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 III > Part 25
USA > New York > Steuben County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume III > Part 25
USA > New York > Tioga County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume III > Part 25
USA > New York > Chemung County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume III > Part 25
USA > New York > Schuyler County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume III > Part 25
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 III > Part 25
USA > New York > Cortland County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume III > Part 25
USA > New York > Yates County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume III > Part 25
USA > New York > Tompkins County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume III > Part 25
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 III > Part 25
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 III > Part 25
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ROBERT JOHN WYATT
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partner in the business. The entire output of nursery stock is largely distributed wholesale throughout the Middle West. For twenty-five years Mr. Wyatt served as a mail carrier in Geneva.
Robert John Wyatt is a Democrat in politics. He was ap- pointed city assessor on January 1, 1924, and resigned the follow- ing June to assume the duties of sheriff of Ontario County, being appointed by Gov. Alfred E. Smith. He was again appointed city assessor in January, 1925, and has served as such continuously since that time. For many years Mr. Wyatt has been a member of the city and county committees of his party. He holds member- ship in St. Stephens' Catholic Church, being a member of the choir for sixteen years, and he also is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus. He was one of the early members of the Geneva Choral Society in 1897 and was actively identified with it until it was abandoned in 1916. Mr. Wyatt has been identified with many of the civic affairs of Geneva during his lifetime.
Mr. Wyatt is unmarried and lives with his sisters at 321 Ham- ilton Street.
In 1884 he enlisted in the 34th Separate Company of Geneva and served nine years, and was honorably discharged as a sergeant.
G. Fred Beaudry .- As president of the Beaudry Wall Paper Corporation and Cortland Wall Paper Company, G. Fred Beaudry is prominent in Cortland, and is a member of one of the repre- sentative families in this section. He was born at Cortland, Feb- ruary 8, 1890, the son of G. Fred and Harriet A. (Jones) Beaudry.
A complete sketch of G. Fred Beaudry, Sr., appears elsewhere in this history.
After his graduation from the public schools of Cortland, G. Fred Beaudry, Jr., attended Cortland Normal School. He then served in a clerical capacity in the jewelry store of F. B. Nourse, at Cortland, and later became a traveling representative of the Wallace Paper Company. When the Beaudry Wall Paper Corpor- ation was re-organized in 1919 he became vice-president of the new corporation, and upon his father's death in 1923 he succeeded
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HISTORY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK
to the presidency. The Cortland Wall Paper Company is a sub- sidiary. Mr. Beaudry is also secretary and treasurer of the Wall Paper Manufacturers Association of the United States.
On August 12, 1912, Mr. Beaudry was united in marriage at Ithaca with Miss Ruth VanBrocklin, of Cortland, born June 11, 1890. She is the daughter of Charles E. and Anna (Dana) Van Brocklin, natives of New York and Chicago, respectively. Mrs. VanBrocklin died September 17, 1930, and is buried at Cortland. To Mr. and Mrs. Beaudry the following children were born: 1. John E., born in 1913, a graduate of Cortland High School and Tome Preparatory School in Maryland. He attends the Univer- sity of North Carolina. 2. Charles F., born August 12, 1914, a graduate of Cortland High School, attends the University of North Carolina. 3. Hester A., born November 17, 1915, a gradu- ate student of Cortland High School. 4. Stephen J., born Septem- ber 27, 1917, attends Cortland High School. 5. Peter Thomas, born October 9, 1921. 6. Joan Phyllis, born March 29, 1929. 7. George Fred, III, born May 10, 1930.
Politically, Mr. Beaudry is a Democrat. His family attend the Presbyterian Church and he holds membership in the Elks Lodge, Rotary Club, Cortland Country Club, Cortland County Sports- men's Association, and Chamber of Commerce.
G. Fred Beaudry, deceased, was a dominant force in the busi- ness affairs of Cortland for many years, being founder of the Beaudry Wall Paper Corporation and Cortland Wall Paper Com- pany. He was also a director of the National Bank of Cortland, trustee of Cortland County Hospital, and president of the Cort- land Country Club. Mr. Beaudry was born at Hague, New York, September 5, 1861, the son of Leonard William and Honora Beaudry.
G. Fred Beaudry spent his early life at Homer, New York. He attended the public schools. He established a small business in Cortland, New York, in 1879, and four years later removed to enlarged quarters. He erected the Beaudry Building, a three
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HISTORY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK
story structure in 1885, and in the following spring removed his business there. For a number of years he was a dealer in bicycles, sporting goods, stationery, books, wall papers, and tobacco. It was Mr. Beaudry who opened the city's first soda fountain. In 1897 he became associated with the late O. C. Smith as a member of the firm of Smith & Beaudry. Two years later Mr. Smith became a traveling representative of the Wallace Paper Company of Cortland, and the new firm of Beaudry & Allen was then organized. Subsequently Mr. Beaudry became interested in the Wallace Paper Company, and in 1915 the Cortland Wall Paper Company was organized by Mr. Beaudry, D. W. VanHoesen and C. P. Seymour. Mr. Beaudry served in the office of president until the time of his death, April 3, 1923. In July, 1919, he also took an active part in the organization of the Beaudry Wall Paper Corporation, of which he served as president. At the time of his death he was a member of the advisory board of the Wall Paper Manufacturers Association of the United States.
Mr. Beaudry married Miss Harriet A. Jones, of Auburn, New York, who resides at Cortland. Their children were: 1. May W., married Frank C. Farrell, lives at Cortland. 2. Ida Louise, who died in 1918. 3. G. Fred, Jr., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history. 4. J. Leon, lives at Cortland. 5. Harriet, who is secretary of the Beaudry Wall Paper Corporation. 6. Helen, mar- ried Paul D. Smith, lives at Cortland. 7. Dorothy, lives at home. 8. Ruth, lives at home. 9. Robert E., who is identified with the Beaudry Wall Paper Corporation.
Mr. Beaudry was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, a charter member of the Cortland Council, Knights of Columbus, director of the Rotary Club, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce. He also belonged to the Elks Lodge.
J. Leon Beaudry .- Among Cortland County's most prominent and representative young business men is J. Leon Beaudry, who is vice-president and secretary of the Beaudry Wall Paper Corpor- ation and Cortland Wall Paper Company, as well as a director of the Cortland Trust Company. He was born at Cortland, Decem- ber 14, 1891, the son of G. Fred and Harriet A. (Jones) Beaudry.
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HISTORY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK
G. Fred Beaudry's biography appears elsewhere in this history.
J. Leon Beaudry is a graduate of Cortland Normal, High School, and later attended the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce, University of Pennsylvania. He then was identified with the Cortland Wall Paper Company for a period of four years, and in 1919 became vice-president and secretary of the Beaudry Wall Paper Company at the date of its organization. He is also vice-president and director of the Cortland Electric Company.
On September 23, 1916, Mr. Beaudry married Miss Helen John- son, the daughter of Frank P. and Laura (Fulford) Johnson, natives of Brockport, New York. Mr. Johnson resides at Roches- ter. His wife died in 1912. For many years he was identified with the Johnson Lumber Company at Cortland. Helen (Johnson) Beaudry is a graduate of Cortland State Normal School and before her marriage was a high school teacher at Freeport, Long Island. Mr. and Mrs. Beaudry have three daughters: 1. Jane A., born March 25, 1918. 2. Barbara C., born August 5, 1920. 3. Mar- garet E., born April 1, 1925.
Mr. Beaudry is a Republican, a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and belongs to B. P. O. Elks, Knights of Columbus, Rotary Club, Cortland Country Club, Cortland Sportsmen's Asso- ciation, and Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Beaudry is a member of Grace Episcopal Church.
Robert Johnson Ames .- A veteran of the World War, Robert J. Ames is one of the prominent business men of Cortland, where he is identified with the Ames Motor Company, 16-22 Port Watson Street. He was born in this city, April 26, 1893, the son of George H. and Rose (Johnson) Ames.
George H. Ames, retired, is among the pioneer automobile men of Cortland County. He is a native of Upper Lisle, Broome County, and spent his early life there. As a young man he went to Mexico, where he engaged in railway construction work for a number of years. Upon his return to New York he established
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HISTORY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK
the G. H. Ames Shoe Company at Cortland, with which he was identified for twenty years. In 1912 he became local representa- tive of the Ford Motor Car Company, and continued in the auto- mobile business until his retirement in 1927. Mr. Ames is a Re- publican, a member of the Episcopal Church, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America. His wife is a native of Speedsville, Tompkins County. Their children are: 1. Robert Johnson, the subject of this sketch. 2. George Chester, M. D., lives at Hollis, Long Island. 3. Fred W., identified with the Ames Appliance Company, Cortland. 4. Rosa- mond, lives at Cortland.
Robert J. Ames was educated in the public schools of Cortland. He spent three years at Cortland Normal State High School and is a graduate of Phillips Academy at Andover, Massachusetts. He received the degree of Ph. B. at Brown University in 1918, and during that year enlisted for service in the World War. Throughout the war period he was stationed at Fort Slocum, New York; University of Pennsylvania School of Ordnance, Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania; Camp Hancock, Augustus, Georgia, and Camp Metchuen, New Jersey. He was discharged in January, 1919, and during the following three years was located on the Isle of Cuba with the National City Bank of New York. From 1921 until 1926 he lived at Groton, New York, where he was Ford representative, and in March, 1925, Mr. Ames also located a second garage in Cortland as dealer for the Star and Durant cars. Since 1930 he has had the agency for the Studebaker, Rockne, and Pierce Arrow automobiles.
On November 27, 1924, Mr. Ames married Miss Helen Violet Hutchings, of Dryden, New York, the daughter of Adelbert and Bertha (Givens) Hutchings. Mr. Hutchings was born at Dryden and died there in 1928. His widow lives at Cortland. Mrs. Ames is a graduate of Dryden High School in 1915, and Cortland Nor- mal School, in 1917, and before her marriage was a teacher for two years at Turin and five years at Groton. Mr. and Mrs. Ames have two children: 1. Martha Ashley, born January 14, 1926. 2. Robert Johnson, Jr., born October 6, 1928.
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HISTORY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK
Mr. Ames is a member of the Episcopal Church and belongs to Cortlandville Lodge, No. 470, F. and A. M .; Cortland Chapter, R. A. M., No. 194; Cortland Commandery, K. T., No. 50; Knights of Pythias, Loyal Order of Moose, Eagles Lodge, American Legion, Chamber of Commerce, Cortland Polo and Riding Club, and Cort- land County Sportsmen's Association. He was also affiliated with the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity at Brown University. Politically, he is a Republican.
Charles Randall Merrill .- A member of one of the well known pioneer families of Cortland County, Charles Randall Merrill is recognized as a substantial citizen of Homer, where he is postmas- ter. He was born here, March 1, 1863, the son of Augustus Spen- cer and Sarah (Pierce) Merrill.
Augustus Spencer Merrill was born at Truxton, Cortland County, and died in 1912. His wife, born at Homer, died in 1931. He was reared and educated at Truxton and as a youth assisted his father, Lewis Long Merrill, who was one of the early tavern owners of Cortland County. He also operated a stage coach line in 1833 and carried mail and passengers from Albany to Ithaca. The son, Augustus S. Merrill, later engaged in general farming until 1863, at which time he located at Homer, as owner of a livery and transfer business. He carried mail in the village also. Mr. Merrill was a Republican and for several years was president of the Cortland County Agricultural Society. He and his wife were members of the Congregational Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Merrill were born the following children: 1. Frances C., unmarried, lives at Homer. 2. Charles Randall, the subject of this sketch. 3. Cath- erine F., who died in 1881. 4. Louis P., who died in 1919. 5. John S., druggist, lives at Delhi, New York. 6. Pierre B., druggist, lives at Delhi.
Charles Randall Merrill is a graduate of Homer Academy. As a young man he was employed as a clerk in the dry goods store of Kingsbury & Daniels, at Homer, and in 1892 engaged in business for himself as a dealer in men's clothing and furnishings, his store
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HISTORY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK
being located at 14 North Main Street. In 1922 the business was reorganized as the Merrill Clothing Company and Mr. Merrill was associated with his son, George A. Merrill. The business was discontinued in 1932. Since 1922 Mr. Merrill has held the office of postmaster of Homer. He has also been school director, health director, village trustee, and member of the Board of Education for fifteen years. He is a director of Homer Hospital.
On June 19, 1890, Mr. Merrill was united in marriage with Miss Alice C. Daniels, of Vesper, New York, born August 10, 1865, and resided at Homer, New York, at the time of her marriage. She died November 1, 1922, and is buried at Homer. She was the daughter of George D. and Ellen (Hobart) Daniels, the former a native of Vesper and the latter of Homer. Mr. Daniels success- fully conducted a dry goods business at Homer for more than forty years. He died there in 1908 and his wife died in 1917. He was a Republican and held membership in the Congregational Church. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Merrill: 1. George Augustus, born September 13, 1893, identified with the post office service at Homer. He is a World War veteran and served in France. He married Miss Doris Treen, and they have two sons, George Treen, born November 9, 1924, and Charles Henry, born September 11, 1926. 2. Frances Elizabeth, born Feb- ruary 23, 1909, died December 8, 1909.
Mr. Merrill is a Republican and has served as delegate to the New York State conventions. He is an active member of the Con- gregational Church and belongs to Homer Lodge, No. 352, F. and A. M., Columbia Club, and Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Merrill is ninth in direct descent from Nathaniel Merrill, who came to the United States from Salisbury, England, in 1636, and settled at Newbury, Massachusetts. The family is originally of French extraction, settled in England at the time of the mas- sacre of St. Bartholomew in 1552. For several generations the Merrill family remained at Newbury, Massachusetts. In 1804 Nathaniel Merrill, great grandfather of Charles R. Merrill, moved with his family to New York and located near Ballston Spa, Sara- toga County. One of his sons, Lewis Long Merrill, later located at Homer. He married Miss Lucy Matthews.
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HISTORY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK
James E. Ogden .- Active and progressive in the banking interests of Cortland County is James E. Ogden, who is cashier of the Homer National Bank. He was born at New Albany, Indi- ana, July 26, 1869, the son of James E. and Florence (Harmonson) Ogden.
James E. Ogden was a native of England. He died in early life and is buried at New Albany, Indiana. His widow, also a native of Indiana, later married Corydon L. Arnold. She died in 1906 and is buried at Moravia, New York. By her second marriage she had one daughter: Nora, married Melwood Fitch, lives at Mor- avia. By a previous marriage of Mr. Ogden a daughter was born, Lillie, married Edward Griggs, lives at Motalia, Texas.
James E. Ogden spent his boyhood at Moravia, New York, and is a graduate of the high school there, class of 1887. He was em- ployed for a short time as a clerk in the general store of W. J. Greenfield, and later with F. O. Newland, at Moravia. After five years with William Harmonson, painting contractor, Mr. Ogden spent one year with the J. Fitch Walker Wagon Works at Moravia. He began his banking career as teller with the Moravia National Bank and after four years located at Homer in 1905 as teller of the Homer National Bank. He subsequently served as assistant cashier and in 1917 was elected cashier of the institution.
On December 27, 1906, Mr. Ogden was united in marriage with Miss Katherine M. Amerman, born at Moravia, December 27, 1870. She died January 14, 1928. She was the daughter of Wilson J. and Jean (Orr) Amerman, the former a native of Cayuga County and the latter of Skaneateles, New York. They died in 1921 and 1872, respectively. Mrs. Ogden took a prominent part in the civic and club life of Homer and was a member of the Board of Managers of the Cortland County Hospital. No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ogden.
Mr. Ogden is a Republican, and since 1911 has served as village treasurer. He is also president of the board of education and vice- president of the Cortland County Bankers Association. He is trustee and treasurer of the Cortland County Home for Aged Women and treasurer of the Homer Public Library. He is a mem- ber of the Congregational Church and is affiliated with Homer
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HISTORY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK
Lodge, No. 253, F. and A. M., and Washington Chapter, R. A. M., No. 29, being treasurer of both bodies for many years. He is also a member of the Cortland Country Club and Chamber of Com- merce.
Mrs. Ogden served as treasurer for eighteen years of the Ladies' Aid and the Home Missionary Society of the Congrega- tional Church at Homer, New York. From 1918 to 1928 she served as treasurer of the Homer Branch of the Cortland County Red Cross.
William G. Crandall .- Active and progressive in the business interests of Cortland County, William G. Crandall is one of the representative citizens of Homer. He was born at Georgetown, Madison County, New York, January 2, 1876, the son of Ira S. and Emily (Burdick) Crandall.
Ira S. Crandall was born at Linchlaen, Chenango County, and his wife was also a native of that place. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted and served throughout the entire war period as a member of Company L, 20th New York Cavalry. After his discharge from the service he returned to Lincklaen and engaged in general farming. He later lived at Union Valley and Cortland- ville. Mr. Crandall served as justic of the peace and deputy sher- iff of Cortland County. He was a Republican, and belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic. He died in 1904 and his wife died in 1928. Both are buried at Homer. Their only child was William G., the subject of this sketch.
William G. Crandall grew up at Union Valley and taught school at the age of seventeen years. He is a graduate of Binghamton Business College. For one year Mr. Crandall was employed in a clerical capacity by Yager & Marshall, owners of the Fair store at Cortland. He was then sent to Homer as manager of their branch store, and subsequently purchased a half interest in the business, which was reorganized as Yager & Crandall. Their Fair Stores were operated at Cortland, Homer, and Moravia. In 1917, after twenty years as a successful merchant, Mr. Crandall retired from the firm, and has since engaged in the real estate
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HISTORY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK
business at Homer. Since 1909 he has also been widely known throughout Central New York as an auctioneer.
On May 9, 1892, Mr. Crandall married Miss Luella J. Watson, of Homer, born March 20, 1875. She is the daughter of Cyrus W. and Adeline (Hobart) Watson, both were natives of Homer and are deceased. Mr. Watson was engaged in the drug business here for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Crandall have an adopted son, Wil- liam Crandall. He is a graduate of Homer High School and Rider College at Trenton, New Jersey.
Mr. Crandall has always been a Republican. He has served as village president and trustee, and is a director of the Homer Na- tional Bank, director of the Dime Savings and Loan Company and is a director of the Cortland County Hospital, Cortland Y. M. C. A., Cortland County Home for Aged Women, and trustee of Phil- lips Free Library. He is past president of the New York Farm Brokers Association, director of the New York State Association of Real Estate Boards, member of the Cortland County Real Estate Board, and member of the Cortland County Agricultural Society. He holds membership in the Baptist Church, is superin- tendent of its Bible School, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, Cortland Country Club, and Cortland County Sportsmen's Association.
Albert J. Durkee, who is manager of Durkee's Domestic Bak- ery and Durkee's Cake Kitchen, at Homer, is among Cortland County's progressive young business men, and is a veteran of the World War. He was born at Auburn, New York, April 15, 1899, the son of Albert C. and Lena M. (Crofoot) Durkee.
Albert C. Durkee is a native of Auburn and now lives retired at Homer. Until 1902 he engaged in the retail meat business at Homer, and in that year organized Durkee's Domestic Bakery, with which he was identified until the time of his recent retire- ment. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their only child is Albert J., the subject of this sketch.
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HISTORY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK
The education of Albert J. Durkee was received in the public schools of Homer. Soon after his graduation from high school he enlisted in the United States army and served with the rank of private at Camp Shenley, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was dis- charged December 20, 1919, and during the following year was employed in the laboratories of the Fleischman Yeast Company in New York City. He returned to Homer in 1920 as manager of his father's bakery business. In 1931 the Durkee Cake Kitchen was opened and this establishment is devoted exclusively to the baking of cakes, cookies, and pastries. Durkee's Domestic Bakery is operated exclusively for the baking of bread.
On September 2, 1925, Mr. Durkee was united in marriage with Miss Florence Foster, born at Homer, January 4, 1901. She is a graduate of Homer High School and Cornell University, class of 1921, where she specialized in the study of Dietetics. She is the daughter of William and Margaret (Crofoot) Foster. Mr. Foster, who died in 1916, was agent for the American Railway Express Company at Homer for thirty years. At the time of his death he was interested in the insurance business there. He was a Repub- lican and served as village trustee and supervisor. His widow resides at Homer, where she is a member of the insurance firm of Foster & Nixon. Mr. and Mrs. Durkee have four children: 1. Jane Louise, born in 1926. 2. William Foster, born in 1927. 3. Thomas Albert, born in 1929. 4. Robert, born in 1931.
Politically, Mr. Durkee is independent. He is affiliated with Homer Lodge, No. 352, F. and A. M .; Washington Chapter, No. 29, R. A. M .; Cortland Lodge of Perfection, 14th degree; Cortland Exchange Club; Chamber of Commerce, and the American Legion. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church.
Alfred B. Brown .- One of the leading citizens of Cortland County and Cincinnatus is Alfred B. Brown, who is the owner of the A. B. Brown hardware store at Cincinnatus, with branch stores at McGraw and Homer. He is a native of Chenango County, born at Pharsalia, April 15, 1881, the son of Calvin G. and Nellie (Bennett) Brown.
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HISTORY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK
Calvin G. Brown, who died in 1931, was a representative citizen of Chenango County. He was born at Pharsalia, and until 1917 successfully engaged in general farming there. He then located at Cincinnatus and at the time of his death was living retired. He is buried at South Otselic, New York. His widow was a native of Lincklaen, New York, and lives at Cincinnatus. Mr. Brown was a Democrat and served as superintendent of highways of Cincin- natus. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown were born three children: 1. Ross B., farmer, lives at Pharsalia. 2. Alfred B., the subject of this sketch. 3. Pearl, married J. H. Nourse, lives at Cincinnatus.
Alfred B. Brown is a graduate of Cincinnatus Academy and Lowell Business College at Binghamton. He lived in New York City for a short time and in 1901 came to Cincinnatus as a clerk in the employ of Ingersoll and Bolster, hardware and implement dealers. Two years later he engaged in business for himself, and although handicapped by a small capital, the business venture of Mr. Brown succeeded from the beginning. He became success- ful as a dealer in hardware and farming implements, and in 1915 he took over the interests of his former employer, D. J. Bolster. A branch store was opened at McGraw in 1922 and since 1929 he and his son, H. Mahlon Brown, have also maintained a branch at Homer. Mr. Brown is also identified with the Cincinnatus Auto- mobile Company and Cincinnatus Feed and Coal Company, being one of the organizers of both concerns. He is vice-president of the Otselic Valley National Bank.
On September 30, 1903, Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Birdlebough, born at Taylor, New York, January 1, 1881, the daughter of Lucien and Ellen (Holmes) Birdlebough. Both were natives of Taylor and are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown were born five children: 1. Ruth Eloise, married Allen Palmer, lives at Cincinnatus. She was born November 20, 1904, and is a graduate of Cazenovia Seminary, Central City Business College at Syracuse, and Cornell University, class of 1925, Bach- elor of Science. 2. H. Mahlon, a sketch of whom appears else- where in this history. 3. Nellie Elizabeth, born September 29, 1909. She is a graduate of Cincinnatus High School and Syracuse University, class of 1930, Bachelor of Arts. She is a teacher at
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