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 27
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 27
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 27
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 27
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Mr. Fredenburgh's political activities include the chairman- ship of the Republican County Committee of Seneca County, and he has served in that office since 1923. In 1924 he was an alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention, held at Cleve- land, Ohio, and an alternate delegate to the national convention held at Chicago, Illinois, in June, 1932. In the latter convention he acted as delegate in place of Judge Nelson B. Sawyer, of Pal- myra, who was unable to attend.
During the World War Mr. Fredenburgh gave freely of his time and energy in the pursuit of welfare work and in loan and bond campaigns. He was treasurer of the war chest and secre- tary of the Seneca County home defense committee.
Mr. Fredenburgh is Past Master of Pocahontas Lodge No. 211, F. and A. M .; Past High Priest of Salem Town Chapter, R. A. M. No. 173; member of Skoiyase Council No. 75, Waterloo; Salem Town Commandery No. 16, K. T .; Central City Consistory, 32nd degree; and Damascus Temple A. A. O. N. M. S., Rochester. He also belongs to B. P. O. Elks No. 922; Rotary Club; Seneca Falls Business Men's Association, and Seneca Falls Country Club, of which he is Past President.
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Judge Alexander J. Byrne, who is serving as police justice of Seneca Falls, has successfully filled that office for more than a quarter of a century and is widely known and highly esteemed throughout Seneca County. He was born in Dublin, Ireland, Sep- tember 6, 1869, the son of John and Mary (Doyle) Byrne.
John Byrne was a native of County Wicklow, Ireland, as was his wife. He was interested in the leather business there and emi- grated to the United States about 1870, locating at Seneca Falls. He conducted a retail meat business at this place in partnership with his brother, Lieut. Bernard Byrne, who served throughout the Civil War as a member of Company K, 33rd Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry. A complete sketch of the military career of Lieutenant Byrne may be found in the History of the New York State Volunteers. John Byrne retired from business in 1883 and died at Seneca Falls in 1900. His wife died there in 1903. He was a Democrat and an active member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Byrne were born nine chil- dren: 1. Margaret, married James Souhan, lives at Seneca Falls. 2. Alexander J., the subject of this sketch. 3. Edward P. 4. Andrew W. 5. Bernard. All live at Seneca Falls. 6. Catherine, married Joseph P. Gaynor, lives at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 7. Lawrence, lives at Elmira, New York. 8. Rev. Stephen J., a graduate of St. Andrew's Preparatory Seminary, Rochester, and St. Bernard's Theological Seminary, Rochester, New York. He is pastor of St. Michael's Catholic Church at Geneseo, New York. 9. Monica, married Dr. James Leary, physician, lives at Rush, New York.
Alexander J. Byrne left St. Patrick's parochial school at the age of ten years on account of ill health. He had various employ- ment as a youth and for a time was interested in the insurance business. He improved himself by home study and is self edu- cated. As mentioned above he has held the office of police justice since 1906. He is also a member of the Seneca County and New York State Democratic committees, and is president of the New York State Magistrates Association.
In 1900 Mr. Byrne married Miss Ellen O'Connor, who died at Seneca Falls in October, 1930. She was the daughter of Terrance
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and Elizabeth (Bonar) O'Connor, who were natives of New Cas- tle-on-Tyne, England. They are buried at Seneca Falls. To Mr. and Mrs. Byrne were born six children: 1. Elizabeth, a teacher at Utica, New York. 2. Mary, married Orville Cook, lives at Sen- eca Falls. 3. Thomas F., civil engineer, New York State Depart- ment of Public Works, lives at Seneca Falls. 4. Joseph, deceased. 5. Helen, a teacher at Phelps, New York. 6. Agnes, attends Wil- liam Smith College, Geneva.
Mr. Byrne and his family are members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, and he is affiliated with Seneca Falls Council, Knights of Columbus, Fourth degree, and B. P. O. Elks, No. 992.
Harry C. Bray .- One of the leading citizens of Wayne County is Harry C. Bray, who is president of the Citizens Trust Company at Clyde. He was born at New Haven, Connecticut, August 13, 1881, the son of Charles E. and Ada C. (Hemingway) Bray.
Charles E. Bray, a native of New Haven, Connecticut, was born in 1853. He was the son of Judge Charles A. Bray, a leading jurist of New Haven. Charles A., father of the subject of this sketch, successfully engaged in the plumbing and heating business at New Haven until his retirement in 1910. He died March 21, 1917, and his wife died September 30, 1926. She was a sister of H. C. Hemingway, founder of H. C. Hemingway & Company, Inc., leading canners in that section of the country. Charles E. Bray was a Republican and for many years was village clerk of Fair Haven (now New Haven). He held membership in the Second Congregational Church and Masonic Lodge, and also was a mem- ber of the old Horse Guard, a pioneer military organization of Connecticut. To Charles E. and Ada C. (Hemingway) Bray were born two sons: 1. Harry C., the subject of this sketch. 2. Dwight E., custom leather manufacturer, at New Haven, Connecticut.
Harry C. Bray was educated in the grade schools of New Haven and attended Boardman Preparatory School. At an early age he became associated with the New Haven Register, being interested especially in advertising. Later he became advertising
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manager of the Attleboro (Massachusetts) Sun, and in 1904 located at Syracuse, New York, with H. G. Hemingway & Co., Inc. After a short time he was transferred to the plant at Clyde and in 1912 became a director of the company. Since 1914 he has held his present position as resident manager and director.
Upon the organization of the Citizens Trust Company in Sep- tember, 1920, Mr. Bray became director. He has been president since April, 1932.
In 1908 Mr. Bray married Miss Margaret Elizabeth Lang, the daughter of George Henry and Barbara Lang, of Clyde. Both are deceased.
Mr. Bray is a Republican and holds the office of village trustee. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is affiliated with Clyde Lodge, No. 341, F. and A. M .; Griswold Chapter, No. 201, R. A. M .; Zenobia Commandery, K. T., Palmyra; Damascus Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., Rochester; and Rochester Club.
Jesse C. Petteys is a leading member of the Wayne County bar, successfully engaged in practice at Clyde, and he is also a veteran of the World War. He was born at Pettey's Corners, Galen, Wayne County, June 29, 1888, the son of Lester A. and Susan D. (Heit) Petteys.
The Petteys family settled in Wayne County more than 200 years ago, three brothers having come here from England. Mem- bers of the family have served in the nation's wars and one Jesse Petteys served throughout the War of 1812. Lester A. Petteys was born on a farm at Savannah, Wayne County, and through- out his life was interested in general farming. He died in 1928 and his wife, also born at Galen, died in 1924. Both are buried in Maplegrove Cemetery, Clyde. Mr. Petteys was a Democrat and a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. There were five children in the Petteys family: 1. Louis L., farmer, lives at Waterloo, Rural Route 4. 2. Jesse C., the subject of this sketch. 3. Lester F., farmer, lives near Galen. 4. Lorena,
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the widow of Arthur Starr, lives at Waterloo. 5. Maude, married Louis Sharpe, farmer, lives at Galen.
Jesse C. Petteys is a graduate of Geneva High School, class of 1908. He received the degree of LL. B. at Cornell University in 1913, and during the following year engaged in farming with his father. After his admission to the bar in March, 1915, Mr. Pet- teys established his present private practice at Clyde. He enlisted in August, 1918, for service in the World War and was sent to Camp Gordon, Georgia, where he was assigned to the Seventeenth Company, Fifth Training Battalion. His organization was later transferred to the Ninety-eighth Division at Camp McClellan, Ala- bama, and at the close of the war he was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant.
In 1917 Mr. Petteys was united in marriage with Miss Ger- trude Sharpe, the daughter of Edward and Stella Sharpe, natives of England and New York respectively. He was a prosperous farmer of Wayne County and lived at Galen. Mr. and Mrs. Pet- teys have no children.
Politically Mr. Petteys is a Republican and holds the offices of Justice of the Peace, Village Attorney, and president of the Board of Education. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and has the following lodge affiliations: Clyde Lodge, No. 341, F. and A. M., Past Master; Griswold Chapter, No. 201, R. A. M., Past High Priest; and George Aden Brown Post, No. 226, Ameri- can Legion, Past Adjutant. He is Past Judge Advocate of the Wayne County American Legion and chairman of the Americani- zation Committee, former president of the Wayne County Bar Association, and president of the Clyde Exchange Club.
Mr. and Mrs. Petteys have a summer home on Lake Bluff, New York.
Kenneth P. Collier .- Among the most successful of the younger business men of Wayne County is Kenneth P. Collier, dealer in farm supplies and coal at Clyde. He is a native of Wayne County, born at East Williamson, November 20, 1906, the son of Paul Daniel and Myra O. (Schimerhorn) Collier.
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Paul Daniel Collier was born at Pultneyville, Wayne County, and his wife is a native of Ontario County. They are residents of Clyde. He established the Clyde Vinegar Works, as well as the Renco Milling Company, of which he is president and general man- ager. Mr. Collier is a Republican, and has held the offices of jus- tice of the peace and village trustee. He is a member of the Pres- byterian Church and belongs to Clyde Lodge, No. 341, F. and A. M., Griswold Chapter, No. 201, R. A. M., and Zenobia Com- mandery, K. T. Mr. and Mrs. Collier's only child is Kenneth P., the subject of this sketch.
After completing a year of study at Clyde High School, Ken- neth P. Collier became an apprentice carpenter in the employ of his uncle, B. C. Brown, of New York City. He subsequently served as manager of the Brutus Rolling Mills at Weedsport, New York, and afterward resumed his high school work, being a member of the graduating class of 1927 at Clyde. He then entered Union University. His next business connection was with the Clyde Farmers Exchange, leading dealers in farm supplies and coal. He became owner of the establishment in December, 1931. In August, 1932, Mr. Collier sold his business and is now manager of the Renco Milling Company.
In 1927 Mr. Collier was united in marriage with Miss Cecile Finch, the daughter of Frank E. and Ethel Louise (Meade) Finch, who are natives and residents of Clyde. Mr. and Mrs. Collier have a daughter, Jeanne, born November 22, 1928.
Mr. Collier is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and is senior deacon of Clyde Lodge, No. 241, F. and A. M.
Matthew Fischette is a substantial and well known citizen of Clyde, where he is interested in the real estate and insurance busi- ness. He is a native of Italy, born at San Angelo, Lombardo, Province of Avelino, October 12, 1884, the son of Peter and Mary (Pitzerusso) Fischette.
Peter Fischette was born in Italy, and emigrated to this coun- try with his family in 1886. He now lives retired at Clyde, and his
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wife is deceased. Mr. Fischette is a Republican, a member of St. John's Catholic Church, and belongs to Star of Italy Lodge. There were four children in the Fischette family: 1. Thomas. 2. Frank. 3. Rose, married Alexander Dapoleto. 4. Matthew, the subject of this sketch. All live at Clyde.
Matthew Fischette was two years of age when his parents located at Clyde. He was educated in the public schools, and began his business career with the Wayne County Preserve Com- pany, of Newark, New York. During 1909-10 he owned and oper- ated the Wright Cleaning Works, at Bartlettsville, Oklahoma, and in the latter year returned to Clyde as a general contractor. He subsequently was ticket agent for the Rochester and Syracuse Railroad Company at Clyde, proprietor of the Wayne County Cheese Company, and local agent for the Metropolitan Life Insur- ance Company. In 1924 Mr. Fischette purchased the insurance business of D. L. Stow, which had been founded in 1825. He has offices on Park Street.
In 1901 Mr. Fischette married Miss Anna DeJohn, the daugh- ter of Raphael and Rose DeJohn, both were natives of Italy, and residents of Lyons, New York. Mr. DeJohn is deceased and his widow resides at Clyde. To Mr. and Mrs. Fischette have been born four children: 1. Peter Vivian, married Ethel Gilkey, lives at Syracuse. 2. Rose, a graduate of Plattsburg Normal School, lives at home. 3. Matthew, Jr., attended Northeastern College, lives at home. 4. Virginia Lucile, at home.
Mr. Fischette served as village trustee during 1925-28, and since 1929 has been village clerk and collector. He is also secre- tary of the village zoning commission. He is a member of St. John's Catholic Church; Secretary of Loyal Order of Moose, No. 1675; President of Chapter 974, Order of Sons of Italy in America; member of Star of Italy; and Clyde Volunteer Fire Department.
Edwin Thales Emmons .- As city editor of the Geneva Daily Times for more than a quarter of a century, Mr. Emmons has always taken a keen interest in the history and advancement of the city of Geneva. He was born at Woodstock, Vermont, April 11, 1882, the son of Thales Winn and Alma (Randall) Emmons.
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Thales Winn Emmons was a native of Vermont, born at Tafts- ville, about 1844. Throughout his life he was a farmer and he died September 25, 1907. He is buried at Taftsville. His wife, the daughter of Billy Decatur Randall, jeweler, died December 23, 1904. They had two sons: Edwin Thales, the subject of this sketch. 2. Roy Winn, jeweler, lives at Rochester, New York.
Edwin Thales Emmons grew up at Taftsville, Vermont, and attended the public schools there and at Woodstock, being grad- uated from high school in 1899. He then worked on the Vermont Standard, a weekly publication at Woodstock, where he learned the trade of printer. He also was local correspondent for the Boston Herald and other leading newspapers. In 1902 he went to Syracuse as a reporter on the Syracuse Evening Telegram, in which capacity he served for almost two years. His next work was at Rochester as court reporter on the Rochester Herald. From 1902 until 1906 he had reportorial connections with the Boston American and Brockton Times, returning later to the Rochester Herald. In 1906 Mr. Emmons came to Geneva as city editor on the Geneva Daily Times.
Mr. Emmons is president of the Geneva Historical Society, president of the Canandaigua Botanical Society, as well as a mem- ber of the Historical Sites Committee of the Ontario County His- torical Society. He is also a member of the Book Committee of the Geneva Free Library, and for many years was a director of the United Welfare Council of Geneva. He was president for fif- teen years of the Geneva Civic League, and is a member of the board of directors of the Geneva Social Service League, of which he was president for three years. He holds membership in the Chamber of Commerce, Geneva Garden Club, American Fern Society, Seneca Yacht Club, and Geneva Rod and Gun Club. His interesting hobby is the collecting of native ferns of the eastern section of the United States and he has a complete collection of specimens in Central New York. Mr. Emmons has been a con- tributor to a number of magazines, of fiction and of Nature articles, and during 1931-32 published a complete history of the city of Geneva, including numerous biographies of Geneva citi- zens.
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Mr. Emmons was married November 8, 1906, to Miss Maude Eloise Townsend, the daughter of Albert H. and Laura (Blossom) Townsend, of Woodstock, Vermont. They are the parents of two children: 1. Alma Randall, born January 9, 1910, a graduate of Geneva High School and William Smith College, Geneva. She received the degree of Master of Arts at Radcliffe College in 1931. 2. Albert Edwin, born May 9, 1913, a graduate of Geneva High School, attends the College of Forestry, Syracuse University.
Politically, Mr. Emmons is a Republican. He and his family are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Geneva.
Albert Young, funeral director, is recognized as one of the dependable business men of Williamson, Wayne County. He was born in Buiksloot, Holland, on August 28, 1886, the son of Her- man and Magdalena (Langewis) Young.
Herman Young and his wife were natives of Holland, and he was a fisherman for many years in his native land. He later came to the United States and settled on a farm in Wayne County, near Williamson. He died June 15, 1930, and is buried at Pultney- ville. To Mr. and Mrs. Young were born ten children.
Albert Young received his education in the schools of Roches- ter, New York. He assisted his father in farming for a time and then was employed in the furniture store and undertaking estab- lishment of J. C. Barzine at Williamson. After two years he went with C. I. Dezutter, and in November, 1906, Mr. Young became a licensed embalmer in the State of New York. He spent four years in the employ of James Joseph Wylie, of Sodus, and then estab- lished a business at Savannah, New York. Subsequently, he was located at Ossining, New York, for three years, and in January, 1913, in association with H. E. Farnsworth he purchased the busi- ness of his former employer, J. C. Berzine, at Williamson. After three years the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Farnsworth retailed the furniture store. Mr. Young became the owner of the funeral business. A modern funeral home and attractive chapel, the latter with a seating capacity of 250 people, has recently been
ALBERT YOUNG
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opened by Mr. Young, who is numbered among the progressive funeral directors of the county. Ambulance service is also main- tained. Mr. Young holds membership in the New York State Funeral Directors Association, New York State Embalmers Asso- ciation, and National Association of Funeral Directors.
On December 25, 1905, Mr. Young was united in marriage with Miss C. Margaret Farnsworth, the daughter of William D. and Sylvia (Woodworth) Farnsworth. To them have been born three children: 1. Esther Margaret, born September 10, 1907, attended Alfred University and Rochester Business Institute of Commerce. 2. Donald Woodworth, born January 9, 1915, attends Williamson High School. 3. Albert, Jr., born September 3, 1916, attends Wil- liamson High School.
Mr. Young is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 826, and Rotary Club. He is a member of Pultneyville Lodge No. 159, F. & A. M., Wayne Chapter No. 276, R. A. M., and Zenobia Commandery No. 41, K. T.
Capt. George S. Allen, M. D .- Prominent in professional activ- ities in Central New York is Doctor George S. Allen, who has suc- cessfully engaged in the practice of medicine at Clyde, Wayne County, since 1900. He was born at Farmington, Ontario County, May 18, 1873, the son of Ellery G. and Mary Jane (Briggs) Allen.
Ellery G. Allen was a native of New York and one of Farming- ton's best known citizens. He was born at Oppenheim, Herkimer County, November 1, 1843, and died July 10, 1932, and until his retirement was a progressive and well known farmer. He was a Republican, and held the offices of justice of the peace and supervisor. He attended the Hicksite Quaker Church, and was affiliated with Macedon Lodge, F. & A. M., and Griswold Chapter, R. A. M. His wife was born at Arcadia, Wayne County, and died in 1917. She is buried at Farmington. To Mr. and Mrs. Allen were born the following children: 1. Jennie, married Frank G. Hawkins, lives at Victor, New York. 2. George S., the subject of
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this sketch. 3. Lewis F., who lives on the homestead. 4. Dr. Charles E., a dentist, lives at Brockton, New York. 5. Willard H., general farmer, lives at Macedon, Wayne County. 6. Carrie B., married Gilbert H. Padghan, lives at Farmington, New York.
After attending the district school at Farmington, George S. Allen attended Macedon Center Academy, and in 1897 received the degree of Doctor of Medicine at the University of Buffalo. During 1897-98 he was an interne in Erie County Hospital, Buf- falo, and he then spent one year in practice at Rochester. Doctor Allen located at Clyde in March, 1900, where he has since main- tained an extensive practice. He has also taken graduate work at Harvard University.
At the outbreak of the World War Doctor Allen volunteered his services and in April, 1917, was commissioned a first lieutenant in the U. S. Medical Reserve Corps, being sent to Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, Indiana. In September, 1917, he was transferred to the Three Hundred and Twenty-ninth Infantry, Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ohio, and on January 22, 1918, re- ceived the commission of captain. While at Camp Sherman he served as an instructor in various capacities, and later was acting commander of the medical department of the regiment. He was honorably discharged for disability in line of duty, March 19, 1918.
Doctor Allen is a Republican and for nine years served as cor- oner of Wayne County. He was postmaster of Clyde from Decem- ber, 1911, until the spring of 1915. In 1915 he was appointed health officer of the town of Galen, in which capacity he served until August, 1918, when the village of Clyde and the town of Galen were combined, and he has continued to the present time as health officer. He also has been a member of the Clyde board of educa- tion since 1917 and for several terms was president. He is past president and secretary of the Wayne County Medical Society, and holds membership in the New York State Medical Society, and American Medical Association. He is also associate staff member of Auburn City Hospital and Geneva General Hospital.
On November 2, 1899, Doctor Allen was united in marriage with Miss Nellie S. Padghan, the daughter of Albert and Mary J. (Smith) Padghan, natives of England and Victor, Ontario County,
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respectively. He is deceased and his widow resides at Clyde. To Doctor and Mrs. Allen were born six children, as follows: 1. Ellery G., B. S., M. D., a graduate of Colgate University and Har- vard Medical College, is now instructor in Clinical Medicine, Syra- cuse University College of Medicine, and also engaged in private practice at Syracuse. He married Miss Millicent Green, and they live at Syracuse. 2. Laura C., a graduate of Cornell University, Bachelor of Science degree, married Carl H. Preston, lives at Ithaca, New York. 3. Wilda B., a graduate of Cornell University, Bachelor of Science degree, married Edward R. Stephens, lives at Detroit, Mich. 4. Dorothy E., a graduate of Elmira College for Women, Bachelor of Science degree, lives at home. 5. William Howard Taft, a graduate of Peekskill Military Academy, attended West Point Military Academy for two years, now a senior at Col- gate University. 6. Charles S., a graduate of Mercersburg Acad- emy, now a senior at Colgate University.
Doctor Allen is an elder of the Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with Macedon Lodge No. 343, F. & A. M., Rochester Con- sistory, thirty-second degree, Damascus Temple, and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He also belongs to George A. Brown Post No. 226, American Legion, and Disabled Emergency Officers of the World War.
William Adolphe Gracey .- As editor and publisher of "The Geneva Daily Times," William Adolphe Gracey occupies a position of paramount importance in Ontario County. He was born in Nynee Tal, India, August 4, 1866, the son of Rev. John T. and Annie (Ryder) Gracey, who were missionaries of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Rev. John T. Gracey was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1831, of Scotch and English parentage. He was married March 10, 1858, to Miss Annie Ryder, the daughter of William Ryder, of Christiana, Delaware. To this union were born four children, of whom William A., subject of this sketch, was the second in order of birth. Reverend Gracey and his wife served as missionaries in India from 1861 until 1869, and upon their return
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to the United States he became a prominent minister in western New York. Both he and his wife gained prominence as writers and speakers. He died January 5, 1912, and Mrs. Gracey died in 1908. Both are buried in Clifton Springs, New York.
William Adolphe Gracey received his early education in the public schools of Buffalo and Rochester. He spent three years at the University of Rochester, but left school in 1888 to take up newspaper work. During his high school career Mr. Gracey had evinced a marked talent for writing and was editor of "The Cam- pus," the student publication at the University. He became a reporter for Rochester daily newspapers while a university stu- dent, and in 1889 became one of the editors of "The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle," in which capacity he served for a per- iod of nine years. On January 1, 1898, Mr. Gracey came to Geneva as an associate of the late Herbert J. Fowler, editor and publisher of "The Geneva Daily Times," at that time a struggling daily, which had been founded in 1895, by M. J. Dillon. Three years later it was still an eight-page publication with very little paid adver- tising and inadequate news service. During the succeeding years under the capable management and editorship of Mr. Gracey, "The Geneva Daily Times" has become one of the outstanding newspapers in Northern and Central New York. It is published at the present time by the Geneva Printing Company, a separate corporation, of which Mr. Gracey is president. George B. Wil- liams, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history, is busi- ness manager, secretary and treasurer.
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