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 39
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
and the business of the firm grew rapidly and was profitable to its owners. About the year 1874 the business was removed to Nos. 122, 124 and 126 Mill street, where it was continued with great success until after the death of both members of the firm.
Mr. Teal was a sufferer from pleurisy for sev- eral years before his death, and in the year 1893, desiring to leave his estate in as convenient a form as possible for his family, he sold his in- terest in the business of John Greenwood & Com- pany to his partner, Mr. Greenwood. The lat- ter continued the business alone until January 1, 1900, when, because of ill health, he resold the same to the Teal estate, and a corporation was formed by those interested therein under the name of the Rochester Barrel Machine Works. In the year 1903 the demands of the business had so increased that more commodious quarters, and bet- ter adapted to the manufacture of machinery, be- came necessary. Accordingly a large building suited to the purposes of the corporation was erected on St. James street, where the company still carries on the manufacture of barrel ma- chinery, besides the business of manufacturers of machinery in general. Mr. Teal's only son, Arthur R. Teal, and his brother, Crowther Teal, being the active managers.
On the 1st of May, 1866, Mr. Teal was united in marriage to Miss Frances Smith, a daughter of George Smith, a farmer living in the town of Riga, Monroe county. Four children were the fruit of this union, three of whom survived their father : Ella M., Elizabeth and Arthur R.
Mr. Teal attended the Brick church and lived a consistent Christian life. His political support was given to the republican party and he always voted for its men and measures. He passed away January 19, 1894, after a residence of more than a third of a century in Rochester, during which time he worked his way upward from a compara- tively humble financial position to one of affluence. There was not a single esoteric phase in his career, his life ever being as an open book. He was dili- gent in business, loyal in citizenship and faithful in friendship, while in his home he was a de- voted husband and father.
EDWARD S. CLARKE.
One of the important productive industries of Rochester is that controlled by the Rochester Box & Lumber Company, of which Edward S. Clarke is president and treasurer. He is connected with a family long represented in this city and his birth here occurred on Christmas day of 1853. His father, Freeman Clarke, was a native of Troy,
New York, and came to Rochester in early life. For many years he figured prominently in finan- cial circles as a banker, and he died in 1887. The mother, nee Henrietta J. Ward, has also passed away.
After his graduation from Wilson's grammar school, Edward S. Clarke matriculated in Yale College, of which he is a graduate of the class of 1876, and he is a member of several of the leading college fraternities. On the completion of his university course he gained that knowledge and culture which only travel can bring by spending three years in Europe, and upon his return to America he entered the Columbia College Law School in 1879, from which he was graduated in 1881 and was admitted to the bar of the state of New York in the same year. In 1883 he went to Atlanta, Georgia, where he was secre- tary of a company owning large cotton mills. He returned to Rochester in 1886 and is now president and treasurer of the Rochester Box & Lumber Company-a very extensive concern, controlling a business that is constantly growing in volume and importance. The firm today em- ploys about one hundred and seventy-five opera- tives in the factory, in the manufacture of all kinds of wooden boxes. They have extensive yards and commodious buildings equipped with the latest improved machinery and devices for carrying on the work, and the output finds ready sale on the market, large shipments being made to various sections of the country.
Edward S. Clarke was married in 1884 to Miss Sarah E. Breck of this city, and their home is at No. 78 Oxford street-the center of a cul- tured society circle. He is a member of the Cap- ital City Club of Atlanta, Georgia ; the Genesee Valley and Country Clubs of Rochester; and the University Club of New York city.
EUGENE VAN VOORHIS.
Eugene Van Voorhis, attorney at law and a son of the Hon. John Van Voorhis, for a half century a practitioner at the bar of Rochester and one of the most distinguished lawyers and states- men of New York, was born in Rochester on the 11th of March, 1864. At the usual age he en- tered the public schools, passing through succes- sive grades and eventually graduating from the University of Rochester in 1885 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He began the study of law with his father and after thorough preliminary reading was admitted to the bar in October, 1887. He has since engaged in the practice of his profession, joining his father and Quincy Van Voorhis as a member of the firm of J. & Q. Van Voorhis. Later
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
he was a member of the firm of John Van Voorhis & Sons and is still associated in practice with his brother Charles Van Voorhis. He was fortu- nate in that he entered upon his professional work as the associate of one so distinguished as the Hon. John Van Voorhis and yet in no calling is sut- cess so largely dependent upon individual merit and ability. Keen analytical power, strong men- tality, clear discernment and ripe judgment com- bined with unfaltering industry-these are the concomitants which insure success in the arduous and difficult profession of the law, and they con- stitute the qualities which have made Eugene Van Voorhis a prominent practitioner of Rochester. He is now president of the Monroe County Bar Association, which indicates his standing with the profession, and he is a member of the Delta Kap- pa Epsilon Society, of the Genesee Valley Club, the Holland Society of New York and the New York State Bar Association.
On the 18th of February, 1896, Mr. Van Voorhis was married to Miss Allis M. Sherman, a daughter of John Sherman of Washington, D. C. They have one son, John Van Voorhis. In social circles of Rochester they are prominent and Eu- gene Van Voorhis is widely and favorably known in his native city aside from his professional in- terests. His course is such as reflects credit upon an honored family name and his practice, which is an important one, is the measure of his recog- nized legal ability.
JAMES P. B. DUFFY.
A large percentage of Rochester's successful business and professional men are numbered among her native sons, for the growth of the city. with its enlarging possibilities and oppor- tunities, have afforded scope for the labors and ambitions of those who have grown to manhood here. Mr. Duffy is numbered among the younger attorneys of the Rochester bar.
He was born November 25, 1878, in this city, his parents being Walter B. and Theresa (O'Dea) Duffy. He attended the Nazareth Hall parochial school and the Rochester Free Academy, after which he became a student in Georgetown Univer- sity of Washington, D. C., from which he was graduated in the class of 1901 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then entered the Harvard Law School and was graduated in June, 1904, with the degree of Bachelor of Law. In the fall of the same year he was admitted to the bar and was associated with the firm of Perkins & Havens until its dissolution in March, 1907. Mr. Duffy then formed a partnership with James B. Perkins and Joseph McLean under the firm name of Per-
kins, Duffy & McLean, which is now one of the leading firms of Rochester.
In October, 1905, Mr. Duffy was appointed a member of the school board to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Dr. George G. Carroll, and although a democrat he was elected to the same position in November of that year on the repub- lican ticket. His term on the school board will not expire until the 31st of December, 1909. He has taken a great interest in athletics and out- door sports and had the honor of rowing with the Georgetown University crew at Poughkeepsie and the Harvard University crew at New London. He is a member of the Rochester Bar Association and along more strictly social lines he is connected with the Genesee Valley Club, the Oak Hill Club, the Golf Club, the Irondequoit Canoe Club, the Friars Club, the Rochester Yacht Club and the Athletic Club. He is a member of the cathedral and is one of the cathedral ushers.
ALFRED PERKINS.
At the time of his death Alfred Perkins was one of the oldest residents of Irondequoit town- ship, not only in years, but also in the length of his connection with that part of the state. He passed away at the age of eighty-four years, after long and active connection with business interests that made him well known throughout his part of the county. A native of Connecticut, he was born in 1820 and was a son of Abner Perkins, who in 1822 came with his family to Monroe coun- ty, settling first in Rochester. Soon afterward the family removed to Webster, Monroe county, where he spent his boyhood and youth, amid the pioneer conditions which existed here.
After his marriage he removed to Chautauqua county. New York, where his wife's people were living, but after one year they returned to Mon- roe county and settled in Carthage. He lived for fifty-seven years in the home in which Mrs. Per- kins yet resides, purchasing that property on the Ridge road and continuing to make it his home until he was called to his final rest. For many years he conducted a 'bus line, carrying passengers from town and steamer, in which connection he was well known.
Mr. Perkins was married twice. He first wed- ded Mary Ball, who with two of their daughters, was drowned June 13, 1868. There were two other children by that marriage: Andrew Perkins, who is living in Penfield : and Mrs. Clinton Towle, of Webster, New York. After losing his first wife Mr. Perkins was married, November 22, 18:0, to Miss Sarah J. Forrest, a daughter of David For- rest, who came from Massachusetts to Monroe
JAMES P. B. DUFFY.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
county at a time when land was selling for only five dollars per acre. Unto them were born five chil- dren, four of whom are yet living: Oliver, H., Mrs. Francis P. Towles and Mrs. Adelia J. Greg- ory, all of Rochester; and Ira D., who married Lulu Baetzel, of Rochester. by whom he has one son, Earl Theodore, now six years of age. Ira Perkins resides with his mother on the old home place, where at one time the father owned thirty- eight acres of land, while the place still contains ten and a fourth acres, devoted to gardening.
From the organization of the republican party Mr. Perkins gave to it his stalwart support. He belonged to the North Street Methodist church and his life was ever honorable and upright-in harmony with his professions-while his influence was ever given on the side of improvement and public progress. He possessed a genial, kindly spirit, was fond of company and was a general favorite with those who knew him. His acquaint- ance was a wide one and all esteemed him for his genuine worth. He died in October, 1905, and thus passed away one whose life history was close- ly allied with the interests of the county and who had been a witness of its growth and development during the greater part of his lifetime. Mrs. Per- kins is also a member of the Methodist church and is very active in its work. She has been president of the Ladies Home Missionary Society and for three years was president of the Ladies Aid Society of the church. She has also been active in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and has always thrown the weight of her influence on the side of right, justice and truth.
ROBERT DUNN.
Robert Dunn, who since 1875 has continuously engaged in agricultural pursuits in the town of Henrietta, is one of Monroe county's native sons, his birth having occurred here on the old family homestead which is still his place of residence, on the 26th of March, 1842. His parents were Wil- liam and Matilda (Search) Dunn. The mother was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in the vear 1804. The father was reared to the occupa- tion of farming and made agricultural pursuits his life work. He was also a native of Pennsyl- vania and about the year 1830 or 1831 he removed to the town of Henrietta, Monroe county, New York. Here he purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land and eventually engaged in the culti- vation of an excellent farm of two hundred and seventy-five acres devoted to the raising of the cereals and the fruits best adapted to the soil and climate. He made a specialty of wheat and corn, and he was also well known as a raiser of sheep
and hogs. In all of his business interests he was active, determined and energetic and carried for- ward to successful completion whatever he under- took. He thus became widely recognized as one of the leading and enterprising agriculturists of this part of the county. He was also well known as a local political leader, being a stanch demo- crat and one whose labors in behalf of the party proved effective and far-reaching. He served as assessor but did not seek office as a reward for party fealty. His family numbered seven sons and one daughter.
Robert Dunn, whose name introduces this re- view, was reared on the old homestead farm and at the usual age began his education in the district schools, while later he attended the Lima Acad- emy and thus acquired a good education. He worked upon the farm until about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years of age, when, wishing to see more of the world, he went west to Omaha, Nebras- ka, and eventually located at Fruitport, Michigan, where he established a lumberyard, which he con- ducted for a year. He then became involved in litigation and afterward accepted a position as fireman on a locomotive on the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad. He was thus employed for two years, when he was promoted to engineer, continuing in the railroad service until 1875, when he returned home and resumed farming. He has since continued to engage in general agricul- tural pursuits on the old homestead and his work has been very satisfactory, bringing to him a good financial return.
Mr. Dunn was married in Michigan, in 1874, to Miss Carrie J. Thorpe, and they now have two sons and two daughters, namely: Marvin H .; L. T .; Ruby E., wife of Evert De Rohn: and Flora B., at home. The family attend and are members of the Baptist church at West Henrietta. Mr. Dunn has been a member of the Masonic fra- ternity since he was twenty-one years of age, af- filiating with Henrietta lodge, No. 526, A. F. & A. M. He is a very strong temperance man and gives his political support to the prohibition party, doing all in his power to promote the cause of temperance and thus advance the moral interests of the community. His life is honorable, his ac- tions manly and sincere and many good qualities have gained for him the warm regard of friends and neighbors.
GEORGE FREDERICK ROTH.
George Frederick Roth, president of the Roches- ter Carting Company, was born on the 7th of September, 1856, in the city which is still his place of residence, and at the usual age began his
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
education, passing through successive grades until he became a high school student. He continued his studies while spending his boyhood and youth in the home of his parents, Frederick and Fred- ericka (Zimmer) Roth. On leaving school he en- tered the employ of Alexander Prentice & Son, lumber dealers, with whom he remained until 1818. He then left Rochester for the west and for eight years was engaged in the lumber busi- ness in Denver, Colorado, but his love for his native city proved stronger than his attachment to the west and he returned to Rochester in 1886. Here he bought out the interest of John Hilbert in the Rochester Carting Company, of which he is now president. The business of the company is extensive and therefore profitable. Mr. Roth is moreover serving a collector of customs, to which position he was appointed in 1904. He has also been called to other places of public honor and trust. In 1894 he was elected city assessor and from 1902 until 1904 he served on Governor Odell's staff.
In 1889 Mr. Roth was married to Miss Chris- tine Klailie. He belongs to various fraternal or- ganizations including the Masonic, the Elks, and the Knights of Pythias lodges, and his member- ship relations also extend to the Rochester Whist, Rochester, Country, Rochester Yacht and Roches- ter Athletic Clubs. He is genial and popular and has therefore won many friends in social and club circles. Moreover is he regarded as a good busi- ness man and a trustworthy official so that he may well be classed among the representative citizens of Monroe county.
FREDERICK A. BROTSCH, JR.
Among the young business men of Rochester who are leaving their impress upon the industrial world is numbered Frederick A. Brotsch, Jr., who is engaged in general contracting with his father, Frederick A. Brotsch, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. His birth occurred in Rochester, June 2, 1881, and his education was ac- quired in No. 14 public school. He entered busi- ness life as inspector of cements for the city, in which capacity he served for many years, and then joined his father in city street and building con- tracting. Ile has aided in all of the construction of the streets which have been awarded his father by contract and is regarded as a young man of marked enterprise and energy, bringing to the business alertness and ambition, which, coupled with his father's experience and capability, make this one of the strongest firms of Rochester.
On the 29th of November, 1906, Mr. Brotsch was married to Miss Claribel Bergener, a daughter
of Charles Bergener, a lantern manufacturer of Rochester, and one of the leading residents of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Brotsch now have a beautiful home at No. 331 Glenwood avenue and their prominence makes it the center of a cultured so- ciety circle.
Mr. Brotsch belongs to Genesee Falls lodge, No. 50%, F. & A. M., Crystal camp of the Modern Woodmen, the Foresters, the Wahoo tribe of Red Men, the Rochester Rod and Gun Club and the Columbia Rifle Club. He is likewise a member of the Rochester Athletic Club, and his religious preference is indicated by his membership in the Second Baptist church. He is well known in this city and the development of his latent powers and energies have gained him recognition as one of the leading young business men before whom the future holds out bright promises.
JAY HUNGERFORD SMITH.
J. Hungerford Smith, of Rochester, New York, is the founder, promoter and upbuilder of what is today the most extensive and best equipped plant in the world devoted to the preparation of fruits and fruit syrups for soda fountain use. The business is conducted under the name of J. Hun- gerford Smith Company. He has displayed in his business career such fertility of resource, marked enterprise and well defined plans as to deserve classification with the "captains of indus- try" who are controlling the trade relations of the country. Moreover, he is further entitled to dis- tinetion from the fact that he is a worthy scion of his race. Fortunate is the man who has back of him an ancestry honorable and distinguished and happy is he if his lines of life are cast in harmony therewith. The ancestral history of the family to which Mr. Smith belongs is indeed a creditable one and the record is one of which he has every reason to be proud. The line is traced back to England. as follows:
(I) Silas Smith, born and married in England, came to America with the "Plymouth Company" and settled at Taunton, Massachusetts.
(II) Silas Smith (?), son of Silas Smith (1), married Hannah Gazine, daughter of Daniel Ga- zine, who came over with the London Company. Their children were: Isaac; Elijah : Silas; Cor- nelins: Elkanah ; Bial; Samuel; Hannah, who died in Oneida county, New York; Rachel; and Sally.
(III) Samuel Smith, seventh son and child of Silas (?) and Hannah (Gazine) Smith, served in the Continental army during the Revolution. He married Abigail Wright, daughter of John Wright, and died at Henderson, New York, April 17, 1827.
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FREDERICK A. BROTSCH, JR.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
Their children were: Amasa, who died at the age of one and a half years; Daniel; Mary; Abigail ; Sylvester; Lydia; Polly; Samuel, Jr .; Sally; Mercy ; Anna; and Amasa (2). Of these children Abigail married Rev. Elisha P. Sangworthy, of Ralston Springs, New York; Sylvester married Nancy Kniffin, of Rutland, New York, March 19, 1806; Lydia married Sylvester Skellinger; Polly married Dr. William Priest; Sally married Samuel Mills; Mercy married Henry Millard; Anna mar- ried Jonathan Ruff; Amasa (2) married Sally Sykes of Watertown, New York.
(IV) Daniel Smith, born in Spencertown, Columbia county, New York, February 26, 1775, was educated in the common schools, was a farmer by occupation and in 1802 came to Ellisburg, Jefferson county, and spent the summer there "clearing lands." In the fall of that year he went to Schuyler, Herkimer county, where he married, and in December, 1803, with his wife and infant daughter, came to Rutland, Jefferson county, and purchased a farm near Burr's Mills. Two years later he moved to Hounsfield, same county, pur- chased some land and erected a sawmill, the place being known for some time as Smith's Mills, later Camp's Mills. From Hounsfield he returned to Rutland, purchased another farm, built a frame house, where he lived until 1818, when he pur- chased and removed to a large farm in Rodman, where he spent the remainder of his life, and which is still owned by his descendants. He was a lieutenant in the war of 1812-14, distinguished himself by his bravery at the battle of Sackett's Harbor, when their house was practically a hospi- tal for sick soldiers.
Daniel Smith married Susan Holmes, of Keene, Cheshire county, New Hampshire, who, for some time previous to her marriage, lived with her aunt, Mrs. Lucy (Holmes) Wheeler, wife of John Wheeler, of Keene, New Hampshire. Their chil- dren were: Abigail, born November 6, 1803, who passed away March 14, 1854; Laura, who was born January 30, 1805, and died in 1891; an in- fant son, who was born August 1, 1806, and died the same day; Nancy M., who was born September 1, 1807, and passed away February 1, 1887; Al- mira H., whose birth occurred May 2, 1809, and who died December 25, 1896; Daniel, born Feb- ruary 26, 1811, who was called to his final rest December 19, 1813; William P., who was born February 7, 1813, and died January 5, 1899; Daniel, Jr., born March 19, 1815, who passed away August 2, 1896 ; an infant daughter, who was born April 19, 1817, and died the same day ; Susan H., born May 6, 1818; Lucy Ann, whose birth oc- curred September 15, 1819, and who died March, 1900; Eveline M., born May 2, 1821, who passed away March 13, 1905; Emeline L., born Septem- ber 10, 1823; Mary M., born May 5, 1825, who died August 14, 1845; Nelson Slater, born July
11, 1827 ; Martha Jane, born June 19, 1829, whose demise occurred October 12, 1867. Daniel Smith, Sr., died March 11, 1854. His wife, Susan (Holmes) Smith, died August 5, 1864.
Thomas Holmes, father of Susan (Holmes) Smith, was born in Woodstock, Connecticut, in 1756, and died in Wethersfield, Connecticut.
The following items were copied from "Record of Connecticut Men" in war of Revolution, State House Library, Boston, Massachusetts. Thomas Holmes enlisted May 15, 1775, discharged Decem- ber 17, 1775. Ninth Company, Second Connecti- cut Regiment, Colonel Spencer, Captain John Chester, of Wethersfield. This regiment was raised on first call for troops by state in April, 1775, marching by companies to the camps about Boston, it took part at Roxbury and served during the siege till expiration of term of service. De- tachments of officers and men were in the battle of Bunker Hill and with Arnold's Quebec expedition September to December, 1775. His name appears in list of Knowlton's Rangers, 1776, Connecticut, by Lieutenant Colonel Knowlton. He was de- tached from Wyllys Connecticut regiment and was taken prisoner at surrender of Fort Washington, New York, island, November 16, 1776. Thomas Holmes, of Wethersfield, sergeant in Captain Whiting's company, Colonel Webb's regiment, en- listed March 1, 1777, for the war. Colonel Webb's regiment was one of sixteen infantry regiments raised at large for "Continental Line" of 1777 and served in Parson's brigade under Putnam the following summer and fall. In October crossed to west side of Hudson and served under Governor Clinton of New York, for a time. In summer of 1778 was attached to Varnum's brigade and went to Rhode Island commended in battle there August 29, 1778. Wintered in Rhode Island, 1778-9. In the fall of 1779 marched to winter quarters at Morristown, New Jersey. Assigned to Stark's brigade at battle of Springfield, New Jersey, June 23, 1780, and during summer served with main army on the Hudson. Thomas Holmes was sergeant in Captain Riley's company, Wethers- field, Third Regiment, Connecticut Line, 1781-83. Recorded as paid from January 1, 1781, to Decem- ber 31, 1781. Sergeant Thomas Holmes is re- ported as a Revolutionary pensioner on list of Con- necticut pensioners in 1818. His name is among pensioners dated 1832 and recorded as residing in Hartford, Connecticut. His name appears on list of pensioners as returned in census of 1840. Resi- dence. Wethersfield, Connecticut, age eighty-four. His name appears on list of applicants for pension on file in county clerk's office Hartford, Connecti- cut, residence Wethersfield.
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