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 52
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1897 he joined Edmund Venor in the establish- ment of the present shoe factory and they have since conducted their trade under the firm style of Venor & Montgomery.
Mr. Montgomery was married to Miss Helen M. Barrett, a daughter of Dr. A. J. Barrett, pas- tor of the Lake Avenue Baptist church. Both Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery take a most active and helpful part in religious work, being members of the Lake Avenue Baptist church, in which he has served as deacon. He has also been teacher of the men's Bible class, known as the Montgomery class, for twenty-six years, and in all his life work has been actuated by high principles and worthy motives. Both Mr. Venor and Mr. Montgomery are men of genuine worth, greatly esteemed by those with whom they have been brought in con- tact in business and social relations.
BYRON M. HYDE.
Byron M. Hyde, president of the B. M. Hyde Drug Company at Rochester, in which connec- tion he has attained an enviable position and grati- fying success in commercial circles, was born in Somerset, Niagara county, New York, November 15, 1857, his parents being William H. and Eliza J. (Spaulding) Hyde, natives of this state. The family still reside upon the old homestead in Niagara county. The father was a farmer by occupation and was prominent in community affairs. He served as justice of the peace for more than twenty years and was a railroad com- missioner at the time of the building of the Rome & Watertown Railroad. He died August 24, 1904.
B. M. Hyde was reared to farm life and in early boyhood attended the district schools, while later he became a student in the Lockport high school, from which he was graduated on the completion of the regular course. He spent the succeeding year on the farm and then went to Moravia, where he secured a situation in the drug store of E. F. Butterfield & Company. Subsequently he bought out that business and continued the conduct of the store with good success for six years, after which he sold out and removed to Rochester. Here he began clerking for S. A. Newman on the site of his present store and filled that position for six years. On the expiration of that period he and George L. Page purchased the store, which they conducted under the firm style of Hyde & Page for five years. The junior partner then sold out to A. D. McBride and the business has since been conducted under the name of the B. M. Hyde Drug Company. The 'store has been en- larged one-half since Mr. Hyde took possession
and is now one of the most extensive and best equipped drug stores in Rochester. In 1907 the business was incorporated with the admission of Earl J. Chappel, J. E. Millard, John J. Chilson and Harry B. Greenman as stockholders. Mr. Hyde is president and general manager, with Earl J. Chappel as secretary and treasurer. Mr. Hyde was also one of the founders of the United Drug Company, manufacturing the famous Rexall rem- edies, and he is well known in trade circles as one of the founders of the Drug Merchants of America Association, of which he is vice-president. He was likewise one of the organizers of the National Cigar Stands Company, and in all these enter- prises has been a factor for success. His labors are effective and far-reaching and his enterprise, dili- gence, sound judgment and keen discrimination enable him to carry forward to a prosperous ter- mination everything that he undertakes.
In October, 1882, Mr. Hyde was married to Miss Libhie S. White, a daughter of Thomas White, of Moravia, and they have one child, W. Donald. Mr. Hyde has been a member of the state board of pharmacy since 1901 and served as its president in 1902. He belongs to the Monroe County and New York State Pharmaceutical As- sociations. Having been born and reared on a farm, with no mercantile experience in early life, he deserves great credit for the success he has attained in his business, having built up one of the best drug trades in this section of the state. He has also been active in the successful manage- ment of other concerns. The strong man and the successful man is he who realizes that the proper moment for action has come, that the present and not the future holds his opportunity. The man who makes use of the "now" and not the "to be" is the one who passes on the highway of life others who started out ahead of him and reaches the goal of prosperity far in advance of them. It is this quality in Mr. Hyde that has made him a leader in the business world and won him an enviable name in connection with the mer- cantile interests of Rochester.
CHARLES BERGENER.
Charles Bergener, general superintendent of the C. T. Ham Lantern Manufacturing Company, has been associated with this industry since its establishment in January, 1886, and was one of the original five incorporators. His life record is another illustration of the fact that the invariable law of destiny accords to tireless energy, industry and ability a successful career.
Mr. Bergener came to Rochester from Chicago cn the 2d of March, 1881. He is, however, a na-
CHARLES BERGENER.
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
tive of Hanover, Germany, born on the 3d of June, 1853. In 1855, the father, Henry Bergener, brought his family to the new world and estab- lished his home in Chicago, where he died. In that city Charles Bergener was reared, attending the public schools, and after completing his educa- tion and entering business life he worked his way upward to the position of foreman with the firm of Dennis & Wheeler, lantern manufacturers of Chicago. He was thus well equipped by broad practical experience for the onerous and responsi- ble duties of his present position when he accepted a superintendency in the Ham Lantern Manufac- tory upon its incorporation. He acted in that ca- pacity until 1905 when he was made general super- intendent. He is the oldest representative of the house in the line of practical manufacture and has studied out nearly all of the improvements which have been adopted by the company in the conduct of their extensive business. Since its in- corporation the C. T. Ham Manufacturing Com- pany's plant has become one of the largest and most completely equipped in its line in the world.
Mr. Bergener was married in Chicago to Miss Nellie Brown, of that city, and to them have been born a son and four daughters: Charles W., Car- rie D., Mrs. Clara B. Brotsch, Alice C. and Lillian B. Mr. Bergener gives his political allegiance to the republican party and while in sympathy with its principles he yet belongs to that class of rep- resentative American men who through laudable independent spirit stand for principle rather than party and fear not to follow an independent course if judgment sanctions. He is interested in good citizenship and municipal virtue and his influence is ever on the side of reform, progress and im- provement. The family attend the Lake Avenue Baptist church and Mr. Bergener is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the consistory and York rites, the Grotto and the Shrine. He is likewise a member of the Masonic Club, the Co- lumbia Rifle Club and the Rochester Yacht Club. He has a beautiful home at No. 325 Glenwood avenue and is a most hospitable host, pleasant and agreeable in manner and indeed is a man of many friends.
THOMAS PORTER FORD.
A spirit of enterprise and industry character- izes the business career of Thomas Porter Ford, of the firm of Ford & Enos, bankers and brokers. A native of Kentucky, he was born in Trigg county in 1868 and acquired a public school education in Covington, that state. He entered business life in connection with the lumber trade at Tiffin, Ohio, and subsequently moved to New York,
where for five years he was engaged in the bank- ing and brokerage business. In 1898 he came to Rochester, where he has since engaged in the banking and brokerage business, and in 1900 the present firm of Ford & Enos was organized and business opened at the location where they are still to be found. Mr. Ford figures prominently ยท in financial circles and has manifested keen dis- cernment in business affairs, while his conservat- ism in matters of business judgment and his sagacity make his a successful career. He is a member of the Rochester Stock Exchange and oc- cupies a prominent position in public regard among his contemporaries and associates in the business world.
Mr. Ford finds scope for his social interests as a member of the Genesee Valley Club, the Roches- ter Yacht Club, the Rochester Athletic Club and the Rochester Country Club. He has made many friends during his residence in this city, being prominent socially as well as in financial circles.
PHINEAS C. JOEL.
Phineas C. Joel, pawn broker and jeweler, doing business at No. 27 East Main street in Rochester, is one of the native sons of the Empire state, his birth having occurred in Mount Morris, Livings- ton county, on the 29th of June, 1864. His father, George Joel, a native of Devonshire, Eng- land, came to . America when a young man and settled in Rochester, but later engaged in the clothing business at Mount Morris for a number of years. About 1876 he again took up his abode in Rochester and entered the employ of J. C. Lighthouse, wholesale dealer in horse collars, as a traveling salesman. Although seventy-five years of age he is still upon the road and is one of the most popular as well as one of the most capable traveling men connected with wholesale interests in this city. He and his family attend the Jew- ish Reformed church. He married Esther Car- dozo, who was born in London, England, and is a daughter of Phineas N. Cardozo, who was also born in that country and was a tailor by trade. He crossed the Atlantic in a sailing vessel and his remaining days were passed in Rochester, where he died at the venerable age of ninety-three years, while his wife, Mrs. Sophia Cardozo, passed away when more than ninety years of age. Of their family of eight children the following are now living, namely: Julia, the widow of William Gugenheim; Leah, the wife of Simon Hays, of New York city; Isaac, of Chicago; Mrs. Joel ; Mrs. Foulter, of Chicago; Abe, of New York; and George of St. Paul. Unto Mr. and Mrs. George Joel were born seven children, five sons
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
and two daughters: Hyman, Phineas, Isadore, Levi, Sophia, Solomon and Leah.
Phineas C. Joel came to Rochester when about ten years of age and acquired his education in the schools of this city, being a pupil in public schools Nos. 10 and 14 and in Rochester Business University. In 1882 he went to St. Paul, Min- nesota, where he was engaged in the furniture business for three years with George Cardozo & Sons. On the expiration of that period he trav- eled over the west, selling jewelry, with St. Paul as his headquarters, and upon his return to Roch- ester in 1890 he established his present business, being here engaged in the sale of jewelry and in the conduct of a loan agency for making loans upon personal property.
On the 15th of October, 1891, Mr. Joel was married to Miss Lina Rosenbaum, a daughter of Samuel and Rosalie Rosenbaum, and unto them have been born three children: Hazel, Rose and Herbert. Mr. and Mrs. Joel hold membership in the Jewish Reformed church and Mr. Joel is identified with various fraternal organizations, in- cluding Genesee Falls lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Ham- ilton chapter, R. A. M .; Rochester City lodge of the Knights of Pythias; Central lodge ,No. 666, I. O. O. F .; the Rochester lodge of Elks, No. 44; and the Masonic Club. He also belongs to the Co- lumbia Rifle and Pistol Club. His political al- legiance is given the republican party. Whatever success he has achieved in business is attributable entirely to his own labors, as he started out with- out unusual family or pecuniary assistance and it has been through earnest and persistent labor that he has gained the place that he now occupies in commercial circles in Rochester.
DANIEL L. VAN HEE.
Daniel L. Van Hee, financier and junior mem- ber of the firm of Samuel Sloan & Co., whole- salers of plumbers' and steam fitters' supplies, was born in Pultneyville, Wayne county, New York, February 8, 1869. His parents came to this country from Holland fifty-four years ago and settled on a farm in Williamson, New York.
Daniel L. Van Hee was educated in the district schools of his native town until he had mastered the elementary branches of learning, after which he took an academic course in Sodus Academy. He taught in the district schools for about two years and then entered the Rochester Business Institute for a technical commercial training.
Thus equipped for the onerous and responsible duties of life, he spent one year in the office of Michaels, Stern & Company, clothing manufactur- ers, and then entered the employ of Samuel Sloan,
working his way upward until a few years ago when he became a partner in the business.
On the 18th of September, 1895, Daniel L. Van Hee was married to Nellie Vanderwerf, a daugh- ter of Leonard Vanderwerf, a contractor and builder of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Van Hee live at No. 241 Lyndhurst street and have one child, Ruth.
Mr. Van Hee's study of the political questions and situation of the country leads him to give loyal support to the republican party, yet he does not consider himself bound by party ties at local elections. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in Brick (Presbyterian) church.
H. V. B. SCHANCK.
H. V. B. Schanck owns and occupies a beauti- ful home on Garson avenue, which is surrounded by a few acres of ground, on which he raises veg- etables and small fruits of various kinds that he supplies to the city markets. Mr. Schanck has spent his entire life in Brighton, having here been born in 1871, a son of H. D. Schanck. The son was educated in Rochester, completing the high- school course, after which he received business training in the Rochester Business University. Upon starting out in life on his own account, he engaged in contracting and railroad construction work for three years, but since that time has de- voted his entire time and attention to his pres- ent business interests. About nine years ago he purchased of his brother on Garson avenue his present fine residence. He has here a few acres of ground which is devoted to the raising of veg- etables and small fruits of various kinds, which he furnishes to the city market. His products find a ready sale and command the highest prices, for they are of excellent quality.
H. V. B. Schanck was united in marriage in 1895 to Miss Winifred E. Wood, who has become the mother of three children: Janet, ten years of age; Anna Bell, six years old; and Lura, a little maiden of four years. Mrs. Schanck is a daugh- ter of Winfield Ross Wood, who was born in Iron- dequoit in 1847, a son of John Wood, who was born in Oneida county, New York, in 1804, and was a gunsmith bv trade. In the '30s the grand- father settled in Rochester, where for a short time he worked at his trade, and then removed to Brant- ford, Canada, where he continued his work for twelve years, and on his return to Monroe county purchased one hundred acres of land in Ironde- quoit, which he improved and made his home until his death in 1866. He was married in Rochester to Miss Eliza Ross, a daughter of William Ross, one of the first settlers of Penfield. Mr. Wood,
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
the father of Mrs. Schanck, remained at home and managed his father's farming interests for a number of years, after which he engaged in farm- ing for himself until about nine years ago, when he retired. He is a democrat in his political views and for two terms filled the office of super- visor and has also served in other public offices. He was married in Irondequoit, in 1870, to Miss Isabella Anna Smiles, a daughter of John Smiles, who settled in Monroe county in 1833 and prac- ticed his profession in both Rochester and Iron- dequoit and later established a drug business which is today known as the Post Drug Company. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Isabella Wilson, likewise came to Monroe county in 1833. Dr. Smiles was a prominent man in his locality, was a democrat in politics and at one time served as judge of the city court and as supervisor. Mrs. Schanck has two sisters, Mrs. Mary Smith and Miss Isabella Wood.
Mr. Schanck possesses a genial, social disposi- tion and his enterprising spirit has gained him success in his chosen field of labor. No citizen of Brighton is held in higher esteem and no man is more interested in the welfare of his community, for as an advocate of democracy he has taken an active interest in public affairs, having served as a. member of the democratic county committee. He holds membership in the East Side Presby- terian church.
ALBERT F. HETTIG.
Albert F. Hettig, a native son of Rochester and as such deeply concerned in its every interest, was born in 1876 and is the son of Louis and Louise (Fiehner) Hettig. He spent his boyhood days in acquiring an education in school No. 16, from which he was graduated. Immediately upon the completion of his school days he went to work for A. R. Mandeville and a little later for J. J. Cooper, with whom he remained two years. Dur- ing this time, while fully employed during the day, lie attended night school, acquiring an ad- ditional education thereby. His business career began when he entered the employ of H. B. Guil- ford, a druggist, for whom he worked several vears. By living frugally and working hard he had saved money enough to purchase stock in the firm, which was incorporated, and he became vice president and manager. To his own untiring efforts is due his steady rise and progress in the business world and withal his character is one which is above a shadow of reproach.
In 1901 he was married to Katherine M. Prinz. He is a member of Valley lodge, No. 109, F. A. M., in which he is well known and popular. In
tracing the career of the subject of this review we are enabled to gain a recognition of a record of honesty and straightforwardness. For this rea- son there is particular interest attached to the points which mark his progress in life and amply justify this sketch.
JAMES FRASER GORDON.
"There is nothing extemporaneous," said an cminent divine; "everything results from some previous condition and labor." This truth is es- pecially manifest in the life of an inventor, who may perfect within a few weeks or days an in- vention, but this is the outgrowth of years of thought, study and experiment. Mr. Gordon, as the inventor of a machine that reaps and binds grain automatically, may be numbered among the truly great men of this country and his name in this connection is known throughout the world. No history of Rochester would therefore be complete without mention of his useful and honorable career. A native of Caledonia, Living- ston county, New York, he was born September 23, 1842, his parents being Colonel Alexander and Jeanette (Fraser) Gordon, who were also natives of the Empire state. The father engaged in agri- cultural pursuits throughout his entire life on a farm near Caledonia, where his death occurred, while the mother passed away at the home of her son, Henry, in Rochester.
James Fraser Gordon pursued his education in the common schools near the place of his nativity, attending its sessions during the winter months, while in the summer seasons he assisted his father in the work of the home farm. At an early age he manifested an unusual interest in mechanics and when a youth of sixteen years gave practical demonstration of his mechanical ingenuity. Hav- ing only the tools of a farmer's workshop and a pocket knife with which to work, he made a print- ing press which printed a sheet of paper on both sides. The process up to that time had been en- tirely unknown, as newspaper presses then print- ed a sheet on only one side at a time. Had Mr. Gordon persistsed in his claim to having construct- ed the first perfected press of this character, the machine which he made on the farm would in all probability have gained him world wide fame. It was, in fact, such a good press that the most eminent journalist of America, Horace Greeley, extended his compliments to the inventor. Lack of money, however, prevented Mr. Gordon from devoting further time to the printing press and he turned his attention to the invention of a self- binding harvester. Prior to that time machines had been in operation which had superseded the
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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER AND MONROE COUNTY.
sickle and cut wheat, oats and barley in a satis- factory manner, but the machine had to be fol- lowed by a force of men to bind the sheaves ac- cording to methods which had probably been in vogue since farming claimed the attention of mankind. Mr. Gordon had himself often done work in the harvest fields, binding the sheaves of wheat, and it was but natural that with his inven- tive genius he should study out a method of per- forming the work by mechanical processes. He thought, studied and experimented, drawing closer day by day to a successful completion, nor did he give up his self imposed task until it was com- pleted. Later litigation arose concerning the in- vention; as others attempted to deprive him of his patent rights. In a trial before the courts he said, "I made my first binder model in 1862 and my first full sized machine in 1864. In June of that year I filed my caveat. I obtained my first patent for a harvest binding machine on May 12, 1868." Mr. Gordon worked on the machine at his home for several years and then made his way to St. Louis, hoping to secure the assistance of capital there. He became acquainted with two men who wished to invest in the machine and its manufacture. Mr. Gordon then went to Kalama- zoo, Michigan, and it was while in that place that he secured the patent on the machine in 1868. He then sold one-quarter interest in the patent to the two St. Louis men, after which he returned cast, taking up his abode in Rochester. His en- tire time and attention were then devoted to mak- ing further improvements and getting out new patents on the machine. In August, 1868, one of his machines was in full operation in a field near Rochester. From that time until the close of his life, Mr. Gordon was identified with the manu- facture of the self-binding harvesters and was in- terested in over forty patents on those machines. The McCormicks of Chicago undertook to use his invention without paying royalty and as a result of the lawsuit which followed Mr. Gordon re- ceived from them twenty thousand dollars in ad- justment of his claims.
In connection with his patents on the self- binder, Mr. Gordon invented and patented a nut- making machine and also various other useful de- vices, which he afterward sold. . He owed three- fourths of his patent rights on the self-binder to western capitalists, who were still manufacturing the machines at the time of his death. The mod- els of such large machinery in the patent office in Washington, D. C., have all been done away with, as space forbids the use of such, and photographs are now used instead, but they still keep a model of Mr. Gordon's patent on the self-binder and it has been exhibited at all the world's fairs of late years. The anxiety and nervous tension re- sulting from fourteen lawsuits, which Mr. Gordon brought against infringers of his patents, weak-
ened a naturally strong constitution and he died on the 20th of July, 1886.
In early manhood Mr. Gordon had wedded Miss Mary A. Ross, of Caledonia, New York, daughter of James and Catherine Ross, both of whom were natives of Scotland." They came to this country in 1830 and settled in Caledonia, where Mr. Ross followed the profession of an architect. He continued in the same line of busi- ness in Caledonia throughout his remaining days. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gordon were born two chil- dren : Helen, now the wife of Henry D. Shedd, a prominent attorney of the law firm of Shedd & Morse, and they reside with her mother; and Charles Ross Gordon, who is married and lives on South Fitzpatrick street in Rochester. The death of the husband and father was greatly re- gretted, not only by his immediate family but also by many friends, who honored and esteemed him for his sterling traits of character. He took little or no interest in politics, preferring to give his undivided attention to his inventions and business interests. America has been pre-eminent in the past century for her inventions, especially along utilitarian lines, and Mr. Gordon is one whose work adds lustre to the splendid record of the country in this connection. He has given to the world various labor saving devices of great value and utility and certainly deserves the honor, praise and recognition of the agricultural class.
Mrs. Gordon is a member of the First Presby- terian church of Rochester. She has remained in the city since her husband's death and is the owner of one of its finest homes, at 1075 Lake avenue, built by Mr. Gordon shortly prior to his demise. She spends the summer months at the lake from the 1st of June to the 1st of October, while the winter seasons are passed in Rochester, where she and her daughter are very prominent in social circles.
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