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 16
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89
Mr. Huntley was the son of Dr. Lyman Hunt- ley, a surgeon in the United States Army in the war of 1812, and of Alma Upson Huntley. He was born at Mexico, New York, February 6, 1825. While still a boy he removed with his parents to Fairport and in 1844 to Brockport. Here he en- tered the Brockport Collegiate Institute and later began his college course at Madison University, now Colgate University, located at Hamilton, New York.
The failure of his health, however, compelled a change of plan and he entered the office of Fitch, Barry & Company of Brockport. This firm soon became the manufacturers of the Mc-
Cormick reaper, the forerunner of the great har- vesting manufacturing industry of the world. In this machine Mr. Huntley became deeply inter- ested and was soon made a member of the firm.
Various changes in his business relations took place during the next few years, but in every in- stance it became evident that the field of his ac- tivity was to be that of the manufacture of agri- cultural implements. In the meantime his quali- ties as a business man were becoming daily more conspicuous and his genius for organization was revealing itself. In 1871 the evolution of busi- ness brought into existence the Johnston Harvest- er Company, of which Mr. Huntley was from the first the leading spirit.
In a day when the field of American industry was largely limited by our own shores he looked farther and saw a vast untried field beyond the sea. Crossing to the continent of Europe he soon saw the realization of his dreams. Without dif- ficulty he established European agencies and from that day forward the machines of the Johnston Harvester Company have been pushing their way. In France, Germany, Russia, Australia, in the Orient and in Africa the Johnston Harvester ma- chines have become known. For more than thirty years Mr. Huntley made an annual trip to Europe in the interests of the company. He is said to have been better informed on the European busi- ness in American harvesting machinery than any other manufacturer in the United States. Indeed so highly were his services as a pioneer in the in- troduction of American machinery to foreign lands regarded that the German royal family be- came greatly interested and the Emperor Fred- erick attended the first field trial near Berlin in person. But a still greater honor came to Mr. Huntley in 1901, when in recognition of his dis- tinguished services in introducing American labor- saving machinery into France, he was decorated a chevalier of the Legion of Honor by the president of France.
In 1881 the extensive factory at Brockport was totally destroyed by fire and the company then rebuilt its works at Batavia, where shipping facili- ties were much superior to those at Brockport. Here the company has steadily grown until its many buildings occupy a vast area, and its facili- ties for production and shipping could hardly be surpassed. Mr. Huntley became the president of the company in 1891 and held that office until the day of his death.
But it was not merely as a business man that Mr. Huntley was known on both sides of the At- Jantic. He was a philanthropist as well. He made money not to hoard it or to lavish it but to invest it wisely for the welfare of his fellowmen. He was always generous of instinct and in later years gave large sums to public and to private benevolent enterprises.
821
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
The extent of his benefactions will never be known, for he was as modest as generous and often gave very large sums only on condition that no record of the gifts should be published. To the missionary societies of the Baptist denomination, of which he had been a faithful member from boy- hood, he was a constant giver. To the Rochester Theological Seminary, he gave not less than one hundred thousand dollars. The home of the Young Men's Christian Association of Batavia was his gift. To the Batavia hospital he not only gave generously from year to year, but shortly be- fore his death he established for it an endowment fund of ten thousand dollars. On the same day he endowed the First Baptist church of Batavia with an equal amount. Many struggling churches in western New York and in the new states of the west were helped to their feet by his generous hand. Many poor families in Brockport and in Batavia have been mysteriously aided at critical times by some unknown friend and have never learned who their friend was.
Mr. Huntley was stricken with something like apoplexy while at his desk in the winter of 1902. From that moment his business career was at an end though he lived for nearly four years from that time. His death took place at Batavia, Sep- tember 28, 1906, and his body rests in the Lake View cemetery at Cleveland. He will be remem- bered as a sagacious and successful business man, a humble Christian gentleman and a large-hearted and generous-handed philanthropist.
HOMER KNAPP.
Homer Knapp, contractor and builder of Roch- ester, was born on the 29th of March, 1858, in Steuben county, New York, his parents being George W. and Caroline (Haskell) Knapp, the former a native of Delaware and the latter of New Hampshire. In early boyhood he began his education as a public-school student in his na- tive county and later he attended the Free Acad- emy at Corning, New York, where he completed a course by graduation in 1876. His initial step into the business world acquainted him with the trade of carpentering and later on he also learned the mason's trade, about three years being spent in this way. During this time he also enjoyed additional school advantages.
At Corning, New York, Mr. Knapp entered upon an independent business career as a contractor and builder, doing mason work as well as carpentering and in fact constructing the house from cellar to garret. He has made his home in Rochester for twenty years and since 1888 has been associated with its building operations as a contractor. Hav-
ing demonstrated his ability in this direction, va- rious important contracts have been awarded him and beautiful residences, fine churches and sub- stantial business houses are proof of his knowledge of the business and his painstaking care in the ex- ecution of the work. He has also been awarded contracts on various public buildings and has be- come well known for his faithfulness and trust- worthiness. He erected the Masonic Temple and built the Curtice and Strong residences besides his own home at 202 Parsells avenue, and many oth- ers. He is now president and was one of the pro- moters of the Composite Brick Company of Brighton, manufacturers of brick, cement blocks and concrete work.
Mr. Knapp is well known in republican circles and while his aspirations are not in the line of po- litical preferment he does what he can for the in- terests of his friends who seek advancement in of- ficial lines. He belongs to the Builders' Exchange ; to the Carpenters' Association, of which he was president for two years; and to the Columbia Rifle Club, while fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Masons, his member- ship being with Genesee Falls lodge, No. 507, F. & A. M., while in Rochester consistory he has at- tained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and is a member of Cyrene commandery, K. T.
In 1884 Mr. Knapp was married to Miss Mary E. Graham, of Corning, a daughter of Joseph Graham, and they have become the parents of two daughters, Emma J. and Mildred H., the family being now well known in Rochester, where they have lived for two decades. Mr. Knapp has never sought to figure prominently before the public aside from his business, content to exercise his energies in performing the daily duties of the workaday world, and because he has been honest, because he has done his work faithfully, never taking advantage of the necessities of his fellow- men in a business transaction, he has gained a large measure of success.
LEE RICHMOND.
Lee Richmond, associated with several of the important composite elements which go to make up the sum total of Rochester's business activity and prosperity, was born in this city, August 29, 1863. His father, Daniel Richmond, a native of Sweden, Monroe county, New York, was a canal engineer, who started in the work as rodman and was successively assistant and division engineer in charge of the construction of the middle and western division of the Erie canal. He also be- came greatly interested in the manufacture of salt
822
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
at Syracuse and developed a profitable business in marketing the saline products so largely produced in Onondaga county. After 1872 he was asso- ciated with J. Nelson Tubbs in the building of the water works at Syracuse and was supervisor of the Mount Hope reservoir. His private busi- ness interests were largely of a character that contributed to general progress and upbuilding as well as to individual prosperity.
Daniel Richmond was a stalwart democrat, giv- ing inflexible allegiance to the principles of the party. In Masonry he attained the Knight Templar degree and in religious faith he and his family were Unitarians. He possessed a genial, social nature, was positive in his convictions, im- pulsive, warm hearted and loval in his friendships. Few men had more warm friends than Daniel Richmond and his unfeigned cordiality and sin- cere interest in his fellowmen made him popular in the various social and club organizations with which he was identified. He belonged to the Ro- chester Whist Club and to various other societies. He married Laura C. Comstock and to them were born two children, Lee Richmond and Mrs. Hall, both of Rochester.
The son was a pupil in the public and high schools of Rochester, completing his course by graduation. Early in his business career he was for two years an employe of the John Fahy Dry Goods Company, after which he entered the em- ploy of the Weaver & Goss Hardware Company as receiving clerk. In 1886 he became a partner in the Weaver, Palmer & Richmond Company, of which he is now secretary and treasurer. His identification with the hardware trade covers more than two decades and his executive force, keen business discernment and energy constitute salient elements in its success. In their business the company aims at the highest standards in the character of its materials and in its service to the public, and meets competition in a rivalry of merit rather than in a war of prices. The rela- tions of the house with the public and with other business houses are above reproach. The business is managed by men who understand the trade themselves and who know how to develop the lat- ent capacity of their employes. It is their pride not merely to increase in sales but to improve in character, personnel and service, and so approach an ideal business standard.
Lee Richmond, however, figures not alone in the hardware trade, his enterprise and industry prov- ing an element in the conservation of the inter- ests of the Union Coarse Salt Company and the Western Coarse Salt Company of Syracuse, of both of which he is president, and of the Fidelity Contract Company of Rochester, of which he is the vice president. His standing in business cir- cles is indicated by the fact that he was honored with the treasurership of the Rochester Credit
Men's Association, in which capacity he has been retained for many years.
In 1888 Mr. Richmond was married to Miss Josephine Southwick, a daughter of T. T. South- wick, of Rochester, and they have two children, Laura and Marion, aged respectively eighteen and sixteen, years and now students in the high school. Mr. Richmond belongs to Yonnondio lodge, No. 163, F. & A. M .; to Hamilton chapter, R. A. M .; Monroe commandery, K. T. He has also taken the degrees of the York rite and the Mystic Shrine. He is captain of the Genesee Canoe Club and belongs to the Rochester Club and to the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Richmond is a man of fine personal appearance, whose great popu- Jarity is indicated by his host of friends in the city where almost his entire life has been passed and where he has so directed his energies as to obtain substantial and enviable recognition in the business world.
JACOB HOWE.
Jacob Howe is now living retired in Rochester, but for many years was actively engaged in manu- facturing interests. For ninety-four years the Howe family were connected with the manufac- ture of crackers, the name thus figuring continu- ously in trade circles, while at the same time the representatives of the family have been equally well known in connection with those interests which have direct bearing upon the progress of the city in social, intellectual and moral lines.
Mr. Howe of this review was born in Rochester, December 3, 1845, and comes of English ancestry. His great-grandfather in the paternal line was William Howe, who was a native of London, Eng- land. His son, Jacob Howe, was born in Wurtem- berg, Germany, and after living for some time in Boston, Massachusetts, removed to Rochester, New York, where he established a cracker factory, which was continuously in possession of the fam- ily for almost a century. He was succeeded in this business by his son, Jacob Howe II, who was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1811. He came with his parents to this city, and after acquiring his education he entered his father's cracker factory and learned the business, of which he ultimately became proprietor. The manufactured product found a ready sale on the market because of its excellence and also by reason of the reliable busi- ness methods of the house.
In the maternal line Jacob Howe III of this review is of Huguenot lineage, his ancestors com- ing from Holland and settling in New Jersey about 1656. Representatives of the name aided in the defense of the colonies during the Revolu-
JACOB HOWE.
825
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
tionary war and others of the name settled in the vicinity of Seneca Lake, New York. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Lucella Covert, and in early womanhood gave her hand in marriage to Jacob Howe II. They spent the years of their married life in Rochester and unto them were born seven children : Elizabeth ; Emma ; Mrs. Edwin Gilbert, of Buffalo; Mrs. William H. Gorsline, living on Merriman street; Mrs. Francis West; Edward G., of this city; and Jacob. The death of the father occurred January 1, 1887.
Jacob Howe III began his education in the pub- lic schools of Rochester and continued his studies in the old university on West avenue. After he had completed his school life he joined his father in business and has displayed excellent executive force and marked capability in controlling and enlarging the enterprise, which had been estab- lished so any years before by his grandfather. It developed under his able management until it had assumed large proportions. Throughout the years the business had kept pace with the growth of the city and through the modern business methods introduced, and from time to time the latest im- proved machinery and processes were secured to facilitate the business and add to the success of the house. Mr. Howe remained at the head of this enterprise until 1904, when he sold out and is now enjoying a well merited rest.
On the 2d of June, 1876, occurred the marriage of Jacob Howe and Miss Flora A. Mulford, a de- scendant of the Mulfords of Connecticut and Eng- land. In both the paternal and maternal lines she comes of an ancestry represented in the Revo- lutionary war and she is a daughter of Charles Mulford, of Rochester. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Howe have been born three children: Mrs. Flora A. Colebrook, of this city; Paul; and Lucella Covert.
Mr. Howe is a thirty-second degree Mason. He belongs to Genesee lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Hamil- ton chapter, R. A. M .; Monroe commandery, K. T .; and Rochester consistory. His father and grandfather were also identified with the same bodies and Jacob Howe of this review is connected with the Masonic Club. The name has long been a most prominent and honored one in Rochester. The father was called to serve in the office of alderman, police commissioner and supervisor, and Jacob Howe of this review has likewise been police commissioner. He gives his allegiance to the de- mocracy and is a most stalwart advocate of its principles. The motive that guides him in much of his conduct and in his relations with his fellow- men is found in his membership in the Brick (Presbyterian) church. No name is more hon- ored in connection with the business development and political history and the intellectual and moral progress of the city than that of Howe, and the record of him whose name introduces this review adds luster thereto. The name has ever been a
synonym for true American patriotism and Jacob Howe from early manhood to the present time has ever given active and hearty co-operation to the various plans and movements instituted for the city's development and progress.
LOUIS W. MAIER.
Louis W. Maier, who for many years was asso- ciated with the business interests of Rochester, was perhaps even better known through his con- nection with public affairs of the city. He pos- sessed a kindly spirit and generosity that made him most widely known, his beneficence being one of his strong and salient characteristics. His birth occurred in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1836, and when nine years of age he was brought to the United States by his parents in company with five sisters and one brother, while one brother remained in Germany. The family home was established in Rochester, where he acquired his education in the public schools and was reared.
When he arrived at years of maturity Mr. Maier was united in marriage to Miss Anna Mary Kiefer, of Rochester, a daughter of William F. and Salome (Oberst) Kiefer, who were natives of Prussia and of Switzerland respectively, and in early manhood and womanhood came to America. They were married in Rochester and unto them were born five children, of whom Mrs. Louis W. Maier was the second in order of birth. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kiefer were members of the Catholic church and died in that faith, the former at the age of fifty- three years and the latter at the age of fifty-eight, their remains being interred in Holy Sepulcher cemetery at Rochester, New York. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Maier were born seven children, of whom two died in early life: Frank J., who passed away in 1876; and Lewis V., who died in 1895. The others are William F., Edward J., Fred J., Mrs. Joseph T. and Otto and Eloise.
The father was very prominent in public affairs in Rochester and at one time he was foreman of the chair factory of the Western House of Refuge. He was a director of St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum for many years, in which connection he did much to improve the condition of the children who were left to depend upon the world's bounty. He be- longed to the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association and also to the Catholic Benevolent Legion. He was widely known for his charity and beneficence, being prompted in much that he did by a spirit of broad humanitarianism.
In his business life Louis W. Maier was well known. He engaged here in the undertaking busi- ness and was one of the first men of the city to do any embalming. In 1875 he formed a partner- ship with Valentine Foehner in the undertaking
826
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
business at No. 5 North Clinton street and in 1884 purchased his partner's interest. He erected his place of business at No. 150 Clinton avenue North in 1893 and since his death the business has been conducted by his sons, William F. and Edward J.
In 1874 he built a home at No. 50 Buchan Park, where he resided up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 20th of September, 1902, and Rochester mourned the loss of a citizen whom it had come to know and honor. His name became synonymous with good works and kind deeds, and he found his happiness to a large extent in pro- viding for the welfare and comfort of others. Surely he realized in full measure the biblical truth "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Those with whom he came in contact in social rela- tions found him a faithful friend, while to his family he was a devoted husband and father, and it was at his own fireside that his loss was most deeply felt, although his death was the occasion of widespread regret to all who knew him.
D. B. GREENE.
D. B. Greene is closely identified with the agri- cultural interests of Monroe county, now operating the old homestead farm, comprising one hundred and twenty acres, situated in Sweden township. He is a native of Sweden township, born in 1846, and a son of Daniel and Elizabeth H. (Brainard) Greene, the former born in Columbia county, New York, in 1805. He passed away in May, 1893, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-eight years. His widow, who was born in 1821, is still living at the advanced age of eighty- six years. About a year ago she fell and sustained a broken thigh, from which she has never recov- ered.
Daniel Greene, the father of our subject, re- mained a resident of his native county until five years of age, when he was taken to Oneida county, where he remained until 1843, in which year he was married and removed to Sweden township, Monroe county, settling on an unimproved farm now known as the Jim Simms' place, situated a mile and a half west of Brockport. He made his home thereon until 1852, when he disposed of that property and purchased the farm that is still in possession of the family and has been occupied by them since 1854. It was on this place that his death occurred in 1893. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Greene was blessed with eight chil- dren : Minerva S., who was born in Sweden town- ship and was educated in Brockport, now living with our subject; D. B., of this review; Emma, who resides in Troy, New York; Mary Elizabeth,
deceased ; George W., a resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota ; William S., who has departed this life; Frank, who follows farming in Sweden township; and Charles G., deceased.
D. B. Greene, the eldest son and second in order of birth in his father's family, was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of the farm lad, and in the winter seasons he attended the district schools near his father's home, his early education being supplemented by more advanced study in the schools of Brockport. He remained under the parental roof until 1868, when, hoping to enjoy better advantages in the west, he went to Clay county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming until 1873, but in the latter year returned once more to New York, settling in Genesee county ; here he and a brother engaged in farming for fifteen years. In the meantime, however, his brother, Charles G., who was operating the old home place, died, and our subject in 1896 re- turned home to assume the management of the property for his mother. He has since been thus engaged, the place comprising one hundred and twenty acres of well improved land, located four miles south of Brockport. He also raises fruit to some extent in connection with general farm- ing, and likewise raises sheep, each branch of his business proving a gratifying source of income. He gives his political support to the republican party and attends the Presbyterian church. He is public spirited in an eminent degree, manifest- ing an interest in every movement that is cal- culated to advance the welfare of his community.
THOMAS F. MAHON.
Thomas F. Mahon, now deceased, was for many years actively associated with the business inter- ests of Rochester and steadily worked his way upward to a position of affluence and prominence, his commercial integrity and capacity being wide- ly recognized. He was born in Newark, New Jersey, June 30, 1861, and his life record covered the span to March 10, 1907. His father, John J. Mahon, was a tailor by trade and removed from Newark to Rochester during the early boyhood of his son Thomas. Both he and his wife are now deceased.
Thomas F. Mahon acquired his education in the schools of Rochester and after attending the high school pursued a business course. Entering commercial circles, he was first employed in the office of the firm of Burke, FitzSimons & Hone, and subsequently he was with the Stein-Bloch Company for twenty years, first acting as book- keeper and afterward becoming financial manager.
DANIEL GREENE.
829
HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
His long connection with the house indicates in no uncertain manner the trust and confidence reposed in him, as well as his ability in the dis- charge of his duties. On leaving that firm in 1899 he became connected with the Hickey-Free- man Company and a year later he engaged in business on his own account as a wholesale dealer in leather under the firm name of Mahon & Com- pany at No. 90 Mill street. He was not long in building up a good business and in fact his trade constantly increased until he was in com- mand of an extensive patronage and had a branch office in Cincinnati, Ohio. In the establishment and control of this enterprise he displayed keen business discernment, unfaltering energy and strong purpose, and as the years passed he became recognized as one of the leading merchants of Rochester.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.