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 25
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Mr. Hooker was married in Penfield, New York, on the 13th of November, 1861, to Miss Kate Lewis, a native of that place and a daughter of Daniel E. Lewis, an early settler from Lynn, Massachusetts. She is related to the family after whom the town of Penfield was named and also to the family of Henry Fellows, descendants of General Henry Fellows, who served on the staff of General Washington in the Revolutionary war. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hooker were born six chil- dren : Horace, Charles George, Mary, Kate, Edith and Lewis. Mr. Hooker has always been too much occupied with business cares to engage actively in politics, but gives his support to the republican party.
HERBERT S. WILBUR.
Herbert S. Wilbur, who has been engaged in the practice of law since 1894, and is now numbered among the members of the bar of Rochester, is a native of Lowville, New York, the date of his birth being January 12, 1850. His parents, Gor- dyce and Mary S. (Phelps) Wilbur, both natives of Massachusetts, came to the Empire state in the
early part of the nineteenth century, afterwards married and settled in the village of Lowville, where the father followed carpentering, being closely connected with building interests in his home community for many years. He was a cousin of the late Senator Leland Stanford of California. An honorable, upright life was in harmony with his profession as a member of the First Presbyterian church of Lowville, in which he served as an elder for fifty-four years.
From his mother, a direct Puritan ancestry can be traced, with honorable service in the war of the Revolution, and in later times, several mem- bers of her family and relatives have been repre- sentatives in the Massachusetts legislature and in various benevolent and religious affairs. Among the number may be mentioned the late George Peabody, the well known philanthropist, Harriet Prescott Spofford, the writer, and Mrs. G. R. Al- den, also a writer of Sunday School books under the nom de plume of "Pansy."
Herbert S. Wilbur attended the Lowville Acad- emy and is a graduate of Union College, class of 1871. Immediately after his graduation he went to New York city and was employed in the bank- ing house of his uncle, Royal Phelps, who was then at the head of the banking firm of Maitland, Phelps & Company. Mr. Wilbur there remained for thirteen years and after the death of his uncle and in 1885 retired from business with a modest competence. It was not until 1891 that he again entered business life, at which time he became a student in the law office of Porter M. French of Rochester, and after reading for two years and five months he was admitted to the bar in 1894. He remained an associate of Mr. French until 1902, since which time he has been associated with William H. Shaffer, attorney at law, in gen- eral practice. He is a member of the Rochester Bar Association and is well known in the profes- sion, but has little to do with litigation, as an office practice appears to be more in line with his tastes.
Mr. Wilbur has been twice married: in 1895 to Mary B. Follett of Seneca Falls, New York, who died in 1897; in 1899 to Mrs. Agnes J. Emery, who had two sons, Thomas F. and Harriet F. Emery, now twenty-one and nineteen years of age, respectively. Mr. Wilbur, his wife and their sons are members of the North Presbyterian church of Rochester, of which Mr. Wilbur is an elder. He is deeply and actively interested in church, charitable and benevolent work and is now a trustee and the treasurer of the People's Rescue Mission of this city. He actively co-operates in many movements for the amelioration of the hard conditions of life of the unfortunate, his ready sympathy responding quickly to any call for as- sistance. Fraternally, he is associated with the Psi Upsilon college fraternity. He is a man of
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broad and liberal culture, of strong humanitarian principles and rated in his adopted city as a "man among men."
HIRAM H. EDGERTON.
Elected mayor of Rochester on November 5, 1907, at the close of a campaign in which no word was spoken by the opposition against his personal integrity or business ability, Hiram H. Edgerton is now serving as the chief executive officer of the city. Mr. Edgerton was born at Belfast, Alleghany county, New York, April 19, 1847, the son of Ralph H. and Octavia C. Edger- ton. His father was born at Port Henry, on Lake Champlain, in 1821, came to Rochester in 1835, where, with the exception of a few years, he re- sided and conducted an extensive lumber busi- ness till his death in 1867.
Hiram H. Edgerton entered the public schools, passed through the various grades, completed his education in the high school, and joined his father in the lumber business, which was carried along until 1880, when he sold his business and became a contractor and builder. The rapid growth of Rochester offered excellent opportunities and for a period of twenty-eight years Mr. Edgerton has figured in connection with the city's substantial improvement. He has built fifteen churches, sev- eral libraries, hundreds of residences, many of which are among the finest in the city, and scores of commercial buildings, some of which are the largest and most expensive in Rochester. Many thousands of dollars have passed through his hands to the mechanics and laboring men of the city. He has never had a strike or any other trouble with his employes, who regard him as a friend and benefactor and speak in cordial recog- nition of his justice and liberality. He is highly esteemed by his business associates and is a member of the Builders Exchange and a director of the National Association of Builders.
Mr. Edgerton has been a republican in politics and active in support of the principles of his party. From 1872 to 1876 he was a member of the board of education and served for two years as its president. He was a member of the commission that had charge of the construction of the east side trunk sewer, one of the most difficult and expensive public works of the city, and was president of the commission when most of the work was done. Owing to his business ability and conscientious performance of duty the work was completed promptly and well with- in the appropriation of one million dollars. In January, 1900, when the White charter went into operation and the municipal government was re-
organized, Mr. Edgerton took his seat as the pre- siding officer of the common council and in that office he continued for eight years, leading the head of his ticket in the four elections and serving with ability and impartiality. By virtue of his office he was a member of the board of estimate and apportionment, the chief executive board of the city government, which prepares the tax budget and inaugurates public improvements and municipal reforms, and here Mr. Edgerton ren- dered services of great value to the whole citv. In 1907 he was elected mayor by a plurality of one thousand one hundred and thirty-four over William Ward, democrat, his election being the popular expression of an earnest desire for a businesslike, progressive and straightforward ad- ministration of municipal affairs.
Mr. Edgerton was married to Miss Medora De Witt, of Henrietta, New York, in 1868, and has two daughters. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Frank R. Lawrence lodge, F. & A. M .; Hamilton chapter, R. A. M .; and Monroe commandery, K. T.
FREDERICK E. WYATT.
Although born across the water, the loyal and public-spirited citizenship of Frederick E. Wyatt has been of direct benefit to Rochester, his adopted city. He has done effective work in the upbuild- ing and improvement of various sections of this city and as a real-estate dealer he still continues his labors along this line. Mr. Wyatt is a native of Plymouth, England, born in 1861, a son of Ephraim and Elizabeth (Bray) Wyatt. He at- tended the schools of his native country to the age of thirteen and a half years and was then graduated from the Nation School. After com- pleting his education he was engaged in teaching for about two years, subsequent to which time he learned and followed the carpenter's trade until his emigration to the new world when he was a youth of about eighteen years. The year 1884 witnessed his arrival in Rochester and he here secured employment at his trade of carpentering, working for others for two years, and he then be- gan contracting and building on his own account. In connection with this he has also been engaged in the real-estate business for the past eighteen or nineteen years. He buys and sells property and his long connection with this business enables him to place the right value upon property and to sell to the best possible advantage. Real es- tate in all parts of the city has rapidly advanced in value, unsightly vacancies being occupied by attractive edifices, and his labors as a contractor have met with general appreciation as evidenced
H. H. EDGERTON.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
by attractive and substantial buildings. About two years ago Mr. Wyatt established the F. E. Wyatt Concrete Block Company and is now in the extension business. He employs fourteen men and is doing a very gratifying business. Aside from his private business affairs, which claim much of his time and attention, Mr. Wyatt also takes a deep and helpful interest in public affairs and is ever interested in the upbuilding and develop- ment of his home city.
In 1899 occurred the marriage of Mr. Wyatt and Miss Isabelle Teall, a native of Rochester, and a daughter of Philip and Ruth Teall. In 1889 he became affiliated with the Monroe Avenue Methodist Episcopal church and for the past twelve years has served as a trustee of the church. Mr. Wyatt is truly a self-made man, for coming to this country in his youth he eagerly availed himself of every opportunity which presented itself and has gradually worked his way upward until, as a practical builder, he now occupies a prominent place in the business life of the city and in connection with various business enter- prises has done effective work in behalf of public improvement.
WILLIS H. HONDORF.
In a history of the representative residents of Greece township, it is imperative that mention be made of Willis H. Hondorf, who has resided on his present farm near Barnard throughout his entire life, save for a brief period of two years spent in Rochester. Here he was born on the 14th of September, 1865. His father, Henry E. Hondorf, was a native of Holland, born September 14, 1835, and when ten years of age he crossed the Atlantic with his parents to Boston, Massa- chusetts. Subsequently he went to Schenectady, New York, and later came to Rochester, where he was engaged in the machine business for a number of years. For some time he was em- ployed in the railroad shops but afterward located on a farm in the town of Greece. He has not been actively connected with business since the death of his wife, which occurred about ten years ago and he now spend his time with his children. In early manhood he wedded Lucinda Peterson. who was born in Mount Reed, Greece township. Monroe county, in 1835. Her parents were John and Jemima (Hinchey) Peterson. The latter was the first white girl born in Charlotte, born in 1805. The birth of Mr. Peterson occurred in Pennsylvania and at an early period in the de- velopment of Monroe county he removed to this locality and eventually became the owner of a large tract of land, having two hundred and
thirty-six acres. The farm of Mr. Hondorf is the old Peterson homestead and upon this place both Mr. and Mrs. Peterson passed away. Their daughter Lucinda gave her hand in marriage to Henry E. Hondorf and died here ten years ago. In the family were three children: Horace W., who died in Rochester, May 4, 1907, at the age of forty-six years; Willis H .; and Lulu May, the wife of Matt Cunningham, of Rochester.
Willis H. Hondorf, reared at the old home place which had been owned successively by his maternal grandparents and his parents, acquired his educa- tion in the public schools and after his marriage turned his attention to the dairy business, in which he continued with excellent success until about three years ago. His father had established a dairy in 1868 and the enterprise was conducted in the family name until 1904. Mr. Hondorf is today the owner of eighty-six acres of valuable and productive land devoted to fruit raising and to general farming. He is also engaged in the implement business and all branches of his busi- ness are bringing to him a gratifying measure of success.
On the 11th of June, 1903, Willis H. Hondorf was married to Miss Elizabeth Donnelly, a native of Ogden, Monroe county, and a daughter of Michael and Mary (Brady) Donnelly, both of whom were natives of Ontario, Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Hondorf now have one son, Henry Willis. In his political views the subject of this sketch is a stalwart republican, having always supported the party, but the honors and emoluments of of- fice have had little attraction for him, as he has preferred to give his energies and his attention to business affairs. The farm gives every evidence of his careful supervision and progressive methods in its excellent appearance.
WILLIAM SEWARD WHITTLESEY.
William Seward Whittlesey, postmaster of Rochester, has spent his entire life in this citv. His natal day was July 1, 1840, and his parents were Frederick and Ann (Hinsdale) Whittlesey, both of whom were natives of Connecticut. The father came to Rochester in 1820 during the days of its villagehood, and was a very prominent and influential citizen here. He was a lawyer by profession and served upon the bench and as a member of congress. He left the impress of his individuality for good upon the public life of the community and was influential in molding puh- lic thought and action. He died in the year 1851. his wife surviving until 1890. In their family were seven children, of whom four are now living.
William S. Whittlesey acquired his education in the public and private schools of Rochester,
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qualified for the bar and spent several years in the practice of law in connection with his brother. In 1861 he entered the government service in the postoffice department, in which he has since held various positions and is now postmaster at Roch- ester. The duties of the position he discharges in a most capable manner, being thoroughly acquainted with all of the work connected with the manage- ment and conduct of a large postoffice and his long experience and ability make him a valued factor here.
Mr. Whittlesey was married in 1868 to Miss Clara J. Walker, a daughter of Albert Walker, and unto them have been born three children, William, Fannie Childs and Louise Hinsdale. Mr. Whittlesey belongs to the Rochester Whist Club and to the Odd Fellows Society. He is an active and helpful member of St. Luke's church and his influence is always given on the side of progress, reform and improvement, of justice, truth and right. He is now pleasantly located at No. 123 South Fitzhugh street, and, having been a life- long resident of Rochester, displaying in his busi- ness and social relations many excellent qualities. he has a host of warm friends in the city. He is a man of fine personal appearance, in demeanor is ever courteous and affable and all with whom he comes in contact entertain for him warm personal regard.
REV. ROB ROY M. CONVERSE.
Rev. Rob Roy M. Converse is rector of St. Luke's church of Rochester, and his life has been one of activity and usefulness, touching the lives of many others with a spirit of helpfulness. De- votion to his country has also been one of his strong characteristics and was first visibly mani- fest in August, 1861, when, at the age of seven- teen years, he entered the United States army. He enlisted as a private of Company I, Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, and remained at the front for almost four years, or until honorably discharged on the 4th of July, 1865. He was held as a prisoner of war for seven months, spend- ing five months at Andersonville and two months at Florence, South Carolina. He suffered greatly during that period on account of the hardships of southern prison life.
The war ended, Rev. Converse returned to the north and has devoted his entire life to the work of teaching either in the schoolroom or from the pulpit. For some time he was identified with the ministry of the Presbyterian church, but later be- came a communicant and rector in the Episcopal church. He spent ten years as chaplain and pro- fessor in Hobart College, acting in that capacity
from 1887 until 1897. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Iowa College about 1889, and the degree of Doctor of Common Law by Hobart College in May, 1897. In the same year he came to Rochester as rector of St. Luke's Episcopal church and has since remained in charge, covering ten years. His work has been most effective, far-reaching and beneficial. He it was who was instrumental in starting the endow- ment fund for the parish that now amounts to over thirty thousand dollars. There are about five hundred families in the church and over six hundred communicants. He has thoroughly or- ganized the church work in its various depart- ments and is securing excellent results with the co-operation of his parishioners, inspiring them to active labor for the church by his own zeal, con- secration and unfaltering efforts.
The Rev. Converse was married to Miss Mary A. Howard, of Corning, New York, and they have two sons, Paul Howard and Rob Roy, the former now a student in Yale College. Rev. Converse is a member of the Alpha Chi Club, composed of professors and clergymen, and he also has mem- bership relations in Pundit, a literary club. He is a valued representative of these organizations because of a genial disposition and social nature, combined with a ready power of oratory and a broad knowledge that makes him an interesting and entertaining speaker upon any subject which he chooses to discuss. It would be almost tauto- logical in this connection to enter into a series of statements as showing him to be a man of broad intellectuality and scholarly attainments, for these have been shadowed forth between the lines of this review in connection with the state- ments concerning the work to which he has de- 'voted his life. His influence has been of no re- stricted order, nor in his work has he been de- nied the full harvest nor the aftermath.
HON. GEORGE E. WARNER.
Hon. George E. Warner, a prominent figure in democratic circles in Rochester and by the consen- sus of public opinion ranked with the leading members of the bar, possesses the strong men- tality and force of character which have enabled him to work toward high ideals in his profession and in citizenship. A native of the Empire state, he was born in Fairhaven, Cayuga county, on the "th of November, 1855, his parents being George L. and Mary (Waugh) Warner, who were natives of the state of New York and of Scotland re- spectively. The mother became a resident of Rochester in early life. The father was a car-
REV. R. R. CONVERSE.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
penter by trade and died in this city in 1894, be- ing still survived by his widow.
George E. Warner was a public school student in Rochester, and after the completion of his more specifically literary course he took up the study of law when in his teens and was admitted to the bar in January, 1877. He began the practice of his profession in Rochester, where he has since re- mained, and in a calling where advancement de- pends entirely upon individnal merit and capa- bility he has gained distinction as a lawyer of broad mind, clear discrimination and wide knowledge.
In 1881 Mr. Warner was first called to public office, being elected judge of the municipal court for a term of six years. So entirely satisfactory were the affairs of the court conducted under his able management that he was persuaded to again become the candidate for office, being re-elected in 1887 and for a third term in 1893. No higher en- dorsement can be given than that which comes through popular suffrage. Judge Warner did not serve out his third term, however, for he was called by his party to accept the nomination for mayor. He received the endorsement of the Good Government Club, which at that time was com- posed of many prominent and influential citizens. The campaign proved a short and decisive victory for Judge Warner. He was a worthy representa- tive of the people and a more thoroughly ener- getic and businesslike administration Rochester never had. Two years later he again proved to be the choice of the people and was elected mayor for a second term. He has taken a very active interest in democratie politics and is one of the able leaders of the party. He is a statesman with an eye to practical results and not glittering generalities. His mind is eminently judicial and free from the bias of animosity. While he is un- faltering in his advocacy of the principles which he sunnorts he is not aggressively partisan and has the good will and respect of the leaders of both parties. He is well informed concerning the great political questions and issues of the day and has also studied the lessons of actual life, arriving at his conclusions as a result of careful consideration. and thorough familiarity with the situation. Such men, whether in office or out of it, are the natural leaders of whichever party they may be identified with, especially in that movement toward higher politics which is common to both parties and which constitutes the most hopeful political sign of the period.
Mr. Warner was married in 1877 to Miss Marie Sanders of Rochester, and they have two children, George H. and Florence Matthews. Mr. Warner is a member of the Genesee Whist Club, the Knights of Pythias fraternity and a number of societies. He possesses the genial nature of a kindly spirit who is interested in his fellowmen
from a broad humanitarian standpoint and added to this is a force of character and a depth of prin- ciple which well qualify him for leadership.
JOHN H. WILSON.
Among the men who have left their impress for good upon the public life of Rochester is num- bered John H. Wilson, now deceased, who for many years figured prominently in political cir- cles as a leader in the ranks of the democratic party and was also well known in the business life of the city. He was born in New York city, and in his childhood days was brought by his parents to Rochester. In early life he worked in the New York Central Railroad shops and later was engaged in the coal business with others on State street. He had as a railroad employe made advancement by reason of his close application and unfaltering diligence, and by the careful husbanding of his resources he was enabled to establish a business of his own. He continued in the coal trade for ten years and met with very gratifying success, obtaining a lib- eral patronage which brought him a good financial return.
Mr. Wilson was, moreover, a leader in the ranks of democracy in Rochester, strongly advocating the principles of the party, which he believed most conducive to good government. He labored untir- ingly for its growth and success, and in 1862 he was elected supervisor for the ninth ward and also served for two terms in the city council. In. 1818 he was elected county clerk of Monroe county. In all of his official service he was found reliable, discharging his duties to the best of his ability and with a sense of conscientious obligation. At his death the board of supervisors drew up reso- lutions of regret for the loss of one whom they regarded as an able and trustworthy member. On. the 10th of November, 1871, Mr. Wilson threw the first shovelful of dirt for the west pier of the Vincent street bridge in Rochester, and on other occasions was connected with events of general public interest.
On the 29th of November, 1853, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Wilson, and Miss Elizabeth Dickson, who was born at No. 135 Lake avenue, Rochester, where she now resides. She is a daughter of David Dickson, who came to this city in 1828 from New York city. He was a weaver by trade and followed that pursuit in New York city for some time, continuing in the same line of business after his removal to Rochester. Mrs. Wilson has two sisters, Sarah A. and Mary J. Dickson, of Rochester. She lost her husband on the 31st of December, 1890, and his death was deeply regretted by many friends as well as rela-
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tives. He was a member of Genesee Falls lodge, No. 507, A. F. & A. M .; Hamilton chapter, No. 62, R. A. M .; Doric council, No. 19, R. & S. M., and Monroe commandery, No. 12, K. T. He was also a member of the Exempt Firemen's Association. He attended the Brick (Presbyterian) church, of which his wife is a member, and in his life he ex- emplified many sterling traits of character. He possessed not a little of that trait, which, for want of a better term, has been called personal mag- netism. This made him a popular leader in demo- cratic circles and gained him many friends in other walks of life. His business success came to him as a merited reward of his own labor, for he started out empty-handed, spending his early years working at cabinet making in railroad shops. His force of character, laudable ambition and close application, however, enabled him to gain a goodly measure of success. The home in which his widow now resides, at No. 135 Lake avenue, was erected in 1828 by her father, who brought part of the windows, doors and hardware on the canal from New York city.
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