USA > New York > Seneca County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume II > Part 21
USA > New York > Cayuga County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume II > Part 21
USA > New York > Wayne County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume II > Part 21
USA > New York > Ontario County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume II > Part 21
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John E. Becker, who is president of the First National Bank of Waterloo, holds a leading position in the business and social life of that city. He was born at Waterloo, December 9, 1879, the son of Charles D. and Sarah H. (Lawrence) Becker.
Charles D. Becker, deceased, was prominent in Waterloo as president of the First National Bank. He was born here in 1851, the son of John Becker, owner of a large flour mill and leading pioneer business man of this section. Charles D. Becker attended the public schools of Waterloo and Rochester Business College. He served for many years as deputy county clerk and for one term as county clerk. In 1905 he became cashier of the First National Bank, and two years later became its president. He served in the latter capacity until the time of his death, March 25, 1931. Mr. Becker was a Democrat and took an active part in
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local public affairs. He was affiliated with Seneca Lodge, No. 113, F. and A. M. He was married in 1878 to Miss Sarah H. Lawrence, of Waterloo, who died in May, 1930. They were the parents of two children: 1. John E., the subject of this sketch. 2. Phebe L., married Edward J. Lux, of Waterloo.
John E. Becker is a graduate of Waterloo High School, class of 1898, and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts at Hamilton College in 1903. After a short time in New York City he returned to Waterloo, where he became associated with the Vough Piano Company. He resigned as treasurer of the company in 1913, and at that time became identified with The Becker-McLean Company. Two years later he was elected cashier of the First National Bank, and held that office continuously from 1915 until 1931, when he succeeded to the presidency.
On June 20, 1910, Mr. Becker was united in marriage with Miss Emma Berry, of Waterloo. Their children are: 1. Barbara E., attends Wells College. 2. John C., attends Hamilton College, member of Psi Upsilon fraternity. 3. Dorothy V., a student.
Mr. Becker is affiliated with Seneca Lodge, No. 113, F. and A. M., Past Master; Salem Town Chapter, No. 175, R. A. M .; Geneva Commandery, No. 29, K. T .; Delphian Lodge, No. 751, I. O. O. F .; Seneca Lodge, No. 992; B. P. O. Elks, and Psi Upsilon fraternity. He is a trustee of the First Presbyterian Church and Waterloo Library and Historical Society.
During the World War Mr. Becker was chairman of the Lib- erty Loan Committee, United States Savings Stamp Committee, the Three Minute Men, and took a prominent part in the various war activities. He was the first president of the Waterloo Memorial Hospital, Waterloo's memorial to the soldiers, sailors and marines of the World War.
Lester William Bellows, M. D .- With a professional training and practice inclusive of the field of activity that demands his attention through Seneca County and in its hospitals, Dr. Lester William Bellows has established his permanent place in the high regard both of his medical associates and of the general public.
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He is the son of Dr. George Arnold and Harriet M. (Palmer) Bellows.
Lester William Bellows was born at Detroit, Michigan, June 27, 1878. He was three years old when his father moved to Water- loo to practice medicine, and he received his preliminary educa- tion at South Waterloo school, Woods private school, and Water- loo union and high school, from which he was graduated in 1900 as president of his class. Meantime he had been reading medicine and assisting his father in minor capacities, and in 1900 he entered Detroit Medical College, then known as the Detroit College of Medicine. He studied under many of the same professors under whom his father had studied, and during his college course he held for one term each the positions of assistant instructor in the histological and bacteriological laboratories of the college, and was for two years associate editor of "Leucocyte," an official stu- dent and alumni publication.
After his graduation in 1904 Doctor Bellows was for a short time assistant physician and surgeon at the Republic Iron Mines, Republic, Michigan, after which he returned to New York, and on May 1, 1905, he opened an office in conjunction with his father, with whom he practiced until the latter's death in 1910. Since that time he has practiced alone, holding high rank among the medical men of the county, and like his father giving much time to various kinds of community service. He is a member of the staff of Waterloo Memorial Hospital, and an associate member of the staffs of General Hospital at Geneva and Seneca Falls. He served as physician to the county poor at Waterloo during 1907- 1908, 1910-14, 1916-18, 1923 and 1925, and as health officer at Waterloo during 1908-16, physician to the town poor of Fayette, 1908, 1910-19, physician to the town poor of Waterloo, 1911-13, physician to the Seneca County jail at Waterloo, 1911-18, 1923 and 1925, United States pension examining physician and surgeon, 1914-22, and for a time treasurer of the local board of pensions examining surgeons, and health officer of Fayette in 1916-20. During the World War, although physically disqualified in June, 1917, for a commission in the Medical Reserve Corps for which he tried, he served as an examining physician of the board of select-
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ive service draft, and the following year became affiliated with the volunteer medical corps of national defense. From 1918 until 1921 he served as physician to the Seneca County almshouse. From 1919 to 1930 he was health officer of the town of Junius. From 1924 to 1926 he served as medical inspector of Waterloo union and high school and was again appointed to that position in 1932.
In addition to these many public duties and those of his private practice, Dr. Bellows finds time to take an active interest in many organizations of a medical, philanthropic and social nature. He is a member of the Medical Society of the County of Seneca and served as its vice-president from 1907 and its president in 1908 and 1931, and in 1926 wrote and published the history of that society. He is also a member of the New York State Medical Society; New York State Society of Industrial Medicine; Geneva Academy of Medicine; and Fellow of the American Medical Asso- ciation. He is actively identified with the Seneca County Com- mittee on Tuberculosis and Public Health of State Charities Aid Association, and is advisory member of the Seneca County His- torical Society. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, Mod- ern Woodmen of the World, Ancient Order of United Workmen, University Club of Geneva, and is a charter member of Kappa Chapter, Phi Beta Pi Medical fraternity.
On June 21, 1905, Doctor Bellows married Miss Josephine Eliz- abeth Duff, of Seneca Falls, the daughter of John T. and Elizabeth Hoskins (Clapp) Duff. Doctor and Mrs. Bellows have a daughter, Katherine Arnold, born March 29, 1906. She was married Sep- tember 29, 1923, to Kenneth Cook Burroughs, of Geneva.
George Arnold Bellows, M. D., deceased, was an able and well loved physician of Waterloo, respected by his conferes throughout Central New York. He was the son of William L. and Caroline (Plate) Bellows. On his paternal side he was of English ancestry, his sixth great-grandfather having come from England on the ship "Hopewell" in 1635, at the age of twelve years. The family
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settled in New England. The third great-grandfather, Thomas Bellows, who died at Seneca Falls in 1833, was a soldier in the American Revolution.
George Arnold Bellows was born at Seneca Falls, June 6, 1856, and received his early education in the local public schools. At thirteen years he entered Seneca Falls Academy and two years later passed the regents examinations, after which he became an employe in the drug store of Perry Van Kleck at Seneca Falls, and while thus employed he began the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Elias Lester in 1876. In the following year he went to Detroit, Michigan, where he continued his study of medicine under Dr. E. A. Chapoton. In time he entered Detroit Medical College, where he took three full courses of lectures, graduating in 1881. Meantime, he had spent the years of 1879-80 in service as interne at St. Mary's Hospital. Doctor Bellows set- tled at Waterloo in 1881, immediately after his graduation and from that time until his death in 1910 he practiced his profession there. Almost at once he won the confidence and affection of his fellow citizens and was friend as well as physician to the com- munity. His genial personality, his generosity and public spirit made a unique place for him in the community, and he had innum- erable friends. Doctor Bellows was one of the most active mem- bers of the Seneca County Medical Society and held offices many times, serving as president in 1884, 1905, and 1906. When the society was reorganized to affiliate with the Medical Society of the State of New York and its name changed to the Medical Society of the County of Seneca, he was also vice-president of that society for three terms and was a member of the Medical Society of the State of New York, as well as a Fellow of the American Medical Association. In 1882 he was appointed health officer of the towns of Waterloo and Fayette, and in the same year was elected cor- oner of the North Jury District. From 1884 until 1892 he served as physician to the Seneca County Almshouse, and was also United States pension surgeon from 1887 until 1895, and presi- dent of the local board during the last year in this capacity. Doc- tor Bellows was very fond of travel and spent five years in the Bermudas, as well as making other extensive trips.
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Doctor Bellows was married on September 27, 1877, to Miss Harriet M. Palmer, of Seneca Falls. Their only child was Dr. Lester W., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history. Doctor Bellows died May 10, 1910, and his wife died April 11, 1921. Both are buried in Restvale Cemetery, Seneca Falls.
Doctor Bellows was affiliated with Mystic Lodge No. 135, Knights of Pythias, Past Chancellor; Waterloo Tent, No. 188, K. O. T. Maccabees; Ancient Order of United Workmen; Kappa Chapter, Phi Beta Pi fraternity, and Waterloo Wheelmen.
Politically, Doctor Bellows was a lifelong Democrat. He was an active member of the Episcopal Church.
Hon. Leon S. Church .- To the office of Judge of the Seneca County Court, Leon S. Church was elevated by election of the people from the office of district attorney, which he had filled with distinction for four successive terms, having made an envi- able record as the county's chief law officer. Since ascending the bench he has demonstrated his capacity for the judicial office, both as to learning, decisions, and temperament. His law offices are at Interlaken, where he has an extensive practice, and he is known as one of the able attorneys of central New York.
Leon S. Church was born at Yates, Orleans County, New York, August 8, 1884, the son of Orson S. and Ida M. (Palmer) Church. Orson S. Church was born at Yates, March 3, 1853, and through- out his life had been interested in general farming. He lives at Lyndonville, New York. His wife was born in Wyoming County, New York, and died April 27, 1886. She is buried at Lyndonville. Mr. Church is a Republican, a member of the Baptist Church and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Leon S. Church was graduated from Lyndonville High School in 1902 and spent the following three years as a teacher. He then entered the law school of Cornell University, from which he was graduated in 1908. From July, 1908, until December, 1909, he was a member of the editorial staff of the Lawyers Cooperative Company, of Rochester, New York. After his admission to the bar in 1909, Judge Church located at Interlaken, where he has
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continued in practice to the present time. For four years he devoted himself to the interests of his clients exclusively, and in 1913 was elected to the office of district attorney of Seneca County. He was returned as his own successor for three additional terms, and held the office until 1925. In the fall election of the latter year he was elected Judge of Seneca County and took office January 1, 1926. Judge Church was re-elected in November, 1931.
In August, 1920, Judge Church formed a partnership with Frank Hammond, which continued successfully until January 1, 1923. Among his important clients he numbers O. G. and D. C. Wheeler, bankers, of Interlaken, and the Romulus National Bank.
Judge Church was married in January, 1910, to Miss Elizabeth VanCourt, the daughter of Stephen and Phoebe (Allen) Van Court, the former a native of Romulus, and the latter of McDuffie- town, New York. Mr. VanCourt is deceased and his widow re- sides at Interlaken. Judge and Mrs. Church have a daughter, Mary, born February 17, 1915. She attends Interlaken High School.
Judge Church is affiliated with Farmerville Lodge, No. 183, F. and A. M., Past Master; Seneca Lodge, No. 494, I. O. O. F., Past Noble Grand; Interlaken Grange, Past Master; Sigma Phi Sigma fraternity, and the Chamber of Commerce. He is also identified with the Seneca County and New York State Bar Associations, and is president of the Interlaken Board of Education. He is a director of the Wheeler National Bank.
Lt. Commander George Cook Sweet, U. S. N., retired, is one of the most outstanding and experienced radio engineers in the United States. His work as a radio engineer began in 1902 and he planned and constructed many naval coastal radio stations, planned the high power radio chain beginning at Arlington and later embracing California, Honolulu, Panama and the Philip- pines; installed apparatus in the Philippines and China stations, and constructed the naval station at Guam. At the outbreak of the World War, he was working with the development of navy
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plans for high powered radio transoceanic communication, and after the United States entered the World War he was put in charge of the construction and equipment of the station at Annap- olis and later at the Lafayette station in France, which is the larg- est station in the world and the most efficient.
George Cook Sweet was born at Waterloo, New York, June 25, 1877, the son of Hon. William L. and Mary A. (Cook) Sweet.
Hon. William L. Sweet was born in Seneca County in 1852, the son of Abram L. Sweet, who was born in Seneca County in 1818, the son of Col. James Sweet, one of the pioneers of the county. William L. Sweet received his early education in the Waterloo Union School and finished at Cazenovia Seminary. He began his business career as one of the firm of Cook & Sweet, dealers in grain, seed and wool. Later, with his brother, Charles Sweet, he organized the firm of C. C. Sweet & Company in New York City, and while in that business he was a member of the New York Produce Exchange. In 1885 he purchased the Waterloo Flouring Mills, organizing the firm of Sweet, Mongin & Cook, and engaged in the manufacture of flour until 1893, when the mill was de- stroyed by fire. Mr. Sweet then entered the coal and grain busi- ness, with main offices in Syracuse. Subsequently he became pres- ident of the Empire Coal Mining Company of Pennsylvania, with offices in New York City. Later, he retired from business and active life and lived at 29 West Elisha Street, Waterloo, until his death, August 4, 1931. He is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery. Mr. Sweet was always active in Republican politics and had served as village president for two years and as president of the school board. Active in party ranks, he was elected member of the Assembly, serving in 1886. The following year he was elected State Senator and served in 1888-89. He was a member of im- portant committees in both Houses, being chairman of the Com- mittee on State Prisons and a member of the Committee on Canals in the Senate. Mr. Sweet held membership in St. Paul's Episco- pal Church. In 1873 he married Miss Mary A. Cook, who resides at Waterloo. She is the daughter of George Cook. Their chil- dren were: 1. Lt. Commander George C., the subject of this sketch. 2. William L., lives at New York City. 3. Richard L., lives
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at Yonkers. 4. Dr. Charles A., lives at Yonkers. 5. James A., lives at Yonkers. 6. Helen M., lives at Yonkers. 7. Mrs. Elizabeth Bogard, lives at Yonkers 8. Mrs. Charlotte L. Lown, lives at Yonkers.
George Cook Sweet was educated in the grade schools of Waterloo, Waterloo High School, and in 1898 was graduated from the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. He received the appointment of midshipman-at-sea in 1898 and was first assigned to the U. S. S. Minneapolis, and served on this ship during the Spanish American War. In 1899 he was ordered to the U. S. S. Philadelphia and sent to the South Seas to Samoa, Navigator Islands. He was in the native uprisings on that island and received the promotion to ensign on April 4, 1900. Two years later he began to specialize in radio work and development and was among the first navy officers to specialize in this field. On April 4, 1903, he was promoted to lieutenant, junior grade, and September 11th of that year was assigned to the Bureau of Equipment for a three months' course of instruction in wireless telegraphy. May 9, 1904, he was put on special duty at the navy yard at Mare Island and on board the U. S. S. Solace to instruct wireless telegraph operators. He subsequently sailed for Hono- lulu, Guam, Asiatic Station, Cavite and Cabras Island on tem- porary duty during the stay of the U. S. S. Solace at those places and at that time selected sites for wireless telegraph stations. On June 20, 1904, he was sent to the naval station, Cavite, in connec- tion with the installation of wireless telegraph apparatus for the Asiatic fleet, and on June 21st of that year was promoted to lieutenant, senior grade. On November 5, 1904, he was stationed at Cavite on wireless telegraph duty, and on March 7, 1905, was transferred to Guam, but returned to Cavite on February 7, 1906. On February 21, 1906, he reported to the Governor General in connection with six wireless stations to be erected in the Philip- pines and on March 16th represented the navy in connection with the location of wireless telegraph stations in the Philippines. In 1907, during the original tests of the Wright aeroplane, he was the naval member of the Inter-Departmental Board, and he was the first naval officer in the world to fly in an aeroplane. The
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United States Navy was the first navy to seriously consider the use of the plane as a naval aid.
On July 12, 1910, Lieutenant Sweet became aide-on-staff of Rear Admiral Staunton on board the U. S. S. Tennessee, of the Fifth Division Atlantic Fleet. On October 30, 1910, he was pro- moted to lieutenant commander, and on September 26, 1911, became executive officer on the U. S. S. Iowa. He was identified with the Bureau of Steam Engineering, October 15, 1913, on tem- porary duty in connection with radio matters, later being trans- ferred to the navy yard in New York City. On November 11, 1913, he went to Schenectady, New York, on special duty and returned to New York, and later to Washington, D. C., with the Bureau of Steam Engineering, and later to Mare Island, Cali- fornia, for radio duty. On August 8, 1914, he went to San Fran- cisco, California, in connection with the censorship of wireless stations in that vicinity. August 15th he was sent to East San Pedro and San Pedro, California, for radio censorship. He has been placed on the retired list since March 3, 1915. On May 25, 1915, he was sent to the Navy Yard, Mare Island, California, for special duty under the Bureau of Steam Engineering. On Sep- tember 10, 1917, he became identified with the Bureau of Steam Engineering, Navy Department, Washington, D. C., and October 2nd went to Marion, Massachusetts on temporary duty, and later to New London, Connecticut, Sayville, Long Island, New Bruns- wick, New Jersey, and Tuckerton, New Jersey.
On October 15, 1917, Lieutenant Commander Sweet did special work at Belmar, New Jersey, in connection with establishing trans-Atlantic radio receiving base, and October 28th was located at New York City and Belmar, New Jersey, in connection with a high power station at Belmar. On November 13th he went to Annapolis, Maryland, in connection with high power wireless sta- tions, and later to Chatham, Massachusetts, and Boston, Massa- chusetts, in charge of the erection of a high power radio receiving station at Chatham, Massachusetts. He went to Schenectady, New York, January 10, 1918, in connection with the inspection of material for high power trans-Atlantic radio stations, and on February 28th, did temporary duty at Belmar, New Jersey, Phila-
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delphia, Pennsylvania, New York City, New Brunswick, New Jer- sey, being located at Philadelphia in March in charge of shipment of radio material to France. On April 4th, 1918, he was desig- nated as the Navy Department's special representative in all mat- ters pertaining to construction and commissioning of high power radio stations to be erected by the department for the French gov- ernment in the vicinity of Bordeaux. He again was put on tem- porary duty at Philadelphia in April, 1918, and later at New York City, Buffalo, Cleveland, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh. In April, 1918, he went to Bordeaux, France, in charge of the organization and assembling of personnel and material and the building of the towers and radio plant of the Lafayette Radio Station erected by the United States Navy Department. He returned to New York City on May 6th, and in June did temporary duty at Saville, Long Island, in the inspection of radio apparatus. On July 3rd he was connected with the United States Naval forces operating in European waters, and on October 5, 1918, did temporary duty at Paris, France, in conference work regarding the change in design of water-cooling systems for high power radio arcs at Lafayette Radio Station. He became assistant naval attache at the Ameri- can Embassy in April, 1919, and on August 14th was identified with the office of the Naval Intelligence, Navy Department, Wash- ington, D. C. He was again placed on the retired list on October 24, 1919.
Lieutenant Commander Sweet's citations follow: "For Dis- tinguished Service in line of his profession, as the officer charged with the design and installation, first of the high power radio sta- tion at Annapolis, Maryland, and later of the still more powerful station at Croix d'Hins, France, the latter being at that time the most efficient radio station in the world." Citation given with Navy Cross on November 11, 1920. 2. Awarded the decoration of the Croix de Officier de L'Instruction Publique, by the French Government. 3. Awarded the Croix de Chevalier of the Legion of Honor for his services in connection with the installation of the Lafayette Radio Station at La Croix d'Hins. Commander Sweet also wears the campaign ribbons of the Spanish American War, Samoa uprisings, and the World War.
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After the peace conference was finished in Paris, Commander Sweet came home on the U. S. S. Leviathan with General Pershing and his staff. Soon thereafter he was relieved from active duty and he became a licensed engineer in New York State and prac- ticed consulting engineering in New York City until his family removed to their old Waterloo home, where he now spends most of his time in experimenting on fanciful developments.
Commander Sweet is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Past Commander of the American Legion, Past Commander of the 7th District, American Legion, and belongs to the Army and Navy Club and Chevy Chase Club of Washington, D. C., New York Yacht Club, Seneca Yacht Club, Seneca Lodge No. 113, F. and A. M., and Salem Town Chapter No. 173, R. A. M. He is a trustee of Waterloo Memorial Hospital, and served for several years as a member of the local board of education. He also be- longs to the Waterloo Business Men's Association.
Hon. James De Villo Pollard .- Well known throughout Central New York is James DeVillo Pollard, who is editor and treasurer of the Journal Publishing Company, Ltd., of Seneca Falls, and he has also served as a member of the General Assembly from Seneca County since 1930. He was born at Seneca Falls, December 24, 1892, the son of William J. and Alice B. (Daniels) Pollard.
William J. Pollard was born at Seneca Falls, in January, 1861. He was a graduate of Union College, class of 1882, and for a num- ber of years was identified with the Rumsey Pump Company of Seneca Falls, as superintendent. He served for thirty years as editor of the Courier Journal and at the time of his death in 1910 was president of the New York Press Association. Mr. Pollard was a Republican and held the office of supervisor of Seneca Falls. He was a member of the Episcopal Church and belonged to Poca- hontas Lodge, No. 211, F. and A. M. His widow resides at Seneca Falls. Their children were: 1. Blanche A., married Frank V. Slavin, who died in 1928, and she resides at Seneca Falls. 2. Wil- liam H., lives at Beloit, Wisconsin. 3. James D., the subject of this sketch. 4. Emily D. 5. Robert S. 6. Julia. All live at Seneca Falls.
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