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 21
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
response to the country's call for aid he enlisted as a member of Company B, Third New York Cavalry. He was promoted second lieutenant on the 30th of July following and first lieutenant on the 12th of June, 1863, while on the 10th of October, 1864, he was made captain of his com- pany. Through injuries received in the fall of Richmond he was reported as missing in action on October 7, 1864, when he was serving as lieuten- ant of Company C. On the 21st of July, 1865, . he was transferred to Company C, of the First New York Mounted Rifles, and on the 13th of October of the same year was breveted major of United States volunteers by President Johnson, holding that rank until honorably discharged from the service at City Point, Virginia. Major Leyden participated in many important engagements and in all of the marches and campaigns of his regi- ment and was frequently assigned to important commands. He was in the battle of Balls Bluff and of Winchester and marched with Burnside to Newberne, North Carolina, participating in the battles of Trent Road, Little Washington, Tar- boro, Goldsboro, Trenton, Bachelor's Creek, War- saw Street Ferry and others in that vicinity. He then returned with his regiment to Virginia and participated in all the battles of the Army of the James, beginning with Stony Creek, May 7, 1864, and including the engagement before Petersburg, Roanoke Bridge, Reams Station, Malvern Hill and Yellow Tavern, where he had command of the outposts when General Hill made an attempt to drive General Warren from his position on the Weldon Railroad. He also took part in the battle of Prince George Courthouse and proceeded to Johnson's Farm, three miles from Richmond, where on the 7th of October, 1864, he was taken prisoner. For more than six months he was in- carcerated in Libby Prison, at Salisbury, North Carolina, and at Danville, Virginia, and after a brief parole he returned to his regiment. He was taken prisoner and was in three different prisons. In recognition of his services he was made a mem- ber of the American Military Order of the Loyal Legion.
After the war Major Leyden located in Roches- ter. During his furlough in March, 1865, while he was a paroled prisoner, he married Miss Mar- garet L. Garrigues, of Rochester, New York, and a graduate of the East Avenne Collegiate Institute in Rochester. Her father was Cyrus Garrigues, a native of Morristown and an early settler of Ro- chester, and in both the paternal and maternal lines she was descended from ancestry prominent in the Revolutionary war. Her mother, Mrs. Eliza Garrigues, was a daughter of Captain Samuel Woodruff, an officer of the war of 1812, and her great-grandfather, John Acken, served in Wash- ington's army in the Revolutionary war, as did Jacob Garrigues.
Prior to the war Major Leyden had prepared for the profession of dentistry and following his return to Rochester opened an office for practice in this city in connection with Dr. Frank French, under the firm style of French & Leyden. Two years were thus passed, at the end of which time he joined George P. Davis under the firm name of Davis & Leyden in the business of manufactur- ing dental and surgical instruments and materials which they sold to the wholesale trade. For eigh- teen years he continued in that business, which was built up to extensive proportions.
In the meantime Major Leyden had become actively connected with political interests of the city as a stalwart republican. He served as county and city committeeman and was a delegate to various county and state conventions, while for one term he represented the old eighth ward in the board of supervisors. In the fall of 1885 he was elected county clerk and served for three years, from the 1st of January, 1886.
Major Leyden was one of the first men in this section to realize the importance of the searches made for land titles and to foresee the extent to which such a business would grow. Accordingly he organized the Rochester Title Insurance Com- pany, which was incorporated in February, 1887, with a capital of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. He was chosen its secretary, treasurer and general manager on the 1st of May, 1891, and continued in those positions until his retirement from active business life. This is the only organi- zation of its kind in the state outside of New York city and Brooklyn. The idea originated among a number of the leading and wealthy citi- zens, whose object was to duplicate the records of the county and thus guard against the possible loss of the original copies and at the same time to in- augurate a system of real-estate title insurance. The business developed into one of the largest in the country and its worth is most widely acknowl- edged. His aptitude for finance secured for him the election to the presidency of the Rochester Saving & Loan Association in 1889 and he contin- ued in that position until ill health forced him to retire. Under his management this became one of the strongest associations of the kind in the coun- try and was the first in the city to do business out- side of the state, operating in Pennsylvania, Con- necticut, Rhode Island, Virginia, Ohio and Michi- gan. Major Leyden was also prominently con- nected with various other enterprises of a public and private nature and such was his reputation for business capacity, enterprise and sound judg- ment that all felt that his connection with any interest insured its successful outcome.
Major Leyden in his home and social relations was a most genial and companionable gentleman. Unto him and his wife were born two daughters: Maude, who died in infancy ; and Blanche Eloise,
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
who was graduated from the Livingston Park Seminary in the class of 1895. Major Leyden be- longed to Valley lodge, No. 109, A. F. & A. M., and for twenty years prior to his death was its treasurer. He also held membership in George H. Thomas post, No. 4, G. A. R., and was much interested in Grand Army affairs. Community interests also awakened his earnest attention and hearty co-operation whenever he believed that the course inaugurated would prove of public good. With strangers he was reserved but his courtesy was such as to attract even those with whom he was but slightly associated and his charming per- sonality drew about him from his earliest youth a large circle of loyal friends. He enjoyed, too, the respect of his business associates and the public as well and in every relation of life was a high minded and honorable gentleman.
HIRAM R. STOCKBRIDGE.
Hiram R. Stockbridge, who in former years fig- ured conspicuously in commercial and political circles of Rochester, but is now living retired, was born in Whately, Massachusetts, November 11, 1833, his parents being Hiram F. and Eliza M. (Morton) Stockbridge, both of whom were na- tives of Whately, born in 1804. Their last days, however, were spent in Rochester. The father was in the postoffice at the time when the sub- ject of this review became connected with that department of the government service and had been identified with the office from the time of the administration of Postmaster Riley. His family numbered a daughter and two sons: Helen Eliza, now deceased ; Hiram R .; and Henry D., of Ticonderoga, New York.
In the spring of 1836 Hiram R. Stockbridge was brought by his parents to Rochester, where he lived until he was eleven years of age, when he returned to Whately, Massachusetts. In the fall of 1851, however, he again became a resident of Rochester, where he has since made his home, and has therefore resided in this city altogether for two thirds of a century. He attended school until seventeen years of age and while in Massachusetts worked upon the home farm. In 1851, follow- ing his second arrival in Rochester, he entered the postoffice in a clerical capacity and there re- mained until 1861 with the exception of a period , of three months. He was employed as a clerk until the last three years of that period, when he acted as deputy postmaster under Nicholas E. Pain. In 1861 he began the manufacture of kerosene oil under the name of the Genesee Oil ·Company, which he aided in organizing in con- nection with N. C. Pain and others. He was made secretary of the company and continued as
a partner in the business after the original com- pany sold out to the firm of B. Hughes & Com- pany. This relation was maintained until 1870 when the firm was dissolved. Mr. Stockbridge then became connected with H. H. Warner & Company, with whom he continued in different capacities until 1886. During the next five years he lived retired, but from 1891 until 1900 he was deputy city treasurer. On leaving that office he again put aside business cares and is now enjoy- ing a well earned rest. His life has been one of activity crowned with a goodly measure of suc- cess.
In 1862 Mr. Stockbridge was married to Miss Aurelia Low, a native of Poughkeepsie, New York, and they have three children: Herbert E .; Mrs. Marion H. Phelps, of Erie, Pennsylvania; and Una W., at home. In 1889 Mr. Stockbridge erected his present fine residence at No. 264 Alex- ander street where his family are now pleasantly located. In politics he is a democrat but casts an independent local ballot. He belongs to Valley lodge, A. F. & A. M., Hamilton chapter, R. A. M., and has been connected with Monroe commandery, K. T., since 1858. He attends the Central Pres- byterian church and is well known in Rochester because of his long residence here and his active business and political life.
EUGENE DWYER.
Eugene Dwyer, one of the prominent republi- can leaders of Rochester, widely known as well as an able attorney, was born in this city February 12, 1873. His parents were Michael and Mary (McCarthy) Dwyer. The father came to Amer- ica as a boy from Ireland and with very little edu- cation and no money managed to establish and bring to success one of the largest carriage and wagon manufactories of the country, continning in business for more than forty years. He died in 1901. In early boyhood Eugene Dwyer was a student in a parochial school and attended the high school of Rochester prior to entering the Rochester University. In that institution his more specifically literary education was completed and he then prepared for a professional career by tak- ing up the study of law. He matriculated in the New York Law School and passed his clerkship with O'Brien & Paine. In March, 1894, he was admitted to the bar and almost from the begin- ning has maintained a foremost place among the young members of the profession in Rochester. In June, 1894, he was made second assistant corpora- tion counsel and when Harvey F. Remington was elected judge of the municipal court a year later Mr. Dwyer was appointed first assistant and served
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
in that capacity until 1898 through Mr. Roden- beck's term as corporation counsel. He was the youngest man who has ever served as assistant city attorney but he soon displayed the fact that his legal powers were in advance of his years and showed himself the equal of many of the able mem- bers of the bar. In February, 1902, Mr. Dwyer was appointed by State Comptroller Nathan L. Miller as collateral inheritance tax appraiser for Monroe county and continued as such until April, 1907. In 1903 he was elected on the republican ticket to the office of member of the assembly. He was elected president of the common council in November, 1907, for the ensuing two years.
While Mr. Dwyer has figured prominently in political circles since attaining his majority and has become recognized as one of the leaders of the party in western New York he has nevertheless displayed in his professional career that close ap- plication and earnest purpose which, combined with keen analytical power, will always win suc- cess at the bar.
In October, 1900, Mr. Dwyer married Miss Clara C. Connell, daughter of John Connell, of the Connell-Dengler Machinery Company. They have three children: Mary Katharine, Eugene J. and Robert Dwyer.
HARVEY K. STEVENS.
Harvey K. Stevens was for many years num- bered among the highly respected citizens of Mon- roe county and although he has now passed away he is still remembered by many friends in Church- ville and Monroe county, where he so long made his home. He was born in 1828, and acquired his education in Richter Academy, near Church- ville, Monroe county. Upon entering business life on his account he chose farming as his occupa- tion and was thus successfully engaged near Churchville for a long period, but for a number of years prior to his death lived retired. In poli- tics he was a republican.
Mr. Stevens was twice married, his first union being with Mrs. Maria (Chappell) Hill, while for his second wife he wedded Miss Julia Chap- pell, a cousin of his first wife. The latter was born in Brockport, a daughter of Ansel and Julia Chappell. Her father was born in 1805, while his death occurred in 1873, when he had reached the age of sixty-eight years. He was a farmer bv occupation. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Julia Richmond, was born in 1803, and her death occurred in 1893, when she had reached the very advanced age of ninety years.
Mrs. Stevens acquired her education in the Brockport Institute, and by her mother was
trained in the duties of the household, so that she was well qualified for taking charge of a. home of her own, when, in 1895, she gave her hand in marriage to Harvey K. Stevens. She still survives her husband, whose death occurred in 1899, when he had reached the age of seventy-one years. Mrs. Stevens now makes her home in Brockport, her native city, and is a communicant of the Episcopal church. She is a lady who possesses many sterling traits of chcaracter and by her gentle, kindly manner has won the esteem of a host of warm friends. She is prominent in Brockport and the surrounding community and the hospitality of her own pleasant home is great- ly enjoyed by many with whom she is associated.
CHARLES FITZSIMONS.
Charles FitzSimons, who attained distinction in financial and social circles and was no less highly regarded for his excellent business ability than the genial, social qualities which rendered him very popular among his many friends, was a native of Ireland, and died on the 19th of July, 1888, at the age of fifty-nine years, while in Maloja, Engadine, Switzerland, on a trip abroad. His early youth was spent in the land of his nativity and he came alone to America, crossing the Atlantic to New York city, whence he after- ward made his way to Utica. Later he came to Rochester and entered upon business relations with Charles J. Burke and A. B. Hone, dealers in dry goods, under the firm name of Burke, Fitz Simons, Hone & Company. This enterprise was established a short time prior to the great financial panic which culminated on what is known in history as Black Friday, and they were one of the few firms that weathered the storm. Mr. Fitz Simons remained in active connection with this house until his death and although the enterprise was established on a small scale it was developed along substantial lines and in keeping with mod- ern commercial progress until it became one of the largest in the city. The growth of the store was also typical of the business advancement of Mr. FitzSimons, who came to the United States a poor boy and worked his way upward from an apprenticeship to a prominent place in commer- cial circles. His value in financing important concerns was widely recognized and his co-opera- tion sought in the control of other large and important business interests. He became one of the founders of the Merchants Bank of Rochester and his name was long an honored one on business paper.
It was in this city that Mr. FitzSimons was married to Miss Caroline Vernon, a native of
HARVEY K. STEVENS.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
Mount Morris, New York, and a daughter of Richard Vernon, the builder of the aqueduct at Rochester and one of the engineers on the con- struction of the Erie canal. Unto Mr. and Mrs. FitzSimons were born a daughter and son: Mary Jane, the deceased wife of P. J. Sweeney; and Simon Vernon, secretary of the Wilder Realty Company of this city. In 1900 he married Cor- nelia Wilder, a daughter of Samuel Wilder of a very prominent family of Rochester. He resides at No. 230 Culver road, while Mrs. FitzSimons is living at No. 3 Livingston Park. Prominent socially, Mr. FitzSimons was a valued member of the Genesee Valley Club, which he joined on its organization. He possessed in large measure those traits of character which win warm and lasting friendships. He was not quick to be imposed upon as to individual worth nor did he antago- nize others by an aggressive expression of his own opinions and position. He displayed much char- ity in thought and action and was of a kindly spirit, which made him a faithful friend, while the devotion which he displayed in his home was one of his strongest characteristics.
WILLIAM H. PIDRICK.
William H. Pidrick, one of the stockholders of the National Casket Company and the superin- tendent of the Rochester plant, was born in the city of Rochester on the 1st of September, 1857, his parents being William and Jane (Hosken) Pidrick. There were two children but William H. alone survives. The parents were natives of Eng- land, born about 1823 and 1825 respectively. In early life the father learned the carpenter's and builder's trade and in 1849, when a young man of about twenty-six years, he emigrated to the United States, attracted by the broader business oppor- tunities of the new world, where advancement is more quickly secured and labor brings a larger financial return. After landing at New York city he started for Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where a young man friend had preceded him. His jour- ney by way of the Erie canal was interrupted by a break at the ox bow and he walked into Roches- ter, where he secured work at the shops on the site of the present city harns on Exchange street. His own lack of funds made immediate employ- ment a necessity and furthermore he possessed a spirit of ambition and determination which would not have permitted him to be idle even if his con- dition had made it possible for him to do so. The accident which had occurred when he was on his westward journey led to Rochester's gaining a valued citizen. He continued to reside here and later he engaged in building and contracting on
his own account. He conducted business alone for several years but his patronage grew to such pro- portions that he was unable to handle the volume of business without assistance and admitted Robert Boyd to a partnership. Mr. Pidrick had gradually worked his way upward, gaining recognition as one of the leading and most capable and prominent contractors and many of the finest structures of the city stand as monuments to his thrift, labor and business discernment. The Powers Hotel was the last contract on which he was engaged. He retired from active life immediately following the completion of that structure in 1882, spending his remaining days in well earned ease. Starting at the very bottom round of the ladder of success, he steadily climbed upward and moreover made a business record which any man might be proud to possess. He had the admiration of all and the en- tire respect and trust of his business associates. His political views were in accord with the prin- ciples of the republican party, while fraternally he was connected with Valley lodge, No. 109, A. F. & A. M. His death occurred about 1885 or 1886 and thus passed from the scenes of this life one who had become a most valued and important fac- tor in industrial circles in Rochester, contributing in large measure to the improvement and develop- ment of the city.
William H. Pidrick, born in Rochester, was here reared and educated. He passed through successive grades in the public schools until he had become a high-school student. Ambitious to provide for his own support, as early as his four- teenth year he entered upon an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade under his father and upon its completion he spent one year in traveling through the west. He then returned to Rochester and became associated with the wholesale clothing business, learning the cutter's trade, which he fol- lowed for two years. On the expiration of that period he secured a position, in November, 1879, with the Stein Manufacturing Company, the predecessors of the National Casket Company. In this position his knowledge of cloth cutting and draping, combined with his thorough understand- ing of the carpenter's trade, stood him in good stead. After six months he announced his deter- mination of returning to the clothing manufac- turing industry but his value was so recognized by the Stein Manufacturing Company that special inducements were offered him to remain for an- other six months. On the expiration of that period he signed a contract for two years longer and in 1885, when the Stein Manufacturing Com- pany was re-organized and incorporated, Mr. Pid- rick was invited to become a member of the or- ganization and invested all of his capital in the enterprise. In 1890, when Mr. Stein was called to New York to assume charge of a factory there, the business was again re-organized under the
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
name of the National Casket Company and Mr. Pidrick was made superintendent of the plant at Rochester, having, however, served as acting super- intendent for some time prior to this date. The caskets are made complete in the Rochester plant, from the rough lumber to the finished casket, the electric plating, the glass beveling, the metallic lining, etc. Most excellent work is done and no finer caskets are produced in any factory in the country than are made at this plant. The Roches- ter factory has indeed furnished more caskets for prominent men of the United States than any similar establishment in the country. Those for President U. S. Grant, for President James A. Garfield, for James Gordon Bennett and for hun- dreds of others of distinguished men have been made here under Mr. Pidrick's supervision. The business has constantly grown and includes a large export trade, extensive shipments being made to Cuba, the South American republics, South Af- rica, Australia, Canada and other countries.
In 1888 Mr. Pidrick was married to Miss Anna Barr of Rochester. He belongs to Valley lodge, No. 109, A. F. & A. M., with which he has affili- ated for twenty-five years, and in his life he exem- plifies the beneficent spirit of the craft, which is based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. The name of Pidrick has figured prom- inently in manufacturing and industrial circles in this country for almost six decades and has ever been synonymous with excellence of workmanship, with fair dealing and with progressive methods.
HALBERT STEVENS GREENLEAF.
Although Halbert S. Greenleaf passed away in August, 1906, his memory is yet cherished by many who knew him because of his personal quali- ties and his worth in business life. He belonged to that class of men who by a genial nature shed around them much of the sunshine of life and few hold a warmer place in the affection of their friends than did Mr. Greenleaf. He, moreover, gained distinction in connection with public in- terests bearing upon the welfare of his city and state and at all times his devotion to the public good was above question.
A native of Vermont, Mr. Greenleaf was born in Guilford, April 12, 1827, and was a son of Jeremiah and Eunice Elvira (Stevens) Greenleaf, the latter a daughter of Dr. Simon and Susanna (Greenleaf) Stevens. The father of our subject was born in Brattleboro, Vermont, December 7, 1791, and died in Guilford, April 4, 1864. He was an author and teacher and published Gram- mar Simplified, Greenleaf's Gazeteer and Green- leaf's Atlas.
The family was founded in America by Ed- mund Greenleaf, who came from Ipswich, Suffolk county, England, in 1635, and settled in Newbury, Massachusetts, but later removed to Boston. He bore a high reputation for probity and saw active service as captain of militia. His son, Stephen Greenleaf, served as ensign in King Phillip's war and rose to the rank of lieutenant. He was born in England in 1628 and died in 1696 in New- bury. His wife was Elizabeth Coffin, of Newbury. Their son, Stephen Greenleaf (2d), was born in 1652 and died in Newbury in 1743. He married Elizabeth Gerrish, of Newbury, and he served as ensign in a regiment raised for the reduction of Canada. His son, Rev. Daniel Greenleaf, who was born in 1680, married Elizabeth Gookin and died in Newbury in 1763. Their son, Dr. Daniel Greenleaf, served as a surgeon at the siege of Lewisburg. He was born in Cambridge, Massa- chusetts, in 1702, and died in 1795. His wife bore the maiden name of Silence Marsh. Their son, Stephen Greenleaf, married Eunice Fair- banks, of Boston. He was born in Boston in 1735 and died in Brattleboro, Vermont, in 1802. His son, Daniel Greenleaf, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Boston in 1764 and died in Bernardston, Massachusetts, in 1845. He married Huldah Hopkins. They were the parents of Jeremiah Greenleaf, our subject's father, who entered the army as a private in the war of 1812 and was made lieutenant at the bat- tle of Plattsburg.
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