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 35
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY
is an elder and also superintendent of the Sunday school. He takes a most active and helpful part in church work and in kindred interests and is now a director of the Young Men's Christian As- sociation. Politically he is a republican but with- out aspiration for office. He is an active Christian business man, highly esteemed, and in all of his life he is actuated by a spirit of fidelity to high and honorable principles. He has a very wide acquaintance in the county of his nativity and his friends find him companionable and at all times approachable. He is best liked where best known -a fact which speaks in unmistakable terms of an honorable career, which, though eminently suc- cessful, is free from ostentation or display.
REV. ALPHONSE A. NOTEBAERT.
Rev. Alphonse A. Notebaert, rector of the church of Our Lady of Victory in Rochester and one of the most forceful and capable representa- tives of the Catholic ministry in this diocese, is a native of Belgium. He was born April 12, 1847, of the marriage of Romain and Sophia (Van Couter) Notebaert, whose family numbered eight children. His father was a physician and had two brothers who served as colonels in the Belgium aımy.
Father Notebaert acquired his education in the schools of his native country, completing a thor- ough classical course in the Seminary of Bruges, and following his graduation he was appointed a professor at Ostend, Belgium, where he remained for six years. In 1871 he was ordained to the priesthood and upon his retirement from the field of educational labor was placed in charge of the church of St. Francis in Menin, Belgium, where he remained until called to Rochester in July, 1879. He has since been in charge of the church of Our Lady of Victory, his labors here covering a period of twenty-eight years. The few who have been communicants here throughout this entire period tell of the little church of which he took charge more than a quarter of a century ago and those at all familiar with its history recognize that his labors have been most zealous and ef- fective. The church edifice erected by the Right Rev. Monsignor H. Deregge has been enlarged and beautified by Father Notebaert, who was also the founder of the school. The parish embraces a manufacturing district and the school now num- bers more than one hundred and seventy pupils under the care of the Sisters of the Order of St. Joseph. The parish has about two hundred fami- lies and in its various branches and societies the church is doing good work, its usefulness being continually extended.
Father Notebaert is the possessor of a very fine badge of the Legion of Honor of Belgium, the same having been presented to him in 1895 by King Leopold of Belgium, for services and atten- tions given his native country in various ca- pacities while in Rochester. In 1906 the badge of the Knight of the Order of the Crown was be- stowed upon him. That Father Notebaert is a most faithful and able representative of the priest- hood is well known in Catholic circles and he has, moreover, gained wide recognition by his public writings. He has been a close student of many of the great questions affecting America and other lands and he made frequent contributions to the press of Rochester upon the subject of rule in the Congo, showing wide research and thorough fa- miliarity with the subject discussed. His letters and articles upon this theme have been published in pamphlet form under the title of "Leopold II, King of Belgium, Sovereign of the Congo Free State, vindicated by Father A. A. Notebaert." In recognition of his able defense of the king he has received many letters from notable personages of Belgium and of South Africa, as well as in this country. The following letter was received from James Gustavus Whiteley, who was recently pro- moted to the rank of Consul General of the In- dependent Congo Free State:
BALTIMORE, MD., December 21, 1905. MY DEAR FATHER NOTEBAERT :
I have just received your splendid defense of his Majesty's rule in Africa, and I hasten to thank you and to express my admiration for the cam- paign you have conducted with so much talent and energy.
Believe me, with high regard, Very sincerely yours, JAMES GUSTAVUS WHITELEY.
He was the founder of the French Alliance in Rochester, of which he has been president since 1903. Since his arrival here he has been instru- mental in bringing to Rochester five hundred of his fellow countrymen and as a priest he ministers to their spiritual wants.
FREDERICK G. CUMMINGS.
Frederick G. Cummings, founder, promoter and owner of the Rochester Moulding Works, was born at Stony Point in Rockland county, New York,on the 26th of April, 1867, and is a son of Charles Moody and Alma (Goodspeed) Cummings. The mother is now deceased while the father resides in New Jersey and has retired from business life. The two sisters of the family are Miss E. M. Cummings and Mrs. Blanche Dumphy.
...
REV. A. A. NOTEBAERT.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
Following the removal of the family to Brook- lyn, New York, in his early childhood, Frederick G. Cummings pursued his education in the schools of that city and when a young man came to Rochester, where he learned the trade of manu- facturing picture moulding, serving a regular ap- prenticeship thereto. In 1900 he established the Rochester Moulding Works, of which he is the sole proprietor and has built up a very large and prof- itable business in his line as a manufacturer of all kinds of picture frames and mouldings, his trade covering the entire United States. He em- ploys from twenty-five to thirty skilled workmen and his output finds a ready market in various parts of the country.
In 1901 Mr. Cummings was married at Little Falls, New York, to Miss Helen E. Walrath and they now have one son, Frederick W., born in Rochester. In politics Mr. Cummings is an earn- est republican. He has no fraternal or secret so- ciety affiliations, but in the community where the greater part of his life has been passed is recog- nized as a sound business man, having many friends both in social and in business circles though he does not court popularity in either, high regard being given him in recognition of his sterling qualities.
JOHN WEBB WATKINS.
Although theirs is one of the more recently established commercial enterprises of Rochester, the Frey-Watkins Company, wholesale produce dealers, have already developed an extensive and profitable business. Mr. Watkins, who is now vice president and treasurer of the firm, was born in Utica, New York, July 28, 1849. His father, John Watkins, a native of Warwickshire, England, came to the United States in 1847, when forty- nine years of age, and carried on business as a contractor and builder. He lived for some time in Utica, New York, and in 1878 removed to Rochester, where he lived retired. In former years, however, he was a very prominent builder, being extensively associated with industrial inter- ests in the different localities in which he resided. He married Elizabeth Benton, also a native of Warwickshire, England. Her death occurred many years ago, while John Watkins passed away about eight years ago. Their family numbered nine children, of whom four are living: Mrs. Perry Crippen, of Utica, New York; Mrs. F. L. Joy, who is living in Chicago; John W., of this review ; and George Benton, of the firm of Glenny & Company, of Rochester.
John Webh Watkins was a student in the public schools of Utica, where he passed through suc-
cessive grades until he was graduated from the high school. Subsequently he was connected with the wholesale drug business of Dickinson & Com- stock and was later with Comstock Brothers & Company for four or five years. He afterward spent eight or nine years in Chicago, where he was again connected with the drug trade in as- sociation with H. A. Hurlbut & Company. On the expiration of that period he went to New York city and was with the firm of Ladd & Coffin for twenty-seven years. In 1904 he came to Rochester, where he joined John B. Frey in the organization of the Frey-Watkins Company, of which Mr. Watkins has since been vice president and treasurer. They are conducting an extensive wholesale produce business, having enjoyed grati- fving success from the beginning. They occupy large and beautiful offices in the Central building and have a patronage which has made their trade of large volume. In connection with his other in- terests Mr. Watkins is president of the Rogers Cold Storage Company, at Leroy, New York.
In 1877 Mr. Watkins was united in marriage to Miss Elmira Le Fevre, who was born on the Isle of Jersev. There were two children of that mar- riage, of whom Philip Le Fevre Watkins is now in Chicago. The wife and mother died in 1889 and Mr. Watkins has since wedded Mary A. Mog- ridge, of Rochester, a daughter of John Mogridge. They have had two children, of whom one is liv- ing, Eleanor M., now seven years of age. The family home is at No. 128 Plymouth avenue and Mr. Watkins and his family attend St. Luke's church, while formerly they were communicants of Christ church. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and is in hearty sympathy with the purpose of that organization in the upbuilding and development of Rochester. He is a very active business man, is moreover pre-eminently public-spirited and progressive and in his life record has demonstrated the force and utility of enterprise and determination in the achievement of success.
CHARLES B. BECHTOLD.
Charles B. Bechtold, assistant district attorney for Monroe county, has attained a position of dis- tinction in connection with the legal profession that many an older man might well envy. His years seem no bar to his progress and as an able exponent of the law he has shown himself the equal of many of the distinguished attorneys of Monroe county. He was born in Rochester, on the 6th of June, 1874, his parents being Henry and Caroline Bechtold, who were of German descent.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
The father was engaged in business in this city for a number of years and still resides here.
Charles B. Bechtold pursued his education in the public schools in the old Free Academy and under a private tutor, and upon leaving the high school he learned the trades of machinist and draftsman. He is a graduate of the old Mechan- ics Institute and was connected with the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg Railroad for several years as a machinist and draftsman. Thinking, how- ever, to find a professional career more congenial and more profitable, he took up the study of law in the office of Werner & Harris and was admitted to the bar on the 11th of July, 1902, since which time he has engaged in the practice of his pro- fession. While studying law he was appointed deputy police clerk and subsequently was ap- pointed police clerk. On the 1st of May, 1904, he received appointment to the position of deputy assistant district attorney and on the 1st of Janu- ary, 1906. was appointed assistant district attor- ney, which position he now fills. Following his admission to the bar he became a member of the firm of MeInerney & Bechtold, which connection was dissolved upon his appointment as deputy as- sistant district attorney. He is now practicing his profession with the firm of Werner & Harris in addition to discharging the duties of his office, and he is a member of the Rochester Bar Asso- ciation.
Mr. Bechtold has taken an active interest in republican politics since he attained his majority and has been a member of the republican general committee for several years, representing the twentieth ward. He has frequently been a dele- gate to state conventions and he does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the suc- cess of the organization with which he affiliates. He is a member of various political clubs and so- cieties, while his fraternal and social relations ex- tend to all of the Masonic bodies of Rochester, the Knights of Pythias, Sons of Veterans, the For- esters. the Rochester Athletic Club. the Yacht Club, the Masonic Club and the Rochester Whist Club. He is a man of social, genial nature, who not only wins friends readily but has the happy faculty of retaining them by reason of his trust- worthiness and fidelity, combined with his appreci- ation of the social amenities of life.
FREDERICK H. LOEFFLER.
Frederick H. Loeffler, dealer in barbers' cut- lery, supplies and furniture, with the largest busi- ness of this character in the city, was born in Buffalo. New York, on the 29th of October, 1860. ITis father. C. F. Loeffler. a native of the Empire
state, who for many years engaged in the brewing business, died a number of years ago. The moth- er, Mrs. Fredericka (Haag) Loeffler, is living with her son Frederick, and eight children of the family still survive.
Frederick H. Loeffler spent his boyhood and youth in Buffalo and in New York city, where he acquired his education in the public schools. He began business in Rochester twenty years ago, opening his establishment on Andrews street, while for the past decade he has been at his present lo- cation at No. 16 Front street near Main. Here he carries a full line of toilet soaps, shaving out- fits, tools for grinding and sharpening razors, barbers' cutlery and in fact all barbers' supplies and furniture. His business has gradually devel- oped until it is the largest of the kind in the city, his patronage being extensive and bringing to him a good annual profit.
About fourteen years ago Mr. Loeffler was mar- ried to Miss C. A. Grell of this city, and they have three children, who are now in school. The family residence is at No. #16 St. Paul street and the parents are members of the Salem Presbyte- nian church, in the work of which they are much interested. Mr. Loeffler is also connected with the Odd Fellows and with the Foresters and has due regard for the social amenities of life and recog- nizes, too, the questions of individual responsibil- ity and obligation. In commercial circles he is recognized as a good business man, respected for his integrity and fair dealing, and he possesses. too, those qualities which render him popular as well as successful.
JOSEPH ZICK.
Monroe county figures as one of the most at- tractive, progressive and prosperous divisions of the state of New York, justly claiming a high or- der of citizenship and a spirit of enterprise, which is certain to conserve consecutive development and marked advancement in the material upbuilding of the section. The county has been and is sig- nally favored in the class of men who have con- trolled its manufacturing interests, making it one of the leading trade centers of the country, and in this connection .Joseph Zick deserves mention, be- ing successfully engaged in the manufacture of suit cases and traveling bags in Rochester.
Mr. Zick was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, on the 13th of November, 1871, his parents being Joseph and Elizabeth (Meier) Zick, in whose fam- ily of eight children seven are now living. Mr. Zick of this review, however, is the only member of the family who came to the United States. The father was a cabinet-maker, by trade and was lo-
JOSEPH ZICK
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
cated in Unterkirchberg, in the suburbs of Ulm, where he plied his trade, but the expenses conse- quent upon the rearing of his family allowed him to accumulate no competence and the educational advantages which his son Joseph received were necessarily limited to the opportunities offered by the common schools. Being drafted for army service at the age of twenty years, he determined to emigrate to the United States and on the 20th of August, 1891, landed in New York city. His uncle, Vincent Zick, had preceded him to this country and was residing in Rochester.
It was this fact that led Joseph Zick to come to Rochester, where he has since made his home. When he arrived in this country his capital con- sisted of but sixty-seven dollars. Soon after reach- ing his destination he entered the employ of the Eastman Kodak Company, with which he re- mained for four months. He then accepted a position with the firm of Henry Likly & Com- pany, manufacturers of trunks, suit cases, travel- ing bags, etc., under whom he learned his trade and by whom he was employed for eleven years. During that period he thoroughly mastered the business in principle and detail, gaining a com- prehensive knowledge of the work. In April, 1903, he felt that the capital which he had saved from his earnings was sufficient to justify his embark- ing in business on his own account and he there- fore established a manufactory, wherein he has built up an excellent business. He has become well known as one of the leading manufacturers of medium and high class goods of this character. Everything turned out from his factory is recog- nized as being of standard workmanship and his name is a guarantee to the purchaser. Mr. Zick is a prominent representative of that type of the successful German-American citizen and self- made man, who, taking advantage of the business opportunities of the new world, has gained a place among the leading and successful manu- facturers of Rochester. Not a few of his coun- trymen have become well known here but none are held in higher regard or more justly merit the confidence of the public at large.
In 1895 Mr. Zick was united in marriage to Miss Teresa Ermanthrant, of Rochester, whose parents were natives of Alsace, Germany. Unto them were born two sons, William and Albert. The wife and mother died in 1897, and Mr. Zick has since married Miss Johanna Heninger, of Syracuse, New York, whose parents were natives of Wurtemberg, Germany. The children of this marriage are three in number: Laura, Wally and Josephine.
Mr. Zick is a member of SS. Peter & Paul commandery, No. 28, of the Knights of St. John. He also belongs to the Rochester Schwaben Verein and to the Rochester Liederkranz, the Knights of
the Maccabees and Helvetiza Society. He is a communicant of SS. Peter & Paul Catholic church and is a republican in politics.
GEORGE KOCH.
There is much heard today concerning the merit system and the tendency of the times is strongly in favor of its adoption in public life, in political circles and in business activities. It is especially to be fostered in business where each department must be well sustained in order to produce a harmony and excellence throughout the whole and this fact has been recognized in the promotion of the employes of the Sill Stove Works, one of the largest manufacturing concerns of Rochester. It has been his personal qualifications and ability that have gained for George Koch his advancement to his present enviable position as secretary and treasurer, for he entered the house in the capacity of bookkeeper.
Born in New York city on the 8th of Novem- ber, 1858, he has lived in Rochester since the fall of 1866. His father, George Koch, was born in Germany and has made his home in Rochester since 1855. For many years he was connected with business interests but is now living retired in the enjoyment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. George Koch in his boyhood days was a student in a German school- the Real Schule on Mortimer street, and also in the public schools. His school days ended, he entered business life as an employe in the me- chanical department of the Bausch & Lomb Op- tical Company, with which he was connected for six years. On the expiration of that period he left his position and became bookkeeper in the Sill Stove Works, where he has been gradually ad- vanced until he is secretary and treasurer and one of the stockholders of the company. The business was incorporated in 1876 with Frederick Will as president and manager. This is one of the largest concerns of the kind in western New York, manufacturing a fine line of stoves and ranges, the excellence of its output being attested by the liberal patronage which is accorded the house. . The plant is thoroughly equipped with modern machinery and the office department is most capably managed, thus bringing the business into contact with the general trade and securing thereby a growing public support.
It was on the 6th of February, 1884. that George Koch was joined in wedlock to Miss Matilda Will, a daughter of Philip Will, a leading business man of Rochester, and they have two sons, Elmer George and Harlowe Frederick, who are now high- school students. Mr. Koch belongs to the Roches
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
ter Club and is prominent in Masonry, his men- bership being with Germania lodge, No. 722, A. F. & A. M .; Cyrene commandery, K. T .; and Damascus Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He has also taken many of the degrees of the Scottish rite and is a worthy exemplar of the craft. His political endorsement is given to the republican party at the polls but he does not seek to figure in political circles as an office holder, for his busi- ness interests make continuous demands upon his time and energies and the close application which he has displayed in his office work has in recent years been one of the effective elements in the suc- cess which has attended the house.
HOWARD H. WIDENER.
Howard H. Widener, now actively serving as district attorney of Monroe county, is actively con- nected with the profession which stands as the conservator of human rights, liberties, life and property, and has gained more than local distinc- tion as a lawyer of eminent ability, who in the practice of his profession has shown himself the peer of many of the ablest members of the Roch- ester bar. He was formerly first assistant district attorney and as such has made a most creditable record.
A native of Chili, New York, Mr. Widener was born on the 6th of May, 1860, and is a son of Kinsey A. and Mary R. (Phillips) Widener. The Widener (Weidner) family is of German origin, his ancestors having emigrated to America about 1:30 or 1740 and settled in eastern Pennsylvania. There are now large branches of the family in that state, New Jersey, Ohio, Michigan and Illinois. Among those who have acquired distinction are Hon. P. A. B. Widener, of Philadelphia ; the late General Josiah Gorgas, U. S. A., and his son, Colonel William Gorgas, U. S. A .; and Professor R. F. Weidner, of Chicago.
Our subject's parental great-grandfather, Henry Widener, Sr., served with the minute men from Sussex county, New Jersey, in the Revolutionary war. The grandfather, Henry Widener, Jr., served in the war of 1812 on the Niagara frontier. He probably emigrated with his father from New Jer- sey and settled in Chili, New York, in early pioneer times, becoming an extensive farmer of that locality. At one time he had about six hun- dred acres of valuable land under cultivation. He died very suddenly. During the war of 1812. while returning from the Niagara frontier, he was making his way through the woods and became cognizant of the fact that he was being pursued by Indians. He followed the trail on foot and eventually came to a solitary log house where he
sought help, but found only a small child before the fireplace. He fled through the back door and escaped from his pursuers into the woods. He never learned, however, of the fate of the child. His death occurred at Chili, January 21, 1837, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Pru- dence Kimball and was a native of Riga, New York, die:l Jannary 7, 1845. They were the par- ents of ten children.
Kinsey A. Widener, the father of our subject, was born April 22, 1822, at Chili, and acquired an academic education. He taught school for some time, but followed the occupation of farming dur- ing the greater part of his life. However, he served as school commissioner, held various town- ship offices and was a teacher in the public schools of Monroe county for fourteen years. He also acted as town superintendent. Thus he was closely associated with various public interests, consti- tuting his life a valuable one in the community. He is still living. On March 11, 1848, he wedded Mary R. Phillips, of Chili, New York. She was a daughter of Samnel and Eliza (Reed) Phillips. Mr. and Mrs. Widener became the parents of three children : Howard H., born May 6, 1860; Chand- ler Reed, March 25, 1862 ; and Blanche Eliza, Sep- tember 18, 1867. The second son died January 11, 1865.
Howard H. Widener acquired an academic edu- cation, being graduated at Chili Seminary in the class of 1879. He taught school for four years, studied law and was admitted to the bar of New York state in June, 1885, since which time he has been actively engaged in practice. As assistant district attorney he tried many important crim- inal cases and won some notable victories, and in the fall of 1907 he was elected district attorney of Monroe county. He practices in all the state courts and the United States courts and also be- fore the department of the interior at Washing- ton, D. C.
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