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 54
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Dr. Bessemer is ever an industrious and ambi- tious student of his profession, keeping abreast with the progress which is being made in this line of work through reading and investigation, while in social circles he is popular by reason of a genial disposition and a pleasing personality.
ELIAS C. GLAZIER.
Elias C. Glazier, for many years well known in business circles in Rochester, where he was recog- nized as a citizen and manufacturer of worth and prominence, departed this life in 1905. He was born at Cherry Valley, Otsego county, New York, in 1832, and came to Rochester at an early period in its development and upbuilding, making the journey on a canal boat, after the primitive manner of the times. He was the youngest in a family of thirteen children and, being thrown upon his own resources at a com- paratively early age, he entered the field of busi- ness to become therein an active and forceful factor. During much of his life he was con- nected with the business of manufacturing lamps and headlights of various kinds. He was the original promoter of the Star Head Light Com- pany of this city and was active in the Steam Gauge & Lantern Works. It was he who sup- planted the lard oil headlight with the first kero- sene light on the locomotives of the Pennsylvania Railroad, when associated with the James H. Kelley Lamp Works, where he was for over thirty
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years. As the years passed he continued in this line of business, bringing forth improvements as the years went by, and in 1894 he became the prime mover in the organization of the Glazier Headlight Company, Inc. The incorporators of the new concern were Elias C. Glazier, Frank P. Siddons, John Platts, William H. Elliott and Nellie A. Glazier. The gentlemen are all now deceased, Mr. Glazier having passed away twelve years ago, and Mr. Siddons about four years ago. Mr. Elliott sold his interest to Miss Glazier, who is still carrying on the business.
Mr. Glazier continued active in its supervision until his demise. He found time, however, for outside interests and was a most active, faithful and devoted member of the First Methodist Epis- copal church, in which he served as a trustee, steward and class leader. In politics he was a democrat and was very active in political circles in the ninth ward. He was classed with those business men who, coming to Rochester at an early day, laid the foundation for the later de- velopment and progress of the city along com- mercial and industrial lines. He stood, more- over, as a high type of citizen, while in his family he was a devoted husband and father. He also held friendship inviolable and thus his death came with a sense of personal bereavement to many who knew him.
Miss Glazier, who is now manager and owner of the business conducted under the name of the Glazier Headlight Company, is a native of Rochester and began her education in public school No. 6, passing through successive grades until she was graduated on the completion of the high- school course. She paid considerable attention to the study of music but gave up that art in order to take active charge of the business, which is located at Nos. 7 and 9 Griffith street. Em- ployment is furnished to thirty-five people and three floors of a large building are utilized. The output is three thousand headlights annually, for which a ready sale is found. Miss Glazier is a woman of excellent business ability, who in the conduct of this enterprise has shown splendid powers of management and keen discernment.
MAJOR HARVEY E. LIGHT.
A well developed and highly improved farm in Pittsford township. Monroe county, is the property of Major Harvey E. Light, who has spent the greater part of his life in the Empire state. He was born in Dutchess county, New York. September 19, 1834, being the eldest of a family of nine children, of whom four sons and a daughter are vet living. The parents were James and
Mariah M. (Divine) Light, the former born in Columbia county in 1806, and the latter in Dutchess county in 1810. The father was of Revolutionary antecedents, his father serving with the Dutchess county militia. Another relative was in several battles and present at the surren- der of Cornwallis. His mother was the daughter of General Horton, an English loyalist, who served on our side and when the British occupied New York and Washington, retired up the Hud- son to Newburgh. His family escaped up the Hudson and General Horton afterward settled in Putnam county. Later the mother died at Shenandoah, Dutchess county, at ninety-six years of age. The name Light was formerly Licht of German origin, attached to three brothers who left Germany in 1:19 for this country. Arriving at Manchester, England, one of them decided to re- main in England, but the other two came here, landing in Baltimore. They all with their descend- ants assumed the name of Light, which has the same signification as Licht in German. Sons of the brother settling in England emigrated to this coun- try settling in Maine, and James Light on his pa- ternal side was a descendant. His wife, Mariah M., was of Holland antecedents, and on the mother's side of the name of Rosecrans, relatives of Major General Rosecrans.
In 1834 James Light and wife moved from Fishkill, Dutchess county, to near Fairport, Mon- roe county, on to a farm, and for eight years he worked principally at blacksmithing. In 1842 he sold the farm and moved into Fairport, con- ducting a blacksmith and wagon-making busi- ness. In 1852 he sold his home and factory prop- erty to the late Judge D. B. Deland, who in the latter building established what was later known as the Deland Chemical Works. With his wife and four children James Light then journeyed to Greenville, Michigan, in a wagon, nearly five hundred miles away. There he engaged at his trade and farming until his death in July, 1857. His wife survived until December, 1865, and was buried beside her husband and one daughter at Greenville, Michigan.
Harvey E. Light labored on farms from twelve until nineteen years of age, when in 1853 he entered a store at Pittsford, and two years later, 1855, went to Michigan. In 1856 he en- gaged in the nursery business, which with the ex- ception of three years, while in the army, he followed until 1869. In 1870 he purchased a pine lumbering business with mills, conducting the same for three years when he exchanged the property for a foundry business at Westfield, Massachusetts. He purchased his present farm in 1876 and in 1877 he moved to Rochester, New York, where he originated the business known as the Eureka Steam Heating Company, manufactur- ing steam heating apparatus of his own invention,
HARVEY E. LIGIIT.
MRS. HARVEY E. LIGHT.
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and which had an extended sale. Retiring from that business in 1887, in poor health, lie con- tinued his stock-farming business, though much of his time has been occupied in the steam busi- ness in the western states.
He was one of four brothers, Harvey E., George W., Edward B., and Dewitt C., all of whom served in the Union Army. Obtaining permission to raise a company for the Tenth Regiment, Michi- gan Cavalry, in August, 1863, Major Light hired a fifer and two drummers, paying them wages and expenses, and with his team, he held consecutive war meetings in the surrounding country until a large barbecue held at Greenville concluded en- listments, permitting his company E to be sec- ond in the regiment, taking the right of the Sec- ond Battalion. Though not mustered until Octo- ber 22, his service was afterward dated back to July 25 as a compliment for his prompt efforts in procuring enlistments. At organization of the company he was elected captain, but in field ser- vice was early placed in command of a battalion and following the siege of Knoxville, Tennessee, was detached with a battalion as mounted police for Knoxville and surrounding country. He was also active in engagements when Generals Will- iams, Morgan, Wheeler and Longstreet at succes- sive dates attempted to recover east Tennessee. When making the advance to capture General Morgan (at his death), Major Light's battalion was on the right. Major Light was continued in command of the mounted police, or scouts, until January, 1865. At this latter date, by agreement of the field officers of his regiment, he was de- tached by orders of the secretary of war to pro- ceed to Michigan to obtain recruits for the regi- ment, which had become quite decimated. Or- ders were received in the afternoon, and turning over his command, he with six enlisted men left that night for Grand Rapids, Michigan, where, raising money on his own account, with diligent application, he recruited and committed seven hundred and eighteen men, using over three thou- sand dollars, of which about six hundred dol- lars were not repaid to him. Returning to his regiment, he and many other officers were mus- tered upon previous promotions. The regiment was newly equipped and ordered to west Tennes- see, marching nearly four hundred miles to Jack- son, where headquarters were established and Major Light was put in command and continued until November, when the regiment was mustered out at Memphis. .
In August, 1865, Major Light was solicited to take a commission in the regular army. He was very strongly endorsed by the colonel of his regi- ment, now Brigadier General L. S. Trowbridge, of Detroit, also by Generals Tillson and Stoneman ; General Tillson writing, "Major Harvey E. Light served in my command and under my immediate
personal supervision nearly one year. He is in every respect one of the very best officers I have met in the service. He is active, industrious, brave and competent. Major Light is besides a thoroughly conscientious man, in whose integrity and good judgment every confidence can be placed." The colonel of his regiment wrote : "Major Light is a man of good education, most excellent habits, great industry and of studied in- tegrity. He has had an independent command for a considerable portion of our service and has shown himself well qualified to secure good discipline. His character is above reproach and I think the interest of the government would be subserved by retaining him in the service."
Major Light was a firm believer in the princi- ples of the republican party and very active in its organization ; was a Fremont voter, and formerly held many positions of trust and responsibility ; was chairman of the Montcalm county republican committee two terms; sheriff of the county ; school inspector ; department United States marshal, etc. Of late years he has been an independent voter and believes prohibition the only remedy for the evils of the liquor traffic. He was active in the organization of E. J. Tyler post, its commander for two successive terms. He is also a member of the Loyal Legion, is much opposed to corrup- tion and misrule in public affairs, and labors earnestly for the welfare of his home locality. A man of strong convictions and genuine worth, he has steadily pursued his way undeterred by ob- stacles and difficulties that to many would seem insurmountable.
MARY HELEN LIGHT.
Mary Helen (Shepard) Light, wife of Major H. E. Light, was born at Pittsford, New York, December 23, 1833. Her parents were Sylvester and Matilda B. (Palmer) Shepard. Other chil- dren were Catherine M., later wife of Professor E. Hinds : William H .; Emma Jane, later Mrs. William H. Campion; and Theodore. The last named served in the Union army and died soon after the war.
Mr. Shepard and his brother William, with their families, were two of about twenty families that came from western Massachusetts, settling in northwest Pittsford and east Brighton in from 1820 to 1830, and made practically a New Eng- land settlement. They were intelligent, indus- trious, and with high ideals and regards for the community interests ; of strong anti-slavery con- victions, and later active in emancipation and educational interests. In the establishment of
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schools, one of the most popular was the Clover Street Seminary, which for many years was largely attended and with the most creditable results. Mrs. Light was a graduate and subsequently for many years was engaged in educational work in this state, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Marrying at twenty-seven years, she accom- panied her husband to his Michigan home, and for twelve years was prominent in the religious and social life of Greenville. Moving to New Eng- land in 1873, she renewed the associations of family and relatives, and warmly appreciated the culture, intelligence and devotion of those people. Stockbridge and surrounding towns which were the homes of her antecedents represents the best of New England culture and the Shepards were of families representing much of the most notable conditions. Mrs. Light's mother was a Palmer, descended from the pioneers which landed at Stonington, Connecticut, to which place by hun- dreds in later years they journeyed to hold re- unions and included such men as General John M. Palmer ; Potter Palmer, of Chicago; the poet, William Pitt Palmer, of New York; and numer- ous other distinguished men and women. William Pitt Palmer was an uncle of Mrs. Light, and the celebrated author of the "Smack in School," and numerous other poems which are to be found in many libraries.
In 1877, with her husband, Mrs. Light removed to her childhood home, spending the balance of her days amid familiar scenes, engaged actively in W. C. T. U., equal suffrage, church and neigh- borhood work. The children of Major and Mrs. Light were: George E., of St. Louis, Missouri ; Charles W., of Saginaw, Michigan ; Manning R., who died in 1891, at Saginaw; William Pitt, of Saginaw ; Arthur S., of Rochester, New York ; and M. Grace, of Lansing, Michigan. Mrs. Light died November 8, 1902, and is buried in the Pittsford cemetery beside her parents, a brother and a son.
ALBERT RISLEY.
The death of Albert Risley, a well known and highly respected citizen of Brockport, was the oc- casion of deep and widespread regret, when, on the 7th of December, 1906, he was called from this life. He had throughout a long period been act- ively and closely associated with the agricultural life of his section of the county, owning a well improved and valuable farm, comprising twenty- seven acres, located one mile from Brockport, but in 1905 he retired to that city, there to spend his remaining days. He was a native of Madison county, New York, his birth occurring in Hub- bardsville, July 28, 1841. His father, Elizur
Risley, was a native of East Hartford, Connecti- cut, and when a young man removed to Madison county, where he engaged in farming. He was married twice and by his first wife had six chil- dren, of whom Albert was the youngest and was but four years of age when the mother died. The father, however, kept the family together and afterward married again.
Albert Risley was reared and educated at the place of his nativity and upon starting out to face the responsibilities of a business career he chose farming as his life work. In 1868 he came to Brockport and located on West avenue, purchas- ing a small farm which, owing to its proximity to the city, was very valuable. He there successfully engaged in raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, and because of the productiveness of the land he annually gathered rich crops. In 1905, however, he abandoned all business pursuits and removed to the city of Brockport, there to spend his remaining days, but he was not per- mitted to long enjoy his new home, for he was called to the home beyond December 7, 1906, and thus passed away one of the highly respected citi- zens of this community. He was a gentle, kindly man, charitable in his estimate of every one and affable in his treatment of all. He never spoke evil of any one, believing that each individual has his redeeming qualities. His greatest ambition seemed to be to serve her who for almost four decades had traveled life's journey with him, shar- ing in his joys and sorrows, his adversity and prosperity.
Mrs. Risley bore the maiden name of Catherine Hovey. She is a native of Brockport, born of the marriage of Ebenezer and Nancy (Treat) Hovey, the former a farmer by occupation and a native of New York, but he is now deceased. Mrs. Risley was reared and educated in her native city and after reaching womanhood gave her hand in mar- riage to Albert Risley, the ceremony being per- formed on the 29th of October, 1868. The other members of her father's family are: Mrs. Sarah Sparlin, who also resides in Brockport : Mrs. Laura M. Hiler, now deceased; Miss Almira Hovey, who resides on West avenue, Brockport: Horace C., a resident of Bergen, New York; T. J., who makes his home on West avenue, Brockport; and Cas- sius, also living on West avenue, the two brothers and their sister, Miss Hovey, residing within two miles of each other. By her marriage Mrs. Risley has become the mother of two daughters, Eva A. and Ruby A. Risley. The former was educated at the Brockport Normal School and is now the wife of Frank W. Cook, of Brockport, who carries on farming. They were married on the 29th of January, 1902, and now have one child. Nellie Verna Cook, born June 6, 1903. Ruby A., born January 3. 1872, died June 10, 1879. The mother still makes her home in Brockport, where
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she has a wide circle of friends, for her many ex- cellent traits of heart and mind commend her to the good will and esteem of all with whom she is associated.
GEORGE ELLWANGER.
He who builds up a great enterprise does for his country as important a work as he who pro- tects its interests upon the battlefield or he who formulates its laws in the council chambers of state or nation. The trend of civilization has ever been westward and upon the frontier out- posts have been found men of stalwart courage and of marked ability who have recognized and utilized opportunities and resources and have builded to their labor a monument in large under- takings which have resulted from their diligence and enterprise. Such a one was George Ellwanger, who was a pioneer in the nursery business in western New York. His life record, too, indi- cated how great are the advantages which America offers to her adopted sons. No caste or class fettered his ambition and the dignity of labor is here appreciated as in no other country. George Ellwanger in early manhood wisely determined to make his home in the United States.
He was born December 2, 1816, at Gross-Hep- pach, in the Remsthal, called "the garden of the fatherland," in the kingdom of Wurtemburg, Ger- many, and amid the vineyards with his father and brothers he labored during his youth, finding en- joyment in the occupation which proved to him an alluring field for the labors of life. A liberal general education acquired in the schools of the neighborhood was supplemented by specific train- ing of four years in a leading horticultural insti- tution in Stuttgart, and there he continuously advanced toward that perfection which brought him so goodly a measure of success in his later years. Ambitious for advantages that would prove tangible assets in a business life, he came to the United States in 1835 and for a brief period resided at Tiffin, Ohio, but the Genesee valley as he passed westward left with him a strong mental picture that proved too attractive to resist and accordingly after a few months he returned to Rochester, where he entered the horticultural establishment of the firm of Reynolds & Bateham, the first of its kind in this city. The succeeding four years were spent as an employe and in 1839 by purchase he became proprietor of the business and at the same time acquired eight acres of land on Mount Hope avenue, a tract which formed the nucleus of the Mount Hope Nurseries, which sub- sequently hecame so celebrated. The following
year Patrick Barry was admitted to a partnership that covered the succeeding half century and was only terminated by the death of Mr. Barry in June, 1890. The business proved profitable from the beginning and as settlement increased in the west they shipped their goods more and more largely to those newer districts toward the setting sun until at length Ellwanger & Barry's nursery goods were sold in every section of the United States, while a large export trade was also en- joyed. Additional property was purchased here to meet the growing demands of the business and they likewise established the Toronto Nurseries in Canada and the Columbus Nurseries in Ohio in order to facilitate shipments and bring the western and northern trade nearer to a base of supplies. After the death of Mr. Barry the old firm name was continued, Mr. Ellwanger remain- ing at the head of the house until his own demise. The generation to which he belonged represented a different type of business men. They maintained a higher standard of commercial ethics, and the house of Ellwanger & Barry never for a moment slipped back from the honorable policy established at the outset. It was always their endeavor to please their patrons by supplying stock of the highest quality, gaining a fair profit on their sales, yet never overreaching another in a busi- ness transaction. The firm name, therefore, be- came synonymous with commercial integrity and the records of Mr. Ellwanger and of Mr. Barry both furnish an example that is indeed worthy of emulation. The former became widely known in financial circles through close association with the banking interests of Rochester, being success- ively a director of the Union and Flour City Banks and a trustee of the Monroe County Sav- ings Bank and the Rochester Trust & Safe Deposit Company. The Rochester Gas Company also profited by his services and sound advice as a director, and he was connected in similar official capacity with the Eastman Kodak Company and the Rochester & Brighton Street Railway Com- pany.
In 1846 occurred the marriage of George Ell- wanger and Miss Cornelia Brooks, a daughter of General Micah Brooks, a pioneer of western New York. They had four sons, George H., Henry B., William D. and Edward S., to whom liberal edu- cational advantages were afforded as were also the means of study and travel abroad. The eldest son became a prominent factor in the conduct of the nursery business.
Mr. Ellwanger passed away in November, 1906, full of years and honors. He was not only known as a pre-eminently active and successful business man but one whose devotion to the city was marked by many tangible proofs. He studied the city's needs and its possibilities, labored to meet the former and to enlarge the latter. working
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not only for the interests of the moment but also for the welfare of the future. He retained in remarkable manner the vigor and strength of manhood and long after he had passed the Psalm- ist's allotted span of three score years and ten he was an active factor in business life. To have attained to the extreme fullness of years and to have had one's ken broadened to a comprehension of all that has been accomplished within the flight of many days, is of itself sufficient to render con- sonant a detailed consideration of such a life in a work of this order, but in the case at hand there are more pertinent, more distinguishing elements -those of usefulness, of high honor, of marked intellectuality, of broad charity-which lift high in reverence the subjective personality of one who stood as one of nature's noblemen, "four square to every wind that blows." No shadows darkened any period of his long, honorable and eventful life and it therefore becomes an impor- tant public duty to perpetuate his memory. His example stands as an object lesson to those who come after him and though dead he still speaks.
FRANCIS W. LITTLE.
Francis W. Little, a retired merchant of Ro- chester, belongs to that class of men whose ready adaptability constitutes the basis of their success. With a nature keenly intellectual in its trend and with a deep love of nature and the outdoor life, he nevertheless concentrated his energies upon the conduct of industrial and commercial interests with the result that he made for himself a credit- able name and gained a goodly measure of pros- perity in those lines. He was born at Cherry Valley, Otsego county, New York, in 1838, his parents being David H. and Julia (Seelye) Little, who were likewise natives of Otsego county, where they were reared and educated. The father rc- moved to Rochester, but had resided here for only a few years when his death occurred. In the fam- ilv were three sons, the surviving brother of Fran- cis W. Little being Dr. David Little, who resides at No. 162 Plymouth avenue, Rochester.
Francis W. Little was educated in the Cherry Valley Academy and at Union College, being graduated from the latter in 1859. Of the same school his father and two brothers were alumni. When Francis Little came to Rochester in 1859 the city had but forty thousand inhabitants and he has therefore heen a witness of much of its growth and has contributed to its prosperity. He began his work here as a fruit-grower and con- tinued in the business for ten years. It was a free outdoor life that he loved. but the commercial
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