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 20
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Myron W. Greene was born at district No. 6 in the township of Rush, Monroe county, New York, November 26, 1864. Provided with good educa- tional privileges he was graduated from the Gene- see Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, New York, in the class of 1887, and became a member of the Genesee Lyceum Society. He became an active member and is now president of the Board of trustees of this society. He is treasurer of the Alumni Gymnasium Association of the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary and further retains his in- terest in the seminary by maintaining a scholar- ship prize and prize for public speaking to mem- bers of the Lyceum Society. As a student in the Syracuse University, which he entered in 1887, he pursued a scientific course and was candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Science in the class of 1901. In 1888 he entered Williams College, Massachusetts, in the class of 1890. His broad in- tellectual culture well qualified him for an im- portant position in the business world and follow- ing the completion of his education he entered the Bank of Honeoye Falls, Monroe county, New York, where he remained until 1892 when he be- came connected with the Rochester Trust & Safe Deposit Company, with which he remained until 1899, when he established a business on his own account for the conduct of a private banking and investment business. He deals in government, rail- road and public service corporation bonds and has gained for himself a reputation as a financier of keen discernment and sound judgment.
On the 24th day of April, 1900, Mr. Greene was married to Miss Nancy Laura Lancaster, of Lead- ville, Colorado. She was born in Laramie, Wyo- ming, February 22, 1877, daughter of George W. Lancaster. Unto this marriage have been born the following named: Lancaster Myron, born Febru- ary 21, 1901; Norvin Ruliffson, born September 13, 1902 ; Zeta Priscilla, born March 2, 1904; and Nathan Ira, born March 6, 1906.
Frank R. Lawrence lodge, No. 797, F. & A. M., and Hamilton chapter, No. 62. Royal Arch Ma- sons. In politics he is a republican and is an ac- tive, helpful and consistent member of the Pres- byterian church. While he has never figured to any extent in public life in connection with politi- cal interest he is nevertheless a worthy represen- tative of an honored family, being patriotic in his devotion to American interests and is loyal in his support of those movements and measures which he deems will prove of benefit to the city, government or nation.
ALEXANDER VAN NORMAN.
Such were the strongly marked and salient char- acteristics of Alexander Van Norman that his death was the occasion of most deep and wide spread regret in Fairport and wherever he was known. In his home his memory was held as a sacred treasure and in the community his in- fluence is vet felt in the lives of those with whom he came in contact. Born in Onondaga county, New York, on the 15th of August, 1831, he was a son of Joseph and Nancy (Williams) Van Nor- man. His father, Joseph Van Norman, was a prominent farmer of Onondaga county, while the grandfather, who also hore the name of Joseph Van Norman, was a veteran of the war of 1812 and was a slaveholder in an early day. He lived in Albany, New York, but in later years the family was established in Onondaga county, while sub- sequently a settlement was made in Syracuse.
Alexander Van Norman spent his early years upon his father's farm and acquired his prelimi- nary education in the public schools, while later he was a student in Syracuse Academy. He lost his father when but twelve years of age and the family, numbering nine children, afterward took up their abode in Syracuse, where the subject of this review continued his studies until he started out in business life on his own account. He was a young man of twenty-three years, when, in 1854, he removed to Fairport, Monroe county, New York, where he engaged in the produce business. In 1865 he purchased a tract of land and removed
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
to his farm situated near Pittsford but he was, comfort and welfare and theirs was largely an never a strong man physically and he found that ideal married relation. agricultural pursuits were too arduous for him, so that after three years he returned to Fairport, where he established a lumber, coal and produce business. Later he withdrew from the produce and lumber trades and gave his energies to the development of his business along other lines, be- coming an extensive dealer in coal, lime, cement and tiling. As the years passed his trade grew in volume and importance and he was recognized . for a long period as one of Fairport's leading business men. He conformed his business activi- ties to a high standard of commercial ethics, was never known to take advantage of the necessities of a fellowman in any business transaction and was strictly fair, just and reliable in all his deal- ings.
On the 4th of July, 1859, Mr. Van Norman was married to Miss Mary Louise Warring, a daughter of John and Charlotte (Phillips) Warring, of Harpersfield, Ashtabula county, Ohio. Her par- ents removed to the Buckeye state from Great Barrington, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, in an early day, making the journey by wagon. The ancestors of Mrs. Van Norman in the paternal line came to America at an early period in the development of this country, the first representa- tive of the name being Shubel, the great-grand- father of Mrs. Van Norman. On crossing the Atlantic he located in Berkshire county, Massa- chusetts, where the family was represented for many years. His son and namesake, Shubel Warring, Jr., was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, valiantly aiding in the cause of liberty. His son, John Warring, was thirty-five years of age on the removal of the family to Ohio, the journey being made across the country with three teams and wagons. He devoted his life to farm work and became an active factor in the agricultural development of Ashtabula county. He married a Miss Phillips, who was a cousin of Wendell Phil- lips and a daughter of Henry Phillips, who mar- ried a member of the St. John family. Mrs. Van Norman, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John War- ring, was educated in the Grand River Institute at Ashtabula and is a lady of superior culture, refinement and mental discipline. She is a broad reader, conversant with all the better literature of the past and present ages. For some eight years she has been a cripple, confined to an invalid's chair, but she bears this affliction with the most beautiful Christian resignation and has a nature which sheds around her much of the sunshine of life. Her husband was most devoted to her, being companion, associate and nurse, his loving care and attention being a most beautiful thing to witness and making her life a most happy one. He did everything in his power to promote her
Mr. Van Norman, while not a member of any church, was a regular attendant at the services of the Congregational church and gave most liberally in support of church work in Fairport. His in- tegrity stood as an unquestioned fact in his busi- ness and private life and his word was regarded as good as his bond by every one who knew him. Few men have borne such an unassailable reputa- tion for probity, and the confidence which was reposed in him because of this was never betrayed in the slightest degree. In politics he was a demo- crat and for many years was one of the trustees of the village. He was frequently solicited to become a candidate for other offices but because of his business interests and the condition of his health he always declined, yet he never failed to support any measure or movement which he deemed would prove of public benefit. His nature was kindly, his disposition genial, his impulses were generous and his actions were governed by the highest, manly principles. To know Alexan- der Van Norman was to esteem and respect him and those who came within the closer circle of his acquaintance loved him. Thus it was that when death claimed him on the 9th of July, 1904, the news of his demise brought a sense of personal bereavement to the great majority of Fairport's citizens. In his home his place can never be filled but the memory which he left behind is a most beautiful one, greatly enriching the life of her who was left alone. Mrs. Van Norman still re- sides in Fairport and it is no exaggeration to say that the circle of her friends is co-extensive with the circle of her acquaintances.
OSCAR MARSH ARNOLD.
Oscar Marsh Arnold has made for himself an enviable place in commercial circles in Rochester, where he is now dealing in wagons, buggies, agri- cultural implements, wire and iron fencing. He was born in the town of Ogden, Monroe county, February 21, 1849, and is one of the nine children of James N. and Calista (Marsh) Arnold. His father was born in Ogden, New York, October 9, 1814, and on the 3d of July, 1844, in the town of Greece, wedded Miss Calista Marsh, whose birth occurred in the state of Vermont. He be- came an agriculturist in the town of Ogden, Mon- roe county, securing one hundred and sixty-five acres of land, which he devoted to the raising of grain and fruit. It was this farm upon which Oscar Marsh Arnold was born and which he still owns.
O. M. ARNOLD.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
The subject of this review was reared to agri- cultural life, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the farmer boy. After he had attained his majority he car- ried on the work of tilling the soil on his own account until 1887, when he left the farm and removed to Rochester to become identified with its commercial interests. Here he began the sale of wagons, buggies, agricultural implements and horse goods.
On the 16th of February, 1887, Mr. Arnold was united in marriage to Miss Cora E. Daniels, who was born in Indiana, in June, 1860, but when a child was brought to Irondequoit, New York, by her father, Eli Hammond Daniels, who established the wagon business that is now being conducted by Mr. Arnold. Our subject still owns the old homestead, which his father secured at the land office in 1834. It was then a wild and undeveloped tract, which he kept throughout the remainder of his days. Both Mr. and Mrs. Arnold are well known in this locality, having an extensive circle of friends. In politics he is a stalwart republican, although not an office seeker, and in religious faith is a Presbyterian.
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CHARLES WILSON CROSMAN.
Charles W. Crosman has for many years been engaged, as a noted writer brilliantly put it, "in making the world small." In other words, he has been a factor in systematizing business and pro- moting discipline to such an extent that one man can handle a business which in former years would have required several to control the same extent of trade. In recent years those men who are prominent in commercial, industrial and fin- ancial circles have been those who have brought large forces of men together and have so special- ized the work that no effort is wasted, all working so that there is no friction, the enterprise carried forward with the smoothness of a perfected ma- chine. All this is manifest in the extensive seed business carried on in Rochester by Charles W. and George F. Crosman. It is true that they entered upon a business already established as successors of their father, Charles F. Crosman, but in enlarging and controlling this and in de- veloping it in accordance with modern ideas of trade they have displayed splendid executive force, unfaltering determination and unabating energy.
Charles W. Crosman was born in Rochester, January 13, 1847. His father, Charles F. Cros- man, was a native of Vermont, his birth having occurred in Bennington, November 2, 1802. He resided there to the age of sixteen years, when he
left New England to establish his home in a com- munity of Shakers living in Columbia county, New York. The year 1838 witnessed his arrival in Rochester, where he began business as a whole- sale aud retail dealer in seeds, continuing in the trade until his life's labors were ended in death, July 22, 1865. Twelve years passed ere his wife was called to her final rest on the 20th of Septem- ber, 1877, her grave being made by his side in Mt. Hope cemetery. Mrs. Crosman bore the mai- den name of Mary L. Wilson and was a resident of Fenner, New York, up to the time of her mar riage in 1843. The family numbered four chil- dren : Sarah C., now the wife of George M Shepard, of Rochester; Charles W., George F . and Daniel T., all residents of this city. The father made for himself a creditable position in business circles and his death was regarded as a distinct loss in the business life of the city.
Charles W. Crosman acquired his education in the public schools of Rochester while spending his boyhood days in his parents' home and his early business training was received in his father's seec house and under the direction of his parent. He had not yet attained his majority when, owing tc his father's death, he became one of the proprietors of the business, with which he has since been identified and which has grown to be the largest seed house in the world. Throughout the yeare that have intervened since he came into posses- sion of the business he has been associated in its conduct with his brother, George F. They were scarcely more than boys; in fact, the latter was but fourteen years of age, while Charles W. Cros- man was but eighteen. They possessed energy and determination, however, and the years brought them experience. As soon as the business came under their control they began to formulate plans for its enlargement and its gradual growth has brought it to its present mammoth proportions, its sales exceeding those of any other similar enterprise of the world.
Interested in all that pertains to agricultural and horticultural development, Charles Crosman is associated through membership relations with the New York State and the Western New York Agricultural Societies and also with the Seed Men's Protective League, of which he was at one time president. As a member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce he has aided materially in promoting the interests of the city, his influence and support being given to all plans and measures that tend to promote her commercial and indus- trial greatness and to advance those interests which are justly a matter of civic pride. His fra- ternal relations extend to various Masonic bodies.
Mr. Crosman was married February 6, 1884, to Miss Josephine Godard of Brooklyn, New York, a daughter of the well known C. W. Godard, who was mayor of Albany prior to his removal to New
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
York city and later was collector of the port of New York for many years. The two daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Crosman are Lillie L. and H. Josephine. The position of the family in social circles is a prominent one and they reside at 37 Vick Park A. Since 1838 the Crosman family has been represented in Rochester and the name has always been ranked with honorable business interests, with loyal citizenship and with indi- vidual honor.
REUBEN L. FIELD.
Reuben L. Field, well deserving of mention in the history of Monroe county, where the greater part of his life has been passed, is now the owner of valuable agricultural interests in Gates town- ship. He was born in Middleville, Barry county, Michigan, on the 27th of November, 1841, and now occupies a beautiful home-Chester Field Manor-on the Buffalo road. His father, Chester Field, was born in Putney, Windham county, Ver- mont, August 16, 1812, and was descended from one of the old colonial families. Few, indeed, can trace their ancestry in unbroken line back to as remote a period as can the Field family. For two hundred years representatives of the name have been prominent factors in business and social life in various localities and not a few of the name have attained national honors and distinction.
Zachariah Field, Sr., founder of the family in America, was born in East Ardsley in the west riding of Yorkshire, about 1600, and was a son of John Field, Jr., and a grandson of John Field, Sr., an astronomer of repute in Yorkshire. Zacha- riah Field, Sr., braved the dangers of an ocean voyage in order to establish his home in America in 1629. He first settled at Dorchester, Massa- chusetts, and in 1636 removed to Hartford, Con- necticut, and in 1659 to Northampton, Massa- chusetts. He was one of the colony of twenty- five who settled what is now the town of Hatfield, Connecticut. Unto him and his wife Mary were born five children and the line of descent to our subject is traced down through Zachariah, Sr., Zachariah, Jr., John, Pedajah, Sr., Pedajah, Jr., Luther, and Chester Field, to Reuben L. Field of this review. To the same family belonged David Dudley and Cyrus W. Field, prominent financiers. Representatives of the name have been identified with all the wars of the government and with the social and commercial growth of various commu- nities.
Pedajah Field, Sr., son of John and Mary (Ben- nett) Field, was born in Deerfield, Massachusetts, January 28, 1707, and died in Northfield, Febru-
ary 24, 1798. His son, Pedajah Field, Jr., born in 1732, served as a soldier from Northfield in Captain John Catlin's company in 1756 and again in 1759, and also participated in the Revolutionary war. The grandparents of our subject were Luther and Priscilla (Ware) Field, were natives of Vermont and came to Monroe county, New York, in 1816, both passing away here, the former at the age of seventy-two years and the latter at the age of eighty-six. They had eleven children, of whom seven died in childhood.
Chester Field, father of our subject, was born in Putney, Windham county, Vermont, August 16, 1812, and was brought by his parents to Monroe county when four years of age, spending his re- maining days here with the exception of a short time passed in Michigan. His parents located in Gates township, where he was reared and obtained his education. Throughout his entire business career he followed farming and was the owner of fifty acres where Lincoln Park is now located. His father, Luther Field, could have bought the entire west side of Rochester for the sum which he gave for fifty acres at Lincoln Park, but re- fused to make the purchase because he considered the land too low. After arriving at years of ma- turity Chester Field married Eliza Perkins, who was born in New Hampshire, September 24, 1816, and came to Monroe county when four or five years of age with her parents. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Field were born two children, but the daughter, Helen Josephine, died in 1866. In early life Chester Field gave his political support to the whig party and afterward became a democrat. He was active and influential in community affairs and for several years served as supervisor of his township. He was rather reserved and quiet in manner, preferring a home life to that of the pub- licity of office.
In taking up the history of Reuben L. Field we present to our readers the record of one who is widely known in Monroe county. He was born in Michigan during his parents three years' resi- dence in that state and was therefore very young when they returned to Monroe county in 1842. He pursued his education in the public schools of Gates and at the old Collegiate Institute in Roch- ester and throughout his entire business career has carried on the occupation of farming. In 1873 he settled at his present place, two miles west of the city, having here one hundred and fifteen acres of valuable farm land on the Buffalo road four miles from the Genesee river. It is as pro- ductive as any land found in western New York and Mr. Field has been very successful, owing to his watchfulness in business, his unfaltering de- termination and practical methods. In the midst of his farm stands a fine brick residence known as Chester Field Manor. His land is largely devoted to the raising of grain and for nine years Mr.
CHESTER FIELD.
R. L. FIELD.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
Field has been connected with the Armstrong Milling Company of Rochester, of which he is now vice president. This business now claims much of his time. He assisted in organizing the company and has been with it as an active factor in its management since the 1st of June, 1896.
In 1872 Reuben L. Field was united in mar- riage to Miss Fannie Munn, a native of this coun- ty and a daughter of Dr. Edwin G. Munn, of Gates. She died January 2, 1873, leaving one child, Fannie M., who is now with her grand- mother. In September, 1880, Mr. Field was again married, his second union being with Miss Ella Frances Armstrong, a native of this county and a daughter of Charles Armstrong, of Gates. They have three children: Mary, Aristine and Chester.
In his political views Mr. Field is a democrat, having supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has held all of the township offices, serving as assessor for about thirty-five years, but resigned nine years ago, when he turned his attention to the milling business. He has also been justice of the peace for many years and in all of the public duties that have devolved upon him he has ever been found prompt and faithful in their discharge and loyal to the best interests of the community. He took the office of assessor when twenty-one years of age and continued in that position for more than a third of a century. He was likewise supervisor of the township for ten years and for a long period was township clerk. No public trust ever reposed in him has been betrayed in the slightest de- gree, but on the contrary he is most loyal to the interests of the public. He belongs to Gates Grange and to Genesee Falls lodge, No. 507, A. F. & A. M. He has an extended acquaintance throughout this part of the country and in business is progressive and practical, in public life capable and faithful, and in social relations has mani- fested those sterling traits of character which have everywhere won him high regard.
MAJOR MAURICE LEYDEN.
In the history of Rochester's successful men, whose honorable records reflect credit upon the city, is numbered Major Maurice Leyden, whose life work was of value to the home community and of far-reaching effect in its influences. His death occurred August 15, 1906, but the true measure of his life cannot be ascertained until the interests which he established have reached their full- frui- tion as factors in the commercial and financial upbuilding of the city.
Major Leyden was a native of Onondaga county, New York, born in Collamer, on the 18th of Octo-
ber, 1836. He is descended from Holland Dutch ancestry, the record being traced back to the time when William of Orange in 1690 invaded Ireland with a large army. Among his followers were several bearing the name of Leyden and, settling on the Emerald Isle, they founded there a family of which Michael Leyden, Sr., was a representa- tive. He wedded Mary Walton, who was of Eng- lish birth and parentage and they became the founders of the family in the United States, settling in that portion of Syracuse which was at that time called Salina. They afterward took up their abode in Collamer in the town of Dewitt, where their remaining days were passed.
Michael Leyden, Jr., son of Michael and Mary (Walton) Leyden, was born in Ireland, May 5, 1809, and was a young lad when he came with his parents to the new world. He completed his educa- tion in Onondaga Valley Academy and left the parental farm to become a salesman in Syracuse in the employ of Dennis McCarthy, founder of the wholesale and retail dry-goods firm of D. Mc- Carthy & Sons and D. McCarthy & Company. His progress in the commercial world led him to es- tablish business on his own account in Salina, where he remained until the outbreak of cholera caused him to purchase and remove to a farm near Collamer in the town of Dewitt, Onondaga county. There he resided until 1860, when he returned to Syracuse. He married Catherine Car- hart, a daughter of Isaac Carhart and a descend- ant of Thomas Carhart, who came to America on the 25th of August, 1683, as private secretary to Colonel Thomas Dougan, English governor of the colonies. Several of his descendants aided in the struggle for American independence and in other wars and all became loyal citizens of the United States. Isaac Carhart, born in 1789, removed from Coeymans, New York, to Manlius, Onondaga county, in 1827, and there followed farming until his death on the 17th of March, 1845. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Hannah Rowe, was of Holland parentage. Their daughter, Catherine Carhart, who became the wife of Michael Leyden, Jr., was born at Coeymans, June 22, 1813, and died at Syracuse ir. February, 1889.
Major Maurice Leyden was the eldest of twelve children and at the usual age began his education in the district schools, afterward, however, attend- ing the high school in Syracuse and Cazenovia Seminary. In his boyhood he also became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and developed thereby a strong and rugged constitution. When he had completed his academic course he took up the study of den- tistry in the office of Dr. Amos Westcott of Syra- cuse, then one of the leading dentists of the coun- try, at one time president of the American Dental Association. He was thus engaged in study and practice until the 13th of June, 1861, when in
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