USA > New York > Cayuga County > History of Cayuga County, New York > Part 40
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and Winifred Alice. Mr. Clarke has built up a very fine trade He caters especially to weddings, receptions and funerals and is very highly regarded wherever known.
W. C. HUNTER is the proprietor of the leading cleaning and dyeing establishment in Auburn. In 1901 he came here from Rochester where he had charge of the Leary Dye House, and pur- chased the long-established Preuss Dye Works. Since becoming proprietor he has enlarged the works, and has installed the necessary machinery to dye or clean anything from a feather to a carpet. He occupies the whole block at 15 Water street, a three-story structure which extends to the Owasco Creek in the rear. During the past six years besides doubling his business in Auburn, Mr. Hunter has established branch receiving stores in Syracuse and agencies in the surrounding towns. His leading out-of-town store, being at 446 South Selina street, Syracuse. The material received at his store in Syracuse and other agencies is sent by American Express to the works in Auburn and quickly returned, perfectly cleaned or dyed as ordered. His French cleaning process has become well known throughout Central New York. Mr. Hunter is a practical expert in dyeing, having learned his trade and the business in the inimense Parker Dye Shops, Toronto, Ontario, where from four hundred to six hundred hands are employed and of which Mr. Hunter's uncle is superintendent. He worked in this dyeing establishment for five years, (between the age of sixteen and twenty-one) and then came to this country and has established himself in a growing and lucurative business in which he is so expert. He married Christina MacEachern and they have a family of three children, namely: Ruth, Charles, and Gordon.
D. A. DONOVAN. In these days when every municipality has its board of health and the State is constantly striving to look after
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the hygiene of the people, the importance of sanitary plumbing cannot be overestimated. In this department as well as in general plumbing, and steam and gas heating, D. A. Donovan has attained to a high reputation in Auburn. The plumbing and heating in many of the best buildings in the city were installed by him. Among them may be mentioned the residence of John H. Osborne, the H. L. Romig block and residence, the Cayuga National Bank Building, besides scores of others.
Mr. Donovan was born in Auburn in 1867 and educated in the local schools. He began his trade in 1882 and in 1889 started in business for himself, and has become one of the foremost and best known plumbers in Central New York. He is a member of the Plumbers' Board of Examiners, and also of the Benevolent Protec- tive Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus. His business premises, at 26 Dill street, are one hundred and seven by twenty- three feet in dimensions and thoroughly stocked with a full line of plumbers' goods.
THE AUBURN CREAMERY COMPANY was established February s, 1903, but passed into the possession of the present proprietors, J. H. Lewis and E. J. Bisgrove in 1906. Their establishment in the city is situated at 53 North street, besides which they have a creamery in Owasco, which is used as a receiving station for milk Their great specialty is ice cream in which they do an extensive wholesale business, extending from the Newark valley on the south to the lake on the north.
Mr. Lewis is a native of the town of Sennett, Cayuga County, N. Y., and has been engaged in the milk business fiftteen years or more. In 1896, he took a course in the Dairy Department of Cornell University, and is an expert in his business. He married Jennie Taylor and they have one daughter, Dorothy. His parents were Edwin and Sarah Lewis. His father was a native of England, but came to America at the age of fourteen. He died in 1904.
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Sarah Lewis is also of English descent and is still living. Mr. Lewis is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
E. J. Bisgrove is a native of Cayuga County and has been engaged in the dairy and ice cream trade all his business life. He was one of the original partners in the Auburn Creamery Company when it was formed in 1903, and is a thoroughly practical man. He has been a member of the Wheeler Rifles for three years. His parents were John and Elizabeth Bisgrove, both of English descent. His father is living but his mother is deceased.
THE ROBINSON MONUMENT COMPANY. This business was estab- lished by W. G. Robinson in 1869, and has grown to extensive pro- portions. Mr. W. G. Robinson the founder, was an artist of great ability. Among the many memorials that he designed is one that is of national character and reputation ; we refer to the celebrated Seward Monument located in Seward Park, Auburn, which is recognized throughout the country as being one of the finest and most perfect works that has ever been turned out in this country ; but the life-sized statue of Christ on the Paul Cook Woodruff monument, in Fort Hill Cemetery, is his best piece of work, and is greatly admired by artists and critics. ` After many years of business activity, W. C. Robinson died in 1906, deeply regretted not alone for his superior artistic attainments, but also for his many personal characteristics, which endeared him to all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. He was succeeded by his son, Homer L. Robinson, who has been the practical manager for over twenty-one years, and who has made a study of the business in all of its details.
JOHN E. BRISTOL is a native and lifelong resident of Auburn. He was prepared for college at the Auburn High School, class of 1873, and then entered Rochester University where he remained
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one year after which he began to teach school in which occupation he was engaged for two years. He then returned to the University and finished his sophomore year and two terms of his junior year, when in the spring of 1878, his father purchased the old grist mill built by Jehiel Clark in 1805. John E. Bristol, joined his father in the milling business and was connected therewith until October, 1907, when he sold out his interest in the Bristol Milling Company which had been formed December 1, 1906. In December 1907, he became interested in the Johnson Manure Spreader which is man- ufactured by the Glen Wagon Company of Seneca Falls, N. Y., and is the local agent for this spreader in Cayuga County.
John E. Bristol married Luella Bettys, and they have a family of three children, namely, Ruth, Howard and Homer. Mr. Bristol's parents were John S. and Salome (Culver) Bristol. John S. Bristol was also a school teacher and taught for many years, prior to 1865, in the old No. 5 School in Auburn. He was born in Pennsylvania, but came to Auburn when seven years of age.
S. B. WHEELER, one of the leading plumbers of Auburn, suc- ceeded the old firm of Hurn & Wheeler in 1904, when he bought out his partner's interest in the business. He occupies two adjoining stores at Nos. 85 and 87 State street, one of which is used as a sales- room and one as a factory. He employs a force of twelve practical plumbers, and has a large patronage among the mill and factory owners of the city. An interesting and special feature of his estab- lishment is a power pipe cutting machine, capable of cutting an eight inch pipe. It is the largest pipe cutter in the city and the only one with motor power attachment. This attachment Mr. Wheeler had installed in March, 1907. In addition to his regular business as a contracting plumber, he carries a full line of plumbers' goods. Mr. Wheeler is a member of the Master Plumbers' Association, and is a reliable business man, as well as an expert plumber.
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THE INDEPENDENT BREWING COMPANY, located at 117 to 127 Clark street, Auburn, N. Y., is not only one of the largest establish- ments of its kind in this city, but in this part of the state, and judged by the quality of its products, it is second to none in the country. The plant is a splendid brick structure of stone and brick, admirably equipped with the best modern machinery and appliances and has a capacity of sixty-five thousand barrels of ale and beer per annum. Special brands manufactured by this house are: Old Times Lager, XXXX Pale Ale, High Hop Ale, and Private Stock Lager. They have an agency in Rochester which is in charge of Mr. O. S. Oppenheimer. The Rochester branch is the distributing center for a large territory throughout which the goods of this company are the most popular because of their purity and excel- lence. It is the high quality of their ale and beer which enables them to compete successfully with all rivals.
The Independent Brewing Company was established in 1856, and was incorporated in 1902. It has been under the present man- agement since July 1, 1904. The officers of the company are: William Franke, president ; O. S. Oppenheimer, vice-president; A. J. Lauer, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Franke, who is superintendent as well as president is not only a practical brewer, but is an expert in the business and personally superintends the brewing of every barrel of beer and ale made in the establishment. He has been in the brewing business over thirty years and his record is one of honorable dealings and honest success. He was a master brewer in several large Western breweries before coming to Auburn in 1904. He is a liberal supporter of the Church and takes a warm interest in education and in everything tending toward the advancement of the city.
Mr. O. S. Oppenheimer has been with the company for seven years, six of which he has been in charge of the Rochester branch. He formerly resided in Auburn, and was connected with the Auburn office for one year.
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Mr. A. J. Lauer is a native of Chicago, and has been in the brew- ing business for twenty-two years. He began the business when sixteen years of age and was connected with breweries in Chicago and Milwaukee before coming to Auburn. During his last six years in Milwaukee he was manager of a brewery in that city. In Auburn he is known as one of the most active and at the same time one of the most generous of its business men, and is respected for his work in behalf of Church and charities. He takes great interest in the Charity Ball, and in many ways gives aid to his fellowmen. He is a member of several prominent and helpful organizations.
Besides their brewery business both Mr. Franke and Mr Lauer have large property interests in Auburn and, naturally, are keenly alive to the welfare of the city. Both are stockholders in the Auburn Trust Company, and both are heavy taxpayers.
D. W. HALEY & SON. This firm conducts one of the largest and best laundries in Auburn, which was established by D. W. Haley in 1890, at 32 Market street. In 1894 the business was moved to the present location at No. 10} Market street, where they occupy three floors and basement and employ thirty-one hands, and two wagons. D. W. Haley conducted the business alone until 1904, when his son, A. W. Haley became a partner, and the firmi assumed its present style and name. D. W. Haley is a native of Madison County, N. Y., and married Alice Moore, a native of the north of Ireland. A. W. Haley was born in Cortland County, N. Y. The family came to Auburn in 1890. D. W. Haley is a member of the Masonic fraternity and Knights Templars; also of the Odd Fellow's, Maccabees, and Royal Arcanum. A. W. Haley is a member of the Knights of Pythias. The family lives on the old Peet farm on East Genesee street which Mr. Haley purchased about the year 1900.
CAYUGA COUNTY DAIRY COMPANY. This splendid institution was founded in the fall of 1906, and the plant was erected and
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equipped in the summer of that year The establishment consists of a three-story brick building, containing twelve rooms and is fitted up throughout with the most modern machinery and appli- ances for handling and purifying milk and perfecting all its products. Pastuerized dairy products are the great specialties of the company, and not only pure milk, but cream, butter, cottage cheese, butter- milk, ice and ices are manufactured, and sold both at wholesale and retail. The officers of the company are T. M. Osborne, presi- dent; E. N. Ross, vice-president; T H. Garrett, Jr., treasurer; F. S. Jacques, secretary and general manager.
JAMES RAY, banker and steamship agent, 90 Clark street, Auburn, N. Y., is a native of sunny Italy, but has resided in America since 1890. He came to this country when a boy and by his energy, ability and honest dealings he has built up a substantial business and at the same time acquired a high reputation as a man and a citizen. He conducts a private banking office and has a bond deposited with the State authorities as security for deposits and his financial responsibilities. He is also a prominent steamship agent, and is manager of Postoffice Station No. 5, in Auburn. In addi- tion to all this he is official court interpreter for the City of Auburn, and is of great benefit to all the sons of Italy living in this part of the state. He takes a warm and liberal interest in public affairs and gives his aid to several worthy organizations and movements for the public benefit. He is a member of and an active worker in the Imperial Order of Tacoons; he was the founder of the Christopher Columbus Society, and is president of the Italian Catholic Society in which he takes a strong and never flagging interest. His liberal and intelligent work is highly appreciated by the general public outside of his own countrymen.
WILLIAM F. MULLEN, undertaker and embalmer, of 30 Clark street, Auburn, succeeded to this business in 1903, prior to which
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time his father had been the head of the business and the leading undertaker of Auburn since 1872. Michael Mullen, the founder of the business, was a highly respected citizen of Auburn for many years, especially respected and esteemed for his sterling honesty and integrity. William F. Mullen is a native of Auburn, attended school here, graduating from the High School, A. A. H. S., class of '88. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Men's Benevolent Association, and is one of the most enterprising and public spirited of Auburn's business men.
F. A. SIGNOR, Auburn, manufacturer of ladies' and children's goods, established the business here in April, 1907. Prior to this time he had heen identified with the dry goods trade. He was a member of the firm of O'Brien & Signor, No. 3 State street, and had been for a number of years one of the best buyers and judges of salable designs and fashions in merchandise located in Auburn. But desiring a more extended field for his energies, he sold out his interest in the mercantile firm and began manufacturing the line of goods which since has become so well known. They embody many styles, all attractive and of fashionable designs which make them popular and salable. Mr. Signor occupies spacious quarters at No. 2 Exchange street, where he has retail parlors adjoining his wholesale department, and every facility is at hand to successfully conduct the business; a considerable force of hands are employed. He has established a high reputation for his goods and his patronage is steadily growing. Personally he is a popular and highly respected business man and citizen.
D. E. JONES, master mechanic of the extensive Osborne works, has been a resident of this city for the past twenty-four years. Sixteen of these he has passed in the employ of this great industrial enterprise. Mr. Jones is a native of Madison County, N. Y. He
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became identified with Birdsall & Co., after locating in Auburn, with whom he remained eight years as engine builder. In 1891, he accepted a position with the Osbornes, beginning with them as a dye-sinker, he was soon promoted to take charge of the mechanism of the rolling mill plant. After one year he was made general foreman of the machine shop, and one year later was promoted to the important office of master mechanic of the entire works. In this position his splendid mechanical ability has been of incal- culable value to this great company. He is chief engineer of the Owasco River Railroad, which connects with the Lehigh and New York Central. Mr. Jones's family consists of his wife and three children, namely: Mabel, Adelbert and Henry.
P. J. SHEA, caterer and manufacturing confectioner established his business in Auburn in May, 1899. His well appointed and finely equipped store is located at 99 Genesee street in which he fur- nishes employment to nine assistants. He manufacturers candy and makes a specialty of catering for parties and receptions, taking charge of such functions personally. He also manufactures ice cream for both the wholesale and retail trade. Mr. Shea is a member of the Order of Elks, and of the Auburn Board of Health, to which he was appointed in 1907. His parents were Jeremiah and Mary (McGuire) Shea. He married Helen Quirk of Auburn.
MURPHY BROTHERS of No. I State street, Auburn, conduct the leading hatting and gentlemen's furnishing business of this city. They established it in 1903. The firm is composed of Stephen and Edward J. Murphy, both native Auburnians, popular and energetic in their business relations and courteous to all. Their trade has naturally become an important factor in the commercial affairs of the city. Stephen Murphy, is a member of the Knights of Columbus and is identified with other local social and benevolent
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affairs; he is the practical manager of the establishment. Edward J. has for some time been manager of the Novelty Theater in Troy, N. Y., but has recently been appointed manager of the Novelty in Auburn. He is an Elk and enjoys a very excellent reputation as a successful manager of institutions catering to the public's amusement. Both members of this reputable house are representative business men and highly regarded as citizens.
T. D. MOONEY has for the past ten years transacted an exten- sive business as a stock broker at No. 10 State Street, Auburn. His offices are equipped with direct wires to New York and Chicago, and Mr. Mooney has a large patronage which includes many of our prominent citizens. He also represents the Cella Commission Company. T. D. Mooney is a native of Auburn, and enjoys an enviable reputation for honor and fair dealing. He maintains branch offices at Ithaca and Watkins, N. Y.
JOHN HOLIHAN, proprietor of the oldest established plumbing shop in Auburn, was born in this city, May 12, 1852, and received his early education in the city schools. Here also he learned his trade, and in 1878, he started in business for himself on Genesee street. In 1893 he moved to his present stand at No. 31 State street, where he occupies two floors, one hundred feet in depth. Mr. Holihan has carried through, with perfect success, some of the largest plumbing contracts in Auburn or this part of the State. Among them were the plumbing in the State Armory, in the Auburn Savings Bank building, in the City Hospital, and the heating system placed in Auburn Prison in 1906, when the heating in the warden's office and departments was changed from steam to hot water heating. In 1892 he did all the plumbing and installed the heating in the Court House and jail. Mr. Holihan's parents were Thomas and Catherine (Howard) Holihan. Thomas Holihan came to this country from Ireland in 1848.
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JOHN P. DONAHUE, Comptroller of the City of Auburn, was born September 1, 1879. He attended the local schools and early in life began to exhibit those well-known characteristics which have brought him to the attention of men high in the confidence of the public. We refer to his indefatigable energy and per- severance in all matters.
After leaving school, John P. Donahue worked as a messenger boy for a time and then served with D. M. Osborne as office boy. Here his activeness and attention were recognized without delay, and he was promoted from one position of trust to another, until when he resigned to assume charge of the office to which Mayor Koenig appointed him January 6, 1908, he was storekeeper of the Osborne works of the International Harvester Company. Mr. Donahue is a typical Auburn boy, courteous and pleasant, but rigid in the conscientious discharge of his duties. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Democratic in his political affiliations, and a most popular and efficient official.
THE GEISER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, J. A. Barnhart, Mgr. This flourishing enterprise took its place among the notable industries of Auburn eight years ago. having been established in this city in 1899, as a branch of The Geiser Manufacturing Com- pany of Waynesboro, Pa. The plant occupies a ground space of forty thousand square feet, and its products are steam and gasoline engines, steam plows, threshing machinery, saw mill machinery, grain drills, and well pumps, and so superior is the quality of their goods and so high their reputation that no jobbers or middle men are required to place them on the market. All their products are sold direct from the factory.
Mr. J. A. Barnhart has been manager of the Auburn works since their establishment in 1899, and to his care and ability is directly due the success of the enterprise. The Auburn plant
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is used principally as a repair shop and distributing center, and is a valuable auxiliary to the home plant as well as an important addition to the industrial life of Auburn.
Mr. Barnhart is a native of Pennsylvania, and is a member of Auburn Lodge, No. 421, Free and Accepted Masons. In politics he is a Republican.
E. J. NOLAN one of the best known manufacturing confectioners in Western New York is a native of Auburn and was educated in the schools of this city. In 1898, he established the business which he still conducts at No. 15 Genesee street, and which is popularly known as the New York Store. He occupies three floors of the building and gives employment to eight people in his business. He manufactures candies on a large scale and carries on both a whole- sale and retail business, his jobbing trade being especially large and covering an area of twenty-five miles in all directions about Auburn. Mr. Nolan's parents were Charles and Eliza Nolan. He married Elizabeth Brady and they have two children, Marie and Bernadine. Mr. Nolan is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
R. S. DAHN, florist at 204 Clark street, Auburn, N. Y., has con- ducted this business for over three years. His greenhouses have about six thousand feet of glass and cover nearly an acre in extent. Here Mr. Dahn raises everything in flowers for all occasions, cater- ing especially with beautiful and artistic design work for weddings, parties, and funerals. He employs several assistants who are skilled in this work, and his trade extends throughout Auburn and vicinity. Mr. Dahn is an enterprising and honest florist and deserves whatever success he has achieved in the business.
JAMES L. BYRNES, real estate dealer, Auburn, is a native of this city. He has, however, for several years been dealing exten-
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sively in realty in New Jersey, near New York City. In that busy field he gained large experience in the modern methods of handling properties advantageously for clients, and he also gained a wide experience and thorough insight in present and prospective values of property. Mr. Byrnes is probably without a rival as an authority on valuation of real estate in Auburn.
Since opening an office in Auburn, Mr. Byrnes has built up a large clientele which extends throughout Western New York and which is daily increasing. He is well established, popular and thoroughly upright, is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and is looked upon as one of the most prosperous, progressive and able of the young business men of this city.
F. B. VANDENBERG conducts a thriving enterprise at 23 Burt avenue, where he manufactures boilers for factories, and for house heaters as well as doing all kinds of sheet iron work. His factory is ninety by fifty feet in dimensions and he employs a regular force of ten men and is thoroughly equipped for handling any contract in his line of manufacture. He established the business in 1896, and the business has steadily increased ever since owing to the superior work turned out and the fact that Mr. Vandenberg gives every detail his personal attention.
F. B. Vandenberg is a native of Auburn. His father came from Holland and settled here over fifty years ago. He was a carpenter and well known in his day.
S. H. BARRETT, merchant and plumber at 14 and 16 Genesee street, Auburn, is a native of New York. He came to Auburn in 1863, and for a time was engaged with the firm of Baldwin & Chedell. In 1863, he went into business for himself which he has since conducted, being now the longest established plumber in this city. Mr. Barrett has done much notable work in Auburn; the greater number of the most important public edifices, man-
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