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 30
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EDWIN AUGUSTUS FISHER.
Edwin Augustus Fisher, filling the position of city engineer in Rochester, has had an uninterrupt- ed experience in responsible positions of engineer- ing work for over thirty-five years, about half of this time having been spent in railroad construc- tion, maintenance and operation as division en- gineer, principal assistant, chief engineer and su- perintendent in general charge of operation and maintenance. His broad experience and the large responsibilties which have previously come to him well qualify him for the position which he is now filling, and Rochester finds him one of the most trustworthy representatives of her business interests.
Mr. Fisher is a native of Massachusetts, having been born in Royalston, Worcester county, on the 17th of July, 1847, of American parentage. At the usual age he entered the common schools and subsequently was graduated from the Normal School at Westfield, Massachusetts. He took up the study of civil engineering and from 1870 un- til 1882 was engaged in professional work, super- intending the building of railroads, waterworks and bridges in a number of localities in New Eng- land. In 1882 he came to Rochester, where he has since made his home. He came to this city to assume the office of principal assistant engineer on the construction of the Genesee Valley Consol- idated Railroad, and after its completion was re- tained by the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad as division engineer, and continued to act in that capacity until 1889, when he was ap- pointed superintendent of the Pittsburg division of that road, acting in that capacity until 1893. The duties of that position called for his constant presence in Oil City, and when in 1893 Mr. Fish- er was invited to become chief assistant engineer to build works for giving this city an additional water supply he accepted the offer and became chief assistant to Engineer Kuichling. For three years thereafter he was principal assistant en-
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
gineer in charge of the construction of the Roch- ester waterworks additional supply. In 1896 he was appointed city engineer and from the 1st of January, 1900, has had charge of all engineering for the city, including the waterworks. He has done important public service in this connection and his course receives the commendation of all who have a knowledge of the responsibilities and importance of such work. He has gained wide recognition in his profession as one whose ability has enabled him to work his way upward to a prominent position. He is also ex-officio mem- ber of the board of estimate and apportionment, the board of contract and supply and the examin- ing board of plumbers, and likewise a member and secretary of the market commission. He is a member and a director of the American Society of Civil Engineers, a member of the American Waterworks Association, of the New England Waterworks Association, of the Rochester Engin- eering Society and past president of the American Society of Municipal Improvements. In his pro- fession he has used every means for promoting his knowledge and his efficiency and his skill and abil- ity have gained for him wide and favorable rec- ognition throughout this section of the country.
On the 17th of February, 1875, Mr. Fisher was united in marriage to Miss Ellen F. Breckenridge, of Ware, Massachusetts, and they have six chil- dren : Lewis J .; Julia K., now the wife of Arthur Clements, a minister in Spencerport; Florence M., now Mrs. Robert A. Copeland ; Edwin A., in Los Angeles, California; William B .; and Fanny B., at home. Mr. Fisher has attained prominence in Masonry, belonging to Frank R. Lawrence lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Cyrene commandery of the Knights Templar of Rochester. He is also a member of the Masonic Club and of the Rochester Whist Club. His face at once indicates deep thought, for he has always been a student of his profession, and at the same time he possesses a genial nature which draws men to him in warm friendship and kindly regard.
JAMES S. QUICKE.
James S. Quicke, secretary of the Security Building Company, is one of the more recent ad- ditions to the business circles of Rochester, having become connected with its interests in 1900. He was born in Devonshire, England, April 26, 1870. His father, William Quicke, a business man of Devonshire, died in that place. When but four- teen years of age James S. Quicke left home and joined the British navy with which he was con- nected for a year and nine months and was then honorably discharged for disability. During a
part of the time of his connection with the mili- tary service of Great Britain he was in Egyptian waters.
Returning home, Mr. Quicke remained in De- vonshire for six months and then went to Johan- nesburg, Africa, where he continued for four months. Again he spent a short time in England and on the 26th of March, 1887, landed at Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, having crossed the Atlantic to the new world, attracted by the reports con- cerning its broader business opportunities and the larger scope for individual advancement. Going to Scranton, Pennsylvania, he there engaged in the real-estate business and has since continued in this department of activity. Entering the employ of a real-estate firm, he made it his purpose to thor- onghly master the business and his adaptibility and worth led to successive promotions until he had full charge of the business for the company which he represented. While in Scranton he was quite prominent in public affairs for a young man and for five years was president of the Independ- ent Hose Company of that city.
On the 3d of July, 1900, Mr. Quicke arrived in Rochester, where he opened a real-estate office and has since spent his time in the handling of prop- erty interests, thoroughly acquainting himself with the realty that is upon the market and the prices which prevail. In 1902 he organized the Security Building Company, studying ont the idea and per- fecting the organization, which was formed in ac- cordance with progressive business methods. He is now secretary of the company and is regarded as a thorough business man, displaying marked zeal and enthusiasm as well as energy and perse- verance in the conduct of his interests. The com- pany have a beautiful suite of rooms in the Insur- ance building and its clientage is continually grow- ing. The company has already taken prominent rank among the business firms and corporations of the city and although in existence for but five years, has met with gratifying success.
Mr. Quicke is a man of many friends and is popular in various fraternal organizations. He belongs to Rochester lodge, No. 660, A. F. & A. M .; Ionic chapter, No. 210, R. A. M .; Doric coun- cil, No. 19, R. & S. M .; Monroe commandery, No. 12, K. T .; and the Rochester consistory. He is likewise affiliated with Damascus Temple of the Mystic Shrine and with Lalla Rookh Grotto. His fraternal relations also extend to the Knights of Pythias lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Central church. Politi- cally a republican, he takes a deep interest in the party and its successes. His has been a somewhat eventful career, of varied experiences and of wide travel, and the lessons of life which he learned in youth concerning the value of character and the
JAMES S. QUICKE.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
forcefulness of intense and well directed energy have borne fruit iu his later years, making him one of the highly respected as well as successful business men of Rochester.
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CHARLES SUMNER OWEN.
The life record of Charles Sumner Owen in its business phase may be briefly summed up in the statement: from office boy to vice president of the Moore & Beirs Company. By successive stages and consecutive promotions he worked his way upward until he is now one of the controlling factors in the house which he entered in a most humble capacity. Moreover, he is active and in- fluential in political circles and at the present writing (1908) is chairman of the board of su- pervisors. Mr. Owen was born in Rochester, Jan- uary 7, 1869, and is a son of Wilbur F. and Mary Ellen (Brady) Owen, both of whom were natives of the state of New York. The father has been a resident of Rochester nearly all of his life and is connected with the firm of Smith, Beir & Gorm- ley, jobbers of dry goods. The mother, however, is now deceased.
Charles S. Owen is the second in a family of six children and when a little lad of about six summers he became a student in public school No. 3, remaining a pupil there until his fifteenth year, when he left school and accepted the position of office boy with Sargent & Greenleaf, manufacturers of locks. After two years he engaged in the nursery business for a short time with Mav Brothers, and twenty years ago he came to the Moore & Beirs Company as office boy. His diligence and ready adaptability enabled him to work upward until, when the firm was incorporated in 1903, he was made vice president. He has since remained an active factor in the manage- ment of the business. which is that of clothing manufacture, and has done much to insure its success and further development.
In the year of his election to office in the firm he was also called to political honors, being ap- pointed on the 1st of February, 1903, a member of the board of supervisors to succeed Willis K. Gillette, who resigned to accept the clerkship of the board of supervisors. At the next regular election Mr. Owen was chosen to the office as rep- resentative from the third ward and was re- elected in 1905, so that he is still an incumbent. He has served on various important committees during this time, and on the 2d of January, 1907, was elected chairman of the board, which office he is now filling. In this connection he has done much for the advancement of the county's inter- ests along lines of substantial improvement, his
course being entirely satisfactory to the general public.
Mr. Owen has been very active in the Masonic fraternity and has been a director of the Masonic Temple since the inception of the plan for its erection. He has been worshipful master in Valley lodge, No. 109, A. F. & A. M .; high priest of Hamilton chapter, No. 62, R. A. M .; and mem- mer of Monroe commandery, K. T., and Damascus Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He has been gov- ernor of the Masonic Club for the past two years and has been recently re-elected for a second term. In his life he exemplifies the spirit of the craft in its beneficent teachings and is greatly interest- ed in Masonry, its growth and development.
Mr. Owen was married on the 18th of April, 1882, to Miss Delphine A. Cragg, of Rochester, and they have one daughter, Dorothy Cragg, who was born March 11, 1895. His life record is another example of the fact that success is not a matter of genius as held by some, but is the out- come of clear judgment, experience, close applica- tion and laudable ambition. It is these qualities which have enabled Mr. Owen to advance from office boy to vice president in the Moore & Beirs Company, and the same qualities have also been manifest in his political record, making him to- day one of the leaders of his party and a citizen in whom the general public reposes uniform con- fidence.
CHARLES C. BEAHAN.
Charles C. Beahan, secretary and treasurer of the firm of Crouch & Beahan, conducting an ex- tensive lumber and coal business in Rochester, is a native of the town of Gates, Monroe county, his birth having occurred about three miles from the city, on the 24th of February, 1868. His parents were James and Abby W. (Schofield) Beahan, natives of New Jersey and of Monroe county, New York, respectively. The father, a physician by profession, came to Monroe county about 1845 and engaged in the practice of medi- cine and surgery in Gates and in Rochester. His life was one of signal usefulness and benefit to his fellowmen and his record covered the span of eighty years. In the family were two sons, the elder being Dr. Herman S. Beahan, a physician, who is now deceased.
When Charles C. Beahan was five years of age his parents removed from Gates to the city and he became a public school student, passing through successive grades until he had completed the high- school course. Later he attended the Rochester University and the completion of a classical course in 1889 won him the degree of Bachelor
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
of Arts. He entered the coal business and built up an extensive trade, becoming one of the largest retail dealers in the city. He has continued in this line of commercial activity to the present time and, extending his operations into other fields, he became secretary and treasurer of the C. T. Crouch & Son Lumber Company in 1898. On the 1st of January, 1907, the extensive lumber and coal interests with which he was connected were combined and the present firm of Crouch & Beahan was organized, with C. H. Crouch as president and Charles C. Beahan, secretary and treasurer. They are among the leading repre- sentatives of the coal and lumber trade in Roch- ester, the extent and importance of their business making this a profitable commercial enterprise. Mr. Beahan is also a trustee of the Mechanics Savings Bank, with which he has thus been con- nected since 1905.
In 1895 Mr. Beahan was married to Miss Nellie S. Crouch, a native of Rochester and a daughter of C. T. Crouch. They have one daughter, Eliz- abeth. His fraternal relations are few, but he is a valued member of the Masonic fraternity. His time and energies have largely been concentrated upon his business affairs and in all things he has displayed an aptitude for successful management.
BENJAMIN WING.
Benjamin Wing, who was one of the oldest and most highly esteemed residents of Brighton, was born in Duanesburg, New York, December 8, 1811, and passed away September 16, 1899. He was the elder of the two sons born to Joseph Wing, a farmer and dealer in live-stock. Mr. Wing re- ceived his education in the common schools of his native state and in his leisure hours assisted in the work of the home farm. His mother died when he was but three years old and he was fortunate in finding a good home with his uncle, David Wing, who was a very scholarly man and well known in public affairs. He had no children of his own and in consequence lavished upon his nephew the affection and interest which made his early years always pleasantly remembered.
In 1839 Benjamin Wing came to Irondequoit and purchased a farm, eventually becoming owner of three hundred acres. He owned the land on which the Forest House now stands, his farm ex- tending to the Newport House. When the land came into his possession it was covered with scrub oak and brush but he cleared it and transformed it into a valuable place. Later he engaged in the produce business in Rochester, to which his sons, David and Stephen, succeeded. They were well known for their industry and for the fact that
they built the first fruit evaporator in Brighton in 1866.
In 1837 Mr. Wing was married to Elizabeth Babcock, a daughter of Isaac Babcock, of Rush. She passed away in 1888, leaving three children : David, Stephen and Lilla. During Mr. Wing's entire life he was active and influential in public affairs. He was trustee of the village and later president and also served as supervisor, assessor, school trustee and in many other positions of trust. While he was a member of the board of super- visors the old courthouse was built. He contrib- nted to the old Satterlees Collegiate Institute and also to the University of Rochester and never withheld his support from anything which would promote the educational interests of his town or county. Meeting with excellent success in busi- ness affairs, he at length sold his farm and spent his last years in Brighton, where he had a large circle of friends who esteemed him very highly. In every relation of life in which he was found, in political circles, in business or in social rela- tions, he was always the same kind and sympa- thetic Quaker, the same honorable and honored gentleman, whose worth well merited the high re- gard which was uniformly given him.
His daughter, Lilla, was married in Brighton in 1877 to Clarence De Puy, a native of Pennsyl- vania, where he was born in 1850. He removed to Monroe county from Orange county, New York, in 1865. His father was Teneyck De Puy, a res- ident of Rochester, who was an extensive lumber dealer. Unto Mr. and Mrs. De Puy has been born one son, Frederic Clarence. He was graduated from the University of Rochester, where he was a member of the Theta Delta Chi fraternity.
OSCAR C. AMIDON.
Oscar C. Amidon has spent his entire life on his present farm-the old Amidon homestead-in the town of Parma. He was born on the 21st of No- vember, 1854, a son of Dexter C. Amidon, whose birth occurred near Troy, New York, in 1819. He came to Parma about 1852 and here spent the residue of his days, securing a tract of land which he developed into an excellent farm equipped with all modern conveniences and accessories. He passed away in 1889 and is survived by a widow and four children.
Oscar C. Amidon, the youngest member of the family, still occupies the old homestead which was his playground in early boyhood and his train- ing school for life's practical duties. He early became familiar with all the labors that fall to the lot of lum who raises fruit and grain. His place comprises sixty-eight and a half acres of
BENJAMIN WING.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
rich and productive land, of which twelve acres is contained within the orchard. He is well in- formed concerning the best methods of raising fruit and, in fact, every department of his farm is well kept. He has also been a breeder of horses and at the present time is owner of the fine five-year-old bay pacing mare, Kavarna, sired by Kavalle, 2:07, son of Kremlin, 2:0734; dam Ros- signol, by King Wilkes, 2:22; second dam, Lady Russell, own sister to Maud S .; third dam, Miss Russell, dam of Maud S .; fourth dam by Boston, a thoroughbred.
It was in the year 1881 that Mr. Amidon was married to Miss Hattie Slade, who was born in the town of Parma in 1864. They have a son and daughter: Merle D., born in April, 1885; and Gladys L., born in 1893. In his political views Mr. Amidon has always been a stanch democrat and his religious faith is indicated by his mem- bership in the Free Baptist church of Hilton. He is well known in the community where he has always lived, and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present is an indication that his life has been honorable and well spent.
J. HOWARD BRADSTREET.
J. Howard Bradstreet, founder of a preparatory school for college students, which since 1891 he has successfully conducted in Rochester, his na- mained until H. H. Warner sold out to a syndi-
tive city, was born in 1869, his parents being Cleveland and Mary (Babcock) Bradstreet, the former a native of Ipswich, Massachusetts, and the latter of Albany, New York. In 1839 the father came to Rochester and for some years was con- nected with the shoe trade of this city as a well known merchant, but is now living retired. He has been prominent, moreover, in political circles and in 1863 was elected on the democratic ticket to the office of mayor of Rochester, while for two terms he represented his district in the state legis- lature. He has left the impress of his individual- ity upon the commercial progress of the city and state and justly merits the rest which he is now enjoying.
In the public schools of Rochester J. Howard Bradstreet acquired his early education, which was supplemented by study in the University of Rochester, wherefrom he was graduated with the class of 1891. The same year he established a school for preparing pupils for college and from the beginning this has been very successful. Its growth has been consecutive and it now has a boarding and out-of-town connection with the day school. At the present time there are about sixty students enrolled and the school is doing excellent
work in bringing to the pupils a thorough knowl- edge of those branches which are necessary to en- trance into the leading colleges and universities of the country.
ROBERT H. SALMONS.
The initiative spirit is a most potent element in the business life of the present age. It is the man that can conceive and execute new ideas and plan new features in the business world that wins gen- cral attention and gains patronage. It is the in- itiative quality in Robert H. Salmons which nas won for him advancement since he took his place with the world's workers and which has led in the course of time to his present position as the head of the Rochester Bunging Apparatus Company. A native of Delaware, he was born in Dover in 1862, his parents being Robert H. and Emma ( Ross) Salmons. His early education. acquired in the public schools of Dover. was supplemented by study in the Conference Academy, at Dover, and after leaving school he was in the newspaper business for a short time. He came to Rochester in 1888 and took charge of the publishing depart- ment of Warner's Safe Cure Company and, his capability and alertness winning recognition, he was afterward given charge of the newspaper advertising of the firm, in which position he re-
cate in 1891.
In that year Mr. Salmons, looking about for favorable business connections that promised a successful outcome, organized the Rochester Bung- ing Apparatus Company, which absorbed the Con- solidated Bunging Apparatus Company and the Eureka Spund Apparatus Company. This amal- gamation gave the Rochester Bunging Apparatus Company the control of all the patents and busi- ness in this line in the world. Mr. Salmons is sec- retary of the company and has been a strong exec- utive force in its organization and management. He, indeed, possesses much of the spirit of the pioneer in seeking out and developing new meth- ods and utilizing opportunities. In 1906 he or- ganized the Selden Motor Vehicle Company, of which he is also secretary.
Pleasantly situated in his home life. Mr. Sal- mons was married, in 1891, to Miss Florence V. Lovecraft, and they are well known socially in the city. Of Christ Episcopal church they are com- municants, and Mr. Salmons is a member of Frank R. Lawrence lodge, No. 797. F. & A. M. He likewise belongs to the Genesee Valley, the Rochester and the Oak Hill Country Clubs. while his political views accord with the principles em-
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
bodied in the platform of the republican party. While he has appreciation for the social amenities of life, his attention and energies are chiefly con- centrated upon business interests, which under bis guidance, have developed to gratifying propor- tions, making him a prominent man in the com- mercial life of his adopted city.
ALBERT A. DAVIS.
Albert A. Davis, deceased, who in his profes- sional career gained recognition as an able attor- ney of the Rochester bar, was also a member of a pioneer family of New York and was born in Riga township, Monroe county, on the 15th of November, 1859. His grandfather was Henry Davis, who came to Monroe county in a very early day. His parents were George H. and Ruby (Rowe) Davis, and the Rowe family were also numbered among the earliest settlers of this county, the maternal grandfather of our subject having been engaged in the nursery business in the western part of the county for many years. George H. Davis was also born in the township of Riga and throughout his entire life was identified with farming interests there, both he and his wife passing away upon the farm which he had long cultivated.
At the usual age Albert A. Davis began his edu- cation in the public schools of Riga township and through the summer months he assisted his father in the work of the farm. Later he attended a seminary in the village of North Chili for a short time, and was graduated from the University of Rochester in 1883 and received the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts. Later he took up the study of law. He pursued his legal course under the direction of diff rent attorneys of the city and then entered upon active practice.
In early manhood Mr. Davis married war of 1812. Thomas Bowman was born in To- ronto, Canada, and daughter of Thomas and Susan (Campbell) Bowman, both na- tives of the same country, the latter being a daughter of Captain Alexander Campbell, of the war of 1812. Thomas Bowman was born in To- ronto and was in partnership with his father in the conduct of grist and woolen mills near North Toronto, but died at the very early age of twenty- nine years. In his family were three children: Mrs. Davis; William Robert, who died at the age of fifteen years : and Mrs. H. D. Layman, who is now deceased. After losing her first husband Mrs. Bowman became the wife of Lambert Elli- ott, of Morton, New York, and thev afterward came to Monroe county, where Mrs. Elliott passed away. Mr. Elliott has been a large farmer and
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