenuously made, and which have enabled them to rise from a comparatively humble place to a position of prominence in the community, commanding the respect and esteem of all who knew them. His keen discernment and marked enter- prise have long been recognized as salient characteristics in his career, and yet his life has never been narrowed by concentration of his energies on one point. On the contrary he is known as a broad-minded, public-spirited man, who has kept in touch with those concerns of vital interest to his city and State, labor- ing entirely for public progress in many ways and especially for the moral devel- opment of the community. He stands to-day a strong man-strong in his honor, strong in his good name, and strong in what he has accomplished, not only in the life of individual gain but for the benefit of his fellow-men, in whom his interest is deep and sincere. He is a representa- tive of an ancient family.
Woodburn is an ancient surname of England and Scotland, derived from the name of a locality. During the persecu- tions of the Scotch Presbyterians by the English in 1685, John Furgushall and George Woodburn were shot to death by Nisbet and his party. On their grave- stone in Finnick, Scotland, is written: "When bloody prelates, once this nation's pest, contrived that curs'd self-contradic- tory test, these men for Christ did suffer martyrdom. And here their blood lies waiting till he comes." A branch of the Woodburn family went from Scotland to Ulster, North of Ireland. The New Eng- land Woodburns are probably all de- scended from John Woodburn, who was
born in Scotland or Ireland about 1700, and came with the Scotch-Irish to Lon- donderry, New Hampshire, a few years after the settlement of 1718. With him came a brother David. Another immi- grant came with the Scotch-Irish to Penn- sylvania. They were from the same section as the New Hampshire Wood- burns. As neither branch had lived long in Ireland, and as there were very few of them judging from the records, it is fair to suppose that the New Hampshire and Pennsylvania settlers were closely related, possibly brothers. The family scattered throughout the State. In 1790, according to the first Federal census, there were seven heads of families named Woodburn.
George Woodburn, great-grandfather of Hiram H. Woodburn, was born Sep- tember 13, 1722. He married Mary Cul- bert, born September 13, 1736. They were the parents of Naphtali, of whom further.
Naphtali Woodburn, grandfather of Hiram H. Woodburn, was born Decem- ber 30, 1768. He married and was the father of Naphtali, of whom further.
Naphtali Woodburn, father of Hiram H. Woodburn, was a native of Pennsyl- vania, and died in 1871. He was a farmer, and was one of the first to enter the Union army at the time of the out- break of the Civil War. He was in active service until the battle of Petersburg, when he was severely wounded and in- capacitated for further active duty. In 1871 he removed with his family to Tioga county, New York, where his death occurred. He married Elizabeth Havens, also born in Pennsylvania, and they had children : Clarence, although only a young lad when the Civil War broke out, enlisted, was wounded at Gettysburg, and is now deceased; Olive, married, and lives at LaGrange, Illinois; Hiram H., whose name heads this sketch.
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Hiram H. Woodburn was born in Rome, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, November 12, 1866. He was but five years of age when he was brought to New York by his parents, and his early years were spent in Tioga county, where he acquired his education in the public schools. In 1882 he came to Bingham- ton, New York, being in the employ of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company, starting as a water boy. He soon proved his ability, and at the end of two years entered the service of the Delaware & Hudson Railroad Company, where he was a brakeman on a passenger train. From this position he was placed in that of conductor on pas- senger trains, an almost unheard of pro- motion, as the conductors of passenger trains have always been drawn from the ranks of the freight car conductors. He was one of the youngest men ever en- trusted by the company with the respon- sible duties of a passenger conductor. He was in the employ of the Delaware & Hudson Company for a period of twenty-five years, lacking one month, his run being between Binghamton and Albany.
In June, 1908, Mr. Woodburn, in asso- ciation with J. W. Ballard and Joseph Bromley, organized the Atlas Coal & Supply Company, dealers in coal and building materials. Their plant, located at the corner of Court and Alice streets, covers an acre of ground, and is fully equipped in the most modern manner. The original officers of the company were: Mr. Ballard, president ; Mr. Wood- burn, vice-president ; Mr. Bromley, treas- urer. At the expiration of two years Mr. Ballard withdrew from the concern and Mr. Woodburn became president and manager. The capital stock is $25,000, it has been a success from its inception, and they now transact a business of upwards of $120,000.
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But it was not to business affairs alone that Mr. Woodburn devoted his energies. Very early in life he took a decided inter- est in political matters, and this interest increased and became intensified with the passing years. His first political office was as district committeeman in the Seventh Ward, and in 1898 he was elected a member of the Common Council from the same ward, and served in this office for eight successive years. For a number of years he was chairman of the finance committee of this honorable body. In 1906 he was honored by election as mayor of the city of Binghamton, served two years, and as soon as he entered upon the duties of this office, the city felt the benefit of his executive ability and bril- liant ideas. His first step was, figura- tively, to clean house for the city. Under his management the disorderly element in the city was practically eliminated, in all directions. He established a sinking fund by levying a tax on the proceeds of the water plant, a municipal affair; he met with bitter opposition, but he had the courage of his convictions, knew what was best for the city and its residents, and at the present time is accorded the highest praise for his determined con- duct in this matter. He was dubbed the "Railroad Mayor," and a feeling as to his incapacity appeared to prevail in many circles, but he amply demonstrated that his knowledge was not of railroad matters alone. His political affiliation has always been with the Republican party, and he is in frequent demand as a delegate to State conventions. He is a born fighter, and generally wins his battles. In August, 1915, he was ap- pointed a member of the Child's Welfare League, and was elected its first chair- man at the meeting held September 3, 1915. He was strongly urged to accept the nomination for mayor of the city in the fall of 1915, but he resolutely
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declined the honor, believing that he is best serving the city by devoting himself to the conduct of his business affairs. His religious connection is with the Cen- tenary Methodist Episcopal Church of Binghamton, in which he holds office as president of the board of trustees. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, the Royal Arcanum, and other fraternal bodies of lesser importance.
Mr. Woodburn married, September 28, 1887, Della Rice Pratt, of Binghamton. One child blessed this union: Eva, who is now the wife of Francis V. Leary, an attorney-at-law of Binghamton, and they have one child-Francis Woodburn Leary.
CHAPIN, Charles Terry, Active in Community Affairs.
Few men in Rochester have a wider acquaintance or are more popular in their circle of acquaintances than Charles Terry Chapin, president of the Chapin- Owen Company, and president of the Rochester Base Ball Club. As a business man of initiative and action, he has proved a worthy successor of his honored father. Charles Hall Chapin, one of the eminent business men of his day, while his inter- est in the manly sports and recreations has resulted in the advancement of the organizations particularly charged with their maintenance as a means of public enjoyment. By heredity Mr. Chapin is entitled to rank with the worthiest of the land, his American ancestor, Deacon Samuel Chapin, coming with the Puri- tans of 1635, the history of New England being enriched through his deeds and those of his descendants in founding colony and commonwealth. Through maternal line, the Chapin descent is traced to Timothy Dwight, LL. D., an early president of Yale College.
Of the sixth American generation of the family founded by Deacon Thomas Chapin was Judge Moses Chapin, who located in Rochester, New York, became the third judge of Monroe county, serv- ing from 1826 to 1831, following Elisha B. Strong, 1821-23, and Ashley Sampson, 1823-26. He was admitted a member of the Rochester bar about 1821 and was one of the eminent men of his day.
His son, Charles Hall Chapin, was born in Rochester, New York, January 6, 1830, and died in his native city, March 16, 1882, after a life of great activity and usefulness. Early in his business career he became business manager of the Kidd Iron Works of Rochester, which for several years were operated under the firm name of Chapin & Terry. In 1877 he organized the Rochester Car Wheel Works on the business established by William Kidd, and was its directing head until his death. That enterprise, estab- lished by Charles Hall Chapin, was a very successful one under the founder's guid- ance and under his son, Charles T. Chapin, became one of the most important indus- trial concerns of Rochester. Charles Hall Chapin was also vice-president of the Charlotte Iron Works and a trustee of the Roberts Iron Works, Kingston, Canada. He was equally prominent in financial circles, being one of the organizers and bulwarks of the private banking house of Kidd & Chapin, founded in 1871. The house continued as private bankers until 1875, then was merged with the Bank of Rochester, Mr. Chapin becoming presi- dent of the consolidation and continuing its executive head until his death. He was a man of sound judgment and great business ability, full of ready resource and quick powers of decision. He led the enterprises with which he was con- nected to a condition of solid prosperity and will long be remembered as one of
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the strong men of his day and an im- portant factor in Rochester's upbuilding as a commercial city.
He married, in 1854, Elizabeth, daugh- ter of William Kidd, also one of Roches- ter's early men of affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hall Chapin were the parents of William Kidd; Charles Terry, of further mention; Mary Ward, married William E. Marcus; Edward Hall; Eleanor B., who died in 1881.
Charles Terry Chapin was born in Rochester, New York, February 24, 1861. After courses of study in private schools he entered Rochester High School, there continuing until 1877. He was sixteen years of age when he first entered the employ of the old Bank of Rochester, of which his father was president, an insti- tution which later flourished as the Ger- man-American Bank and is now the Lin- coln National Bank. Mr. Chapin was a bookkeeper in the old bank until 1880, and after arriving at man's estate and gaining valuable business experience he was elected secretary and treasurer of the Rochester Car Wheel Works, founded by his eminent father. Later he was elected president of the corporation and so con- tinued its executive head until 1905 when it became an integral part of the National Car Wheel Company. His active official connection with the works then ceased, but he continues to act as special repre- sentative of the National Car Wheel Company in matters of unusual import- ance. He is president of the Chapin- Owen Company, Incorporated, the Auto- ist's and Sportsman's Shop, dealing in everything for the autoist or the sports- man, both at wholesale and retail, No. 380 Main Street East.
Ever a devotee of out-of-doors sports he took a deep interest in the Flower City Driving Club and for five years was its president. He loves a good horse, is
especially fond of the light harness strain and owned some of the finest and fastest, his horse "Connor" having a track record of 2.03 I-4 and his Dariel 2.00 1-4 had the distinction of being the fastest pacing mare in the world. Base ball is also one of Mr. Chapin's fads in sport and as owner and president of the Rochester Base Ball Club he brought three pennants to Rochester and gives to the patrons of the game an opportunity to enjoy their favorite game under most favorable con- ditions.
Mr. Chapin has borne his full share of civic responsibility, serving as police commissioner for five years, 1896-1901, and as park commissioner from Novem- ber 6, 1902, to 1915. He was an active member of the old volunteer fire depart- ment, serving as secretary of Alert Hose Company from the time he joined in 1881 until elected president of the company in 1883, filling the latter office four years. He is now a member of the Exempt Fire- men's Association. He was for one year vice-president of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, later chairman of the com- mittee on manufactures and promotion of trade. He has borne an important part in the efforts of the chamber to promote Rochester's commercial welfare and as an individual lends his aid to every worthy enterprise. He is a life member of the Rochester Athletic Club, belongs to the Rochester Whist Club, Rochester Club, Ad Club, Rotary Club, and is affiliated as life member with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His all round activity in business, civic affairs and sports has brought him an exceedingly wide circle of acquaintances and from whatever angle viewed Mr. Chapin is recognized as one of the strong and valu- able men of his city.
He married, September 5, 1882, Emily, daughter of Colonel William Emerson.
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Mrs. Chapin died May 24, 1885, leaving a son, Charles Hall Chapin (2). He is a graduate of Yale University, class of 1907, now treasurer of Chapin-Owen Company (Incorporated). He has inherited his father's love for out-of-door sports and at Yale in his freshman year was catcher of the inter-collegiate champion baseball team and in 1906 was manager of the Yale champion basket ball team. He and his father are particularly congenial in their athletic tastes and are associated in the different Chapin enterprises.
MOSHER, Howard Townsend, Educator, Lawyer, Lecturer.
The earliest traditions of the Mosher family locate them in Alsace, France, about the year 1580. Their home was in the southern part of the province, near Strassburg. The name is compounded of two German words Mos and Herr, which when combined means Mosslord or "Lord of the Moss." This may be taken to imply that the founder of the family name was a man of prominence, and had his residence on a mossy mound or hill. After Alsace was annexed to France, both the German and French languages were in use. The French spelled the name Mosier or Motier. In England the German method of spelling the name prevailed, Mosher. In religion the family were Protestants, and with many others fled to England to escape persecution. It is supposed they went to England under the leadership of Hugh Mosher prior to the year 1600. They located in Manchester, Chester and London. The Manchester records show that five Mosher brothers were engaged in busi- ness in that city in 1616, partners and silk weavers. They were: William, John, Thomas, Stephen and George. The American ancestor, Ensign Hugh Mosher, was a son of Stephen Mosher.
Ensign Hugh Mosher, son of Stephen Mosher, of Manchester, England, sailed for America and reached Boston in 1636. Another Hugh Mosher, son of Thomas Mosher, settled in Maine. A third Hugh Mosher, son of John Mosher, was promi- nent in the East India Company, died wealthy, without issue. It was his for- tune that the Moshers of the United States tried unsuccessfully to obtain in recent years. Hugh Mosher, son of Stephen Mosher, first settled in Salem, Massachusetts, where he became a friend of Roger Williams, pastor of the Salem church, and was in full sympathy with his religious views. When Williams was banished from Massachusetts, in October, 1636, Mosher went with him to Rhode Island, and shared his hardships and sufferings. When Williams was in a position to do so he repaid the devotion of his friend with the permanent title to a fifth part of the township of Westerly, Rhode Island, August 4, 1676. In 1669 Hugh Mosher was appointed ensign of a military company by the General Court, and took part in King Philip's War, dur- ing which war two of his sons were killed. In 1674 he was ordained pastor of the Baptist church in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, but was always called by his military title, Ensign Hugh Mosher. He died in Newport, Rhode Island, 1694. He married Lydia Maxon.
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