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 46
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In 1869 Mr. Newell was married to Miss Julia A. Hill, a native of Rochester, but of English parentage. Her father, Benjamin Hill, was one of the pioneer residents of this city. Three chil- dren were born of this marriage: Albert S., who is now assistant cashier of the Merchants Bank ; Mabel, the wife of Walter H. Vorce, of Farming- ton, Connecticut ; and Anna G. The wife and `mother died in 1892 and Mr. Newell and his daughter reside in a beautiful home in Rochester, which he erected.
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His political allegiance has been given to the republican party since its organization but the lionors and emoluments of office have had no at- traction for him. In the duties of citizenship, however, he has not been remiss but on the con- trary has stood for advancement and progress, and as a public-spirited citizen has upheld progressive movements. His record as a citizen, as a business man and in private life commends him to the con- fidence and honor of all.
EDGAR M. SCRANTON, D. D. S.
Dr. Edgar M. Scranton, a practitioner of den- tistry in Rochester at No. 1130 Granite building, was born in Perry, New York, June 15, 1860. His paternal grandfather, one of the oldest settlers in this part of the state, lived at Pearl Creek and devoted his life to farming and to the mason's trade. He died at an advanced age in Perry and his wife, Mrs. Polly Scranton, had also attained an advanced age at the time of her demise. Their son, Hugh M. Scranton, a native of New York, is a resident of Perry, where he has lived for more than sixty years, continuously engaged in the practice of dentistry until about 1901. For twenty- two years he served as postmaster at Perry. He wedded Lucy B. Hicks, who was likewise born in the Empire state, a daughter of Ellery Hicks, who was a foundryman, miller and farmer. Unto Dr. Hugh M. and Lucy B. Scranton have been born three sons : Frank H., engaged in the practice of dentistry in Corning, Iowa; Edgar M .; and Charles E., who is in the passenger department of the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg Railroad in this city.
Dr. Edgar M. Scranton was reared in Perry and attended the public schools. At the age of sixteen he took up the study of dentistry in his father's office and when quite young entered upon active practice in connection with his father, from whom he received thorough technical training, as well as the actual experience of the operating room. He removed to Rochester in 1884 and has thus for twenty-three years been a representative of the dental fraternity in this city. He has a well equipped office, fully supplied with all the appli- ances of modern dentistry, and his work is char- acterized by a skill that insures to him a large and continued patronage.
On the 27th of March, 1887, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Scranton and Miss Adelaide Brownill. He and his wife are members of the Third Presbyterian church and are located in a pleasant home at No. 193 Rutgers street. His political views are in harmony with republican principles and he supports the party at the polls
but he has no ambition for public office, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his professional duties, in which he is meeting with signal success.
JOHN HERCLES HILL.
John Hercles Hill ceased to be an active factor in the business life of Rochester when the hand of death was laid upon him on the 13th of May, 1906. He had been a resident of the city since 1836, or for a period of seventy years. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, August 18, 1825, and in his early boyhood he went with his parents to Canada, spending two years in that country before coming to New York. Soon after their ar- rival in the new world both his father and mother died. When eleven years of age he came with his two sisters to Rochester. Crossing the lake, they made their way up the Genesee river and landed at Carthage dock on the east side. Mr. Hill al- ways remembered that as he came up into the city over the old tram railroad the bell of St. Luke's church was ringing, for it was Sunday, and to his boyish ears it seemed the sweetest sound he had ever heard.
After a few years of intermittent schooling in Rochester he was fortunate enough to find, on the 1st of January, 1842, a home in the family of Giles B. Rich, of Penfield. There, according to the custom of the time, he worked upon the farm in summer and attended the district school in win- ter. Leaving the farm and school to begin a business life, he returned to Rochester in May, 1845, and found work in Josiah Sheldon's hard- ware store, at the corner of Exchange street and the canal. Two years later Mr. Sheldon sold out (both the hardware and clerk) to Ebenezer Watts, who conducted a store at the corner of Buffalo and Exchange streets. Mr. Hill made his home with Mr. Watts at No. 58 South Fitzhugh street, his early wages being one dollar per week and board. Mr. Watts retired from the business in 1850 and was succeeded by Tra Belden & Company, who re- tained Mr. Hill in their employ. Three years later Mr. Belden sold out to John M. French and Mr. Hill was retained by him. In 1854, forming a partnership with Angus McDonald, he started in business on his own account. Upon the dissolution of this partnership two years later, Mr. Hill con- tinned the business alone at No. 17 Main street, East, until his retirement from active business life on the 1st of March, 1903-a record of fifty years, save one, as a hardware dealer. As a mer- chant he was known for the strict probity of his performance rather than for the magnificence of his transactions. However, the success which had attended him when in a partnership continued with
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him when he was alone and he controlled an ex- tensive and important business. After retiring from the hardware trade he kept in close touch with business interests in looking after his invest- ments until his death.
Mr. Hill was married to Miss Emily Rich, a daughter of Giles Blodgett Rich, of Penfield, and a granddaughter of Samuel Rich, who passed away in this city July 10, 1875, at the venerable age of ninety years. As a farmer in the town of Pen- field, Giles Rich became very successful, but gave it up to aid his father in the building and run- ning of the original dugway flouring and saw- mills, and in the construction of the now famous thoroughfare known as "Rich's dugway," between this city and the latter place.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hill were born two sons and two daughters. Ellen M. became the wife of the Rev. James W. White and died at the age of twenty-four years, leaving two children, Ray Hill and Ellen Margaret. She was greatly be- loved by all who knew her for her many graces of character and kindly spirit, and her death was therefore most deeply deplored by a large circle of friends as well as her immediate family. The youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. Hill, George Mc- Donald, died in infancy. John Franklin Hill and Mrs. Charles Dean Young, are the other members of the family.
Mr. Hill was a most devoted and consistent member of the Third Presbyterian church and at- tended its services regularly even in his advanced age. For some years he served as an elder of the church. He was one of nature's noblemen-his life imbued with high purposes and characterized by the most manly conduct. His commercial ca- reer was marked by probity and fair dealing, and refinement, courtesy and consideration character - ized him at all times in his social relations. His life was utterly free from ostentation and he was unassuming and genuine. He held friendship in- violable and was equally loyal in his citizenship. He was for some time a member of the Historical Society of Rochester and was greatly interested in the city of which he became a resident in pioneer days, watching its growth from an embryonic con- dition to the present state of metropolitan pro- portions and development. He passed away May 13, 1906.
WILLIAM VAN ZANDT.
William Van Zandt, formerly the secretary of the Payne Drug Company, of Rochester, was born in 1862 and was a son of John J. and Mary (Har- ris) Van Zandt. The father was of Holland Dutch descent. representatives of the family first com- ing to this country in 1543 and settling in Al-
bany. He was an old hotel man who came to Rochester from Albany in 1845 and established a coffee and spice business, which he conducted un- til early in the '60s and then sold out to his brother. His wife was a daughter of Captain Richard Harris, who was an English army officer. In their family were three sons and one daughter.
William Van Zandt acquired his early education in the public schools, but like many boys became so eager to enter the business world that he left school before his graduation and came to Roches- ter, where he entered the employ of C. F. Payne & Company. Here he did everything from errand boy up, and so faithfully did he serve his em- ployers that he finally became secretary of the firm. A business career of this nature should always be of interest to the young men starting out for them- selves. Too often their ambitions begin at the top, and having laid no foundation for the position 'find themselves unable to cope with its problems.
Mr. Van Zandt married Ella C. Russell and to their union was born one daughter and one son. He and his wife were members of the church of Christ, while his political convictions were those of the republican party. He was a member of the Modern Woodmen and much interested in its growth in Rochester. His life was well spent and it can truthfully be said that what he did he did well and that his life was a success. He started out in the business world as poor as the poorest of boys and his success was due solely to ability, steadfastness of purpose and indefatigable indus- try. He died in the early part of 1907.
HIRAM W. PALMER.
The Palmer family is an old and prominent one in Monroe county, representatives of the name having been closely associated wtih the early de- velopment of this section of the state from the time of their settlement here in 1817 down to the present, and therefore none are more widely or favorably known in Sweden township. It was therefore with deep regret that in 1902 the news of the death of Hiram W. Palmer was received, for he had become identified with the agricultural life of Sweden township at an early day.
A native son of this township, he was born in an old log cabin in the southern limits of Brockport, on Lake road, in 1818, this farm having been settled by his father, Isaac Palmer, on the 1st of February, 1817. The latter was a native of Ley- den, Massachusetts, while the mother was born in Eaton, Madison county, New York. She bore the maiden name of Ester May and died at the age of seventy-two years, while the father was one year her senior at the time of his death. Their
H. W. PALMER.
A
L. M. PALMER.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
family numbered nine children, namely : Jane E., Linus, Hiram W., Rufus May, Rodie M., Roxie A., Lucy E., and Mary and Sarah, twins. All have now departed this life with the exception of Linus M. Palmer, who still survives at the advanced age of more than ninety years.
Linus M. Palmer, the elder brother of Hiram W. Palmer, was born in Eaton, Madison county, New York, December 16, 1816, and was but a few weeks old when his father, Isaac Palmer, set- tled on the farm in Sweden township on the 1st of February, 1817. He pursued his studies in an old log school house, which was located south of the home place. The room was seated with slab benches, while the desks were arranged around the wall, and the methods of instruction were equally primitive. He also attended a private school in Brockport for a brief period. He re- mained under the parental roof until twenty-nine years of age, then went to Wisconsin, where he married, during which time he aided in the de- velopment of the farm and the establishment of a home on the frontier, sharing with the other members of the family in the hardships and pri- vations which were endured in that early day, for at that time there were few conveniences of any kind, this being previous to the building of rail- roads or canals in this part of the state, and the journey from Madison county to Monroe county was made with team and wagon. On leaving home he went to Wisconsin, where he wedded Miss Jane Downing, who was born in Pennsylvania, in 1827, a daughter of Arnold and Sarah Downing, farm- ing people of Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania. Linus M. Palmer lived in Madison, Wisconsin, for a long period, or until the death of his wife, in 1883, when he returned to Monroe county, in 1900. Here he has since made his home with his daugh- ter, Mrs. Quackenbush, to whom we are indebted for the data contained in this record. In the fam- ily of this worthy couple were born nine children, as follows: Rufus May, the eldest, is deceased. Isaac A. lives in Madison, Wisconsin. Carrie L. is the wife of James Broadbent, a resident farmer of Sweden township, whence he removed from near Manchester, England. Their marriage has been blessed with three sons and two daughters, Anna .M., James P., Hiram M., Carrie R. and Thomas I. Anna Palmer, whe came into posses- sion of the old Palmer homestead, where she now resides, acquired a portion of her education in Pennsylvania and also attended the schools of Brockport. In 1889 she became the wife of Wil- liam G. Quackenbush, who was born in Canada, and is now operating the Palmer farm. Their marriage has been blessed with two sons, William P. and Hiram. The next members of the Palmer family in order of birth are Hiram. Linus. Marv . and Lucy, all of whom have departed this life, and
John, the youngest member of the family, makes his home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Hiram W. Palmer, the immediate subject of this sketch, was the second son and third child in his father's family. Like the other children, he pursued is studies in an old-time log schoolhouse, in which the methods of instruction were quite primitive, but he made the best possible use of the advantages which were there afforded and gained a fair education, so that when he started out in life on his own account he was well qualified to carry on his business affairs. He was reared to the pursuits of farm life, giving his father the benefit of his services during the period of his boyhood and youth. Upon the death of his father he came into possession of the old home place, this having since reverted to his niece, Mrs. William G. Quackenbush. He was for a long period suc- cessfully engaged in farming and was well known in this section of the state as an honorable and up- right man. He took great pride in the advance- ment which has here been made during the last half century, bearing his full share in bringing about the work which has resulted in making Monroe county one of the foremost in the state. He was a gentleman of kindly disposition, chari- table in his estimate of others and generous to a fault. He was a friend to young and old, rich and poor, and therefore his friends were numbered by the score. He spent his entire life in Monroe county, and his death, which occurred in 1902, when he had reached the venerable age of eighty- four years, was the occasion of deep sorrow throughout the community in which he lived. He assisted in the support of the Methodist Epis- copal church and voted with the democratic party.
Mr. and Mrs. Quackenbush are also well known in Sweden township and are numbered among its best citizens, the hospitality of their own pleasant home being freely afforded to their many friends, among whom they are ever courteous and genial, and because of their social Qualities they occupy a popular place in society circles.
CHARLES J. SMITH.
Charles J. Smith, a representative of general farming interests in Monroe county and one of the prominent and influential citizens of this part of the state, having represented his district in the general assembly, was born in Cortland county. New York, in the year 1839. His early educa- tional advantages were supplemented by study in Homer Academy at Homer. New York. and in Monroe Academy at East Henrietta. He has al- ways been a student of the signs of the times, of the great problems of the age and the political
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
questions which have awakened general attention, and is today a well informed man. In early man- hood he successfully engaged in teaching school, being connected with the educational development of Cortland, Monroe and Cayuga counties. His business interests are now concentrated upon the farm and he owns one hundred and twenty acres of rich land devoted to general agricultural pur- suits. His fields are well tilled, his crops care- fully cultivated and in the late summer and fall seasons he gathers rich harvests as a reward for the care and attention he has bestowed upon the fields.
In 1861 Mr. Smith was first married to Miss Anna Keyes and unto them was born one son. For his second wife he chose Anna Arnold, by whom he had three sons, and his present wife bore the maiden name of Minnie E. Way. The family home is pleasantly situated upon the farm in the town of Henrietta and is very attractive by reason of its warm hearted and gracious hospi- tality.
In community affairs Mr. Smith has been deeply, actively and helpfully interested. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the Grange. He likewise belongs to the Baptist church, does all in his power to promote its interests and extend its influence and served as superintendent of the Sunday school for twenty-five years. A stalwart republican in his political views, he filled the office of justice of the peace for thirty-one years, rendering decisions which were strictly fair and impartial-a fact which was indicated by his long continuance in the position. In 1894 he was elected to represent his district in the state legisla- ture and was at Albany during the sessions of that year and of 1896. He served as committee clerk in 1897 and 1898 and is one whose opinions carry weight in deciding many an intricate political problem. He stands for progressive citizenship, for opposition to misrule in all public affairs, for a clean government and for the adoption of prin- ciples which he believes will best promote the wel- fare of state and nation. His political course has been particularly free from the condemnation of the opposition and has received the strong endorse- ment of the great percentage of the people of his district.
JOHN A. STAPLETON, M. D.
Dr. John A. Stapleton, a practicing physician of Rochester and surgeon for the police and fire department, is a native of this city and the public and parochial schools afforded him his educa- tional privileges. He hegan the study of medicine here and pursued his more advanced course in
Buffalo Medical College, from which he was gradu- ated in the class of 1891. He located for prac- tice in his native city, where he has since con- tinued, and his life record is in contradistinc- tion to the old adage that "a prophet is never without honor save in his own country," for in the city of his birth Dr. Stapleton has gained distinction as an able and learned member of the medical profession, a fact which is further proven by the official duties which have been conferred upon him in the line of his chosen calling and by a large private practice as well.
During his college days he was connected with the Fitch Extant Hospital of Buffalo and after extended experience in that institution he was appointed resident physician to the Infants' Sum- mer Hospital at Charlotte and was subsequently resident physician at the Rochester City Hospital. On his retirement from the last named he began private practice. He is now visiting surgeon on the surgical staff of St. Mary's Hospital, surgeon to the Rochester division of the Erie Railroad and has been surgeon of the police and fire department since 1900. In 1891-2 he was state sanitary in- spector, having jurisdiction in nearly all of the counties of western New York during the great cholera epidemic. He is a member of the Monroe County Medical Society and a member of the Medical Society of the State of New York.
Dr. Stapleton is also well known and promi- nent socially. He is a member of the Rochester Club, of the Union Club and of the Oak Hill Country Club. His interest, however, centers in his profession, and in a calling where advance- ment depends solely upon individual merit he has gained a position of distinction, his ability, natu- ral and acquired, placing him in the front ranks of the medical profession of western New York.
JOSEPH A. MORGAN.
Joseph A. Morgan, of Chili township, where he is extensively engaged in raising potatoes, is one of the native sons of Monroe county and a repre- sentative of an old colonial family which was founded in Massachusetts at an early day. His great-grandfather served as one of Lafayette's body guards. He removed from Massachusetts to New York and settled in Rush. His son, Joseph, the grandfather of our subject, was the first male white child born in Monroe county. Here he spent his entire life and served his country as a soldier of the war of 1812. He built a log house and was connected with the pioneer development of this part of the state, becoming one of the his- toric characters of western New York. On one occasion he acted as host to a daughter of Aaron
DR. J. A. STAPLETON.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
Burr, who was then on a mission to this district. His son, George W. Morgan, was the father of Joseph A. Morgan.
The subject of this sketch, born December 20, 1846, was educated in the district schools and was reared to the occupation of farming, early becom- ing familiar with the varied interests of agricul- tural life. In December, 1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Marie Bullard, a daughter of William Bullard, who was an old settler of Hen- rietta, a farmer by occupation and a prominent member of the Baptist church. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Morgan have been born two sons and a daugh- ter, namely: George W., who lives on the home farm with our subject, married Lillian Crowley, of Rochester, and has two children, Earl and Wil- liam. Edwin J. is attending Oberlin College. Elsie G. is at home.
Throughout his active business life Mr. Morgan has carried on agricultural pursuits and has in- creased his farm from seventy acres to one hun- dred and forty-four acres. He and his son George are engaged largely in raising potatoes and in the year 1906 gathered six thousand bushels. They produce tubers of the finest variety and for the product find a ready sale on the market. Mr. Morgan is a member of the State Grange and in- terested in all that pertains to the agricultural or horticultural development of New York. In his religious faith he is a Presbyterian. As a repre- sentative of an old and prominent pioneer family he well deserves mention in this volume and his own life has reflected credit upon an untarnished family name.
GEORGE C. POTTS.
This name at once suggests a power in the world of trade-a power that to a large degree has con- trolled and directed coal and mining operations, being felt as a dominant force in different sections of the east and of the south. The day of small undertakings, especially in cities, seems to have passed and the era of gigantic enterprises is upon us. In the control of mammoth concerns are men of master minds, of almost limitless ability to guide, of sound judgment and of keen discrimin- ation. Their progressiveness must not only reach the bounds that others have gained but must even pass beyond into the new and broader untried fields of operation. But an unerring foresight and sagacity must make no mistake by venturing upon uncertain ground. It is continually growing and the business takes leadership in its special lines, and the men who are at its head are deserv- ingly eminent in the world of industry or com- merce, occupying a position that commands respect,
while it excites the admiration of all. George C. Potts, now of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, has throughout his entire business career been connected with the coal trade, his business being continually enlarged and developed through his close application and careful manage- ment.
A native of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, Mr. Potts was born on the 3d of August, 1834, his parents being George H. and Emily D. (Cumming) Potts, the former a native of Hunterdon county, New Jersey, and the latter of Philadelphia. In the maternal line he comes of Quaker ancestry. The grandfather, George M. Cumming, was a super- cargo in the commerce between Philadelphia and China. He, too, belonged to the society of Friends or Quakers, and the story is told of him that on a voyage from China with a cargo of tea they en- countered pirates, one of whom was climbing up the side of the vessel. He was discovered by Mr. Cumming who exclaimed: "Friend I will not strike thee but I will let this billet of wood fall on thy head," and he did so with good effect. His father, who died in 1878, was a distinguished operator and banker, who for ten years was presi- dent of the Park National Bank, of New York city. He opened one of the first coal mines of Pottsville in 1832, and it is supposed that the town was named in his honor. He was one of the pioneer coal men of the country, all of his sons becoming connected with the same line of business. At one time Mr. Potts was a member of the firm of Lewis Audenried & Company, 110 Broadway, New York, which was one of the largest coal firms in the United States, and predecessors of the pres- ent firm of F. A. Potts & Company, the senior partner being Frederick A. Potts, who at one time was candidate for governor of New Jersey against Ludlam, being defeated by only six hundred votes.
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