USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > History of Rochester and Monroe county, New York, from the earliest historic times to the beginning of 1907, Vol. II > Part 15
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On the 30th of August, 1875, William F. Balkam was commissioned captain of the Twenty- fifth Brigade of the Seventh Division of the New York National Guard by Governor Samuel J. Tilden. His social relations extend to the Gene- see Valley Club and the Country Club, while fra- ternally he is a life member of Monroe command- ery, No. 12, K. T., and is also a member of the Rochester Historical Society.
In June, 1877, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Balkam and Miss Jennie Van Zandt, a daugh- ter of the late Maxcy N. Van Zandt and his wife, Almira J. (Woolverton) Van Zandt. Mr. Balkam has a beautiful home on the upper waters of the Neversink river in the Catskill mountains, where he spends his summer seasons, owning three or four miles of fine trout fishing including the famous Biscuit brook. He is a lover of that sport, the woods, the birds, the brooks and the fields, nature making strong appeal to him.
GEORGE F. BARNETT. 1
George F. Barnett, of whom it was said, "He was one of the strongest and most useful char- acters in the community," was for more than three score years and ten a resident of Brockport and had passed the ninety-third milestone on life's journey when he was called to his final rest. His life record began in Bridgewater, Oneida county, New York, in the year 1804, and there he spent the days of his boyhood and youth. He arrived in Brockport in 1826 and from that time until his death was one of its most respected and worthy residents, his usefulness and influence as a citi-
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
zen increasing as the years passed by. In his earlier life he was engaged in business as an archi- tect and builder and in 1840 he entered the serv- ice of the McCormick Harvesting Company. It was through his skill that the reaper manufac- tured by that firm was made a success. After about five years' connection with that company he entered the employ of the Seymour & Morgan Company, retiring at the dissolution of that partnership and entering into business for himself. In 1850 he established Agricultural Works in Brockport and continued an active factor in commercial circles until 1886, when he retired from business cares and responsibilities and spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest.
In 1828 Mr. Barnett brought his young wife, Catherine Lyell Thorpe, to Brockport. She proved to him a true helpmate and is yet lovingly remem- bered by all who knew her. Mr. Barnett pur- chased land and built the house in which they lived happily for so many years. Of their five children three are yet living: Mary H. and Frances C., who made their home with their father : and James M. Barnett, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, who is president of the Old National Bank.
In his political views Mr. Barnett was a whig and subsequently a republican and stanchly supported the principles of his party, His life was at all times actuated by his Christian faith and his career was one of help- fulness to his fellowmen. One who knew him long and well and enjoyed his friendship for many years said : "As a man he was a representa- tive of that sterling class of early settlers whose uprightness, truth and honesty, whose apprecia- tion of educational and church privileges and de- votion to our free institutions have imparted spe- cial and distinguished character to western New York and made it a great factor in the history of the country during a most eventful period. Mr. Barnett, while of a genial kindly disposition, was level headed, true and sturdy, and had the happy faculty of getting upon the right side of ques- tions and issues that demanded his decision and quietly but firmly maintaining the ground he had taken. He was a man who trained his children to love and honor the principles he maintained and exemplified. He had a sympathetic eye for strug- gling integrity and merit and there are many hearts that have warmed with gratitude at the re- membrance of his helpful hand."
Another has said of him: "No man has wielded a more powerful influence for good in this whole region than he. Simple honesty, unvarying gen- tleness, combined with executive ability of a high order, were especially prominent traits of his char- acter and gave him such a standing among busi- ness men of western New York that his advice was constantly sought by them. It was in his home,
however, that the brightness and cheerfulness of his disposition particularly shone."
He enjoyed life to its very close. He had the keenest appreciation for what others did for him and a spirit of sincere thankfulness to his Maker for the many hours of happiness that were vouch- safed to him. As his strength failed in the even- ing of life, back to his lips came the hymns of his boyhood and in the dim twilight his voice was often heard singing "When I can read my title clear," "Jesus, Lover of My Soul," "In the Sweet Bye and Bye" and other hymns.
He was one of those who shed around him much of the sunshine of life by reason of his hope- ful spirit, his consideration, his kindliness and his desire that all should advance. Well may his friends, in recalling his memory, breathe the senti- ment
"His life was gentle and the elements
So mixed in him that Nature might stand up And say to all the world ; 'This was a man.'
GEORGE M. ROPELT.
George M. Ropelt belongs to that class of repre- sentative American citizens, who while promoting their individual prosperity, have added greatly to the substantial upbuilding, development and wel- fare of the community with which they are iden- tified. He is a member of the firm of Ropelt & Sons, piano manufacturers, and though he en- tered a business already established he has dis- played keen executive force and enterprise in its further enlargement and control.
His life record began in Hammondsport, Steu- ben county, New York, on the 8th of February, 1869, and he is of German lineage. His parents were John J. and Mary (Reese) Ropelt, both na- tives of Germany. The father was born in Ba- varia on the 8th of February, 1840, and was a son of John and Marguerite (Sperlein) Ropelt, also natives of that country. John Ropelt, Jr., con- tinned a resident of Germany until twenty years of age, when in 1860 he bade adieu to friends and fatherland and sailed for New York city. He had been a resident of this country for but a brief period when he offered his services to the govern- ment in defense of the Union cause, joining Com- pany A of the First New York Engineers, with which he served for three years in Virginia, South Carolina, and other districts then under the Con- federate flag. He bore his full share in the work of preserving the Union intact and he is now a member of Peissner post, No. 106, G. A. R., at Rochester. When the war was over he located in New York city and secured employment in a piano
GEORGE M. ROPELT.
JOHN ROPELT.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
factory, having learned that trade in Germany. While in the eastern metropolis in 1866, he was married to Miss Mary Reese, a native of Germany. A few years later they removed to Hammondsport, New York, where the father followed cabinet- making for about a year and then came to Roches- ter. Here he entered the employ of the firm of Gibbon & Stone, piano manufacturers, with whom he remained for twenty-four years, after which he established a business of his own in Rochester, which he still continues, having associated his sons with him in 1901 under the firm style of Ropelt & Sons, wtih factory at Nos. 183 to 187 North Water street. He and his wife are Catholics in religious faith and are highly esteemed people, en- joying in large measure the good will and confi- dence of all who know them. That Mr. Ropelt is prominent among the old soldiers is indicated by the fact that he is now serving for the second term as commander of his post. He is thoroughly acquainted with the piano trade, with which he has been connected from his boyhood days, and he has made for himself a very creditable position in manufacturing and business circles here.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ropelt have been born four children: Bertha, who became the wife of Frank M. Hanse and died about two years ago; George M., Edward H. and. Arthur, who are interested with their father in the business of piano manu- facturing under the firm style of Ropelt & Sons.
George M. Ropelt was only seven weeks old when his parents removed from Hammondsport to Roch- ester, where he was reared to manhood and has made his home continuously to the present time. with the exception of six years spent in Brockport. He attended the public schools and at the age of sixteen years began learning the trade of piano- making, spending nine years with his father when John J. Ropelt was in the employ of Gibbon & Stone. He was afterward for six years in Brock- port and when his father established business in Rochester, George M. Ropelt entered his employ and with his brothers was admitted to a partner- ship in 1901. This relation has since been main- tained under the firm style of Ropelt & Sons with George M. Ropelt as president, John Ropelt as vice president, Edward H. Ropelt as secretary, and John A. Faes as treasurer. The business is lo- cated at Nos. 183 to 187 North Water street, where they have two floors and employ thirty peo- ple. They manufacture one grade of upright pianos and the excellence of their product in su- periority of tone, in workmanship and in beauty of finish has secured for the house a liberal and constantly growing patronage.
In 1893 Mr. Ropelt was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Ferner, a daughter of Leonard Ferner, at one time a prominent furniture dealer and grocer of Rochester. Mrs. Ropelt died in 1895 and Mr. Ropelt now makes his home with
his parents. Ahnost his entire life has been passed in this city and while laboring for his own success he has promoted the general prosperity by pushing forward the wheels of progress and ad- vancing commercial activity in the city in which he makes his home. The name of Ropelt has ever been a synonym for business integrity and enterprise since George M. Ropelt came to Roches- ter almost four decades ago.
HENRY N. SCHLICK.
In the life history of Colonel Henry N Schlick there were many creditable chapters, set- ting forth an example that is indeed worthy of emulation. Death, which came to him suddenly, deprived Rochester of one of its popular residents and prominent business men. He was born in Dansville, New York, in 1841, and was reared in that city, acquiring his education in its public schools.
At the outbreak of the Civil war, much inter- ested in the attitude of the south and the questions which brought on hostilities, he become a pro- nounced advocate of the Union cause and enlisted as a member of Company K, One Hundred and Thirtieth New York Volunteers, afterward called the First New York Dragoons. For three years he served with the army, winning distinction at the front and working his way upward from the position of private in the ranks to captain of his company within a comparatively short time. He participated in over twenty of the leading engage- ments in the early part of the war and was always noted for his fearless defense of the old flag and the cause it represented. At the battle of Todd's Tavern he served as aid-de-camp to General Gibbs, who was in command of the Third Brigade and during this campaign earnestly commanded Com- pany H in several engagements. In the battle of Newton he was severely wounded in the right el- bow and while recovering from his wound he was stricken with fever, necessitating his remaining in the hospitals at Baltimore and at Minneapolis for some weeks. When he was able to leave the hos- pital he was put on detached service and sent to Springfield, Illinois, where he had command of a detachment of cavalry, and soon after his re- moval to Illinois' capital he was appointed acting assistant adjutant general of that post. Colonel Schlick was in Springfield at the time of the burial of Abraham Lincoln and was one of the officers chosen for the military escort at the fun- eral service. He continued in the army until the officers of his regiment were mustered out of serv- ice July 18, 1865. He was always deeply inter- ested in military affairs and never ceased to take
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
an active part in such, although he was not again connected with the army.
After leaving Springfield Colonel Schlick went to Wellsville, Allegany county, New York. He had previously been conected with the grocery busi- ness in Dansville. and he continued in the same line in Wellsville. In community affairs he became quite prominent, exerting considerable influence in molding public thought and action there. For two years he filled the office of trustee, was foreman of a fire company and from the position of assistant chief was promoted to that of chief of the fire de- partment.
The year 1885 witnessed the arrival of Colonel Schlick in Rochester, where he continued to make his home until his death, twenty years later. Here he turned his attention to the coal business as a retail merchant, continuing in that line up to the time of his death. He won a large and liberal patronage as a dealer in coal, his business methods being strictly reliable, while his enterprise and diligence served as forceful elements in his suc- cess. Colonel Schlick, however, was not only known as a merchant but also won distinction in military and social circles, and his active life and personal worth made him one of the most popular residents of Rochester. He has taken a very active part in the Catholic organizations of the city and for six- teen years was colonel of the First Regiment of the Knights of St. Jolın. For many years he served as general commander of the third division of the Memorial day parade. He maintained pleas- ant relations with his old army comrades who wore the blue upon southern battle-fields through his membership in Marshall post, G. A. R., and he has been honored in Grand Army circles through- out the state as shown by his election to command- er of the Grand Army of New York. He was also a member of the brigade staff of the local post and held other positions of prominence.
Colonel Schlick was first married to Miss Mary Goettschal, who died in 1895. He was married in 1898 to Miss Elizabeth A. Guhmann of Rochester, a daughter of Jacob Guhmann, who was born in Alsace, Germany, and at an early day came to Rochester. He was connected with the New York Central Railroad in this city for a long period. Both he and his wife are now deceased. In their family were six daughters, all yet living in Roch- ester. Unto Colonel and Mrs. Schlick was born a daughter, Marie Josephine, whose birth occurred in January, 1899.
In his political views Colonel Schlick was a stalwart republican, who took a most active and helpful interest in the work of the party, being recognized as one of its leaders in this city. He served as one of the trustees of St. Joseph's Orph- an Asylum and as commissioner of Hemlock Lake, and his fraternal relations extended to the Knights
of Columbus, the Catholic Mutual Benefit Asso- ciation and the Knights of St. John. He was most devoted to his family, considering no sacrifice on his part too great if it would promote the welfare or enhance the happiness of his wife and daugh- ter. He built for them a beautiful home at No. 141 North Union street, where they still reside and he also erected a residence on Central ave- nue.
Death came to Colonel Schlick suddenly. On the night of April 11, 1905, he attended a meeting of commandery No. 9, of the Knights of St. John, and while returning to his home fell dead at the corner of Main street East and North Union street. He was a man of fine personal appear- ance and soldierly bearing, tall, straight and dig- nified when occasion required, yet at all times genial and courteous. His was one of the largest A funeral services held in the city in years. great concourse of people gathered to pay their last tribute of honor and respect to one whom in life they had known and loved. The commandery of the Knights of St. John, of which he was the colonel, attended three hundred strong, in full uniform. Marshall post was also splendidly repre- sented and the Knights of Columbus sent a large delegation. After solemn requiem mass was cele- brated at St. Joseph's church the remains were taken to Dansville, his boyhood's home, for inter- ment. Years will pass, however, before the mem- ory of Colonel Schlick has faded from the lives of those with whom he was closely associated. Wherever known he commanded regard and won warm friendships, and throughout his life he was noted for loyalty, whether upon the battle-fields of the south or in some quiet position, where it was merely a matter of his own conscience and his own self-respect. His life record contains many obvious lessons which may well be followed by those who knew him, and indeed he left the im -. press of his individuality upon many with whom he came in contact.
JOHN RAUBER.
No representative of the German-American citi- zenship of Rochester has occupied a more promi- nent position in the regard of friends and business associates than did John Rauber, who passed away in 1895. A native of New York, he was born in Wayland, in 1850, and as the name indicates, was of German lineage. He arrived in Rochester in 1866, a young man of sixteen years, and was first employed as a driver for Rau's brewery. Active and diligent, he won the esteem of his employers and gained promotion from time to time with a corresponding increase of wage that at length en-
.
JOHN RAUBER.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
abled him to save a sufficient sum to engage in business on his own account. When he had reached this stage in his business career he joined his brother, Peter F. Rauber, in the establishment of a wholesale liquor house under the firm name of P. F. Rauber & Brother. From the beginning the new enterprise proved a profitable one-a fact which was due to the excellence of their product and also to the fact that they were ever found reliable and trustworthy in business transactions. In 1889 the brothers added to the beauty of the city by erecting a handsome business block on West Main street, which now stands as a monu- ment to two of Rochester's beloved and respected German-Americans who have passed to eternity.
In the year 1872, John Rauber was married to Miss Mary Rayner, and they became the parents of the following named: Mrs. F. Hess, Mary, Laura, Stella, H. P., John S., Joseph C., Charles and F. G. Rauber. Since the father's death the business has been continued by two of his sons, who are worthy successors of their father in the field of business activity.
Mr. Rauber was for many years a devoted mem- ber of the Immaculate Conception church, an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and of Lincoln lodge, No. 119, A. O. U. W. He was a gentleman who made friends of every one he met and his geniality and courteous manner won for him the esteem and regard of his associates in business and society circles. Children in all sec- tions of the city knew him as a friend. For them he always had a kindly word and cheery greeting. He was always approachable and listened patiently to what any one might have to say and his friends found him an ever faithful companion. His in- terest, however, centered in his family, and the best traits of his character were reserved for his own fireside. There he enjoyed peace and happi- ness when the business of the day was done. In matters of citizenship he was progressive and pub- lic spirited and gave active support to many meas- ures for the public good. It was thus that the community lost a citizen that it had learned to value.
GEORGE H. THOMPSON.
George H. Thompson figured for many years as one of the most prominent, able and successful business men of Rochester and as a contractor and builder he enjoyed peculiar distinction as a prime factor in the mammoth operations of the past twenty years-a period marked by an entire revo- lution in building operations here. He was also connected with much railroad construction and
his labors were an important element in the ma- terial development of this portion of the city.
The birth of George H. Thompson occurred in Rochester in 1823, and his education was acquired in the public schools. He early learned the car- penter's trade and possessed much natural mechan- ical ingenuity and ability. He entered upon his various duties as a construction and building con- tractor with admirable equipment and carried out his projects with such industry that he is credited with the erection of a number of the finest struc- tures in Rochester. He built the Lima & Geneva Railroad and the Pine Creek Railroad, also the crosstown road that runs through Rochester and the Penut Railroad in Buffalo. He constructed for- ty-six miles of the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg Railroad and the elevated tracks of the New York Central Railroad. He was also the contractor and builder of the Savings Bank of Rochester, the House of Refuge, the New York Central Railroad station, tlie Barry block and the Kimball tobacco factory, the immense retaining wall being an en- gineering feat within itself. These and many others are the principal ornaments of their respec- tive neighborhood, pleasing to the eye and con- structed with conscientious regard for real utility. He had three thousand men working under him and there was never anything of the overbearing taskmaster in him. On the contrary he was well liked by all who served under him and by all with whom he had business relations either as contrac- tor or employer. In connection with his exten- sive building operations he was one of the di- rectors of the Monroe County Bank, becoming as- sociated with that institution in 1884.
Mr. Thompson was also prominent in the Ma- sonic fraternity, having attained the thirty-second degree. He held membership in Valley lodge, No. 109, A. F. & A. M., and in his life exemplified the beneficent, helpful spirit of the craft, which is based upon mutual kindliness and brotherly interest. He was also a member of Point Look- out Club. In politics he was a strong republican, unfaltering in his allegiance to the party and doing all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence. For several years he served as a commissioner of Mount Hope cemetery.
On the 21st of January, 1875, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage to Miss Carrie L. Menter. They had an adopted daughter, Jennie M. Thomp- son, whom they reared, and who is now the wife of David Z. Morris, a son of the Rev. Dr. H. W. Morris and a prosperous young business man, now nicely located in Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Thomp- son also adopted a son, Dr. G. M. Thompson of this city, who is a prominent man in Rochester, engaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery and located on East avenue. He is also a member of Valley lodge, No. 109, A. F. & A. M.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
The death of Mr. Thompson occurred June 28, 1884, and the community thereby lost one of its representative, worthy and distinguished citizens. He made for himself a splendid record and an untarnished name in business circles. His career was remarkably successful, chiefly by reason of his natural ability and his thorough insight into the business in which as a young tradesman he em- barked. His strict integrity, business conserva- tism and judgment were so universally recognized that he enjoyed public confidence to an enviable degree and naturally this brought him a lucrative patronage, so that through times of general pros- perity and general adversity alike he witnessed a steady increase in his business until it became one of the most flourishing in its line in the city of Rochester. Conscientiously and industriously he executed the contracts given to him and prosper- ity resulted. In the social circles in which he moved he was known as a companionable, kindly gentleman, of genial nature, while in his family he was a devoted husband and father, putting forth every possible effort to enhance the welfare and promote the happiness of his wife and chil- dren. Mrs. Thompson still survives her husband and is yet living in Rochester, occupying a leading position in the most prominent social circles of the city.
BYRON E. HUNTLEY.
Byron E. Huntley, who died in 1906, at the age of eighty-one was for a long lifetime one of the foremost business men in western New York. Of Scotch ancestry, he inherited those sterling quali- ties of untiring perseverance and incorruptible honesty which began to tell in the very beginning of his business career. Added to these was an intuitive knowledge of human nature, a marvelous tact in the management of men, a keen foresight of the shifting tides of the business world and of their significance, and a boldness in enterprise which was not inconsistent with a wise and cau- tious conservatism.
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