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 pre?minent in their own and many other states. V.6 > Part 37
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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.
Descendants of Ensign Hugh Mosher settled in New York State and are found from Troy to Buffalo, men of prominence in every field of life's activity they have entered. Howard Townsend Mosher, of Rochester, is a son of Jacob Simmons Mosher, M. D., an eminent physician and surgeon of Albany, New York, and dis- tinguished in the medical service of his State. Dr. Mosher was deputy health officer of the port of New York, 1870-76, was surgeon during the Civil War and
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surgeon-general upon the staff of Gov- ernor Hoffman of New York State. He married Emma Starr Montgomery, of distinguished ancestry.
Howard Townsend Mosher, son of Dr. Jacob S. and Emma S. (Montgomery) Mosher and brother of Dr. Jesse Mont- gomery Mosher, of Albany, New York, was born at Albany, July 6, 1868. His education, begun at Albany Boys Acad- emy, was continued at Union College, Schenectady, New York, whence he was graduated Bachelor of Arts, class of 1890. He then went abroad and pursued courses of study in Paris during the years 1890-92. On his return to the United States he was elected a member of the faculty of Union College, instructor in French in the modern language depart- ment five years, 1892-97. He then pre- pared for the practice of law, was admit- ted to the Monroe county bar, in 1901, and has been continuously in practice in Rochester until the present year (1916). From 1910 until 1914 he was lecturer on citizenship in the University of Roches- ter, and has attained high reputation as educator, . lawyer and lecturer. Mr. Mosher is one of the leaders of the Demo- cratic party in Western New York, and has for many years taken an active part in public affairs. He was the candidate of his party for State Senator in 1902, for surrogate of Monroe county in 1906; chairman of the Democratic County Com- mittee of Monroe county, 1908-10; candi- date for mayor of Rochester in 1911 and in 1915; and a member of the New York State Prison Reform Commission, 1913- 15; and a member of the State Work- man's Compensation Commission, 1914- 15. He is a member of Psi Upsilon fra- ternity, Rochester Chamber of Com- merce, Rochester Athletic Club, Univer- sity Club of Rochester, and of the Prot- estant Episcopal church.
Mr. Mosher married, in Rochester, July 6, 1893, Mary Josephine, daughter of William R. and Josephine (Coburn) Seward, of a distinguished New York family.
LEONARD, George Bement, 1
Financier, Man of Enterprise.
While yet in his teens Mr. Leonard began his long and valuable life as a banker, commencing as clerk. At the age of twenty-five he was cashier, and after thirty years of service in that position he resigned and became president of the Salt Springs National Bank of Syracuse. He won for himself an honorable name and high reputation as an able financier and upon his record as a banker his fame might securely rest. But that was only one of his lines of business activity and in a call of the roll of Syracuse enter- prises it will be found that in many of them he was one of the organizers, one of the incorporators and one of the officials. His dominating qualities and the foundation stones of his success were energy, force and discernment; his busi- ness instinct was keen, his judgment sound and men were willing to follow where he led. He was progressive and far-seeing, yet possessed a caution that protected him against visionary under- takings. He was strong and self-reliant, strict integrity marking his course through life, a man who could be relied upon in any relation and every emer- gency.
George B. Leonard was a descendant of James Leonard, who was of Lynn in 1651, and of Taunton, Massachusetts, in 1652, and with his brother Henry estab- lished the first forge in the Plymouth colony. For a long time the Leonard forge was the principal one in this coun- try, and through several generations
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Leonards were celebrated iron masters. The brothers, James and Henry Leonard, were sons of Thomas Leonard, who re- mained in England. Descendants became prominent in Colonial days as business men and public officials, Revolutionary records also bearing the name frequently. John Campfield, whose daughter, Susan, married James Leonard, the grandfather of George B. Leonard, was the aide-de- camp to General Lafayette, and in 1825 was warmly greeted by Lafayette in Morristown, New Jersey, at the time of his last visit to America.
George Bement Leonard was born in Syracuse, New York, June 25, 1838, died June 7, 1914, son of John Alexander Leonard, born July 7, 1806, died March 23, 1873, and his wife, Louisa Sloan, daughter of Kellogg Bement and Mary Ann (Gaylord) Sloan. He was educated in the public schools of Syracuse, and began his business career as clerk in a local mercantile house. While yet a minor he became a clerk in the Crouse Bank, and was yet in his teens when he transferred his services to the Bank of Salina. Upon the organization of the First National Bank of Syracuse in 1863, Mr. Leonard was appointed its first cashier and for thirty-four years filled that responsible position most efficiently and most honorably. In 1897 he resigned the post he had filled for so many years, having been called to the presidency of the Salt Springs National Bank, a merited recognition of his high standing in the world of finance. During the years that had elapsed since taking the cashier's desk in the First National he had become interested in many local and industrial enterprises. He was identified with the building of the East Side railway con- necting Syracuse with East Syracuse, that road later being merged with the Syracuse Rapid Transit system. He was
one of the incorporators of the Kemp & Burpee Manufacturing Company and served as its treasurer until the purchase of the company by the John Deere Plow Company of Moline, Illinois. He was one of the incorporators of the Syracuse Tube Company, and at the time that company was absorbed by the National Tube Company he was its largest individual stockholder. He was a direc- tor of the Great Lakes Steamship Com- pany and in his honor the company named one of its largest freight carriers the "George B. Leonard." He had other important business interests, the fore- going being those only with which he held prominent official relation.
In early life he became an active mem- ber of Plymouth Congregational Church of Syracuse, but in later life he became a devout attendant and generous sup- porter of the First Reformed Church of the same city. He was a charter member of the Citizens' Club, retaining his mem- bership until his death, and was a member of the Fortnightly Club for many years. He was a Republican in politics, and in 1873-74-75 served as school commis- sioner. During the Civil War Mr. Leonard was an enlisted member of the New York State militia.
George B. Leonard married, at Cuba, Allegany county, New York, October 24, 1866, Elizabeth DeWitt Dimock, of Cuba, daughter of Thomas Dimock, born in New London, Connecticut, who died during the early childhood of his daugh- ter, and Elizabeth (Mandeville) Dimock, his wife, a daughter of the Rev. Garret Mandeville, who was the first settled pastor in Ithaca, New York, in 1801. Children of George B. and Elizabeth D. Leonard: Anna Elizabeth; Mary Louise, died at Syracuse, July 15, 1899; Margaret De Witt; Thomas Dimock, now a real estate dealer of New York City ; George
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Alexander, member of the Hill-Leonard Engineering & Construction Company, now engaged in building the new Welland Canal. Mrs. Elizabeth D. Leonard sur- vives her husband and continues her residence in Syracuse.
BECHTOLD, Charles B., Lawyer, Public Official.
A member of the Rochester bar since 1902 Mr. Bechtold has won high standing, and as a member of the law firm of Mc- Inerney & Bechtold, No. 1003 Insurance Building, transacts an important busi- ness in all State and Federal courts of the district. He has been equally prominent in public affairs and as deputy and assist- ant district attorney rendered efficient service. His social, genial nature renders him very popular in the many clubs and secret orders of which he is a member, his professional ability and pleasing per- sonality forming a rare combination which attracts and holds the regard of men of worth. He is a son of Henry and Caroline Bechtold, his father for many years a business man of Rochester.
Charles B. Bechtold was born in Rochester, New York, June 6, 1874. He obtained a good preparatory education in the public schools, the old Free Academy and under a private tutor. He also is a graduate of the Mechanics' Institute, and in earlier life learned and followed the trades of machinist and draughtsman. For several years he was in the employ of the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh railroad in that capacity and was rated a most satisfactory workman. But he had an ambition for the law and resign- ing his railroad position he began the study of law under the direction of Werner & Harris, eminent members of the Rochester bar. After passing satis-
factorily all the tests imposed upon a young lawyer he was admitted to the Monroe county bar on July 11, 1902, hav- ing also during his law studies served as deputy clerk of the police court.
He at once began practice in Rochester forming a partnership with John J. Mc- Inerney under the firm name McInerney & Bechtold. During his early practice he was also clerk of the police court, and on May 1, 1904, accepted appointment to the position of deputy assistant district attor- ney for the county of Monroe, this neces- sitating his retirement from the law firm of McInerney & Bechtold. He served as deputy assistant until January 1, 1906, then was appointed assistant district attorney, an office he held until 1910. During those years he conducted a line of law work in connection with his old preceptors, Werner & Harris, but upon his retirement from the district attorney's office he again renewed the partnership with his former partner and has since practiced as the junior of the firm of Mc- Inerney & Bechtold. He is a member of the Rochester Bar Association and held in high esteem by his brethren of the bench and bar. In early life he affiliated with the Republican party and has ever been an ardent supporter of the principles of that party as well as a valuable worker for party success. For several years he represented the Twentieth Ward of Rochester on the Republican General Committee, and has been a frequent dele- gate to State and district conventions and is a member of several political societies. He is a good campaigner, an eloquent speaker whether pleading the cause of client or candidate, and has the happy faculty of delivering telling blows in a most agreeable and happy manner. His friends are legion and he is a strong advocate for any cause he espouses. He
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is a member of all of the various Masonic bodies of Rochester, the Ancient Order of Foresters and Sons of Veterans; his clubs the Masonic, the Rochester Whist, Oak Hill, Yacht and Athletic.
HYDE, Salem,
V
Enterprising Citizen.
Salem Hyde, whose business history has been marked by steady progress, is junior partner of the firm of Neal & Hyde, wholesale dry goods merchants of Syracuse. He pays the strictest atten- tion to his business, allowing no outside interest to enter as a variable force and his singleness of purpose guided by sound judgment have placed him in the enviable position which he to-day occupies in commercial circles. A native of Victory, Cayuga county, New York, he was born June 22, 1846, of the marriage of Elisha H. and Mary Ellen (Botsford) Hyde. The family comes of English origin but was founded in America in early Colonial days, the great-grandfather living in Ox- ford, Connecticut. From that place John Salem Hyde, the grandfather, removed to Scipio, New York, and subsequently to Victory, Cayuga county, in the early part of the nineteenth century. His business interests were varied, as he was a phy- sician, manufacturer and farmer. His son, Elisha H. Hyde, was born at Victory, and also followed the occupation of farming. He removed from Cayuga county to Oswego county, near Fulton, and from thence twenty years later to the town of Onondaga Valley, where he lived for twenty years and died at the home of a daughter living in Rochester, at the age of nearly eighty-nine years, his birth having occurred in 1820. His wife be- longed to an old Vermont family and her grandfather was one of the patriots of the Revolutionary War, enlisting at Benning-
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