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 48
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Mr. Bentley is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity. He belongs to the Psi Upsilon, a college fraternity, and the Phi Beta Kappa, and these relations are indicative of his social, genial nature, which takes delight in the comradeship of con- genial friends, of whom he has an extensive num- ber. He is, moreover, accorded a foremost place in the ranks of the legal fraternity, his work at the bar having stood the test of time and the most exacting demands made upon it by a large prac- tice that has often involved most intricate legal problems. He has never sought or asked for any political office and has always voted the republi- can tieket.
HOMER C. HOLMES.
Homer C. Holmes, a well known attorney at law in Brockport, was born in Conesus, Living- ston county, New York, August 1, 1844. His great-grandfather was a brother of the father of Oliver Wendell Holmes. The grandfather, John Holmes, was a prominent farmer, who, as was characteristic of the family, attained a venerable old age. John Holmes, the father, was a carpen- ter and a farmer up to the year 1860, when he entered the ministry of the United Brethren church and served in that capacity up to the time of his death. His wife, who hore the maiden name of Sarah Coleman, was born in 1817 in On-
S. D. BENTLEY.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
ondaga county, New York, and passed away in 1880, while Mr. Holmes was born in 1815 and died in 1895. Five children were born to this union : William S., who served in the war in the same company with his brother and who died in Salisbury prison in 1864; Homer C .; Lucy, who died at Holly in 1861; Frank, who died in Penn- sylvania in February, 1907; and Mrs. Ellen Wetherbee, whose husband died in the army at Baltimore in 1863, while she now lives in Penn- sylvania.
Mr. Holmes was educated in the public schools, finishing his schooling at Holly Academy. On the day that he was eighteen years of age, August 1, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, Eighth New York Heavy Artillery. He served in the defenses of Washington, D. C., and of Baltimore. He was also in the engagements at Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and the charge on the same, and numerous other battles, witnessing also the surrender of Lee. Up to the very close of the war he was thus in the thick of the fight and did his duty faithfully for the country he loved. He was mustered out on June 5, 1865.
At the close of the war he returned to Holly, New York, where he followed the contractor's trade until 1881, when he removed with his fam- ily to South Dakota. Here he began the study of law and was admitted to the Dakota bar in 1884, practicing his profession in Plankinton until 1895. In 1896 he located at Brockport, New York, where he has been engaged in the practice of his profession since being admitted to the courts of New York in October, 1896. While living in Plankinton he was justice of the peace for four years. He is a member of Cady post, No. 236, G. A. R. Fraternally he is allied with Monroe lodge, No. 173, A. F. & A. M., and the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows. These organizations are all of interest to Mr. Holmes, but his special attention has been given to the profession to which he has always been devoted. The results of this devotion are seen in his able and logical methods of marshaling his arguments, in his tactful appeals and in the large number of sat- isfied clients which he has about him. Mr. Holmes' wife was Sarah E. Brooks, to whom he was married September 11, 1865.
BENJAMIN SHIPMAN HEBARD.
Benjamin Shipman Hebard, now deceased, was for a number of years enrolled among Rochester's business men, being identified with manufactur- ing interests of the city as a partner in the Roch- ester Candy Company. He was born here on the 25th of June, 1866, and was a son of Henry S.
Hebard, whose birth occurred in Saugerties, New York, on the 10th of March, 1827. Removing to Rochester at any early day, Henry S. Hebard was for many years engaged in the marble business on South St. Paul street. His father had established this enterprise and the son succeeded to it. Not only did he contribute to the industrial develop- ment of Rochester, but was also one of the post- masters of the city, being the first appointed to the position after the erection of the new postoffice, but he died on the day in which he expected to assume his new duties. He served as alderman of the fourth ward and for a number of years was police commissioner. He was also vice-presi- dent of the East Side Savings Bank from 1869 until 1876, when he was elected president of the institution. His advice and counsel carried weight in business and financial circles, for he was widely regarded as a man of sound judgment and keen discrimination. A prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, he belonged to Valley lodge and in his life he exemplified the beneficent spirit of the order. His death occurred March 14, 1890, and Rochester thus lost a citizen whom it had learned to esteem and honor because of his ac- tivity and fidelity in business affairs and in public connections. He had four children, his three daughters being: Mrs. John P. Weston and Mrs. Charles O. Weston, of this city; and Mrs. Anson McNebb.
Benjamin Shipman Hebard at the usual age was sent as a pupil to the public schools of Rochester and after he had completed his studies he joined his father in the marble works, continuing in that line up to the time of his marriage. On the 4th of May, 1893, he wedded Miss Ellen Parkin- son and soon afterward joined his father-in-law, Charles R. Parkinson, in the manufacture of candy, Mr. Parkinson being vice-president of the Rochester Candy Company, located on State street. Mr. Hebard soon thoroughly acquainted himself with the business in principle and detail and made his services of value in its conduct. He was associated with the enterprise until his life's labors were ended in death on the 1st of Decem- ber, 1899, and he thus provided a very comforta- ble living for his family.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hebard was born one son, Henry Anson. The death of the husband and father occurred on the 1st of December, 1899, but his memory is still cherished by many who knew him here. He was a Mason, belonging to Frank Palmer lodge, and he held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, serving as a member of its board. He held high ideals and never swerved in his allegiance to a principle or rule of conduct which he believed to be right. He was trustworthy as well as progressive in business and while he stood for advancement and progress in all relations, he never sought these at the cost
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
of sacrifice on the part of another. Indeed, he was always just to his fellowmen, considerate of their interests, and won an untarnished name, thus leaving to his family a priceless heritage.
LE GRAND BROWN.
Le Grand Brown, consulting engineer of Roch- ester, who has been closely associated with the development of the country through railway build- ing, was born in Scottsville, Monroe county, New York, October 19, 1863, his parents being D. D. S. and Mary (Ensign) Brown. The public schools afforded him his preliminary education, which was supplemented by study in the University of Roch- ester in 1881-82. He studied engineering and in the latter year began engineering work under A. J. Grant, who at that time was chief engineer and superintendent of the Rochester & Ontario Belt Railway, now the Rochester branch of the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg Railroad. In the fall of 1883 his father was appointed by President Arthur as commisisoner to examine the last sec- tion of the Northern Pacific Railroad for the gov- ernment, and the son accompanied him to the Pacific coast and was present at the driving of the last spike that completed the road. In 1884 he went to Florida and opened an office with A. J. Grant at Enterprise, soon afterward going on what is now a portion of the Atlantic Coast Line Railway system. He remained in the south until the summer of 1885. In 1887 he formed a part- nership with H. L. S. Hall, at Scottsville, in the coal and lumber business. He was also employed as assistant engineer on the location of the Roch- ester branch of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and in 1890 he opened an engineering office in Roch- ester and was employed as chief engineer of the Rochester Railway in changing it to an electric line. He also built the Manitou Beach Railroad and equipped the Rochester & Suburban Railroad with electric power. He was likewise made chief engineer of the Rochester & Sodus Bay Railroad and was assistant engineer on the location and construction of the Rochester waterworks steel pipe line to Hemlock lake. He has been identi- fied with all the railroads of this locality and does general engineering and consulting work. He likewise constructed the Canandaigua pavements. He is now chief engineer of the Clear Lake & Southern Railway in California, also resident en- gineer of the Buffalo, Lockport & Rochester Rail- way, and has other large contracts which call him into various sections of the country.
Mr. Brown had not the advantage of college training in the line of his chosen profession, but is self-tanght, and in the school of experience has
learned many valuable lessons, his ready adapta- bility and natural mechanical genius enabling him to acquire a knowledge that places him in the foremost rank among the men of the profession in this part of the country. He has been engaged on the best work in the city, having had consid- erable experience on street and sewer work and being thoroughly informed on electric railway and track work, acting as consulting engineer for a number of electric railroads.
Mr. Brown was married in 1887 to Miss Mar- garet Baker, a native of Rochester, and they have two children, Margaret Louise and Roscoe S. Mr. Brown is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and other organizations, in all of which he is popular among the members, and he is likewise connected with the Masonic fraternity and the Masonic Club. His political allegiance is given to the republican party.
WILLIAM V. GRAESER.
One of the many enterprises to which the city of Rochester points with pride is the great fur house of the William V. Graeser Company. This firm are importers, exporters, manufacturers and dealers in furs, and the business has reached such a volume and is of such a high grade that the establishment would be a credit to any city on the continent. Mr. Graeser, who is at the head of this house, is acknowledged to be an expert in the fur trade, having been connected with all of the leading houses of this kind in the old world.
A native of Denmark, he was born at Copen- hagen, April 29, 1862, his parents being John and Hannah Graeser, also of Copenhagen. His educa- tion was acquired in private schools ot his native city, and after receiving a liberal education he traveled in many lands, visiting nearly every coun- try in the world, especially all of the fur-produc- ing countries. Throughout his entire business life he has been connected with the fur trade and has been associated at different times with the largest fur houses of the leading cities of the world. He has thus thoroughly acquainted himself with the business until he is regarded as one of the best posted men in the fur trade, not only in America, hut in foreign lands as well. He has made a close study of this until his knowledge is equal, if not superior, to that of the best known fur men in the world.
Mr. Graeser came to the United States in 1884, landing at New York, where he remained for some time as an employe of Revellion Freres, of New York city-the great fur house of the world. He continued in that house for seven years. In 1891 he came to Rochester and through the succeeding
WILLIAM V. GRAESER.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
years was with the fur house of R. S. Kenyon & Company. He then established business on his own account in this line in the Beckley building, South Clinton street, where he was located for fourteen years, gradually building up a very important trade among the best people of the city. He then removed to his present quarters at No. 38 and 40 Clinton street, North, where he has beautiful show rooms and factory. He carries the most rare and costly furs of every description known to the fur trade and has connections with all of the great foreign and domestic fur markets. His patronage has constantly increased until he now has the busi- ness support of the most prominent residents in Rochester, a fact which indicates that his enter- prise has been a source of gratifying profit.
In 1891 Mr. Graeser was married to Miss Kath- erine McCafferty, a daughter of John McCafferty, of New York city, and they have one daughter, Hannah, who is now a student at the age of six- teen. Mr. Graeser is connected with the Chamber of Commerce and is deeply interested in all that pertains to the material advancement and the progress of Rochester along various other lines. He may well be proud of what he has accomplished in the business world, for he has long since left the ranks of the many and has attained a position of leadership among the chosen few in commercial activity.
WILLIAM J. MCKELVEY.
William J. McKelvey, secretary and treasurer of the Atlantic Stamping Company and one of Rochester's native sons, was born May 11, 1844, of the marriage of John and Susan Louise (Sco- field) McKelvey. In the paternal line he comes of Scotch descent, while in the maternal line he is a representative of an old New England fam- ily. His father, though of Scotch lineage, was born in the north of Ireland, and, having crossed the Atlantic, became one of the early settlers of Rochester, where he located in 1839. He was for many years engaged in the cooperage business here, being closely associated with the industrial interests of the city from an early day. He re- mained a worthy and respected resident of Roch- ester up to the time of his death, which occurred about eight years ago, when he had reached the age of eighty-five. His wife had long since passed away. She was descended from ancestry who assisted in the settlement of Stamford, Connecti- cut, in 1641.
William J. McKelvey, sent as a pupil to the public schools of Rochester, passed through suc- cessive grades until he had become a high-school student. He entered business life as an employe
of the New York Central Railroad, being made cashier in the freight office at Rochester, which position he filled for six or seven years. This was in the carly '60s. He afterward entered the to- bacco business, in which he was engaged until the 1st of May, 1903, when he formed his connection with the Atlantic Stamping Company as its sec- retary and treasurer. One of the prominent char- acteristics of his successful business carcer is that his vision has never been bounded by the exi- gencies of the moment but has covered as well the possibilities and opportunities of the future. This has led him into extensive undertakings, bringing him into marked prominence in industrial and commercial circles.
Mr. McKelvey was married in 1893 to Miss Grace Spencer and has one daughter, Margaret Scofield, now in school. The family residence, situated at No. 9 Locust street, is a beautiful home, celebrated for its gracious hospitality as well as for the evidence of wealth and culture there found.
Mr. McKelvey is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and is prominent in Ma- sonry, belonging to Yonnondio lodge, No. 163, F. & A. M .; Hamilton chapter, No. 62, R. A. M .; and Monroe commandery, No. 12, K. T. Of all these bodies he has been presiding officer. He is likewise a member of Damascus Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and of the Masonic Club. He belongs to the First Methodist Epis- copal church and is a member of its official board. His interest in the church is manifest by his co- operation in its plans and activities. He is a gentleman of broad humanitarianism, recognizing fully individual responsibility and the truth of universal brotherhood. Men who know him honor him because of his fidelity to principle, because of his stalwart support of his honest convictions. It is such men who are the saving force in the busi- ness world, reconciling by the uprightness of their own lives the difficulties between capital and labor.
JOHN BIGELOW HOWE.
The lives of men are largely similar in their general outlines and at the outset the possibilities of one are usually the possibilities of all. It is only as we develop latent qualities or allow them to remain dormant that differentiation is attained and man becomes an individual factor, distin- gnished by his work and accomplishments from other individuals. The developed qualities of per- severance, industry and sagacity bring success, while the reverse of these bring failure and defeat. It has been through the exercise of his innate power that John Bigelow Howe has gained a cred- itable name and place for himself in the mercan-
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
tile life of Rochester, his native city. He was born here on the 14th of November, 1867, a son of John Hubbard and Eliza Augusta (Bigelow ) Howe. His father, who was a representative of an old Massachusetts family, died in 1903. A sister of John B. Howe is Mrs. Harry B. Chase, who resides at Riverside, California, while a half-sister, Eva Loomis Howe, makes her home in Rochester. One brother, Henry B. Howe, who was treasurer of the firm of Howe & Rogers, died in 1894.
The son acquired his education in public school, No. 12, the Rochester Free Academy and the Uni- versity of Rochester, being graduated from the last named in the class of 1889, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. On completing his collegiate course he entered business life as a nurseryman and continued to operate in that way from 1890 until 1903, under the name of the Columbia Nursery, East. Park. About the time of the death of his father in the latter year he sold out his business and entered the firm of Howe & Rogers Company, carpet dealers, becoming vice president of the company. This business was founded in 1857 by John H. Howe and Clinton Rogers and was in- corporated in 1892. Throughout the years it has been a leading mercantile interest of Rochester, growing with the development of the city, its busi- ness conducted along modern lines of commercial enterprise.
Mr. Howe is a member of the Psi Upsilon fra- ternity, of the University of Rochester, and also of the Alumni Association of that institution. He likewise belongs to the Genesee Valley Club, the Rochester Club, the Country Club and the Roches- ter Historical Society. He gives strict attention to business, which leaves him little time for recre- ation. The unabating energy and the persever- ance which constitute salient elements in prosper- ity have been manifest by him since he left college to take up the responsible duties of business life.
CHARLES A. NORTON. .
Charles A. Norton is the president of the Charles A. Norton Company, manufacturers and jobbers in window shades. In this connection he has become well known, for he is a leader in this line of business and is controlling an enterprise which is constantly growing in volume and im- portance. He was born in Clifton, New York, but was reared in Henrietta. Monroe county, and acquired his education in the public schools of the latter place. He came to Rochester in 1890 and his since been a factor in the commercial life of the city. On the 20th of February, 1906, the Charles A. Norton Company was incorporated, with Mr. Norton as president, Mrs. C. Pearl Nor-
ton as vice president, and George M. Barson as secretary and treasurer. The company are manu- facturers of and jobbers in window shades and they have a very gratifying business. They manu- facture only high class goods and sell extensively to dealers in Rochester and throughout the state. They also take contracts for and furnish houses and flats with window shades of all qualities, sizes and styles. They employ a number of men in their manufacturing department and also in the placing of shades. Mr. Norton was connected with this line of business for seven years as the associate of F. P. Van Hoosen and about five years with George W. Ross Lewin, at No. 40 State street. Although the business of which he is now the head has been incorporated for only a brief period it is already enjoying a very large patronage and Mr. Norton is rapidly coming to the front in business circles. The plant is located at No. 27 East Main street, where they have offices in the factory.
In March, 1898, Mr. Norton was united in mar- riage to Miss Pearl Tyler. He belongs to Yon- nondio lodge, A. F. & A. M., to the Royal Ar- canum and to the United Commercial Travelers. His political views are in accord with the prin- ciples of the republican party and he belongs to the Central Presbyterian church. His church and fraternal relations indicate much of his character and the principles which underlie and govern his conduct. At all times he is found reliable and trustworthy and he lacks none of that determined spirit and unfaltering energy which always con- stitute the basis of desirable success.
CORDEN T. GRAHAM, M. D.
Dr. Corden T. Graham, proprietor of the Gra- ham Highland Park Sanatorium and Maternity Hospital at Rochester, was born in Brockport, July 3, 1881, and although now but twenty-six years of age, he has attained a notable and en- viable position in the ranks of the medical fra- ternity. His parents, Dr. Merritt E. and Fannie E. (Corden) Graham, were natives of the Empire state and of Michigan respectively. The father was born in the town of Italy, Yates county, New York, of American parents. His preparatory edu- cation was obtained at Lima, New York, as a stu- dent in the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1874. Determining upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he matriculated . in the University of Michigan Homeopathic College, completing the course with the class of 1878. He located for practice in Brockport, where he remained until his removal to Rochester in 1890. He soon gained a good fol-
CHARLES A. NORTON.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
lowing here by reason of his broad knowledge and superior ability and continued an active and prom- inent member of the profession until his death on the 3d of August, 1905. He was a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy, of the New York State Homeopathic Society, the West- ern New York Homeopathic Society, the Central New York Homeopathic Society, the Monroe County Homeopathic Society, the International Hahnemannian Society and the Monroe County Hahnemannian Society. He was head surgeon of Hahnemann Hospital and served as coroner of Monroe county from 1890 until 1899. He be- longed to the various Masonic bodies, to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and was much in- terested in republican politics. With a nature that could never be content with mediocrity he advanced in his profession to a prominent position and enjoyed not only a large private practice but was also the founder of the Graham Highland Park Sanatorium. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Fannie E. Corden and to whom he was married in Saline, Michigan, September 25, 1877, still resides in Rochester. They had two children, the daughter being Daisy, the wife of Dr. James L. Hondorf, of Ravenna, Ohio.
Dr. Graham of this review was educated in the schools of Rochester, passing through successive grades until he had completed the high-school course. He then took up the study of medicine with his father and entered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated in 1904. He has the degree of M. E. from the National College of Electro-Therapeu- tics, of Lima, Ohio. His time and energies are de- voted to his hospital practice as proprietor of the Graham Highland Park Sanatorium and Mater- nity Hospital. These are two separate and distinct institutions in different buildings, although located side by side. The former was completed in the fall of 1899 and the latter in 1905. Dr. Graham has conducted these institutions since the death of his father, and although not yet twenty-six years of age, he has built up a lucrative business in his practice in connection therewith. The two institutions will accommodate about fifty patients and everything is modern and thoroughly up-to- date in equipment for the care of those who come to him professionally. As the name indicates, the Highland Park Sanatorium is situated on the northern border of the famous Highland Park, commanding a splendid view of the city and sur- rounding country, and every modern appliance known to the profession that is of value in the care of the sick is here to be found. Dr. Graham also conducts a training school for nurses and has an excellent force of skilled nurses to assist him. He is a member of the New York State Homeopathic Society and the Central New York, the Western New York and the Monroe County
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